*This page has affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
When it comes to my kitchen tools I aim for four things function, durability, space saving, and multiuse appliances, tools, and accessories. Do I have more of these items than the home cook would normally need…Yes. But, that’s why I have compiles a list of the essentials for cooking, meal prep, storage, and hydration below that I think are worth having below.
Kitchen Accessories and Tools
Vegetable peeler
Peelers are great for removing the outer skin of fruits and vegetables, but they’re also perfect for creating thin ribbons for salads, slaws, or garnishes, quickly and easily.
Bench Scraper
Bench scrapers are like spatulas for your countertops and cutting boards. You can use them to easily transfer chopped ingredients, move items around, or scrape up anything stuck to the surface. They’re also incredibly handy if you make your own bread or pastries, perfect for dividing, moving, and shaping dough with ease.
One Piece Silicone Spatulas
Some chefs call their spatulas the “money saver” because they let you scrape up every last bit of whatever you’re making. While spatulas with wooden handles can trap water where the handle meets the silicone, leading to mold or bacteria, one-piece silicone spatulas avoid that issue entirely. They’re seamless, hygienic, and dishwasher safe.
Fish Spatula
I’ve used all kinds of spatulas: plastic, rubber, firm metal, flimsy ones, solid or perforated, but if I could only keep one, it’d be the fish spatula.
It’s flexible enough to scrape up food from uneven pans, firm enough to flip big items in one go, and the perforated head drains oil or water with ease. The tapered edge even makes it great for serving casseroles, brownies, and more. Way more versatile than the name suggests!
Silicone Baking Mat
While they’re often used to line baking trays, I frequently use silicone mats under my cutting board to keep it from slipping. It makes chopping faster and safer. Unlike a damp towel, the mat doesn’t hold moisture, so it helps prevent wooden cutting boards from warping or splitting over time.
Blenders
Ninja® Foodi® Power Blender Ultimate System
This is the blender I currently use in my kitchen. It’s a powerful, versatile machine that does much more than just blend. With its additional attachments, it can grate, shred, process food, and even make dough.
I typically use it for smoothie bowls (it has a specific attachment for those), as well as soups, slaws, and sauces. It’s a real multitasker on the counter.
Immersion Blender
Immersion blenders are great for meal prep as you can use them to blend big batches of soups, dips, and sauces or even make your own dressings of mayonnaise. In addition to that you can get attachments to turn it into a hand held whisk, which can same you from needing or dirtying the stand mixer sometimes.
Food Storage
Bentgo Signature Leak-Proof Glass Food Storage
Bentgo has been my go-to for meal prep containers. They’re made from durable glass, completely leak-proof, and safe for both the microwave and dishwasher. The different-sized containers also nest neatly inside each other, making storage simple and space-efficient.
Cambro Food Storage Container
I first learned about Cambro containers in culinary school and working in industrial kitchens, and they’ve become one of my most practical, and favorite, tools in my home kitchen.
These containers conveniently nest inside each other when not in use, and stack securely when filled. Their square design maximizes storage space by minimizing wasted gaps when placed side by side.
I use them to store dry goods like flour, proof dough, and blend or store large batches of soups and sauces.
Weck Canning Jars
Canning jars aren’t just for canning! Glass jars like Weck’s are perfect for holding liquids without leaks, microwaving food without plastic, and storing items that spoil faster when exposed to light and air, like oils, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.
What I love about Weck jars is their glass lid with a rubber gasket. Unlike metal-lidded jars that can rust and wear out over time, these last longer. Plus, if your fridge is as packed as mine, their unique lid and base shape make them easier to stack and save space.
Water bottle
Hydro Flask 32 Oz
My favorite water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day is their 40 oz model, I keep it with me all the time. The only downside? It doesn’t fit well in most cup holders. That’s why I love their newer 32 oz design, which has a narrower bottom that fits perfectly in car cup holders, making it easier to stay hydrated on the go.