So you want to start cooking – Congratulations! It is seriously a life skill that everyone needs to master eventually. But don’t worry, it’s not as daunting as it looks. While it’s easy to get overwhelmed watching the cooking channel or endless TikToks of people creating fantastic feasts, you don’t need every gadget under the sun to be a great chef. Don’t tell anyone, but you don’t even need an air fryer! Shocking I know. You just need to fill your kitchen with the cooking basics to learn how to cook and enjoy your food.
Wonderfully for you, we’ve created a list of just that. Keep on reading to find out what the 37 kitchen essentials for beginner chefs are, designed to make your life a little easier and help you master the basics. Whether you’re an amateur baker or looking to wow your pals with homemade pizza, the tools you need are below so get reading and get shopping.
This Pizza Cutter and Peel are all you Need to Make Great Pizza
If your love of pizza rivals that of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles you have to invest in some great tools to help you become a home pizza chef. This peel helps you easily remove the pizza from the oven, safely, while the rocker blade gives you clean even slices every time. Plus, the cutter is versatile – try it for cakes, brownies, herbs, and more! It’s well worth the investment.
Stay Comfortable as you Cook with a Cushioned Mat
If you’re going to be standing slaving over the stove, trying to perfect new dishes, then you should be comfortable while doing it. This anti-fatigue mat helps relieve pressure on your joints and reduces lower back pain with its sky-core foam. Choose from a range of colors to match your kitchen decor and get the support you need.
This Baking Sheet Set is a Must Have
If you don’t already own these aluminum baking sheets, you’re seriously going to regret not buying them sooner. They’re a great convenient size for all sorts of uses, and the double pack for just $17.10 means you’ll always have one on hand when you need it (even when you’ve not got round to doing the dishes yet!).
It’s Pie Time with this Pastry Mat Sheet
Any home baker needs to own this super useful scraper and pastry mat. With a range of markers for exact measurements on the mat, you can make pies, pizzas, and tarts that will amaze your friends. The scraper makes cutting and moving dough easy, no wonder one reviewer said they were ‘very happy’ with this ‘great purchase’.
Make your Kitchen Stylish with This Olive Wood Utensil Holder
When you’re starting off in your culinary journey you want to make your kitchen somewhere you enjoy being. The best way to do this is by decorating and styling it so it’s a room you adore. This utensil holder will help you do just that with its classic and rugged natural wood look. The hand-crafted product is effortlessly impressive and is the addition you totally need.
Organize your Pantry with this Can Holder
Before you start cooking you’ll want to make sure you have all your ingredients in order. Available in different sizes, this version of the product is perfect for all 3oz cans, meaning you can create more space in your cupboards, while also being able to grab what you need quickly and efficiently.
Make Mornings a Priority with this Coffee Maker and Milk Frother Set
If caffeine is as important to you as it is to me, then you need to grab this coffee maker and milk frother set. It’s an absolute essential for the mornings in your kitchen, with the french press brewing perfect cups every time, and the milk frother helping you prepare coffee shop quality lattes, hot chocolates, cappuccinos, and more.
Prepare Stunning Dishes with this Superior Casserole Dish
Whether you’re a pasta bake fan, a fish casserole lover, or looking for the perfect enchilada dish – this casserole bakeware set is exactly what you’re searching for. They’re made of glass so suitable for ovens and freezers, making them wonderful for bulk prepping larger dishes as well as daily use. Try them for yourself now.
These Swing-Top Bottles are Juices Best Friends
If you’re expanding your cooking horizons and looking at making and storing your own drinks then you need to order these swing-top bottles now. Kombucha, freshly squeezed juice, flavored water, kefir, even milk, and salad dressings can all be stored and served safely and stylishly in these glass bottles.
Shake Things up with these Salt and Pepper Shakers
The first rule of cooking: seasoning is important. If you use nothing else, you have to make sure you have good quality salt and pepper on hand and there’s no better way to store and serve it than with these premium shakers. They have three pouring options so you can alter your servings and are easy to refill, earning them a 4.6-star rating.
This Acacia Wood Serving Tray is Wow Worthy
Serving the dish fashionably and with style is the easiest way to make it taste better. We eat with our eyes first after all. So it’s worth investing in some great serving tools including this wooden serving tray. They’re handcrafted and made from 100% acacia wood so each one is unique.
This Set of 10 Knives is Essential
With any cooking you’re likely to do, you’ll need a good set of knives. Durable, sharp, and suited for every purpose, these knives from Fine Dine are an Amazon’s Choice product, coming with a knife block, a tool holder, a cutting board, and even a knife sharpener to keep them at the great quality they arrive at.
Keep your Essentials Within Reach with this Kitchen Utensil Holder
This utensil caddy is the best seller on Amazon right now, with an incredible 4.8 out of 5-star rating from thousands of happy customers. It rotates easily, allowing you to get exactly what you need to keep cooking up your next masterpiece, without toppling over due to the foam base that grips the countertop safely.
Prep your Produce With Great Glass Containers
These are the only meal prep containers you’ll ever need. This 3 pack is oven safe, microwave safe, dishwasher safe, freezer safe, and even leakproof, meaning no matter what the job is, they’re up to the task. Cook in bulk, or prep your veg for easy meals throughout the week without waste or wilting.
These Mason Jars are a Great All Round Purchase
It’s hard to explain how useful mason jars are. They’re the best for making overnight oats, canning vegetables, preparing snacks, and even taking drinks on the go. The mason jar lids are leakproof so you’ll have no problem with spills.
Get Ready, Set, and Bake with these Casserole Dishes
If you’re just starting out with your cooking career then you need to get basics that are versatile and of great quality. This baking dish set features easy-grip handles and nest together for storage. This means you can stack them in your cupboards when not in use, so they don’t take up too much space either.
You Need these Cutting Boards
Kitchen novices need to have these kitchen cutting boards on their shopping list for real. These boards feature an easy-grip handle for storage and moving them around, while the sides of the board have juice grooves letting you chop fruit, fresh veg, and more without the mess.
Drips Aren’t an Issue with these Baking Sheets and Wire Racks
Baking and cooking can be a lot healthier with minimal effort when you order these pans with a baking rack now. The space below the rack in the sheet pan lets fat, juice, and drippings fall down, meaning you can eliminate some fat and grease from your meals without having to order expensive gadgets and tools.
Take Care of your Hands with Silicone Oven Mitts
I grabbed my favorite oven gloves recently and realized that months of use had burnt holes in my hands, leaving me exposed to steam and heat. So obviously I ran to Amazon and found these silicone oven gloves that offer protection up to 450 degrees! Plus, they’re long enough to cover your wrists and forearms, so they’re so much safer than many of the alternatives!
Follow Recipes Easily with these Measuring Cups and Spoons
With 15 different-sized measuring cups and spoons, you’ll never struggle to weigh out or estimate your spices and ingredients again. Follow recipes simply and put together food that will have people in disbelief that you’ve cooked this yourself. The long handles mean you can even dip into spice jars and grab the supplies you’re running low on.
This Silverware Set is the Basics You Have to Have
When we’re talking about kitchen essentials, silverware is something you cannot ignore! You can get this set of 20 pieces of silverware made with classic stainless steel and designed to be comfortable and ergonomic for just $11.99! That’s an absolute steal you cannot say no to.
Keep your Dry Goods Dry with Airtight Containers
These storage containers will revolutionize your pantry. The snap-down handles keep the top tight and the good inside, fresh. This set of 12 pieces even comes with chalkboard labels so you can make exactly what’s inside and keep track of the best before date! They’re even freezer, microwave, and dishwasher safe.
Silicone Spatulas Are the Future of Cooking
Stop scratching up the coating on your nonstick pans and grab this set of heat-resistant rubber spatulas now. Clean out bowls, stir your omelets, mix your cake batter, and more with this useful set that comes in 4 different sizes. Over 18,000 customers have reviewed these spatulas, giving them a star rating of 4.7 – some of the best on the market.
Whip Up Desserts that Will Delight With the Best Mixing Bowls
If any of my friends or family are reading this, I want these for my birthday this year. They’re the best mixing bowls I’ve ever seen and I’m not just talking about this sleek design with the modern gray color exterior. The nonslip bottoms are perfect for when I’m trying to froth up egg whites or aquafaba vigorously while the lids mean I can store extra mixture, batter, or even salads in the fridge for longer.
Open Jars Without the Effort with this Jar Opener
It’s not difficult at all to install this jar opener underneath any kitchen cabinet with its pre-attached adhesive sticker and screws. Slot your jar top into it and twist to open without injuring your hands. It’s the ideal gift for any elderly relatives or those with mobility issues.
Saftey isn’t a Concern with this Digital Meat Thermometer
Beginners starting out cooking meat might be worried about food sickness (for good reason, raw chicken is never a good idea!) but there’s no need to be scared. Order this digital meat thermometer now so you know you’ll always have safe, delicious meat, whether you’re a steak fan, a rib griller, or trying to make a roast chicken for all the family.
Avoid Burns on Your Countertops with Pot Holders
Safety is key in the kitchen so if you want to make sure you’re protecting yourself and the space around you, you need to add this silicone pot holder set now. You get a multifunctional glove and trivet mat that is heavy-duty and can protect you, your tables, your counters, and surfaces!
Taco Tuesdays are Better with a Mortar and Pestle
There’s no end to the uses you can get out of this large mortar and pestle. Not just for complex cooking methods, but it makes whipping up a batch of the freshest guac more simple than ever, crushing avocados, garlic, red onion, and mixing it with line and seasoning quickly.
These Dish Towels are Seriously Super
Replace disposable kitchen towels in your home with this six-pack of dish towels. They’re extremely absorbent with premium material that you can throw in the washing machine and get it out as good as new, letting you use them over and over again – saving money, and materials!
Plate your Food with Pride on this Serving Platter
No matter what snacks you’re offering up, if you serve them on this gorgeous live edge wood serving platter, everyone is sure to be amazed at your kitchen skills. It’s truly beautiful and a centerpiece for any table for sure. It’s completely flat, letting you lay whatever fruit, bakes, and snacks you’d like on it, making it so versatile.
Be a Master Baker with this Acacia Wood Cake Stand
Whatever occasion you have coming up – a family gathering, wedding, coffee morning – if you’re preparing baked goods, you’re going to want to serve them on something that will show off your handiwork to the best of your ability. This wooden pedestal is simple and classic, a traditional choice well worthy of its 4.8-star rating.
Boost Your Health by Ordeing this Gallon Glass Jar
A jar may not seem like a medical miracle, but when you use it to make and serve your own pickled vegetables, kombucha, and other superfoods, you’re sure to see that it’s an absolute kitchen essential. Perfect for fermentation, preserving, and even storing dry goods every home needs at least one of these on hand.
Cut Down on Time with this Magic Tap Automatic Drink Dispenser
No wonder this little gadget went completely viral online. This hands-free dispenser is a need for every bottle of juice or milk you have in your home. It’s perfect for quickly filling your bowls or glasses with just one hand. Just push the trigger and watch it shoot. I can’t wait to get one to make mornings with my nephew easier, so he can drink more water and become more self-reliant.
These Bowls with Lids are Food Storage Staples
Purchase, clean, cut, and prep your veg with these great nesting bowls. The airtight seal helps keep them fresh for snacking and bulk prepping, while the semi-transparent lid means you can look straight side and never lose track of what you’ve got in your fridge.
Set the Scene for Dinner with Pillar Candles
If you really want to impress with your first dinner party then you should really think about all the extras. A great cook doesn’t just deliver good food to their guests but a great atmosphere too. So order these smokeless and dripless candles now to offer a warm glow that’s sure to be inviting.
Make the Prettiest Plates with these Plating Tools
‘Wonderfully useful plating set […] every tool found its use at my job!’ is what one reviewer said about this plating set. ‘Good variety of tools’ another said. Try this 8 piece chef utensil set yourself now and enjoy creating stunning edible works of art each and every meal.
It’s Pie and Piza Time with this Rolling Pin and Mat
For the most perfect pies and pizzas, you should grab this pastry mat with measurements that help you create the perfect shapes each and every time. It’s the ideal teaching tool for beginners and experts alike. The stainless steel pin is perfect for rolling out dough with little effort. You have to order it ASAP.