The 15 Best Kitchen Essentials Beginner Cooks of Any Age Will Love

It’s so easy to buy a knife off the shelf at your local discount store, and who could blame you when you’re working on building out a toolbox of essentials? But it’s wiser to select one that’s been tested by people who know a few things about knives. This option from Paudinl is a solid one. Our tests found it provides a good grip and makes quick work of slicing and dicing various vegetables. It’s a decent knife for a new cook or kitchen — especially if you are looking for a hero that can perform every task a knife calls for until you grow your collection. Like all knives, it is better served by handwashing and drying rather than a trip through the dishwasher. This keeps the steel in good shape and the handle sturdy. Regular sharpening also increases its lifespan and usefulness.

Weight: 6.88 ounces | Metal: High Carbon Stainless Steel

OXO is a reliable brand used by cooks at every level of expertise. This set of dry cup measures and measuring spoons may be the only one you ever need, especially if you keep it out of the dishwasher. Made of stainless steel, the set includes four cup measures in 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup sizes and four measuring spoons in 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, and 1 tbsp sizes. Held together by magnets, it’s easy to store them as a unit and just as easy to disengage and use each cup and spoon on its own, making the set efficient and useful.

Material: Stainless steel and plastic

Pyrex has been a major player in kitchenware since 1915. It remains a top choice for its versatility, longevity, timeless look, and smart design. When it comes to liquid measuring cups, buying one you can use for the rest of your life is the best option. With Pyrex’s 4-cup liquid measure, you can quickly and accurately mix up a batch of game-day brownies or weekend pancakes. Pyrex’s tempered glass means this tool is more resistant to cracks and chips; it can handle high and low temperatures, from microwave to freezer. Get a version in the 2-cup size if possible; they’re endlessly useful as a pair.  

Material: Tempered glass | Capacity: 32 ounces

A mixing bowl is arguably one of the most used items in the average kitchen. They do it all by providing the benefits of easy storage (via nesting) and mess-free transportation (with snap-on lids). This colorful set from Pyrex commemorates over 100 years of manufacturing high-quality household kitchen products. Its sculpted look makes the bowls cute enough to serve from or tote along to a picnic or potluck. The set offers easy cleanup, no retention of food smells or staining, and is microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe. n, the sculpted look of each glass bowl makes them cute enough to serve from, no matter the occasion.

The set includes four bowls — 3-cup, 6-cup, 10-cup, and 4.5-qt — plus colorful corresponding BPA-free plastic lids.

Material: Tempered glass, plus BPA-free plastic lids

Despite its name, a fish spat (or fish spatula) is not reserved for fish alone. If you’re a beginner cook, this thin, perfectly angled, and flexible spatula will save you from broken pancakes, delicate fish filets, and burgers, among other things. “I use it for any kind of protein, sauté work, gentle grill moves, and even scraping the burnt stuff off your pan when you screw up,” says chef Mike Andrzejewski. He has been using fish spatulas for decades and recalls that his first one was a “cheapy;” he used it so long that he named it “Bill” and even kept the pieces after it finally broke “out of respect.” The beauty of an angled fish spatula is that it offers extra leverage for sliding under foods, allowing for easier flipping and serving.

We put fish spats of various shapes, materials, and sizes through rigorous tests, including flipping pancakes and burgers. Flying through our tests with just-right verdicts across the board, the MIU Stainless Steel Fish Spatula was undisputedly our best overall pick. 

Blade Length: 6.5 inches | Material: Plastic and stainless steel | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

The Westmark Verdura Vegetable Peeler is classically U-shaped, sleekly shaped from stainless steel, and ergonomically fits in the palm of a hand for easy peeling. It’s compatible with round and oblong produce, whether we’re talking apples or carrots. It’s also perfectly sharpened and has an oscillating blade, meaning that peeling anything from the densest of sweet potatoes to the most delicate of asparagus will take no effort and keep your precious vegetables intact. We love that it even has a sharpened “corer” for damaged spots.

Material: Stainless steel | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

In the kitchen, utensils like knives, spoons, and spatulas are effectively an extension of your hand and augment your ability to complete tasks with less effort than a bare hand. Wooden spoons are a fundamental kitchen essential sold in so many shapes, sizes, and materials that it is easy to overlook how significant each element is.

We love this one from Berard, which is often sold in a two-pack. Its slanted head comes to a point, making it easier to get into corners or move batter in a mixing bowl into a cake pan without leaving any behind. Berard makes its spoons out of olive wood, which is dense, hardy, and resists odors and stains better than other types of wood. I’ve owned several of these for over a decade and keep backups in my pantry “just in case.” 

Recommended for both baking and cooking, you’ll likely use this spoon every time you are preparing food in the kitchen, whether you’re stirring stew, whipping up a cake batter, combining ingredients in a mixing bowl, bringing together a sauce in a saucepan, or browning ground beef in a skillet. I love this one for its slanted head that comes to a point, making it easier to get into corners or move all of the batter in a mixing bowl into a cake pan.

“Wood just has the benefit of a better feel in your hand; if you cook a lot, that’s very important,” says Andrzejewski. “Never soak them or put them away wet. This includes not leaving them sitting in a simmering pot. I wash my wooden utensils in soapy water, rinse them in hot water, and hand dry them.”

Material: Olive wood | Length: 11.7 inches | Width: 2 inches

No matter how much confidence you have in the kitchen, a beginner cook can save time, effort, and anxiety by simply owning (and using!) a meat thermometer. Why guess whether something is done when entertaining a first date or having your parents over for dinner? Why risk ruining a nice steak? Or accidentally serving your guests undercooked chicken? Try a meat thermometer. It’s your friend.

Thermometer nerds will suggest a fancy OTT thermometer that connects to your smartphone using Bluetooth tech, but honestly, you don’t need that. In fact, most people don’t. The ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2 is simple, accurate, works at lightning speed, and is waterproof. We particularly love that it’s under $30.

Accuracy: To ±1°F (±0.5°C) | Waterproof: Yes | Certified: By NIST-traceable Cal. and NSF.

For a stainless steel cookware set, we’re big fans of this 10-piece Tramontina set. Included are an 8- and 10-inch fry pan, a 3-quart saute pan with lid, a 1.5- and 3-quart saucepan with lid, and an 8-quart stock pot with lid. In your hands, it feels like it’s designed for balance and durability. Each piece is balanced and comfortable to use.

We love the across-the-board, even heat distribution and handles (no burns here!). Plus, it’s compatible with all cooktops, including induction. The entire set is dishwasher-safe, but we always recommend that you hand wash tools you want to last. Each pot and pan washes easily with just a spot of dish soap. Take good care of it, and you’ll be able to keep this set for the long haul due to its quality construction.

Construction: 3-ply stainless steel with aluminum | Maximum Temperature: 500°F  | Induction-Safe: Yes

Maybe a full cookware set is a reach for your toolbox of basics? It’s important to remember that whether you’re a beginner cook, moving into your first apartment, or packing for a summer cottage, a good skillet is the single piece of cookware to consider. 

The Always Pan by Our Place is a skillet with a bonus to offer: this 10-inch pan is “10 in 1” — it braises, sears, steams, strains, sautés, fries, boils, bakes, serves, and stores a steamer basket and nesting spoon, both included. We love its versatility; its new and improved ceramic coating adds to its functionality and design. The cherry on top is a selection of gorgeous color options, ranging from a vibrant electric blue to soft lavender. 

Construction: Heavy-gauge aluminum with ceramic coating | Maximum Temperature: 425°F | Induction-Safe: Yes

If you ask an experienced home cook which brand of sheet pans they love, they’ll almost certainly recommend Nordic Ware. Whether you’re an old pro or just getting comfortable with cooking, this set is an ideal choice that will quickly become a staple. These pans are our top pick for their durability, price, and even heating. Their 18-gauge aluminum makeup keeps them lightweight while ensuring resistance to dings and warping.

Hot tip: Sheet pan cooking is an excellent way for beginners to kick off their cooking adventure if you consider most of these recipes are all prep and then largely hands-off once the sheet is tucked into the oven. There’s also no struggle with timing multiple courses to be done at once. Half sheets are convenient for a kitchen of any size, but we recommend adding Nordic Ware quarter sheets to your arsenal. We recommend using silicone utensils if scratching your baking sheet is a worry.

Material: Aluminum | Dimensions: 17.9 x 12.9 inches | Dishwasher-safe: No

The Instant Pot Duo Plus 8-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker, V4, didn’t falter. The control panel is straightforward, with preset buttons and status updates, making it simple to get any cook needed with the pot’s guidance. Out of all of the Instant Pots on the market, this model exemplifies what it means to have an even cooking surface, steady heat, and consistent pressure.

To boot, it’s a piece of cake to clean — did we mention it has a cake setting? This appliance has a high return investment, so we feel it’s a fantastic value. The Duo Plus would be right at home when outfitting a kitchen for entertaining or meal prepping.

Capacity: 8 quarts | Functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, rice, steam, saute, yogurt, sous vide, cake, and warm (higher and lower pressure options for all)

Only some people have the counter space for a bulk cooker, even if it serves multiple functions. Whether kitting out a new kitchen with essential gadgets or squeezing into your first apartment, a small Instant Pot is a useful choice. The Instant Pot Duo Mini 3-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker offers all of the multipurpose features of larger Instant Pot models in a smaller package.

The twist-lock lid and lid handle design are even more functional than some newer, larger models. We recommend this 3-quart option as a hardworking and space-saving addition to your kitchen if you need kitchen products for small portions.

Capacity: 3 quarts | Functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, rice, steam, saute, yogurt, and warm (higher and lower pressure options for all)

For a new home cook, we recommend initially investing in a single multi-use immersion blender over a food processor, blender, or hand mixer. Breville makes the most impressive immersion blender we’ve tested by a landslide. The Breville Control Grip includes a whisk attachment, a 2.5-ounce chopping bowl, and a 42-ounce blending container.  It can puree soup, blend a smoothie, emulsify a creamy sauce or salad dressing, and chop vegetables with little effort to set up or clean up. Its design makes it intuitive for the user to operate, and the 15-speed dial located at the top of the blender is simple to decipher and utilize. 

Despite the Control Grip’s heavy-duty skill set, the blender isn’t too hefty to use without strain. We love its functionality and the fact that it’s easy to clean. As with most items recommended here, though its wand is technically dishwasher safe, you’ll increase its lifespan if you wash it by hand.

Weight: 3.8 pounds | Number of speeds: 15; variable | Dishwasher-safe wand: Yes

We love Curio’s set of dishwashing tools. The set includes three brushes and a magnetized pedestal, so these tools stand up (and stay dry) along your sink’s edge. Each brush is lightweight and designed to ease the chore of washing dishes and kitchen equipment by hand, something we’ve advocated for throughout this article. 

Replete with a multi-use three-sided brush, a rounded brush for glasses or water bottles, and a scrubber for pots and pans, each of the heads is fully replaceable, making this a purchase that lasts. The steel handles are durable and come in several finishes. We never thought we’d be this excited about a dish brush, but it’s changed how we feel about cleaning up.

Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.5 x 2.8 inches | Materials: Magnetized steel, nylon

“Believe it or not, my first choice would be the classic Betty Crocker Cookbook,” says Andrzejewski. This classic tome of American cookery is on its 13th edition and features almost 400 recipes. In addition to the classics, this newer version of the cookbook offers recipes for air fryers and slow cookers as well as instructions for gluten-free and vegan dishes.

“It has everything you need to make very good food without a lot of equipment or technical skill,” says the chef. “It is foolproof, tried and true through generations. From soup to dessert, a beginner cook can find working recipes to cook a nice meal anyone would be satisfied by.”

Michael Ruhlman, author of dozens of books on cooking, the world of cuisine, and being a chef, published Ratio in 2010. A book that benefits beginners and pros alike, Ratio is a tool more than a recipe book. Chef Andrzejweski, who has been cooking for over thirty years, tells us he carries a copy in his backpack and car. “You can find anything you need to know in Ratio,” he says.  “How to scale things up or down. How to start from scratch with a recipe. Ruhlman’s explanations for everything from making fresh pasta to freezing meat or cooking fish are invaluable. He helps cooks understand how and why things work.” A New York Times bestseller, cooking with Ratio is a game-changer. “Ratio,” he says, “can make anyone a better cook.”