Printable kitchen essentials checklist

Whether you’re new to cooking or love being in the kitchen, figuring out what supplies you need to create a well-stocked kitchen isn’t always easy. But with the help of this kitchen essentials checklist, you can see exactly what you need to buy to ensure you have the right tools on hand every time you cook. From essential tools you’ll use to make dinner to helpful items that make baking a breeze, this handy list is the best way to keep track of everything you need to have in your kitchen.

Whether you’re looking for a list to help you put together a wedding registry or you’ve just moved to a new house, this kitchen essentials checklist is a must. Just scroll through the list, buy what you need, then check the box next to the item so you know you have these essential tools when you’re ready to start cooking.

Kitchen essentials checklist printable

Understanding what tools you need to have in your kitchen is one of the best ways to improve your cooking. So, if you’re on the hunt for a helpful guide to tell you exactly what you need and how to use it, you’ve come to the right place.

Having the right tools, utensils, containers, and appliances in your kitchen is crucial for creating delicious meals and maintaining a clean and organized cooking space. Grab this checklist for kitchen essentials and start investing in these essential items, so you can make cooking and meal preparation easier, faster, and more enjoyable.

Essential cookware

One of the most important things you’ll do in your kitchen is cook meals for your family. That means you’ll need have the right tools on hand to ensure your dinners taste amazing every night. With the help of these cookware pieces, you can stock your kitchen with all the pots, pans, and baking dishes you’ll need for any recipe you want to cook:

• Skillets (large and small): used for frying and sautéing
• WOK: to cook stir fry
• Pot: for cooking liquid ingredients and boiling foods
• Stock pot: used for making large batches of liquid recipes, like soup
• Grilling pan: for cooking meats on the stovetop
• Sauce pan: for making sauces
• Baking dish: to make casseroles or roasting meats and vegetables
• Baking sheet: for baking cookies or roasting vegetables
• Muffin pan: to make muffins and cupcakes
• Cake tins: for baking cakes
• Casserole dish: for cooking casseroles

Tools and utensils

On top of having the right pots and pans in your kitchen, it’s also important to have the right utensils. Each of these tools has a job to do in your kitchen, so having all these essential utensils is a must.

Cutting tools:

• Kitchen scissors: for cutting and chopping
• Chef’s knife: an all-purpose knife used for chopping and dicing vegetables, fruits, meat, poultry, and fish
• Utility knife: a small knife for chopping smaller foods and making more precise cuts
• Bread knife: a large serrated knife for slicing bread
• Carving knife: a large knife for cutting meats, like poultry, pork, lamb, and beef
• Butcher’s knife: a large knife designed for butchering and breaking down large pieces of meat
• Paring Knife: a small, pointed knife used for peeling or cutting fruits and vegetables
• Filleting knife: a long, thin knife used for cutting fish and removing bones
• Cleaver: a large, flat knife used to cut through animal bones and meat

Cooking and baking tools

• Chopping board: for safely cutting foods
• Mixing spoon: flat spoon to stir ingredients together
• Slotted spoon: spoon with slots to strain food from a liquid base
• Tongs: pinching utensil to pick up and flip foods
• Garlic press: to mash and press garlic cloves
• Mallet: to tenderize meat
• Peeler: to peel vegetables and fruits
• Rolling pin: to roll dough and crush foods
• Whisk: to stir and mix
• Meat thermometer: to check the internal temperature of meat
• Measuring cups and spoons: to measure ingredients
• Mortar and pestle: to mash and mix ingredients

Tools for serving food:

• Pizza cutter: to slice pizza and other foods
• Grater: to shred cheese and vegetables
• Knife sharpener: to sharpen knifes
• Serving spoon: large spoon to serve foods
• Can opener: to open tin cans

Other accessories:

• Trivet: to protect your countertops when serving hot dishes
• Pot holders: for safely removing hot dishes from the oven
• Apron: to keep your clothing clean while you cook
• Hand towels: for drying and cleaning

Containers and storage for the kitchen

Now that you have the basic supplies for cooking, it’s also important to find items that will help you prepare and store your ingredients. These containers and storage items are perfect for keeping a clean and organized kitchen.

• Mixing bowls: for stirring and mixing
• Jars and cannisters: to store and display foods and ingredients
• Food containers: for preserving leftovers
• Dish rack: for drying dishes
• Bread bin: to store and preserve bread
• Cutlery tray: to keep your flatware sorted and organized
• Kitchen roll holder: to hold paper towels
• Knife rack: to hold and store knives

Essential kitchen appliances

On top of having tools and utensils for cooking, your kitchen also needs a few appliances to help make cooking and baking even easier. These essential kitchen appliances are a must for a well-stocked kitchen.

• Microwave: for quick cooking and reheating
• Toaster: to toast bread and other foods
• Electric kettle: for quick boiling
• Oven: for baking and stovetop cooking
• Coffee maker: to prepare coffee
• Food processor: for fast chopping and blending
• Blending: for blending liquids
• Kitchen scales: to measure and weigh ingredients

Want more printables like this?

• Kitchen cleaning checklist
• Printable storage labels
• Pantry and freezer inventory list

Non essential kitchen items

In addition to the essential kitchen tools and appliances listed above, there are a few other key items that are non essential but that can greatly improve your cooking experience. These include:

• Slow cooker: for easy and convenient meal prep
• Air fryer: for healthier frying options
• Instant Pot or pressure cooker: for quick cooking and versatile meal options
• Stand mixer: perfect for baking and making dough
• Handheld mixer: for mixing and blending ingredients quickly
• Immersion blender: great for soups and sauces
• Electric griddle or grill: for cooking large batches of food at once
• Juicer: to make fresh juices at home

With these additional items, you can take your cooking skills to the next level and have even more options when it comes to meal planning and preparation. Plus, having a variety of kitchen tools can make cooking more fun and enjoyable! So don’t be afraid to invest in a few non-essential items that will make your time in the kitchen easier and more efficient.

How to care for your kitchen items

In addition to these essential kitchen tools and appliances, it’s also important to keep them well-maintained. Make sure to clean and store them properly after each use to prolong their lifespan. And don’t forget to regularly sharpen your knives for optimal cutting performance. These small steps will not only keep your kitchen functioning smoothly, but also ensure that you get the most out of your investment in these tools and appliances.

Lastly, always remember to have fun and be creative in the kitchen! Experiment with new recipes and ingredients, and don’t be afraid to try out different tools and techniques. With the right tools and utensils in your kitchen, the possibilities for delicious meals are endless. After all, a well-stocked kitchen is not just about having the necessary tools but also about having the confidence and creativity to use them to their full potential.

So go ahead and stock up your kitchen with these essential items, and let your culinary adventures begin!