Cook Anything With Our Basic Kitchen Checklist

Having a well-equipped kitchen allows you to prepare delicious home-cooked meals for yourself, family, and friends. But outfitting your kitchen with all the essential tools and pantry staples can be overwhelming, especially if you're setting up your first kitchen.

That's where a basic kitchen checklist comes in handy! A checklist helps ensure you get the core essentials you need to cook a wide variety of dishes without breaking the bank on unnecessary gadgets.

Why You Need a Basic Kitchen Checklist

Creating and using a basic kitchen checklist offers several benefits when it comes to equipping your cooking space:

• Helps you stock your kitchen with essentials right from the start, so you have what you need for basic meal prep.
• Ensures you have the necessary tools and appliances required for core cooking tasks like chopping, mixing, baking, etc.
• Allows you to cook and prepare food without frustrations from lacking equipment.
• Saves money by preventing impulse purchases of unneeded small appliances and gadgets.

Researching Your Basic Kitchen Checklist

The specific items that go on your basic kitchen checklist will vary somewhat based on your experience level, cooking habits, and personal needs. Here are some tips for researching and creating your custom checklist:

• Evaluate your own cooking skills and knowledge. If you're a total beginner, you may need more specialized equipment than someone with lots of experience.
• Consider the types of recipes and dishes you want to be able to prepare. Do you bake a lot? Make stocks and broths? Cook ethnic cuisine?
• Look at several highly rated "basic kitchen" checklists from experts and sources you trust. Compare them to see which items are universally recommended.
• Tailor the checklist by adding or eliminating items based on your personal preferences and anticipated needs.

Kitchen Tools & Utensils Checklist

Having the right tools for preparing ingredients makes cooking much easier. Here are some must-have utensils and tools:

Essential Cooking Tools

• Chef's knife - An 8-10 inch chef's knife can handle most slicing, dicing, and chopping jobs.
• Paring knife - Good for tasks requiring more dexterity like peeling fruits and vegetables.
• Cutting board - Get one large board for general prep work, and smaller ones for produce.
• Mixing bowls - Essential for combining wet and dry ingredients. Have a few different sizes.
• Measuring cups & spoons - For accurately measuring ingredients for baking and cooking.
• Colander & strainer - For draining water from boiled food or rinsing produce.
• Wooden spoons & turners - Gentler on cookware coatings than metal utensils.
• Tongs - Ideal for gripping and flipping food.
• Spatulas - Metal and silicone spatulas for scraping bowls and pans.
• Grater - Box grater for shredding cheese, vegetables, etc.
• Can opener - Look for one that can handle both manual and electric opening.

Other Helpful Utensils

• Vegetable peeler
• Garlic press
• Whisk
• Salad spinner
• Kitchen shears
• Ladle
• Rolling pin
• Ice cream scoop

Must-Have Pots & Pans

Every kitchen should have a core set of pots and pans for sautéing, simmering, boiling, and baking. Here are some essentials:

• 12" Skillet - Large enough for cooking main dishes.
• 10" Skillet - Great for sautéing vegetables.
• 2-3 Quart Saucepan with lid - For heating sauces and side dishes.
• 4-5 Quart Saucepan with lid - Larger pan for cooking grains and pasta.
• 8-10 Quart Stockpot with lid - For boiling water, making stocks, and cooking pasta.
• 9x13 Baking Dish - All-purpose dish for roasted meats, vegetables, and casseroles.
• Sheet Pans - For roasting vegetables or baking cookies.

Essential Bakeware

Having the right bakeware allows you to easily whip up sweet and savory baked goods. Here are some basic baking pans and dishes:

• Loaf pans
• Pie plates
• Rimmed baking sheets
• Muffin tin
• Cooling racks

Appliance Checklist

These large appliances are essential for most home cooks:

• Refrigerator & Freezer - Cools and stores perishable foods.
• Oven & Stove - For baking and cooking using heat.
• Microwave - Quick cooking and reheating with microwave energy.
• Toaster Oven (optional) - Smaller oven with broiling function.
• Coffee Maker (optional) - For hot beverages.

Stocking Your Basic Kitchen Pantry

Having these ingredients and staples on hand makes whipping up meals much easier.

Staple Ingredients

• Flour
• Sugar
• Oil
• Salt
• Herbs & spices
• Rice
• Pasta
• Canned goods like beans, tomatoes, tuna
• Broths & stocks

Fridge & Freezer Basics

• Eggs
• Butter
• Milk
• Cheese
• Frozen vegetables & fruits
• Frozen meats

Storing leftovers and bulk ingredients requires the right vessels. Handy to have on hand: