Home » FAVORITE KITCHEN ESSENTIALS

FAVORITE KITCHEN ESSENTIALS

From kitchen appliances, utensils, cookware and bakeware, here you’ll find a few of my favorite things! Many of these items I own myself, and the rest are either on my wishlist, or something I would love to have. I hope you find inspiration from this curated group of kitchen products!

Please note, these are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We only recommend products we own, have tried and love, or truly trust!

Appliances

Instant Pot – 6 Quart

Cooks dried beans quick & easy. Favorite features: pressure cooker, slow-cooker, rice cooker, saute & steam veggies.

nutribullet with accessories.

NUTRIBULLET Compact Blender

I use mine for quick jobs like making almond parmesan, nut and seed based salad dressings, as well as smoothies.

vitamix 7500 high speed blender

Vitamix 7500 high speed Blender

This low profile blender is a work horse in the kitchen. Easily make nut butters, smoothies, blend sauces and puree soups.

Cuisinart 12-Cup Food Processor

Easy to use, and features a 12-cup large bowl and 4-cup small bowl. I've had this for over four years and it's still amazing!

Kitchen Aid Hand Blender w/ measure cup and lid

IMMERSION BLENDER

I love my immersion blender! It's easy to use, cleans up quickly and is great for pureeing soups right in the pot.

Classic Waffle Maker

This classic waffle maker creates perfect round waffles with four quarters. Enjoy a batch of morning waffles with ease!

Belgian Waffle Maker

This ceramic Belgian waffle maker yields thick, fluffy pancakes without being overly cumbersome.

Hamilton Beach Toaster Oven

I love my toaster oven and use it often! This stainless steel toaster oven can toast, bake, broil & keep food warm.

Kitchen Tools

Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowls

These glass nesting bowls are inexpensive, and safe for all temperatures and appliances. A nice addition to any kitchen!

Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls

A great assortment of mixing bowls here. They nest to store neatly and the various sizes will undoubtably suit any need.

Wüsthof Classic Chef’s Knife Set

These were the first premium set of knives I purchased and use them regularly. They feel good in the hand and work well!

J.A. Henckels Bread Knife

A good bread knife is a must! The serrated edge cuts through loaves with ease. I even use mine to slice tender tomatoes.

Wüsthof Hand-Held Sharpener

No matter what brand of knives you are using, keep them sharp with this tried and true 2 stage knife sharpener!

OXO UTILITY CUTTING BOARD

This utility board is a perfect size for most everyday use. It's light, with non-slip edges, and makes prep work easy.

John Boos Cutting Board

I love this 24 x 18 inch reversible maple cutting board and have one myself. It's well-made, extra large and has finger grips.

Food Grade Mineral Oil

Keep wooden cutting boards & utensils from splitting and drying out with a coating of mineral oil every so often!

HÖLM 3-Piece Colander Set

Priced well and handy for various kitchen needs. I have a few colanders but these are the ones I use most.

all clad 3 qt. colander

All-Clad 3 QT. Colander

An elegant, premium quality colander that's well-made and beautiful. It's pricey but comes with a lifetime warranty!

fine mesh strainer

Cuisinart Fine Mesh Strainers

Fine mesh strainers are perfect for rinsing canned beans and quinoa. The small one is great for dusting powders.

Pyrex 2-Cup Measuring Cup

Nothing fancy, just a classic, glass measuring cup safe for all temperatures, appliances, and is odor and stain free.

pyrex 4 cup measure

Pyrex 4-Cup Measuring Cup

I love my 4 cup measuring cup. Now, when making soups I don't need to refill my cup over, and over, and over again!

Measuring Spoons

Measure spices with ease! The rectangular shape fits into spice & herb jars making it easy to measure and scoop.

All-Clad Measuring Cups

These high end measuring cups are a little more expensive than most, but they are beautiful and will last a lifetime.

Measuring Cups + Spoons

An inexpensive set of measuring cups and spoons to get you started. The spoon shapes fit nicely into spice & herb bottles.

Food Scale w/ Removable Bowl

I was drawn to the removable bowl when I purchased this, but it has plenty of other features that make it a great food scale.

can opener

OXO Good Grips Can Opener

Very comfortable in your hand and the extra big turning knob makes opening cans a breeze. It's reasonably priced too!

5 Blade Mandoline Slicer

With a variety of blades to choose from, this mandoline slicer is a great addition to your kitchen. I love mine!

Spiralizer Vegetable Slicer

A spiralizer is a great addition to your healthy kitchen! Makes perfect spaghetti like noodles with various vegetables.

swival peeler

OXO Good Grips Swivel Peeler

Love this for the comfortable handle and ease of peeling fruits and vegetables. Make ribbons with this handy tool too!

julienne peeler tool

Dual Julienne + Vegetable Peeler

Love this inexpensive, dual purpose kitchen tool. Easily peel, make ribbons, or julienne your vegetables all in one!

lemon juicer citrus yellow

Chef’n Citrus Juicer – Lemon

Get all the lemon & lime juice without the seeds and pulp. A good citrus juicer is a time saving tool to have on hand!

dexter russell professional pizza cutter

Dexter Russell Pizza Cutter

Tired of cheap pizza cutters? Look no further. This is high quality, restaurant grade and will last a verrrrrrry long time!

microplane fine grater professional with cover

Microplane Fine Grater

I love my fine Microplane grater. It zests and grates with ease, comes with a protective cover and stores away nicely.

OXO Extra-Large Spatula

An extra-large spatula is a must! Great for flipping pancakes and just about anything else you would do with a spatula.

All-Clad Slotted Turner

This elegant, non-stick spatula has an angled edge and comes with a lifetime warranty. You can't beat that!

OXO Good Grips Locking Tongs

I'm about ready to upgrade to these top rated tongs! Features no-slip handles and easy to use locking mechanism.

silicone brush

Silicone Basting Brush

This inexpensive, solid silicone brush is great for all your basting/brushing needs and it's 100% dishwasher safe.

silicone spatula set

Silicone Spatula Set

To go with the basting brush, these spatulas are reasonably priced, have nice angles, and 100% dishwasher safe.

Le Creuset Silicone Brush

Love this little palm green silicone brush! Happily bast your vegetables, veggie patties or pizza crust with a little extra joy.

Le Creuset Silicone Spatula

Nice angles for scraping down the sides of your food processor and blender, or getting the last remains from jars and bowls.

6 inch stainless steel wire whisk

Stainless Steel Whisk

This small whisk is the perfect size for whisking together dressings and mixing chia pudding.

PERFECT COOKIE SCOOP

Handy tool that makes baking cookies uniform in size a breeze. Can also use to make ice cream or watermelon balls.

Simple Bamboo Utensil Set

Simple and inexpensive, these bamboo utensils are a good starter set and perfect for non-stick cookware.

bamboo + silicone baking tools

Set Of Baking Tools

A nice set of baking tools to have at your fingertips. It's highly rated and a good addition to the kitchen tools collection.

Ceramic Utensil Holder

Clean and simple! This American Mug Pottery utensil crook is made by hand, is dishwasher, microwave and oven safe.

Drawer Organizer

Keep your drawers organized with this inexpensive bamboo utensil/cutlery organizer. It's expandable to fit your needs!

marble pasty slab

Marble Pastry Board

Ultra smooth surface, perfect for rolling dough and pastry. Although I mainly use mine as a background on the blog. :)

morter pestle set

Mortar + Pestle Set w/ Spout

This simple set is inexpensive and handy to have on hand for grinding herbs and spices. Also good for making simple pestos!

ceramic garlic grate plate

CERAMIC GARLIC GRATE PLATE

Pretty and handy, I use my grate plate not only to grate my garlic but it also doubles as my spoon rest by the stovetop.

OXO Smart Seal Container Set

A variety of sizes, these durable glass containers nest and stack. Freezer, oven, refrigerator and microwave safe.

Working Storage Jar w/ Lid

Durable and versatile, these small jars are great to have on hand for storing small amounts of leftovers or food on the go.

Ball Mason Jar with Lid

I use mason jars for just about everything. Store grains, nuts & seeds, dried fruits, to-go meals, or use for drinking glasses.

Linen Kitchen Bib Apron

Love this bistro linen apron! It's soft, durable and has a pocket for the tools you want to keep close at hand.

xxl dish dryng mat grey absorbant

XXL Microfiber Drying Mat

This waffle textured mat is extra large (24 x 17), absorbent and reasonably priced. I have two of these and love them!

REUSABLE FOOD WRAPS

Vegan food wraps are reusable and eco-friendly. Perfect when making those chickpea salad sandwiches to-go!

Bakeware

USA Pan – Muffin Pan

This is my go-to muffin and cupcake tin. USA Pan bakeware is made well, non-stick, cleans up easily and will last a lifetime.

USA Pan – Loaf Pan

This 1 pound loaf pan will bake your bread perfectly! It's commercial grade and comes with a lifetime warranty.

Nordic Ware Baker’s Sheets

A great pair of baking sheets. Use the half sheet for roasting big batches of veggies and the quarter sheet for smaller jobs.

USA Pan Bakeware Set

USA bakeware is commercial grade, has safe non-stick coating and a lifetime warranty. It's a great value!

USA Pan – Donut Pan

I have yet to make donuts on the blog, but I do have this donut tin ready to go when the time arrives. I <3 USA Pan!

Baker’s Secret Cooling Rack

Because 2 is better than 1, especially for under $10. This pair of 10 x 16 cooling racks work great. I love mine!

Lodge Stoneware Baking Dish

A perfect everyday baking dish. This casual 9 x 13 rectangular dish is great for lasagnas, enchiladas and baked oatmeal.

Emile Henry Deep Pie Dish

I use this wonderful pie dish for the blog. I love its simplicity and elegance! It's a 9 inch, deep dish and has a 10 year warranty.

Pyrex Glass Pie Plate

Classic, 9 inch, glass pie dish is inexpensive and doubly safe for all temperatures and appliances. Great for pies & cobblers!

Lodge Baking and Pizza Pan

If you bake pizza often, you'll love this 14 inch pre-seasoned cast iron pizza pan! It keeps the heat and yields beautiful crust.

Oven Mitt w/ Silicone Grip

You can feel safe and protected while reaching in and out of the hot oven. These are a new addition to my kitchen!

Dexas Silicone PINCH Mitt

Specially designed for pots and pans, they're small and easy to slip on and off. I have these in red and love them.

biscuit cutters

Biscuit Cutters with Fluted Edge

Cut uniform biscuits or cookies with these fluted edge biscuit cutters. The handles make setting and lifting easy.

Parchment Paper Baking Sheets

These are a new favorite in my kitchen. This package comes with 120 precut sheets and is a great value!

PaperChef Paper Muffin Liners

When baking oil-free, these extra large parchment paper baking liners are perfect for your muffin/cupcake tins.

SILPAT BAKING SHEET LINER

Great for lining baking sheets when you don't want to use parchment paper. It also works as a cover in the oven.

Cookware

Le Creuset Dutch Oven

This 7.5 quart dutch oven is on my list! Great for soups, stews, bread baking, and more. I will one day own it!

Calphalon Dutch Oven

Great for cooking pasta! It also gets used for making soups and soaking my air plants. :) Comes with a 10 year warranty.

Calphalon Everyday Pan

This 12 inch pan is perfect for risotto, paella, crispy tofu. Handles stay cool on the stovetop and is oven safe!

2.5 quart shallow non-stick sauce pan

Calphalon 2.5 qt. Shallow Pan

Well-made and elegant, this shallow pan is another all around useful pot for everyday use. Oven and dishwasher safe!

Calphalon 1.5 qt. Sauce Pan

What can I say, I love these anodized, non-stick pots. This is a great all-around size for cooking quinoa and other grains.

Calphalon 1 qt. Sauce Pan

This 1 quart saucepan is great for making fruit jams, small batches of sauces, and heating up canned goods.

Calphalon Flat Bottom Wok

I love this hard anodized, non-stick wok and use it regularly. Handles stay cool and it cleans up in a breeze!

Lodge Pre-Seasoned Skillet

Classic 10 inch cast iron skillet is great on the stove and in the oven. Make home potatoes, pizza and skillet cookies!

Carbon Steel Wok Set

Carbon steel heats up fast and cools quickly, and is perfect for quick cooking veggies. Great for stir-fries!

instant pot glass tempered lid cover 6 qt.

Instant Pot Glass Lid

Perfect when using the Instant Pot slow cooker and saute functions. Love the glass to see through and steam vent.

Linens

flour sack towels napkins

COTTON FLOUR SACK TOWELS

These, 28X28, unbleached cotton flour sack towels are lint free, fast drying, absorbent and very useful in the kitchen.

Linen Dinner Napkins

Classy white linen napkins for those special occasions! Comes in a set of 4. For stains, rub with dawn soap before washing!

Linen Dinner Napkins

Classy, soft and durable, I love the look of these grey linen napkins by Abbot Fjord. They can be used as hand towels too!

Classic Ikea Dish Towels

I always enjoy working with these classic Ikea dish towels. Soft and absorbent, they do the job well. This is a pack of 10.

Krud Kutter Original

Keep your linens looking sharp! Before washing, soak linens, or spot apply, with a bit of krud kutter. Safe and biodegradable.

Cookbooks

The Vegetarian Flavor Bible

Great book filled with valuable information! Learn about the characteristics of ingredients and how to pair them.

The Wellness Encyclopedia

Full of useful information, learn how to select, store, prep and cook ingredients, as well as nutritional info!

Eco-Friendly

Stainless Steel Straws

These stainless steel straws come in 2 sizes, regular and jumbo. The jumbo is perfect for thick smoothies and shakes.

nalgene bottle

Nalgene Wide Mouth Bottle

You can always find me with my nalgene! I have 3 that I rotate, and sometimes carry 2. Great for smoothies too!

REUSABLE FOOD WRAPS

Vegan food wraps are reusable and eco-friendly. Perfect when making those chickpea salad sandwiches to-go!

Misc.

SOLGAR MULTIVITAMINS II

The SOLGAR brand was recommended to me when I began my vegan journey in 2011.

SOLGAR MULTIVITAMINS

Multivitamins are good backup if you are unable to get in a wide variety of plant-based foods.

SOLGAR VITAMIN B-12 NUGGETS

Vitamin B-12 is not found readily in a plant-based diet, making them essential to have on hand.