Kitchen Tools Every Beginner Chef Should Invest In

Having the right kitchen tools will make meal prep much easier. Skip the specialty kitchen gadgets that occupy space and opt for a few staples.

A large sheet pan makes cooking a main and side easy, while a sturdy pair of tongs can be used for everything from turning meat to serving soup. Plus, an instant-read thermometer is necessary for nailing the perfect internal temperature of the meat.

Chef’s Knife

A chef’s knife is a versatile blade used for various cutting tasks. Its length makes it great for slicing more significant cuts of meat and vegetables like squash and sweet potatoes.

Its tip is also helpful in creating guide cuts in tough ingredients like dense fruits and veggies or removing sinew from meat with ease (though a boning knife is still ideal). 

Measuring Spoons and Cups

While home cooks use whatever spoons and cups they have on hand, chefs prefer standardized GoodCook measuring tools. This ensures accurate measurements and helps achieve consistent results when making recipes.

Invest in nested measuring cups for dry ingredients and use a separate set of measuring spoons for liquids. Understanding teaspoon-cup conversions is essential to reference these calculations when cooking quickly.

Adjustable Measuring Cups

A measuring cup ensures precise proportions, guaranteeing consistent, delicious results. These single-unit cups are available in graduated measurements, including 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, and 1-cup measures.

Slotted Spoon

Sturdy spatulas are essential for swirling frosting onto a cake, folding egg whites into the batter, and scraping every last bit of brownie batter out of the bowl. 

Spoons with slots on the head are great for scooping up fried food or vegetables from stews and boiling water, as the holes allow liquid to drain. This versatile utensil also makes a great serving spoon.

Sheet Pan

A sheet pan is a kitchen workhorse used to roast vegetables, cook meats and even make whole meals. They’re also inexpensive, versatile, and very durable.

These pans are made from aluminum or stainless steel with low sides that encourage airflow and browning. They’re typically 8-9 inches wide and can be shallow or deep. 

Specialty Cutters

For those who enjoy making decorative pies and cookie shapes, a set of specialized cutters is a must-have. Choose from a wide range of fun options, like a flower-shaped mezzaluna for the perfect onion slice or a nakiri that makes precise and beautiful cuts with less effort.

Keep a pair of kitchen shears near your cutting board for snipping herb stems, opening the packaging, and trimming fat off meats. They are also essential for cutting and chopping fruits and vegetables.

Wooden Spoon

Wooden spoons don’t transfer heat to your hands the way metal spoons can, and they won’t scratch non-stick cookware. They’re also durable, cheap, and easy to find.

Wooden utensils also don’t react with acidic ingredients like metallic spoons and won’t leach chemicals or strange tastes into hot foods like plastic spoons can. Their porous nature traps bacteria and kills them, making them a safer cooking tool.

Immersion Blender

An immersion blender (a stick blender) saves cooks time and effort by allowing them to blend, mix, and whip in the pot. It’s also great for preparing soup, baby food, and smoothies.

Select models come with a whisk attachment, which makes it easy to beat ingredients like egg whites and whip cream. They’re ideal for blending comforting, creamy soup and creating emulsified sauces like avocado mayonnaise.