What are the 10 Must Have Kitchen Utensils?

If you were to count all the different utensils you had in your kitchen, how many would there be? Do you think fifty, one hundred, or even more? Or would you only have a few kitchen utensils, because you are a minimalist and only buy what you know you will use? Well, we have discovered ten must have kitchen utensils that every cook must have in their kitchen.

We understand you may have more than these kitchen utensils in your kitchen. That is completely fine, as long as you use them all and can find them when you need them the most. And if you happen to not have one of the items on the following list, ask yourself why. You may realize that you considered purchasing that item, but then decided you wouldn’t use it as much as other people would. So, it is perfectly okay if you don’t think one or two of these items are considered must-have in your own kitchen.

What are the 10 Must Have Kitchen Utensils?

1. Chef’s Knife

If you only purchase one knife to keep in your kitchen, it must be a chef’s knife. We recommend a chef’s knife made from carbon-plated stainless steel, because it will stay sharp for many years. You may want to test a few chef knives in the store, by holding them in your hand, to see which one feels the best to you. It is best to buy one that is easy to hold without feeling flimsy. You should always handwash your chef’s knife, because it will keep it chopping like new for many years.

2. Spatula

There are many types of spatulas out there and you will want to buy one that will work with all your pots and pans. This kitchen utensil is a must if you make pancakes or French toast. Plus, spatulas come in handy for serving all types of foods. Sturdy is best, so don’t settle for a cheaper material. You will also see some spatulas that are called spoonulas. These types of spatulas are perfect for mixing and serving food like mashed potatoes.

3. Whisks

Whisks are nice for baking and cooking eggs. While you can’t mix really thick batter with a whisk, you can mix dry ingredients and eggs easily. When you go out to purchase a whisk, you will notice they come in many different sizes. We recommend a mid-size whisk, because they can handle a lot without taking up too much space.

4. Kitchen Scissors

Knives are wonderful for cutting so many things when you are prepping food, but nothing beats a good pair of kitchen shears. This kitchen utensil is perfect for when you want to trim fat off meat, snip a few herbs, or trim the crust off pies. You can even cut up a whole chicken if you buy the right pair of kitchen scissors.

5. Tongs

Tongs are best used to flip pieces of meat, pick up hot dogs, and even toss pasta. Once you own a pair of tongs, you will constantly find new uses for them. We have even seen some families put tongs out for picking up French fries off a serving platter. Basically, anything you don’t want to burn your fingers with is what you will want to use tongs for.

6. Box Grater

There are so many different types of graters to consider when you are looking to purchase one, but you really can’t go wrong when you stick with the basic box grater. Each side of the box grater has different sized holes, so you can always have the exact sized pieces you need for a dish. Plus, grating has never been easier or faster! The best part though is clean up is a breeze when you use a box grater in your kitchen.

7. Measuring Spoons

Many people think they can simply use a teaspoon or tablespoon to measure ingredients. However, did you know that every teaspoon and tablespoon is a different size? Unless you purchase measuring spoons to use, you will never use the correct amount of an ingredient when making a recipe. There are many different measuring spoons you can purchase, but favorite ones are those that stack for easy storage.

8. Cake Batter Dispenser

If you are tired of getting cupcake batter, or even pancake batter, all over your kitchen, you must invest in a cake batter dispenser. All you need to do is mix the batter and pour it into this dispenser. Push the handle a little and some of the batter will come out. The batter will stop when you release the handle. This is an easy way to keep the rest of your kitchen clean when making all types of foods.

 9. Ice Cream Scoops

Ice cream scoops are a necessary part of a kitchen if your family eats a lot of ice cream. While you can get a basic ice cream scoop, the ones that releases small balls of ice cream can be used for so many other things. Purchase one today and see how much easier it is to make cookies by scooping the batter out with the ice cream release scoop and dropping it onto the cookie sheet.

 10. Clip on Pouring Spout

Do you hate juggling hot pans and their lids when trying to drain vegetables, pasta, or anything else? This clip-on pouring spout will make it so much easier to remove the liquid without losing the ingredients inside. Since you can find these pouring spouts made from silicone, clean up is a breeze.

These are the ten must-have kitchen utensils that you should keep in your kitchen. While you could easily go crazy in the kitchen aisle in many stores, you really don’t need to purchase one of everything. Simply pass on by many of those items and only buy what you know will be helpful for you. Leaving all the other kitchen utensils behind will ensure your kitchen is never cluttered and you can always find exactly what you are looking for.