We could all use a little less clutter in our lives. Whether we realize it or not, clutter isn’t just unsightly, it’s unhealthy. It puts a strain on our mental health, our self-esteem, even our relationships.
Not to mention, clutter simply makes our homes more difficult to navigate! How many times have you been searching for a specific utensil, finding it only after 30 minutes of pulling half of your kitchen belongings out of their drawers?
If this sounds familiar, what you need is to pare your belongings down to the minimalist kitchen essentials. It can be tough to know exactly what the essentials are, but we’ve got you covered!
To learn the kitchen essentials every home chef needs to own, just keep reading!
1. Knife Set
No matter what you’re interested in cooking or what kind of kitchen you hope to create, a high-quality knife set is an absolute must. It’s so important, in fact, that it should be first on your list of items.
Knives are used in preparing just about any dish, and sharp, quality knives can be the difference between easy prep and tedious chopping, combined with fingers covered in cuts from constant slipping.
There are three kitchen knives you can’t live without – a chef’s knife, a serrated knife, and a paring knife. You only need one of each, so buy the highest quality you can afford. The Messermeister brand, for example, offers knives in each of these categories that will last for decades to come if given proper care.
Speaking of which, it’s crucial to get a knife sharpener along with your knife set. Your chef’s knife will be used most often, and should be sharpened before every use to stay in top condition.
2. Pots and Pans
Like knives, you don’t need a lot of pots and pans for a functional kitchen, but you do need a few. This section differs slightly, however, in that you have to consider how much and what you’re going to be cooking to know what cookware you need.
For example, let’s say that you live alone or with a partner in a small apartment, so you don’t host family functions or prepare large meals. In that case, you’d only need two pots: one three-quart and one six-quart.
On the other hand, if you often host dinners for family and friends often or have a large family of your own, you should consider buying two of each.
As for pans, you also only need two: a 1.5-quart saucepan and a skillet. With the skillet, cast iron is your best option, as you can use it on the stovetop or in the oven.
Again, buy the highest quality pots and pans you can afford. It might seem like you’re saving money by buying bargain options, but they won’t last nearly as long. You’ll be repurchasing in a few months or years, rather than owning pieces that last a lifetime.
3. Cutting Boards
Do not settle for buying one cutting board and call it a day. Even in a minimalist kitchen, it’s important to have at least two.
This is because cross-contamination is a major threat in the kitchen, and prepping everything on one cutting board greatly increases your risk.
Buy two cutting boards in different colors, and use one only for meats, poultry, eggs, and seafood, and the other for bread, cheeses, fruits, and vegetables.
4. Measuring Spoons and Cups
No cook can go without a set of both measuring spoons and measuring cups. These sets come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, but unless you’re a baking aficionado, you shouldn’t need more than the standard.
For measuring spoons, this means 1/4 teaspoon all the way up to 1 tablespoon. Your measuring cups should include sizes from 1/4 cup to 1 cup, with both half and third increments.
5. Food Prep Utensils
With cooking utensils, there are five pieces that you’ll need: a mixing spoon, slotted spoon, soup ladle, slotted turner, and spatula. If this seems like a lot, you might be surprised by how often each comes in handy while preparing your favorite meals.
Along with your spoons and spatulas, it’s a good idea to invest in a set of mixing bowls. Now, you can find plastic mixing bowls, but these tend to absorb smells and stains. The best option is to pick up a 3-pack (small, medium, and large) of glass or stainless steel mixing bowls.
In addition to food prep utensils, don’t forget your cutlery. Two spoons, forks, and knives per person should be plenty.
6. Quality Food Containers
Last but not least, you need containers to store all your delicious leftovers! It’s easy to go overboard with your storage containers, but remember the goal: avoid a cluttered kitchen.
The most common types of storage containers are glass and plastic. As you can probably guess, we recommend glass, as you don’t have to worry about unpleasant smells and stains sticking to your containers. Invest in high-quality glass containers, and you’ll never have to buy storage containers again!
Build a Beautiful, Functional Space With These Minimalist Kitchen Essentials
As you can see, you don’t need every kitchen gadget under the sun to have a functional kitchen. With just the minimalist kitchen essentials, you’ll find that you’re not only able to prepare any meal you want, but that it’s also easier to do so.
No more pushing things out of the way to free up counter space or digging through mountains of utensils to find the right one. Your kitchen will be organized and easy to navigate!
Looking for more tips and tricks for beautifying the other rooms of your home? Be sure to check out our blog!