The Ultimate Kitchen Essentials List

This detailed list includes over 100 items, covering all the kitchen essentials you’ll need to stock and set up your new kitchen properly.

A well-stocked kitchen is essential for any home. Whether you’re a skilled cook or just starting out, having the right tools is important. Using the right products and tools to turn ingredients into a perfect dish is satisfying.

Equipping your kitchen with the necessary items can change how you cook and experience your cooking space.

If you’re unsure where to start regarding kitchen basics, don’t worry—I’ve got you. I’ve compiled a thorough list of essential items and supplies for your kitchen. This checklist covers everything you could possibly require to meet your kitchen demands. Whether you’re building up from scratch or simply looking for kitchen necessities for a new apartment, this checklist has you covered.

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Appliances for New Kitchen

A good starting point involves identifying the key kitchen essentials that form the backbone of your kitchen – and appliances serve as the kitchen’s life force.

In the process of selecting your kitchen appliances, it’s important to factor in the appliance’s practicality, how it fits visually, and the overall budget. While your kitchen might already come equipped with fundamental appliances like a stove, refrigerator, and possibly a dishwasher, there’s room to incorporate some smaller appliances. These range from time-saving gadgets for setting up a coffee bar if you’re a coffee enthusiast to a crockpot for leisurely cooking your favorite stews and soups. Here’s a rundown of appliances worth considering for your kitchen:

• Coffee Maker, cappuccino or espresso machine, Keurig, or Pour-over coffee maker
• Air Fryer
• Toaster or Toaster Oven
• Electric Kettle or Stove Top Kettle
• Crockpot, Instant pot, Pressure Cooker, or Slow Cooker
• Blender or Magic Bullet Blender
• Juicer
• Milk frother
• Coffee Grinder
• Waffle Maker
• Popcorn Maker
• French Press
• Microwave
• Hand Mixer
• Food Processor
• Griddle
• Rice Cooker
• Panini Press
• Kitchen Scales

Kitchen Essentials Cookware

All the cookware for your everyday cooking

Once the appliances are covered, it’s time to focus on the cookware. Cookware may include everything you will need to fry, boil, sauté, steam, toss, and slow cook. So whether you are sauteing fish or vegetables, frying an egg, or searing a piece of porkchop, here is the essential cookware to incorporate into your kitchen:

• Pot (large and small) – The most cost-effective option is to purchase a full pot set with various pot sizes and styles. Alternatively, you can mix and match your pot pieces.
• Stove Top Kettle
• Frying Pan (small, medium, and large sized)
• Saucepan (small and medium-sized)
• Wok
• Grilling pan
• Glass baking dish or Casserole dish
• Large Stockpot – For bigger batches of soups, stews, and pasta.
• Roasting Pan
• Grill Pan
• Griddle
• Cast iron skillet
• Dutch Oven
• Pizza pan or pizza stone

Related post: How to Properly Reseason and Restore Your Cast Iron Pan

Drinkware

For all things drinking

This List includes everything you need for drinking. From curating the perfect alcoholic beverage to drinking water and savoring your morning cup of coffee or tea, this List has it all.

• Drinking glasses (short and tall)
• Red wine glasses
• White wine glasses
• Stemless glass
• Beer glasses
• Coffee mugs
• Teacups
• Champagne glass
• Shot glasses
• Jug
• Margarita Glasses
• Travel Mugs
• Water Bottles
• Whiskey Glasses

Dishware

All things dishes

Dinnerware helps to enhance your meals. From casual dining at home in front of the tv to elegant dinner parties, dishware is an essential part of your kitchen. Make sure to consider classic or traditional dishware instead of trendy types that can also transition from everyday use to special occasions (especially if you are on a budget).

• Salad plates
• Dinner plates
• Bowls
• Salad bowl
• Fruit Bowl

Silverware

All the utensils in a kitchen you will need

Having the right utensils in the kitchen, such as flatware or silverware, will improve your eating experience in the kitchen. From cutting the steak to devouring a bowl of soup or your favorite pasta dishes, kitchen utensils are needed to round out your kitchen.

• Dinner Forks
• Salad Forks
• Butter Knives
• Dinner Knives
• Steak Knives
• Teaspoons
• Tablespoons
• Bouillon Spoon or Soup Spoon
• Cocktail Fork

Kitchen Knives

Conquer your cooking with the right blade

From slicing and dicing to boning, carving, chopping, and paring, every kitchen needs a quality knife set. While knives serve different purposes, you don’t need to be a chef to have a quality knife set. A knife set will make food preparation easy – from simple everyday meals to more complex, entertainment-like meals. Choosing suitable knives will depend on the types of meals you plan to cook.

• Knife Set – A full set will give you a variety of knives to choose from for everyday cooking. A good set will come with a chef’s knife, a Pairing knife, and a Bread knife. Some may even have a santoku knife, kitchen shears, steak, and utility knives.
• Palette knife
• Chef’s Knife
• Paring Knife
• Utility Knife
• Santoku Knife
• Steak Knife
• Bread Knife or Cake Knife
• Carving knife
• Boning knife
• Cleaver Knife or Butcher Knife
• Cheese Knife
• Sharpening Rod
• Kitchen scissors or shears

Bakeware

For your baking needs and recipes

Grab your bakeware and oven-safe cookware for the perfect dessert and delicious treats. From banana nut bread to chocolate chip cookies, you’ll need the best bakeware tools for your baking needs.

• Baking Dishes
• Baking Pans
• Loaf Pan
• Cake Pans
• Pie Dish Pan
• Baking Sheet Pans
• Round Baking Pan
• Muffin and Cupcake Pan
• Quiche and Tart Pans
• Ramekins and Souffle Dishes
• Mixing Bowls

Serverware

For your gatherings at home

These are the essentials you need for hosting and serving friends and family in your home. Serverware is made to hold large portions of food and assist in serving the food.

• Serving bowls
• Large wooden bowl
• Salad Bowl
• Platters
• Wooden Cutting Boards (large and small)
• Serving spoons
• ladles
• Tongs
• Pitcher
• Water Jug
• Gravy Boat
• Carafe
• Cake or Pedestal Stand
• Cheese Boards

Kitchen Utensils, Tools, and Accessories

For everything else needed to delicately prepare your meals in the kitchen

All the little accessories you need to prepare meals in the kitchen. From the wooden spoons that are not abrasive on your cooking surfaces, the spoon that acts like a miniature strainer to the meat mallet to pound down on beef or steak, and the measuring cups or spoons for when you need that precise amount of ingredients.

• Mixing Spoon
• Serving spoon
• Wooden spoon
• Slotted spoon
• Spoon rest
• Can Opener
• Bottle Opener
• Wine Opener
• Garlic Press
• Ladle
• Meat Mallet
• Kitchen Timer
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Kitchen mortar and pestle
• Brita Water filter
• Grater
• Colander
• Strainer (various sizes)
• Potato Masher
• Vegetable Peeler
• Pizza cutter
• Rolling Pin
• Spaghetti server
• Metal Spatula
• Silicone spatula
• Turners
• Whisk
• Zester
• Ice cube trays or reusable ice cubes
• whiskey cubes
• Food trays or a serving platter
• Parchment paper
• Foil wrap
• Wax paper
• Meat thermometer
• Salad spinner
• Turkey baster
• Splatter guard
• Oven mitts
• Dish Towels
• Hot pot stand
• Cork trivet
• Cupboard liners
• Kitchen mat or rug
• Placemats
• Barware set
• Apron
• Basting brush

Kitchen Condiments

Add a little spice to your kitchen

• salt and pepper shaker
• spice rack
• Chili Powder
• Cinnamon
• Garlic Powder
• Ginger
• Pepper
• Salt
• Thyme
• Turmeric
• Ketchup

Kitchen Storage & Organizers

The ultimate organization for your kitchen

• Mason Jars
• Canisters
• Olive Oil or Syrup dispenser
• Food containers
• Sealable containers
• Bins (small, medium, and large)
• Baskets (small, medium, and large)
• Ziplock bags
• Flatware tray or drawer organizer for utensils
• Dish rack
• Paper towel holder
• Chip clips
• Aluminum Foil

Kitchen Cleaning Supplies 

Everything must be cleaned

• Mop or Swiffer
• Disinfectant Spray
• All-purpose spray cleaner
• Dish soap
• Windex
• Clorox wipes
• Garbage can
• Garbage bags
• Broom
• Duster
• Magic Eraser
• Vacuum
• Dish Rags
• Laundry detergent
• Sponge
• Steel Wool Scrub
• Gloves
• Paper towels
• Dishwasher detergent or pods
• Baking soda and white vinegar

How to use the Kitchen Essentials list

While getting all these kitchen essentials at once is tempting, buying everything for your first home can become quite expensive. Instead of making a bulk purchase, it might be wise to establish a budget and gradually acquire the essential items as you go along.

Remember that not all of these kitchen items are required immediately. Depending on your cooking habits, some could fall into the “nice to have” category rather than the “must-have” category. Taking time to familiarize yourself with your kitchen before purchasing can be prudent. Start by focusing on the essentials you truly need and then progressively add the remaining apartment necessities over time.

Where to shop for kitchen essentials on a budget

There are several places to consider when shopping for kitchen essentials and supplies for kitchen on a budget for your apartment or home. The best deals can be found at the following online or in-store retailers:

• Amazon: Amazon is a great choice because it has every single kitchen essential you may possibly need to fulfill your cooking needs.
• Target: Cooking enthusiasts will love the vast array of modern selections of kitchen essentials from Target. Target offers the perfect opportunity to get popular appliances at a reasonable cost.
• Walmart has a warehouse of affordable, stylish, and useful kitchen tools.
• Macy’s tends to be on a higher price when it comes to cookware, but its products are of substantial quality. That said, whenever they have a sale on home goods and cookware, it is usually a steal. It’s worth a shot when purchasing kitchen essentials.
• Dollar stores: I love good dollar stores, from Dollar Tree to Dollar General. If you are on a budget, dollar stores can help you stock your kitchen with plenty of items for just $1. You can find all sorts of silverware, glassware, food storage containers, mason jars, and dishware. The dollar store is a good starting point if you need items quickly and for cheap.
• Ikea: Ikea has a smart mix of kitchen staples that is super affordable and trendy. Their selections are unmatched.
• Facebook Marketplace: Facebook Marketplace is an excellent resource for finding used kitchen items.
• Goodwill Stores: The Goodwill stores have an extensive selection of donated kitchen items, including pots, pans, small kitchen appliances, and much more. It is worth a trip!
• Salvation Army: Similar to the Goodwill stores, The Salvation Army offers a wide selection of kitchen items for a fraction of the cost.
• NextDoor: Nextdoor is an excellent resource for finding cheap kitchen stuff.
• Garage Sales: Garage Sales are great for finding furniture and kitchen stuff people no longer want. ve been lucky enough to find dishes and glassware from garage sales that were brand new.
• Flea Markets and Swap Meets
• Thrift Stores

Other ideas you might like:

• 26 DIY Renter-Friendly Kitchen Makeover Ideas
• 16 Quick and Easy DIY Kitchen Updates You Can Do in One Day
• 7 Best Small Apartment Decorating Ideas on a Budget

Please comment below to let me know what you think of this kitchen essentials list. Feel free to follow me on my social media pages – Pinterest and Instagram or subscribe to my mailing list for other design inspiration, DIY projects, and home decor ideas.