The best things in life are simple. This is especially true when it comes to cooking. While some people love spending hours preparing a gourmet meal, I prefer quick and easy recipes that don’t require a lot of ingredients or kitchen tools.
Don’t get me wrong, I love to cook. And I love to bake even more! But in recent years, I’ve realised that I don’t really need a lot of stuff to do it. So, if you’re interested in streamlining your kitchen and only keeping the essentials, this post is for you.
In this blog post, I’ll share with you my minimalist kitchen essentials – the tools that I rely on every day for cooking. Whether you’re just starting out in the kitchen or you’re looking for ways to simplify your cooking process, these tools are sure to come in handy.
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Why keep your kitchen minimalist
There are a few reasons why you might want to consider a minimalist kitchen. For one, it’s easier to keep clean. When you have fewer things, there’s less to dust and organise. And let’s be honest – who has time to spend hours cleaning the kitchen when there are so many other things to do?
Before I decluttered over 70% of my belongings, I struggled in the kitchen area. Like most people, my wardrobe was the first place that needed the most decluttering. But after that, it was my kitchen.
I had gadgets and utensils that I never used. My drawers and cupboards were crammed full of things, making it hard to find what I needed. And the work surfaces were always cluttered. It was so overwhelming that sometimes I didn’t even want to cook.
But once I got rid of all the unnecessary kitchen clutter, everything changed. Suddenly, I had more space to move around. I could easily find the things I needed. And best of all, it was much easier to keep clean.
When you commit to only having the minimalist kitchen essentials, you’ll be less likely to accumulate more clutter. And over time, you’ll find that you can save money by only using the essentials and that cooking is more enjoyable and less of a chore.
My minimalist kitchen essentials
When it comes to cooking, minimalism is key. I’m not saying that you need to get rid of all your belongings and cook with the bare minimum. But having a clean, clutter-free kitchen will make your cooking experience more enjoyable. And who doesn’t want that?
The best kitchen essentials for a minimalist kitchen are those that are versatile and can be used for multiple purposes.
Below are my top kitchen essentials for a minimalist kitchen. This equipment list includes the things that I use on a regular basis and couldn’t imagine cooking without.
Quality set of knives
A good is essential for any kitchen, minimalist or not. After all, you need them for just about everything – chopping vegetables, slicing meat, mincing garlic, and so much more.
But when it comes to knives, quality is more important than quantity. It’s better to have a few high-quality knives that you love than a whole set of cheap ones that you never use.
Personally, I like to have just a few different types of knives on hand. A chef’s knife is great for general chopping and slicing. A paring knife is perfect for peeling fruit and vegetables. And a bread knife comes in handy for, well, cutting bread!
Wooden cutting board
A is another kitchen essential that I use on a daily basis. It’s perfect for chopping vegetables, slicing meat, and working with dough. And it’s much gentler on your knives than a glass or ceramic cutting board
When it comes to choosing a cutting board, make sure to choose one that’s made of durable wood. I like to use a cutting board that’s reversible so I can use both sides.
Pots and pans
No kitchen is complete without a few . After all, they’re essential for cooking just about anything.
When it comes to pots, I like to keep things simple. I have three different sizes that I use for different purposes. A small pot is perfect for boiling eggs or cooking oatmeal. A medium pot is great for making soup or pasta. And I use a large Dutch Oven for batch cooking things like casseroles or stew.
As for pans, I have two different types that I use depending on what I’m cooking. A frying pan is a kitchen staple that I use for cooking eggs and pancakes. And a cast iron skillet is perfect for making grilled chicken and roasted vegetables.
Cooking utensils
There are a few cooking utensils that I use on a regular basis.
A rubber is perfect for flipping pancakes, stirring soup, and scrambling eggs. And it’s a lot more versatile than you might think! The best spatulas are made of silicone because they’re heat-resistant and non-stick. Despite all the various sizes and different colours you can get, you really only need one spatula as part of your minimalist kitchen essentials.
I also like to have two on hand for stirring things like soup or sauce. Wooden spoons are less likely to scratch your pots and pans, and they’re also eco-friendly, which is a plus in my books!
While it may not be on everyone’s minimalist kitchen essentials list, I always make sure to have a set of in my kitchen. I have a terrible habit of just grabbing things quickly and burning myself! But tongs are perfect for flipping meat, grabbing vegetables out of boiling water, etc, without injury.
A is another kitchen tool that I use on a regular basis. I like to use a box grater because it’s versatile, with different sized grating surfaces on each side. I use it for grating cheese, zesting citrus fruit, grating chocolate, and even mincing garlic.
Multipurpose food processor
My favourite word – multipurpose! For me, an essential kitchen item is something that can be used for numerous jobs. And a is the perfect example of this
A food processor can be used for so many different things – chopping vegetables, mincing garlic, making pesto, blending soup, and so much more. It’s truly a versatile kitchen tool. And if you’re tight on space, you can just use a mini food processor like I do.
Food storage containers
If you’re going to be cooking, you’re going to need somewhere to store your food, especially if you like to batch cook. And that’s where come in handy.
I like to have a few different sizes of food storage containers on hand. A small container is perfect for storing leftovers in the fridge. A medium-sized container is great for taking lunch to work or school. And a large container is perfect for storing things like soup or chili in the freezer.
When it comes to food storage containers, I prefer to use glass ones with silicone lids. They’re non-toxic, eco-friendly, and easy to clean. They last a long time, too.
Baking dish
A baking dish is an essential kitchen tool for me. Whether I’m making a lasagna or a shepherds pie, I always use a .
I prefer to use glass baking dishes and I have two different sizes, depending on what I’m making – a small one for individual servings and a large one for feeding a crowd.
The only downside to glass baking dishes is that they’re breakable. But if you’re careful with them, they’ll last a long time.
Mixing bowl
As I mentioned, I love to bake. If you don’t enjoy baking, then perhaps mixing bowls won’t be on your minimalist kitchen essentials list.
Mine is a that I’ve had for years. It’s perfect for mixing cake batter and it’s easy to clean and very durable.
There’s no need for different sizes of mixing bowls because the one I have is big enough to accommodate any recipe.
Measuring cups and spoons
You know those people who are amazing at just ‘guessing’ recipes and throw a bunch of ingredients into the mixing bowl? I’m not one of those. I need to measure everything out perfectly or else….who knows what I’d end up with!
So, for me, measuring cups and spoons are a kitchen essential. I use silicone measuring cups and spoons and love these collapsible ones as they take up little space when not in use.
Silicone baking trays
Baking cookies or a cake? You’re going to need a baking tray! Again, not essential if you don’t like to bake but it’s a must for me.
I choose silicone baking trays because they’re non-toxic and easy to clean. Plus, they last a long time – I’ve had mine for over five years! If you bake cupcakes, there’s no need for individual cupcake liners – just use a silicone baking tray and you’re good to go.
Glass measuring jug
A glass measuring jug is another kitchen essential for me, especially when baking. I use it to measure out liquids like milk, water, and oil. But I don’t use it just for baking. I also use it when making risotto, soup, and other recipes that require precise measurements.
It’s also handy for making things like salad dressing or smoothies. I prefer a glass measuring jug because it’s easy to see how much liquid you have and it’s easy to clean. I have found in the past that items such as stock tend to stain plastic jugs (plus glass is more eco-friendly).
What you don’t need in your minimalist kitchen
There are a lot of kitchen gadgets and appliances out there that promise to make your life easier. But in reality, most of them just end up taking up valuable counter and storage space.
Garlic press: I either use a knife or my grater to prepare garlic. A garlic press is only good for one thing and isn’t very versatile.
Egg poacher: I haven’t poached an egg in years! If you want to poach an egg, there’s no need for a fancy egg poacher. Just use a pan of boiling water and some vinegar.
Juicer: I don’t juice often but when I do, I use the blender part of my food processor. A juicer is a one-use appliance and takes up valuable counter space.
Stand mixer: I don’t have a stand mixer and I don’t miss it. If I am baking and need to mix something, I either just use a bowl and a spoon or my small electric hand mixer.
Pizza slicer: If you love pizza (is there anyone who doesn’t?), then perhaps this is an essential for you. But I find that a regular kitchen knife does the job just fine.
Excess cutlery: How many people live in your house? And how many forks and spoons do you have in your drawers? I’m guessing the answer is too many! We tend to accumulate a lot of cutlery over the years and it’s not necessary. If you don’t use them, get rid of them
These are just some of the kitchen gadgets that you don’t need in your minimalist kitchen. It’s up to you to decide what your minimalist kitchen essentials are. For me, these are the tools that I use on a daily basis and can’t live without!
Tips for keeping your kitchen minimalist
Only buy multipurpose tools
Before you buy any kitchen gadget, ask yourself if it’s something you really need. And if you do need it, make sure it’s a multipurpose tool that can be used for more than one thing.
For example, a food processor can be used to make dough, chop vegetables, and blend smoothies. And a knife can be used to mince garlic, chop vegetables and fruits, and slice bread.
So before you go out and buy that new kitchen gadget, make sure it’s something you really need and that it will get a lot of use. Otherwise, it’s just going to end up taking up valuable space in your kitchen.
Choose quality over quantity
It’s better to have a few high-quality kitchen tools than a bunch of cheap, flimsy ones. Not only will they last longer, but they will also make cooking easier and therefore more enjoyable.
For example, a good quality knife can make chopping vegetables a breeze. And a high-quality pan will help you to create meals that are full of flavor.
So when you’re choosing your kitchen essentials (or anything in life really), make sure you choose quality over quantity.
Keep counters clear
One of the easiest ways to keep your kitchen looking minimalist is to keep counters clear. That means no clutter, no appliances, and no extra dishes.
If you have a lot of counter space, you might be tempted to put everything on it. But resist the urge! The less stuff you have on your counters, the calmer and more open your kitchen will look.
So when you’re not using something, put it away. And if you don’t have enough storage space in your kitchen, consider getting rid of some of your dishes, appliances, or other kitchen items that you don’t use often.
Borrow
If you only need something for a short period of time, consider borrowing it or renting it instead of buying it. This is a great way to save space in your kitchen.
For example, if you’re hosting a dinner party and need extra dishes or utensils, borrow from a friend or neighbor. This will save you having to buy something you won’t regularly use.
You might also want to consider borrowing or renting items that you only use once in a while, such as a stand mixer or food processor. This way, you can have the item when you need it without taking up valuable space.
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Conclusion to my minimalist kitchen essentials
While I know that everyone’s kitchen needs vary, I hope that you’ve found at least a few of these minimalist kitchen essentials helpful. By decluttering your cooking tools and only keeping the essentials, you can make meal preparation faster and simpler. And that’s the ultimate goal, right?
If you’d like to simplify your life further, check out the following posts to get started:
- How to find joy in frugal minimalism (with 10 frugal living tips)
- Minimalism For Beginners: 10 Tips To Kickstart Your Minimalist Life
- 15 Minimalist Habits that will Transform Your Life
- How To Be Ruthless When Decluttering Clothes: An Essential Guide
- Why Is Decluttering So Hard: 9 Reasons You Can’t Clear The Clutter
What are your must-have cooking tools? Let me know in the comments below!
