Whether you’re starting to get serious about cooking at home or are in need of some new essentials for your kitchen, I’ve got you covered.
Kitchen essentials and meal prep tools aren’t magic and won’t put dinner on the table with a click of your finger, but they will make it easier and more efficient.
Even if you don’t cook from scratch every day, these tools will still pay off in the long term. And maybe they will motivate you to cook and/or bake more often.
Here is my recommended list of kitchen tools to help you meal prep and cook easier.
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Cutting Boards
Everyone needs a good cutting board. They are necessary to provide a safe and stable surface to cut on. Using a cutting board can protect your kitchen countertops from scratches and damage while also preventing cross-contamination of food. Kind of important, right?
Grab these durable, easy-to-clean cutting boards and enjoy a more efficient meal prep.
Gorilla Grip Durable Kitchen Cutting Board Set of 3
Microban Plastic Cutting Board
Mixing Bowls
Stainless steel mixing bowls are a must-have for any busy mom who needs easy to clean kitchen tools. These bowls are durable and resist scratches and dents.
Stainless steel also doesn’t absorb flavors or odors, making them perfect for preparing multiple recipes in the same bowl without worrying about flavor contamination.
Plus, the variety of sizes means you can use them for everything from mixing batters to storing leftovers.
Stainless Steel Microporous Colander, 2-Qt Large Capacity with Mixing Bowl
Premium Mixing Bowls With Lids Set
Vegetable Slicer, Chopper or Spiralizer
Score some fancy meal prep points using these bad boys. Quickly and evenly slice or spiralize vegetables for salads and stir-fries. A chopper can quickly chop vegetables, fruits, and herbs with just a few presses.
A spiralizer can turn vegetables like zucchini and carrots into fun and nutritious spirals that can be used as noodles or garnishes. Make healthy foods easier to make, look amazing, and delicious with these tools.
All-in-1 Vegetable Chopper, Mandoline Slicer & Cheese Grater
Kitchen Grater Vegetable Slicer with 3 Drum Blades
Baking Essentials
Silicone baking sheets and reusable cupcake holders are versatile, durable, and easy to clean, making them must-haves for any home cook.
They’re non-stick so food is easy to release, eliminating the need for disposable parchment paper or muffin liners. Plus, they’re eco-friendly and can save you money in the long run.
Amazon Basics Silicone, Non-Stick
Amazon Basics Reusable Silicone Baking Cups
Measuring Tools
Having the right tools, such as measuring cups and spoons, can make a huge difference in how quickly and accurately you can measure ingredients.
Simple measuring tools make following recipes easier and improve the accuracy of your cooking and baking. Don’t underestimate the importance of good tools in the kitchen!
Simply Gourmet Measuring Cups and Spoons Set of 12 Stainless Steel for Cooking & Baking
Pyrex 3 Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set, Includes 1-Cup, 2-Cup, and 4-Cup Tempered Glass
Food Scales
Just like measuring cups but better, food scales are essential to ensure precise measurements and accurate portion control.
By measuring ingredients like flour, and sugar with a food scale you can ensure consistency in your recipes, resulting in better-tasting meals. Investing in a good food scale can save you time and make your meal prep process more efficient and enjoyable.
Greater Goods Nutrition Food Scale
Etekcity Food Kitchen Scale, Digital
Kitchen Utensils
Kitchen utensils are essential for meal prep. You won’t be able to cook or bake without them. As a busy mom, time is of the essence, and having the right utensils will help you save time and energy. Investing in good quality utensils also means they will last longer, saving you money in the long run. So don’t underestimate the power of good kitchen tools – they can make all the difference in your meal prep routine!
14 Pcs Silicone Cooking Utensils Kitchen Utensil Set
Kitchen Utensils Set Cooking Utensil Sets Kitchen Gadgets
Food Storage Containers
Food storage containers are a must-have for storing leftovers and meal-prepped food. They help keep your food fresh and organized, making meal planning easier and more efficient.
These storage containers are dishwasher safe and microwave safe making them very convenient not just for storage but easy cleaning and reheating too.
50-Pack Meal Prep Plastic Microwavable Food Containers For Meal Prepping With Lids
Rubbermaid 60-Piece Food Storage Containers with Lids
Non-Stick Griddles
Non-stick griddles make cooking pancakes, eggs, and other breakfast foods a breeze, and you can easily cook multiple items at once. Plus, they’re great for making grilled sandwiches or burgers for lunch or dinner.
Non-stick griddles are also easy to clean, which saves you time and hassle. Investing in a high-quality non-stick griddle will make meal prep faster, easier, and more enjoyable for you and your family.
Hard Anodized Nonstick Divided Grill
Nonstick Divided Grill Pan, 11 Inch 3-Section
Knives & Knife Blocks
A good quality knife block with sharp knives is a must-have for cutting through meats, vegetables, and fruits with ease, saving you time and effort.
Using dull or low-quality knives can be frustrating, leading to uneven cuts and possibly even accidents. Investing in a knife block ensures that you have the necessary knives for every task, and they are easily accessible.
Knife Holder for Wall with Extra Strong Magnet
MARTHA STEWART Eastwalk 14pc Stainless Steel Cutlery Knife Block Set
Kitchen Protection
An anti-fatigue mat will help make cooking more comfortable and it’s recommended if you are batch cooking since it’s more time-consuming.
A good apron will keep you safe from accidental spills, and other kitchen mishaps. With these kitchen essentials, you can make meals for your family without worrying about the mess or potential injuries.
Kitchen Floor Mat Cushioned Anti-Fatigue Kitchen Rug
2 Pieces Kitchen Cooking Aprons
Utensil Holders
Keep your utensils organized, within easy reach, and look good too. With a utensil holder, you’ll be able to quickly find the tool you need and save time searching through drawers. Plus, it keeps your utensils from rolling around or getting lost in the clutter.
Bamboo Expandable Drawer Organizer for Utensils Holder
Extra-Large Stainless Steel Kitchen Utensil Holder
Colanders & Strainers
Easily strain pasta, rinse fruits and vegetables, and separate liquids from solids with these clever strainers. Using these tools can also improve the quality and taste of your meals by removing excess water or unwanted particles.
BLUE GINKGO Over the Sink Colander Strainer Basket
Kitchen Gizmo Snap N Strain Pot Strainer and Pasta Strainer
Food Processors
A food processor is a must-have tool if you hate chopping foods like onions and garlic. If you feel grating a block of cheese is a waste of time, then a food processor is worth the investment. Spend less time chopping and prepping, and more time enjoying quality time with your family. Plus, food processors make it easy to create healthy and delicious meals from scratch, so you can feel good about what you’re feeding your loved ones.
GE Food Processor | 12 Cup | Complete With 3 Feeding Tubes & Stainless Steel Accessories
Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus Food Processor
Slow Cookers
A slow cooker is another must-have for your kitchen. It’s affordable and makes a wide range of dishes that turn out amazing with slow cooking.
Toss in ingredients in the morning and come home to a fully cooked meal in the evening. This means less time spent cooking and more time for other important tasks.
Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker
Inspiring Book on Meal Prep
Meal Prep Magic: Time-Saving Tricks for Stress-Free Cooking by Catherine McCord
The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook: Easy and Wholesome Meals to Cook, Prep, Grab, and Go by Toby Amidor
By making the process of cooking and meal prep more efficient and enjoyable, these tools can help you save time and energy in the kitchen.
Even if you’re not a pro, having the right tools at your disposal can motivate you to explore new recipes and techniques, and perhaps even develop a love for cooking.
Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned home cook, having the right kitchen essentials can make all the difference in the world.
What is your favorite kitchen tool that you can’t live without? Share in the comments!
Hi, I’m Melanie. I’m the woman behind Mommy Life Strategies. Here you will discover ways to manage your time more efficiently, how to create positive daily habits that stick, mindset exercises that energize, and health & wellness tips that work even for the busiest moms.