My Kitchen Essentials

Over the years, I’ve realized I don’t need a kitchen full of gadgets — just the right ones. These are the tools I actually use in my own home, whether I’m cooking for a quiet night in, testing recipes I share here, or hosting a cozy book club gathering.

Nothing here is trendy — just practical, well-loved essentials that earn their place in my kitchen. Some links may be affiliate or sponsored recommendations. I update this page as my kitchen evolves.

You’ll see many of these tools used throughout my Reader’s Kitchen recipes and book club pairings .

This page may contain affiliate or sponsored links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Browse My Cozy Kitchen & Hosting Favorites

I’ve gathered my favorite kitchen essentials, serving pieces, cozy hosting finds, and book club entertaining favorites into one curated Amazon storefront.

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Everyday Kitchen Tools I Reach For

Cutting Boards

Sturdy enough for everyday prep and easy to clean after long cooking days.

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Knives

Comfortable, sharp, and reliable.

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Measuring Cup & Spoon Set

Accurate, easy to read, and used constantly.

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Rustic Pizza Peel

Perfect for sliding homemade pizza into the oven and serving it straight to the table.

Sponsored

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Organization & Storage

Glass Food Storage & Meal Prep Containers

Perfect for leftovers and meal prep.

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Spice Rack

Keeps everything visible and within reach.

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Fine-Mesh Sieve

Essential for straining sauces, broths, and cooking liquids.

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Mixing Bowls

Essential for everyday prep and baking.

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Vegetable Chopper & Mini Food Processor

Quick prep for sauces & veggies.

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My most-used small appliances

If I had to keep only two appliances on my counter, it would be my Instant Pot and my Breville oven. They make weeknight cooking simple.

Small Appliances Worth the Counter Space

Instant Pot

Makes hands-off cooking easy — perfect for soups, stews, and cozy one-pot meals.

Used in: Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup

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Breville Oven

Great for roasting and baking without the full oven.

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Countertop Vacuum Sealer

Keeps proteins, vegetables, and leftovers fresh longer — great for meal prep and freezing ingredients.

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Hand Mixer

Great for quick baking — and my favorite shortcut for shredding chicken straight from the Instant Pot.

Used in: Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

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Cookware I Use Every Week

Cast Iron Skillet

A true workhorse in my kitchen. Perfect for stovetop searing, roasting vegetables, and simple one-pan dinners.

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Dutch Oven

Ideal for soups, stews, and slow comfort meals — especially during cozy reading seasons.

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Cast Iron Pizza Pan

Perfect for crispy pizza crusts and easy homemade dinners.

Used in: Delicious Twist on Uncured Turkey Pizza

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Nonstick Baking Sheet Set

Perfect for roasting vegetables, baking cookies, and everyday sheet pan meals.

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Breakfast & Brunch Tools I Actually Use

Muffin Tin

Perfect for baked or poached-style eggs, muffins, mini cheesecakes and simple brunch dishes.

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Breakfast Sandwich Maker with Egg Cooker Ring

Perfect for brunch or a quick meal on the go.

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Handy Gadgets (That Actually Get Used)

Digital Thermometer

Takes the guesswork out of cooking.

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Steam Rack Trivet

Essential for pressure cooking and steaming.

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Cooking for Book Club & Entertaining

Serving Board

Easy, casual, and perfect for gatherings.

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Staub Ceramic Casserole Dishes

Beautiful, durable dishes that go from oven to table effortlessly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are these sponsored products?
No. These are tools I personally use. Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Do you update this list?
Yes. I add tools as I test and genuinely adopt them into my kitchen.

Are these beginner-friendly?
Absolutely. Most of these are foundational kitchen essentials, not specialty gadgets.

This page is updated periodically as I test new tools and retire old favorites.