New cooks need to start with the basics, and equipping your kitchen is the first step. We've compiled some of our tried-and-true favorite kitchen items to help you get started. You can cook right away.
Gyuto Misen
$65
There are a lot of choices when it comes to chef knives, and the prices can be quite steep. We recommend starting with something more affordable, like this Misen knife, which is perfect for cutting everything from chocolate to vegetables.
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cutting board, reboard
$35
To prevent your new knife from becoming dull, you need to buy a good cutting board. We like this one because it's BPA-free and made from plastic scraps and sugar cane.
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cast iron skillet lodge
$19.90
I prepared the ingredients and seasoned the protein. Next, start cooking. You don't need to invest in a fancy pot because you can do it all in a cast iron skillet. We like this 10.25-inch version from Lodge, a popular American brand, because it's large enough to cook just about anything, yet small enough to easily store. Cast iron skillets can be used on any cooktop, including induction. And what's the price? There's no way I can win. (Pro tip: If you love vintage shopping, look for antique cast iron pans from brands like Wagner and Griswold. Cleaning and reseasoning them can give them new life.)
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$17.50
The simplest dish for beginners is pasta. Great with grated parmesan cheese or lemon zest. Using a microplane makes grating easier.
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Pyrex 2 cup liquid measuring cup
$6.90
No kitchen is complete without a copy of Irma S. Romabauer The joy of cookingThe same goes for Pyrex liquid measuring cups. Used by millions of home cooks for generations, this kitchen addition is an absolute must-have for mixing, measuring, and pouring.
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Cuisinart 4 cup food processor
$49.95
We love Cuisinart's 10-cup food processor, but the 4-cup model is a great place to start on a budget. This bad guy chops, chops, purees and invades your mind. Especially suitable when cooking for a large number of people.
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Stainless steel mixing bowl, Amazon
$22.79
A set of nesting mixing bowls is a worthy addition to your kitchen arsenal. Stainless steel is an excellent material. It has excellent heat and cold retention properties, does not stick to food, and does not introduce strange flavors. These bowls are useful for mixing flour, cream, or for separating ingredients before adding them to a dish. we love them.
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Silicone coated tongs, Oxo
$15.99
Protect your fingers from hot frying pans with these tongs, perfect for flipping meat, saucing spaghetti, and sautéing. This silicone coated pair is heat resistant and won't scratch your nonstick pans.
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bench scraper, oxo
$11.99
Bench scrapers are loved by bakers around the world because they allow you to divide and scoop dough while keeping your countertops nice and clean. But this tool isn't just for pastry chefs. Use it to scoop cut vegetables into bowls or pans, or to easily clean up kitchen debris. We love multitasking.
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amazon salt cellar
$9.89
Is this a little extra? perhaps. However, storing salt in a salt cellar makes it easier to season your food. You can easily dip it into a measuring spoon or pick it up between your fingers.
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