If you’ve ever had a conversation with me, there’s a 90% chance I brought up my crock pot. Doesn’t matter the original subject. I have an incredible ability to bring any conversation back around to my favorite kitchen gadgets.
You don’t need a lot of kitchen gadgets to be able to cook. In fact, you don’t need any gadgets. You literally just need a pan. But gadgets are fun and they make cooking 1000% easier.
Here are my favorites
Crock Pot – I use my crock pot year round. It’s not just for chili anymore, you can cook pretty much anything in a crock pot. And with my hectic schedule, setting and forgetting about dinner is a lifesaver. I regularly cook an entire chicken in there, make stews, and stew bones for broth!
Small Cast Iron Skillet – I know it can seem intimidating to cook with cast iron, but it’s not that different from other pans. I promise. It requires special cleaning on occasion, but the ease of cooking and quality of food is so worth it! Plus, these pans give you an extra shot of iron! This size pan is perfect for single serve frittatas, breakfast skillets, and crispy skin chicken! I use my cast iron skillet literally every day.
Immersion Blender – You NEED an immersion blender…so you can make mayo. That’s it. That’s all that matters, am I right?
Glass Storage Containers – Not really a gadget, but my glass storage containers are a daily use item in my kitchen. I pack my lunch in my large glass container the night before and pop the whole thing in the oven to heat up at lunch time! Makes life easy-peasy and BPA free!
Spiralizer – I LOVE spiralizing zucchini. It makes dinner 800x more fun. That’s an exact number. This particular spiralizer isn’t great for spiralizing carrots or sweet potato. So if you go with this model, be aware. And buy your sweet potatoes pre-spiraled.
Metal Spatulas – I have 4+ metal spatulas because I use them so often. Scrambles, veggies, burgers, whatever. I don’t know how you would cook anything without these.
Food Processor – My food processor was a gift from my mom and I use it way more than I expected I would. I initially wanted it so I could make my own nut butters, but I’ve made countless soups, pesto, and cauliflower mash! The possibilities are endless.
Textured Baking Sheet – I love love love my textured baking sheets! They are great for roasting veggies and broiling fish. The texture helps prevent sticking to the pan, BUT it makes them a pain to clean.
French Press – I stopped drinking coffee a while ago, but I still use my french press to brew loose leaf tea. I don’t know if it actually tastes better when brewed in a french press, but I like to think it does. Plus, it’s weirdly satisfying to press, right? It certainly makes my 6am more fun.
Stainless Steel Skillet – As much as I love my cast iron skillet, there are some dishes that I just prefer to cook in a stainless steel skillet. Stir fry and zoodle dishes are so much easier in a stainless steel skillet. Make sure to use plenty of fats because fats are the best, but also to avoid sticking/burning.
Stainless Steel Straws – These aren’t really a kitchen gadget, but I keep them in my kitchen…does that count? I asked for stainless steel straws for Christmas last year and they’ve been nothing short of wonderful. I take them with me when I go out to cut down on waste and always use them at home! There’s something about drinking from a straw that makes me drink so much more water throughout the day. And hydration is underrated when it comes to health. Drink your water, people!
Those are my favorites! No, I don’t have an InstantPot. What do you guys use in your kitchen?