Top 5 Must Have Kitchen Essentials for a New Homemaker

Was anybody else totally lost when setting up a kitchen for the first time? I know I sure was, but now I’m here to help with a list of the top 5 must have kitchen essentials for a new homemaker. Cooking skills not included.

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New Homemaker & Kitchen Disaster

Growing up, I had little interest in the kitchen, cooking, or anything deemed women’s work. I would happily taste test cookie dough or cake batter, but that’s as far as I cared to “help out” in the kitchen. I would have much rather been playing outside. This worked out fine until it was time to start my own home.

Like many engaged couples, we printed off a list of a thousand things that we were going to need in our new kitchen. Then we went and scanned all of the things at Bed, Bath & Beyond certain we would need them. Some were useful, others not so much. Some I haven’t ever used.

I soon discovered that the essentials weren’t at all what I thought they were. Turns out cheese boards, juice glasses, and four pizza cutters aren’t in the top 5 must have kitchen essentials for a new homemaker. They are nice to have on occasion, but aren’t the staples I thought they would be.

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Must Have Kitchen Essentials #1: Wooden Spoons

Wooden spoons are a must kitchen essential. They don’t scratch the pans, but are sturdy enough to scrape up stuck on food when you forget to grease the pan. We actually got two sets of these. I had one in my hope chest and we were given another set. I kept both, at the time not knowing what a kitchen essential they truly were.

For the new homemakers out there, you need a good set of wooden spoons. Do remember not to soak them in water though. The same goes for wooden cutting boards. Wood expands in water which lets in food particles and bacteria. Plus it can cause them to split or crack. To disinfect the spoons, pour hydrogen peroxide over them once in a while.

I like this bamboo set personally. I’m still on set number one, with the second set on deck for someday.

Must Have Kitchen Essentials #2: Slap Chop

I absolutely love my slap chop. It makes meal prep a breeze, which landed it in the top 5 must have kitchen essentials. Chopped onions. Minced garlic. Pulverized herbs. Bottled up anger. This little device has you covered. I use it frequently. In fact, I use it so much that after two and a half years I had to replace it. I posted about how this sneaky little tool has helped me to hide onions from my husband for the last three years. He still doesn’t know that he likes onions. You can read more about it here.

After my first one broke, I replaced it with one from Walmart. I hated it so much that it was donated and I bought the same kind I initially owned. It compresses down for easy storage. It comes completely apart for easy cleaning and it even fits in the dishwasher when it’s disassembled. You can find this sanity saving tool here.

Must Have Kitchen Essentials #3:Cast Iron Skillet

As a young bride, I had no idea that the type of skillet can make all the difference. I thought cast iron was for campfire cooking only. Little did I know it would become one of my top 5 must have kitchen essentials. I eventually found out that the coating on the nonstick skillets flakes off in your food. I had heard that cast iron provided a more even heat and kept the yucky stuff out of the food. But there was a problem. I couldn’t use cast iron on my glass cook top. I was afraid of scratching it. About the time I was ready to start cooking exclusively over an open flame outside, I made a discovery. Enameled cast iron. It heats like regular cast iron, but doesn’t scratch up the glass cooktop. After a bit of a learning curve and several burnt sandwiches, I had fallen in love with my cast iron skillets. So much so that I got an enameled cast iron dutch oven for Christmas.

I love my set of red cast iron skillets. You can find them at Sam’s Club.

Must Have Kitchen Essentials #4: KitchenAid Mixer

Everybody needs a KitchenAid mixer. Long before getting married, I picked out my red KitchenAid mixer. Everytime we walked through Target, I reminded my mom that I wanted the red Kitchenaid. Now at that point in my life all I knew how to make in the blender was playdough, but I was excited anyways. It is pretty enough to sit out on the counter, but also functional. Having it on the counter means that it gets plenty of use. I use it to mix just about everything. Current favorites are chocolate chip cookies and sourdough pizza dough. KitchenAid Mixers come in a variety of colors to match everyone’s style. Check them out here!

Must Have Kitchen Essentials #5: Instant Pot

This little appliance has a permanent place in my kitchen. It makes dinner so much easier and faster. Forget to thaw the meat? No problem. Need bone broth? Done. Rice? It can do that too. I found mine as a Black Friday deal at Target. Best Black Friday purchase ever. This little pot can do so many things. Plus it makes perfect hard boiled eggs. They are so easy to peel. You can sear the meat and then slow cook it all in one pot. A one pot mess is a blessing any night of the week. I love my 6 quart Duo. It does everything I need it to do and some I never knew I needed.