Who in their culinary endeavors hasn’t faced the frustration of trying to find something in their kitchen to no avail? It happens even to the best of us!
Do you know why we often find ourselves in such scenarios in the first place? We’ve brought in so much in the kitchen, making it difficult to locate the items that really add value to our cookhouse when we need them most.
The surefire way out is to switch to a minimalist kitchen. A minimalist kitchen can simplify your cooking process by making it more efficient and stress-free.
But then, it begins by understanding what items make the list of minimalist kitchen essentials because the truth is that an average kitchen has more than is necessary.
In this article, we’ve curated 15+ items that make the cut into a minimalist kitchen, and we promise that you’ll find each of them helpful in meal prep.
1. Good Quality Knives
Knives are obviously something you can’t do without in your kitchen. Whether chopping vegetables, slicing meat, or dicing fruits, you will always have the knife as your go-to kitchen tool.
But because we’re talking about a minimalist kitchen, forget to bring in the entire knife block. The whole set is great, but what’s the essence of having a fancy collection of 15 knives when you need 2? It isn’t just a waste of money — but a surefire way to make your kitchen feel crowded.
Our recommendation? Get yourself a chef’s knife and a serrated bread knife. Forget about everything else. With these two, you can handle almost anything in the kitchen.
2. Chopping Board
Once you’ve gotten good quality knives, you will need to invest in a complementary chopping board.
A chopping board allows you to easily slice anything in your kitchen without putting your fingers on the line. So, don’t just see it from the perspective of convenience, but safety as well.
And remember, go for a chopping board that is easy to clean and gentle on your knives’ blades. Plastic is fantastic, but if you’re a minimalist who’s also an environmentalist, you can consider wood.
A bamboo chopping board comes in handy, in this case, because it’s made from a material that’s sustainable and, at the same time, anti-microbial. And did you notice that I’ve all along been talking about this item in singularity? Yes, that’s because all you need is one.
3. Vegetable Peeler
As you throw out all the unnecessary items in your kitchen, don’t make the mistake of throwing away your vegetable peeler.
It’s our third essential kitchen tool, thanks to the fantastic work it does when it comes to peeling fruits and vegetables. And if you don’t have one, ensure that as the non-essentials find their way out, you welcome a sturdy one into your kitchen.
4. Frying Pans (Skillet)
When you’re in the mood for mouth-watering, fluffy omelets, a frying pan is all you need to turn your intuition into reality. It’s that important!
In fact, there are many scenarios where these pans come in handy. Whether cooking your favorite steak, frying an egg, making pancakes for breakfast, or even trying out a new recipe that’s off the ordinary, a frying pan comes in handy.
For a minimalist kitchen, you need not have several of them. A single versatile frying pan is all you need. Cast iron skillets are great because they can handle high temperatures and are sturdy workhorses that you can use to sear, bake, and brace effectively. They’re also super durable.
5. Utensils
Of course, there are essential utensils whose absence makes the kitchen incomplete. Imagine having a kitchen without plates, cups, mugs, and glasses! What about without a spatula for flipping food and stirring sauces, as well as spoons? Each of these items is simply a must-have in the kitchen.
So, ensure that as you narrow the list for your minimalist kitchen, you have enough of these items. The number you’ll need will depend on the size of your family. If you live alone and seldom have guests, you don’t need many of them.
But if you’re living with a big family or constantly host friends and relatives, it’s wise to invest in several of these essentials.
6. Mixing Bowl
The next indispensable piece of your kitchen paraphernalia is a mixing bowl. More often, you need to mix ingredients and sometimes, a larger place for serving. That’s where these bowls come in handy.
With mixing bowls, you won’t need to use the same bowls for mixing and serving. They provide ample space to hold your ingredients, making meal preparation easy and as smooth as you’ve always wanted it.
Metallic mixing bowls are great if you’re looking for durability. But you can also opt for glass or ceramic ones, depending on what you think works best for your needs as well as your budget.
7. Storage Containers
As a minimalist, you’re concerned about keeping a clean kitchen. That’s why you need not overlook the essence of investing in decent storage containers. These containers will help you store away leftovers and can even serve as a place to store dry ingredients like rice and grains.
And remember, don’t just settle for anything in the name of a storage container. Go for durability and an air-tight container so you’re sure that anything you put in there will be safe from pests and that it will preserve freshness and keep odors away.
Most of these containers are made of plastic. And well, this material should be okay as long as the containers you choose are free from harsh chemicals like BPA.
8. Measuring Cups and Spoons
We’ve all come across these delicate recipes that require precision in measurements when preparing. If you love trying such recipes or already have a few, you’ll find measuring cups and spoons as real-life savers. These tools will come in to help you get perfect measurements.
Again, when going for these essentials for your minimalist kitchen, remember that quality is paramount. Avoid plastic ones in this case, and go for stainless steel and glass options in this case. They’ll last longer and won’t warp or crack easily like their plastic counterparts.
9. Lemon Squeezer
If you’re anything like me, lemon is a kitchen staple. From making lemonade to adding a touch of freshness to salads, this citrus fruit remains an all-time favorite for most people.
Now, to extract all the juice from your lemons, you need a tool specially designed for the job, which is where a lemon squeezer comes in. This tool will go a long way to save you time and make your work in the kitchen easy and more efficient.
With just a single squeezer, you need not have juicers and other bulky gadgets in your minimalist kitchen. But remember that a sturdy squeezer made of stainless steel or aluminum is the way to go for maximum durability.
10. Spice Jars
If you are a spice lover, you’ll agree that keeping spices in their original sachets can make your kitchen look disorganized. That’s why, as a spiced food fanatic, spiced jars are a must-have.
Just ensure that you invest in clear, well-labeled containers so you can quickly identify the spice you need without having to open one jar after another. These containers won’t just save you time, they will also ensure that your spices are free from moisture and other elements that might make them lose their flavor.
Again, don’t go overboard with these jars. Stick to the exact number you need, and nothing beyond that!
11. Cookware
How are you going to cook your meals without the right cookware? So, get pots and pans to boil, fry, and steam your food. Again, as with most items that we’ve already covered, you want to ensure that you go for quality cookware here.
Choose stainless steel or ceramic options. These materials are long-lasting and will last longer. If you want their non-stick counterparts, they’re still great, but remember that they may not be as durable and may need some extra care when using them.
Again, also consider the size. Get several larger pots if you cook for a large family or smaller ones for living solo. Even better, ensure that you get several sizes to suit all your cooking needs.
12. Big Appliances
As you get the right cookware, utensils, measuring cups and spoons, and other kitchen supplies, remember that you won’t be able to do anything without cooking appliances.
So, if you want to keep things as simple as possible, ensure that you also invest in appliances such as a stove, oven, microwave, refrigerator, and maybe even a dishwasher.
Now, these appliances come in various sizes. Get the size that you think will work best for you and fits well into the space you have set aside for them in your kitchen — no need to oversize or undersize.
And before ordering each of these appliances, don’t overlook energy efficiency. You don’t want to bring power guzzlers that will add lots of weight to your monthly energy bill. So, settle for appliances with Energy Star ratings, and that will help you save a few bucks in the long run.
13. Colander
When cooking pasta, rice, or anything else that requires the draining of excessive moisture, you will need this kitchen essential for that work. With a nice colander, you will find draining easy and more efficient.
But then, remember to get the ideal size for your needs. You want to avoid a small size that will mean taking turns when draining lots of pasta, for instance.
And, of course, get a durable one, preferably made of stainless steel. As long as it’s durable, then you can be sure that it will serve you every day for years. And remember, for a minimalist kitchen, you need not have more than one colander. As long as you get the correct size, one should suffice perfectly.
14. Grater
The grater is another simple yet essential tool that shouldn’t be missed in your minimalist kitchen. Whether you grate cheese, vegetables, or citrus zest, this versatile tool will give you fantastic results, making your cooking experience smoother and less of a hassle.
Again, think about the quality and durability when choosing a grater. In this case, stainless steel graters are often the best option as they won’t rust, bend or break easily.
But durability isn’t the only thing to consider. Remember to also go for multipurpose graters with different sizes of holes so you can use them for various tasks in the kitchen without having to buy multiple tools.
15. Baking Sheet
For those who love baking, a good quality baking sheet is something you don’t want to leave behind when choosing essential items for your minimalist kitchen. Whether you want to make cookies, pizzas, or anything in between, this simple yet useful tool will make your baking experience enjoyable.
In fact, you can even use it to roast vegetables, meats, and so much more. Just ensure that you get a durable baking sheet, preferably aluminum or stainless steel, that will last many years.
16. Multipurpose Hand Blender
If you’re not a fan of bulky blenders and food processors, how about bringing in a hand blender? It should be your best bet, especially now that you also target minimalism in your kitchen. This simple yet powerful tool will help you blend sauces, soups, smoothies, and so much more quickly and easily.
And that’s not all yet! With the right attachments, you can also chop veggies, whisk eggs or cream and do so much more with just this one tool. And, of course, it has a tiny footprint, so it won’t take much space in your kitchen.
17. Kitchen Towel Holder
You might be tempted to overlook this item, but a simple kitchen towel holder will help you keep your towels organized and within reach while cooking.
That way, you won’t have to scramble through drawers or cabinets looking for a clean towel when things get messy in the kitchen.
So, depending on your preference and available space, find one that can easily be mounted on the wall or placed on the countertop.
