20 Minimalist Kitchen Essentials (What You Actually Need)

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer number of kitchen devices that promise culinary perfection? I got it. My kitchen cabinets used to look like a little appliance graveyard. But when I adopted simplicity, my cooking life—and my sanity—improved greatly. Explore the world of minimalist kitchen essentials and learn how having less can really make your home’s heart feel bigger.

What Does a Minimalist Kitchen Have?

A simple kitchen is not about not having anything; it’s about carefully choosing what to keep. It values quality over number and puts an emphasis on tools that can be used for many things. These are the best tools for the money because they let you make a lot of different meals without taking up too much room.

A Quality Chef’s Knife

A good chef’s knife is what every cook needs. Buy a knife that is strong, well-balanced, and feels good in your hand. It is possible to cut most things with a good chef’s knife, from meat to veggies to bread. The Wüsthof Classic 8-Inch Kitchen Knife and the Victorinox Fibrox 8-Inch Pro Chef’s Knife might be good choices for you.

Quality Bread Knife

A serrated bread knife is essential for slicing bread without squishing it. It’s also great for cutting delicate fruits and vegetables, like tomatoes. “I find a 7-to-9-inch blade will handle most breads,” says Gerry Klaskala, chef and owner of Aria in Atlanta. The serrations of Misen 8 Inch Serrated Knife have a subtle curve between teeth, ensuring you won’t tear denser loaves or delicate produce as you slice.

Kitchen Scissors

An underrated but rather useful equipment are a pair of kitchen scissors. Their sharp blades let them easily cut herbs, snap open packaging, and even break down chicken or shellfish. Misen Heavy Duty Kitchen Shears are great for more than just cutting. Carefully constructed ambidextrous handle designs provide unmatched control and reduce strain for left and right-hand users. A nonslip inner lining will keep your hand safe even when tackling a task with wettness.

Vegetable Peeler

A simple vegetable peeler is a handy tool for minimalists. This little tool quickly peels fruits and vegetables to create uniform ribbons or shavings for salads or garnishes. One of the most effective methods to simplify evening meals is to invest in a good vegetable peeler. The OXO Y-Peeler boasts an ergonomic design and a sharp stainless steel blade, making it easy to peel veggies. The flexible, non-slip grip fits comfortably in any hand, large or small, reducing fatigue during long use.

A Few Good Pots And Pans of Different Sizes

In a minimalist kitchen, a large collection of pots and pans is unnecessary. A few adaptable parts in various sizes should suffice. A small saucepan, a medium pot, a skillet, and a big stockpot will meet the majority of your cooking requirements. Add a good nonstick skillet and a cast-iron pan, and you’re done. Look for long-lasting, heat-resistant materials such as stainless steel or cast iron.

Mini Food Processor

In a basic kitchen, a little food processor is a real multitasker. A great tool for sauces, dips, and even dough making, it can cut, slice, grate, and purée a range of foods.

We chopped everything from ginger to chilies and garlic using KitchenAid 3.5 Cup Food Chopper, which quickly produced well-portioned bits. Its drizzle bowl, where you may pour liquids gently for optimal emulsification, and pour spout for simple serving also appeal to us.

A Blender With A Steam Valve

Smoothies, soups, sauces depend on a decent blender. Look for one with a steam valve to gently mix hot liquids without causing explosions. Although many are insanely devoted to their preferred blender brands, it makes little difference which one you have as long as you have one.

Measuring Cups And Spoons

For baking, and occasionally cooking, exact proportions are absolutely vital. Consistent results depend on a basic collection of measuring cups and spoons.

Quality Cutting Boards

A good cutting board is essential in every kitchen. Above all, it should be large enough to allow for cutting or chopping while still being reasonably easy to maintain. Select a couple of high-quality cutting boards, one for meats and another for vegetables. Wood is both attractive and sturdy, but plastic is more easily sanitized. The choice is yours!

Food Containers That Won’t Leak

Airtight food storage containers are vital for keeping ingredients fresh and reducing wastage. Look for stackable, leak-proof containers made of glass or high-quality plastic that can survive dishwasher and microwave use. Pyrex Simply Store containers stack nicely and are constructed of sturdy tempered glass. This set can go in the freezer, microwave, well-heated oven, or dishwasher.

A Baking Sheet And Baking Dish

A baking sheet and a versatile baking dish cover most baking needs. Use them for roasting vegetables, baking casseroles, or even as serving trays.

Stainless Steel Or Glass Mixing Bowls

A set of high-quality mixing bowls is essential for prepping ingredients, mixing recipes, and even serving salads and snacks. Choose stainless steel or tempered glass bowls that are durable, easy to clean, and stack together for small space storage.

Box Grater

A box grater works well for shredding cheese, zesting citrus, and grating vegetables. Choose a grater with many sides, including fine and coarse grinding surfaces. To avoid slippage, use a grater with many grinding surfaces and a robust base.

Can Opener

While canned products may not be a fixture in every minimalist kitchen, a reliable can opener is still a vital item to have on hand. Choose a style that is comfortable to hold and will not leave harsh edges on the can.

Cast Iron Skillet

A well-seasoned cast iron skillet is a necessity in the kitchen. A cast iron skillet is a versatile cooking tool that can endure high temperatures and is ideal for searing, sautéing, and baking. It is extremely simple to maintain and may last a lifetime if properly cared for.

Slow Cooker

For busy minimalists, a slow cooker can be a lifesaver. Throw in ingredients in the morning, and come home to a delicious, ready-to-eat meal. It’s perfect for hearty stews, tender braised meats, and even baked goods like breads and cakes.

Rice Cooker

Every week, we eat rice at home. In the past, we cooked it in a pot on the stove. But sometimes the effects were not what was expected. A lot of the time, my rice grains stuck to the bottom of the pot and got mushy. Other times, they were hard in the middle. I now have a rice maker, though. It does a great job of making rice with big, perfect grains. This small device is easy to use and comes with pre-set cooking modes for different kinds of rice (brown, long-grain, sushi, etc.). It can also make porridge.

Microwave And Toaster

Toasters and microwave ovens can make a simple kitchen more useful. Microwave ovens are great for quickly thawing food and heating it up. And some features of microwave stoves make it easy to cook food. And toaster ovens make sure that sandwiches and toast are hot and crispy.

Glass Canister

Airtight glass canisters are a stylish and functional way to store dry goods like flour, sugar, and pasta. They look great on the counter and help you see when you’re running low on ingredients.

Kitchen Equipment You Likely Don’t Need

While the items listed above are crucial in a minimalist kitchen, some appliances and tools may not be required for everyone. Before purchasing any of the following things, make sure they fit your food habits and lifestyle.

A Bread Maker

A bread maker will probably collect dust unless you bake bread every day. All you need is an oven and a decent baking sheet to whip up some tasty bread.

A Veggie Spiralizer

Although they are highly specialized, veggie spiralizers are popular for making zucchini noodles and other spirals from vegetables. It might be unnecessary to have vegetable noodles in your minimalist kitchen if you don’t like them or don’t think you’ll use them often. You may achieve the same effect with a sharp knife or a vegetable peeler.

A Food Dehydrator

Food dehydrators are useful for making dried fruits, veggies, and even jerky. They can be bulky, though, and people who don’t dry foods often might not need one. A basic oven or air fryer can serve just as well.

Salad Spinner

Salad spinners are meant to dry out veggies by removing extra water, but they can be big and take up space in your closet. To dry greens, you can use either a sieve or a clean dish towel.

A Garlic Press

While garlic presses can make mincing garlic a breeze, they can also be a pain to clean and are limited in their functionality. A good chef’s knife can easily mince garlic with a bit of practice. Skip the garlic press and save some drawer space.

Popcorn Maker

Popcorn machines are enjoyable and nostalgic, but they are also one-use gadgets that may not be required in most minimalist kitchens. A simple pot with a cover may create precisely popped kernels while taking up minimal kitchen space.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, a minimalist approach to kitchen basics may help you organize your area, simplify your cooking process, and even improve your cooking talents. By focusing on adaptable, high-quality tools and removing unnecessary devices, you can build a useful, efficient kitchen that encourages creativity and enjoyment of cooking.

FAQs about Minimalist Kitchen Essentials

What should minimalist have in their kitchen?

To start, here’s a quick kitchen equipment list that will help you get started:
Cutlery (knives, forks, spoons)
A few glasses/cups.
A few plates (we currently only have 6 plates for 2 people)
One eight-inch chef’s knife (more on that later)
A medium-sized pot and 10-inch pan.
A spatula.
A large stirring spoon.
Oven mitts.

How many dishes does a minimalist have?

In truth, you only need enough dishes for as many people as there are in your family: 2-3 glasses per person is plenty. Take the time to figure out which dishes you don’t use, and schlep them to Goodwill ASAP.

What 3 things should every kitchen have?

According to them, all you need are a chef’s knife, a serrated bread knife, and a paring knife. “To me, these three knives would cover basically anything you would need to cut,” Sexton says. “And if I was stuck on a desert island, and I could still cook, these three knives would be what I would need.”

How many pots and pans should a minimalist have?

To cook almost anything you want, I think you can get away with three pans and two pots. Large (12-inch), deep skillet with lid (not nonstick): for braising, pan-roasting, pan-frying and simmering; make sure it is oven-proof so it can move from stovetop to oven when needed.

How do you stock a minimalist kitchen?

Buy clear containers

How do you maintain a minimalist kitchen?

Minimalist Kitchen Ideas.
Let more air and sunlight in!
Go for a light color scheme!
Get Organized!
Keep countertops clear!
Focus on eatable herbs!!
Broaden the walkways!
Closed cabinets – more than less!