Essential Kitchen Checklist: Must-Have Items for Starting Fresh

When my best friend Nancy lost her home in the Palisades fire, it was heartbreaking. Watching her come to terms with the loss and then trying to rebuild her household from the ground up, I saw how overwhelming the process is to start from scratch.

It is especially challenging to start a new kitchen. A kitchen is the center of the home and as such, grounds us with our daily routines in its space. While I can’t even comprehend the challenges of a loss and re-start such as Nancy’s, I have my own experience of starting from scratch after my recent divorce and understand some of her challenges.

Whether you're recovering from a disaster, moving into your first place, or simply starting fresh, having the right kitchen essentials makes all the difference. And as someone who worked in the housewares industry and feels home in the kitchen, I knew I could be helpful by putting together a starter list – for Nancy and perhaps many others.

A New Twist: Start from Scratch, But Better

The process of starting a new kitchen isn’t about filling drawers with unnecessary gadgets. It’s about smart, functional, and durable choices that set you up for success. I used it as an opportunity to have less and I could not be happier.

Make this also the time to make your product choices less toxic. The more I read about microplastics and the long alphabet soup of forever chemicals and hormone disruptors, I vowed to seek out healthier, less toxic options. Glass, stainless steel, ceramics and food-grade silicone are now my top choices whenever possible and practical.

Here’s a checklist of must-haves to get your kitchen running smoothly. I’ve also put together a list of recommended products on my site—check them out here.

Cookware: The Foundation of Every Kitchen

Every kitchen needs a solid set of pots and pans. These are the workhorses of your cooking routine. While cookware with non-stick surfaces might have been a practical choice in the past, I encourage everyone to choose a less-toxic option by getting ceramic coated cookware. It is just as easy to cook on and clean but does not contain many of the undesirable toxins. It is versatile for use on any cooktop and my favorite reason, comes in a variety of colors! You will not go wrong with Calphalon, Ninja, Greenpan and Caraway pots and pans with ceramic coating (listed after knives on my Starter List). I own a mix Caraway and Calphalon and they are serving me well! If you don't cook a lot but want one pan that will pretty much do it all, consider the Always Pan. While on the pricier side, people swear by it, including my friend Kat.

The four pieces that you will need to start with:

Skillets: one small, one medium or large size. Perfect for eggs, pancakes, and delicate foods.

Medium sauce pot, about 3 quart: for smaller portions of rice, pasta, potatoes and such.

Stock pot: for larger portions of pasta or potatoes and stocks and soups.

If you roast a lot or bake bread add: cast iron pot

**Pro Tips**: If you’re tight on budget, start with one skillet and a stock pot. These two can handle most of your cooking needs. Also, you don’t need to spend a lot of money when buying ceramic cookware. There are many fantastic, inexpensive options. In my several year experience with it, the skillets, despite my dedicated care, become scratched and need to be replaced every 18 months or so – so no need to go fancy, just pick your favorite style and color!

Knives and Cutting Tools: Sharp and Reliable

A good knife is worth its weight in gold. You don’t need a full set - just a few key pieces will do. If you want to know more about buying knives, check out this blog post. My three most recommended brands are Shun, Wusthof and Dalstrong, all featured at the top of my Starter List. I do not recommend knives that are not forged and full tang. I find that having a high-quality knife is absolutely essential and those two features add to that desired quality. Your knives are something you should buy just once in your lifetime. After 3 years of being in a new kitchen, I still have only these three types of knives and I cook or meal prep daily:

Chef’s knife: The MVP of your kitchen. Choose one that feels comfortable in your hand.

Paring knife: For smaller tasks, like peeling and slicing soft fruits and small veggies

Bread knife: A long knife with a serrated edge. Not just for bread, great also for tomatoes, cakes and tough skin produce like melons.

Cutting boards: My top recommendation is to get this cutting board - two medium size one will take you through most tasks.

**Pro Tips**: If you are on a budget, consider spending less on pots & pans, and invest in great knives instead, particularly a chef’s knife. Also, do not use glass or plastic cutting boards. Opt for wood instead (but know that you will need to handwash it) or for my favorite, this dishwasher-safe composite.

Prep Tools: Making Your Meal Prep Easy

Set of mixing bowls: glass or stainless steel. Glass is my favorite option because the bowls can double as salad bowls, serving bowls or for food storage. See this set with lids!

Strainer or colander: Draining pasta or potatoes, rinsing veggies - essential. I love this one that comes with a bowl and it fine meshed so it works great for rinsing rice, too.

Set of wet measuring cups: again, glass is the best choice: non-toxic, and versatile – good for use also in microwave, freezer and fridge.

Set of dry measuring cups: a set of stainless steel cups that nest well will keep you organized and it comes with my favorite shape measuring spoons.

Measuring spoons: choose this stainless steel set that is my go-to because the spoons can easily fit into spice jars.

Peeler: You can get a Y-peeler or swivel peeler (also called Euro peeler). I gravitate towards Y-peelers, but it comes down to personal preference.

Zester/Grater: Here a great one that will do the trick. Nothing like freshly grated parmesan!

**Pro Tips**: Do not buy prep tools that ‘sound’ helpful with specialty tasks just yet … most kitchen tasks can be easily accomplished by using a good knife. If you must add specialty tools, add them over time. And whenever practical and possible, replace plastics with food-safe, durable materials.

Cooking Tools

Stirring Spoons & Spatulas & Ladles &...: Opt for stainless steel or silicone set. If silicone is your choice, make sure the silicone is food grade. A silicone utensil with a wood handle needs to be disassembled to going into a dishwasher as the wood handles should be hand washed – better to get utensils that are all silicone. A small set is all you need!

Tongs: I have had the same tongs for years and I won’t buy any other one.

Whisk: If your utensil set doesn't come with one, Martha would recommend this one!

Utensil Holder: This bamboo holder makes it easy to see and reach for any tool you have. I also love that it is from natural material, which warms up the kitchen.

Can opener: You can open the can all on your own! If you struggle with a manual can opener for any reason, consider this electric option.

Bottle Opener: Yay beer!

Jar opener:  Because struggling with a jar is never fun. A back of a knife to pop some air under the jar top may not be the safest option – use this or that handy tool.

Baking Essentials: Even If You Don’t Bake

Ceramic Roaster: they are very versatile, and go from oven to table to dishwasher or freezer. They make great serveware, too!

Optional: Set of two sheet pans: one half sheet, and one quarter sheet. Great for roasting, baking cookies and even making meal prep easy.

Small Appliances That Matter

Electric kettle: more practical and safer than a traditional tea pot. For maximum safety, choose a glass one to see the liquid and one that has a variety of temperature settings. Vast majority of times 175F is enough. This one has been reliable for years and comes with an infuser/strainer.

Coffee maker: Morning essential! Choose a cost-effective one to get you started before you plunge down money on a pricey espresso machine. My list will give you a few options.

Toaster Oven: A toaster oven is more versatile than a toaster. Frankly, you will find that many family meals can be prepared in a toaster oven, too, which is why I highly recommend getting one that has convection setting, like this one that I have purchased for my daughter.

Microwave: I know some people advocate for not using a microwave, but I am not ready to give up this particular convenience. And now that I have microwave with a handle to open it, I am not ready to give up on that feature either. This cute small one has been serving me well, and here is a larger microwave if you need it.

Optional: Food Processor: If you cook a lot of larger meals, a food processor will be a great helper but I do not feel it is necessary item to start with.

Other Essentials

Food storage containers: These glass storage containers are the way to go in terms of food safety. These durable, stackable containers make leftovers easy.

Dish rack & drying mat: Because not everything goes in the dishwasher (sharp knives, pots and pans, wood items, hint hint).

Oven Mitts & Kitchen Towels: Safety and cleanliness first and foremost!

Salt & Pepper: Because no kitchen is complete without them. Go for electric mills – there is nothing like a burst of flavor from a fresh ground pepper!

Final Thoughts

A well-equipped kitchen doesn’t need to be overwhelming. It’s about investing in pieces that truly serve you, whether you’re cooking for one or a whole family. I put together this list not just for Nancy but for anyone starting fresh, ensuring that you have quality essentials without the clutter.

Check out all my recommended picks here.

Is there something you would add to this list of essentials? Let me know on Instagram @merchwithmerit !

Happy cooking! xoxo Zuzka