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I'm Angela Davis, a PNW native, mom of lots of kids, and I love saving money. I'm here to help you live well on a budget by making every penny count. You'll find deals at your local stores, ways to save online, recipes, and frugal living tips and inspiration.

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10 Must-Have Kitchen Utensils

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I don’t believe that you need fabulous, expensive tools to be a good cook — you just need a few functional items that help you do the job well.

Here are our ten must-have kitchen utensils.

OXO Good Grips Small Cookie Scoop — Best invention ever! You want to wow people with your Christmas cookies, buy this. Makes perfectly round cookies every time. Like these Ginger Snap Cookies. I also use this for meatballs. And if you’re thinking you should buy a cheap one, don’t! My friend has a cheap one at her house and every time I use it I want to start cursing. It’s terrible. Pay the extra money and get this one. It’s worth it.

Muffin Scoop — Another great scoop that can be used for muffins, larger cookies, pancakes and waffles. Try using it when you make these Basic Fruit Muffins.

Pampered Chef Garlic Press — Worth. Every. Penny. I’ve tried the cheap ones at IKEA and Target and this one wins hands down. Plus, I’ve had it for 6 years and it has held up great. A great gift for Christmas or weddings.

7-Inch Santoku Knife — I once read that having a kitchen block knife set is pointless. I have one and they were right. I only use my Santouku knife and the paring knives. All those steak knives are useless. Unless, of course, your family regularly consumes steak. This knife speeds up my prep time.

OXO Good Grips 9-Inch Whisk — I know this looks useless but I use this all the time. I didn’t realize how many things I whisk in small bowls. OXO Good Grips brand is sturdy and very comfortable to use. This is always in my rotation when baking.

High-Heat Scraper — Do not buy the curved ones. They are so hard to use and the food gets stuck in the curve. Buy the flat ones. When Williams-Sonoma or Macy’s has all their beautiful colors lined up in utensil holders it makes me want to buy one in every color. I can’t believe I only have white (and red, not pictured). Of course, they are always placed next to the beautiful coordinating Kitchen Aid.

Olive Wood Spatula — These are more functional than rounded. Ever try to efficiently scrap something off the bottom of a pan with a rounded edge? Olive wood and bamboo are my 2 favorites. Note: you CANNOT wash these in the dishwasher. Take the 30 seconds and wash them by hand.

Pizza Cutter — For more than just pizza. Do you have little kids? You know what I’m talking about. I go for the cheap one but I’m sure there are people out there who swear by the expensive ones.

Multi-Purpose Kitchen Shears — Again, go for the cheaper ones. This pair is right around $5 with free shipping.

OXO Good Grips Locking Tongs — Make sure you get 12-inch. I find the short ones to be harmful when trying to cook bacon. I prefer the ones with nylon heads. I love this brand and it’s a great price for a quality product.

What are your favorite cooking gadgets?

Looking for more tips and tricks in the kitchen?

If you’re cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year, check out our favorite list of cooking tools to use on turkey day!

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  1. Yoshiko Flora says

    I love your list of essential kitchen utensils such a wooden spatula to scrape something off the bottom of a pan with a rounded edge and a pizza cutter in order to not only cut pizza but also serve as a knife for kids. In my opinion, one should also invest in a good steel cookware set. Doing this will not only help make great dishes but also have safe containers to cook food in as well.

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  2. Sara says

    I LOVE my PC Garlic Press! I hate the smell of garlic on my hands… one of my favorite wedding gifts! I would also have to add a knife set from Cutco. I adore my knives! I use all of them on a regular basis. It has been 5 years and they are still incredibly sharp! Although, since my landlord has a similar set I may send them in to get sharpened (FOR FREE FOR LIFE!). 🙂 Expensive… but worth every penny!
    I would also add a good cheese slicer or knife… that is the next one I want. 🙂

    Reply

  3. sharon littrell says

    I would have to add a lemon / lime juicer. The one where you insert the half lemon / lime and then squeeze. They are yellow and lime green. I am not sure of the brand because mine has been used so much that the brand has washed off.

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  5. Karen says

    I need help thinly slicing things so I love my mandoline slicer/grater and it is easier to wash than my food processor.

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  7. Heather says

    I second the pizza cutter. Use it all the time to cut food for my twins. I also like an apple corer. It makes slicing apples/pears much easier.

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  8. Lisa says

    Thanks for the Pampered Chef garlic press suggestion! I’ve tried two that are no good…now I know what to get! 🙂

    Reply

  11. Laurel says

    You’ve covered some of my faves. Others: The OXO can opener that peels the lid open and doesn’t cut it (no sharp edges!). Stiff spatulas (I was just fighting with a floppy Dollar Tree one this morning!). A stand cheese grater. And silicone baking sheets–use them constantly.

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