You may impress the ladies in some ways, but how are your kitchen skills? If they’re only so-so, you’ve got to change things up.
One of the keys to killing it in the kitchen is having the right tools. And by tools, we don’t mean screwdrivers and hammers.
Luckily, you don’t have to start out with a bunch of fancy stuff. Instead, you can go for the must-haves.
Not sure where to start? Here are ten must-have kitchen items you can get today.
1. Garlic Press
This little tool is a lot more powerful than you’d think. It’s exactly what it sounds like. And while pressing garlic may sound too fancy, wait until you’ve taken the time to mince a glove or two.
Garlic presses help you get the dirty job done in a flash. Grab one of these and you’ll impress whoever comes over.
Why? Because fresh garlic is way cooler than garlic powder or the stuff that comes in a bottle.
This tool is simple, and it’s quite affordable too, so you really don’t have any excuses.
2. Toaster Oven
This one’s a given. No kitchen is complete without a toaster oven.
Why’s that? Because you’ve got to get your avocado toast groove one. It’s all the rage these days.
If avocado isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other ways to serve toast. It’s a lot harder to serve toast if you don’t have a toaster, so just get one for your kitchen. Plus, you can cook plenty of other things in a toaster oven, too.
Several of the best toaster ovens for your money are found online and locally, so you’re sure to find one no matter where you look.
3. Meat Tenderizer
This may be your favorite kitchen tool you ever buy. Why? Because it gives you an excuse to pound stuff.
That’s literally how you use this thing. You pound the meat you’re going to use for dinner.
Mind, you don’t want to smash it to a pump. A tenderizer is meant to make the meat more tender, not turn it into a puree.
Get one of these and your guests will notice. Tenderized meat is just better, hands down.
4. Stock Pot
These bad boys are one of the best tools you can have in your kitchen. They’re versatile, and they’re huge.
This means you can make stew for all your buddies and won’t have to use three pots to do it.
Have you ever made a homemade stock? Well, you’re in for a treat if you haven’t. Homemade stocks, whether chicken, vegetable, or something else, are way better than purchasing canned broth.
Trust us. You’ll notice, and so will your guests. But to make it happen, you need a nice big stock pot.
5. A Good Set of Knives
No, we don’t mean the ones you use for camping or survival. Good kitchen knives are indispensable unless you want to fight with veggies all the time.
Kitchen knives are used to chop, dice, mince, and cut up just about every type of food that needs to be cut up. If you don’t have a nice, high-quality set, these tasks will take much longer, since the blades won’t stay sharp.
So do yourself a favor and just get a good set. Once you have, take good care of it.
6. Pizza Stone
If you’re a fan of pizza, you’ve got to get one of these. Is it required? Well, no, but your pizza will be so much better if you have one.
You can cook pizza on any ordinary pan, true. But pizza stones help create that nice texture you get when you buy out.
With a pizza stone, you get the best of both worlds. You get the fun of creating pizza at home but it doesn’t taste like you made it at home.
7. Zester
Like the garlic press, this is one little tool that is underrated. But trust us, if you ever watch a cooking show, you’ll see one of these guys.
Zesters help you get perfect zest from citrus. That means awesome lemon desserts and pasta dishes. No more trying to rub the stuff off with a cheese grater.
8. Sheet Pan
These pans are large and flat. They’re perfect for making all sorts of food.
French fries, small pizzas, packaged foods like mini corn dogs, pigs in a blanket, you name it. Or you can go fancier and make some roasted chicken and potatoes.
And there’s always desserts, too. These pans are cookies’ best friends.
In other words, your kitchen should definitely have at least one of these guys.
9. Frying Pan
This is probably one of the most important kitchen essentials. Everybody needs a good frying pan. They’re great for cooking up meats, eggs, quesadillas, omelets, and really anything else that can be made on the stove.
As long as it doesn’t need to be a deep pot, anyway. If shallow works, the frying pan is your friend.
10. Immersion Blender
You may already have a blender. But if you’re thinking of the kind you use to make protein shakes, this kind is different. Instead, you insert the blending device right into whatever food you’re making.
This kind of blender is ideal for blending hot things, such as sauces and creamed soups. Otherwise, you’ll have to deal with trying to avoid steam explosions when you put hot liquids into a regular blender.
Yeah, just get an immersion blender.
Get These Must-Have Kitchen Items Today
Every one of these must-have kitchen items is easy to find locally or online. Most likely, you’ll find each of them in both locations.
So stop delaying and just get them. Once you have these tools you’re sure to impress your guests.
Not sure what to make with your new kitchen tools? Check out these authentic dishes. If you find one you love you can make it yourself!
