I get asked all the time what my must have kitchen tools and gadgets are. I have a lot, but there are a few I can’t live without. I mean, I could but I wouldn’t want to. I am a loyal Amazon shopper and have been meaning to put up a post of my top ten kitchen must haves on Amazon for awhile! I’m all about a good deal and even more about helping you save money.
I strongly believe to be successful in the kitchen you need to the proper tools to do so, just like with any trade. Changing your lifestyle can be an investment, but well worth it in the long run. I guarantee you won’t regret it, and your older self will thank you for it.
I am a busy working mother of three, who doesn’t have a second to spare, anything that saves me time AND money is a must have in my book. I may not have time to cook gourmet meals every night, but I do make eating heathy a priority in our home. We keep it simple and do a lot of meal prepping.
Here’s a list of what you’ll find in my Clean Eats Kitchen. Click the image or product description to snag one for yourself.
Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer
This small but mighty kitchen gadget is hands down my most used kitchen appliance (besides the microwave… because teenagers). I’ve had mine since my wedding day and just added a second in yellow to the collection. It’s so pretty I almost don’t want to use it. Having two has been awesome for catering. I most often use ours for making Powerballs, but it also shreds chicken like magic. It has it’s very own spot on my kitchen counter because it never gets a day of rest.
Instant Pot
One word… MAGIC. I honestly don’t even know how I lived without one. My mom always used a pressure cooker when I was growing up, but it always scared me! The hissing and pressure release gave me anxiety. I was hesitant to purchase, but I haven’t looked back! It is beyond easy to operate and so safe. I mean, my husband uses it, all by himself. It literally does everything from shredded chicken in 20 minutes, to hard steamed eggs in 5. You can make yogurt, rice, quinoa and the best ultimate soups! Its my go to for wedding gifts and I am seriously considering ordering a second. I would also recommend snagging an extra pot and glass lid.
Dutch Oven
I recently added a Le Crueset dutch oven to my kitchen collection and I LOVE IT. It was definitely worth the investment. I have used it almost every day since it came in the mail. Yes, there are plenty of cheaper options out there, but after reading the Amazon reviews, it was worth spending the extra money for the quality. Le Creuset is the most versatile kitchen cookware out there. It can go from the range top, to the oven, to a hardwood or charcoal fire. The only place it can’t go is in a microwave. Plus the color selection is endless!
Food Processor
I had used my moms old Cuisinart for 13 years when I finally updated to a newer younger model, mainly for aesthetics to use while I taught cooking classes, hers was still alive and kickin! Trust me when I say this sexy gal is your new best friend. Who has time to slice, dice and shred? Eating clean means lots of raw foods and prepping those can be tedious. Having a food processor on hand will make food prep a breeze. I do a batch of chopped veggies every Sunday night and again on Wednesday, to have in the fridge for snacking and to throw into recipes. One of my favorite prepped breakfast recipes are omelette bags. So easy and delish, plus having a hearty breakfast hot and ready in under 5 minutes is a total game changer!
Blendtec Blender
There is no comparison in the blender world. If you’re looking to invest in a high powered quality blender, look no further. I use ours daily for smoothies, sauces, soups, nuts butters and milks, and even for making our own gluten free flours. It also sits permanently on our counter and is loved by all. It’s easy to use and clean, which is equally important in my book. You can purchase refurbished models for almost half the price also. Look HERE for certified refurbished deals. Either way you’ll be so glad you did.
Citrus Squeezer
No need to buy the fancy overpriced electric version. This hand held gadget will do the trick and at the same time give you so much gratification. It seriously gets every last drop out of your lemon and limes. Sweet victory! You’ll be searching the web for any recipe containing lemon and lime juice just to use it. I made my Summer Grilled Lemon Chicken and Vegetable Soup Sunday and it saved me! I really love the simplicity and functionality. Must have for summer. Happy squeezing!
Cast Iron Skillet
Ok this guy comes with a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it theres no going back! The secret is in the seasoning, cleaning it correctly and then re-seasoning it. I always make sure after washing to re-eason and heat over high so its completely dry. It sears fish like magic, and makes the crispiest potatoes. Benefits of investing in a cast iron- you can cook with less oil, its a chemical free alternative to non-stick pans and it fortifies your food with iron. Winning. It does get hot so I’d suggest adding THESE handle pot holders to your shopping cart. They’ll save your hands and they’re cute!
Masticating Juicer
Why masticating rather than centrifugal? Here’s my two cents. When we juice we are essentially looking to extract all the vitamins and nutrients out of our fruits and veggies in order to drink them. Masticating juicers juicers extract more nutrients than their centrifugal counterparts and the juice created tends to last longer, because the masticating juicer greatly reduces the amount of oxidation that occurs during the juicing process. Whereas the centrifugal juicer oxidation causes important enzymes to break down. All and all the performance and quality of the juice that is created when using a masticating juicer is well worth the money. I do a batch of green juice weekly with ours and we all love it. It’s also a great way to clean out the fridge when your produce is looking a little sad.
Cookie Scoop
I don’t make many cookies, but I do make Powerballs, and LOTS of them! I used to roll them by hand but discovered using a cookie scoop was so much easier! It is definitely my most used hand held gadget! I get asked all the time what size scoop I use. You want a medium sized scoop, one that makes 2″ cookies. Not one that is 2 inches in diameter. It will typically hold 1.5 tablespoons of dough. This one is the best I have found. The rubber grips are a game changer. LOVE IT! I’m sure it would be equally awesome at actual cookie scooping too.
Spiralizer
Paderno or bust. Its the only spiralizer that works! I originally bought the 3-blade but upgraded to the 5 and it has been so much fun! Obviously zoodles and spiraled sweet potatoes are the popular choice, but have you tried spiralized apples and cucumbers? SO dang good! My kids gobble them right up. I swear the key to getting your littles to love fruits and veggies as much as you so is to make food fun! Try it next time and see how fast they disappear!
The list could go on and on but these 10 items are those I use almost every day. I hope they are as loved in your kitchen as well! Happy shopping and clean eating!
This post contains Amazon affiliate links. All reviews and opinions are my own.
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