Kitchen Essentials for Moms: My 25 Must-Have Favorites
As a homemaking mama, the kitchen truly is the heart of my home. Between brewing my morning coffee, prepping snacks for the kids, and pulling together family dinners, I’ve learned that the right tools make all the difference. Over the years, I’ve collected a handful of kitchen essentials that aren’t just nice to have—they’re my personal favorites that I reach for day after day. From hardworking appliances to simple prep tools, these are the kitchen essentials for moms that keep my home running smoothly and my family well-fed.
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🥘 Cooking Appliances: Kitchen Essentials That Make Life Easier
When it comes to saving time and serving up delicious meals, these appliances are the real MVPs of my kitchen.
1. Instant Pot
If I had to keep just one appliance, it would be my Instant Pot. From tender, fall-apart chicken to the easiest boiled eggs, this multi-cooker never lets me down. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when I need dinner on the table fast but still want it to taste homemade. It also makes meal prep a breeze—whether I’m cooking protein for the week or just need a quick batch of eggs. Here are two of my go-to Instant Pot staples:
👉🏼 Easy Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
👉🏼 Easy Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
2. Sous Vide Precision Cooker
If cooking meat makes you nervous, the Fityou Sous Vide Cooker is a game changer. It helps you hit the perfect internal temperature every time, so your meat is never dry or rubbery. Just set it, walk away, then finish with a quick sear before serving.
3. Multi-Use Microwave with Air Fryer & Convection Oven
For smaller kitchens, this 4-in-1 Microwave Oven is a lifesaver. Instead of crowding your counters with multiple appliances, this one does it all—heats, air fries, and even broils.
4. Slow Cooker
Even though my Instant Pot gets most of the spotlight these days, my slow cooker still has a well-deserved place in my kitchen. I love the comfort of knowing dinner is slowly coming together while I go about my day. I especially love pulling it out in the fall and winter for hearty soups, stews, and chilis. There’s nothing quite like the way it fills the house with those cozy, savory aromas as everything simmers to perfection.
🍳 Everyday Cooking Tools & Kitchen Essentials for Moms
Every kitchen needs a solid set of tools to make cooking less stressful and more enjoyable. These are the ones I reach for again and again.
5. Cast Iron Skillet
My cast iron skillet is a true workhorse. It goes from stovetop to oven and creates the best sear on meat. I love using it for all sorts of skillet meals. Here are two of my current faves:
👉🏼 Cheesy Kielbasa & Cabbage Skillet
👉🏼 Low-Carb Fried Shrimp
6. Budget-Friendly Knife Set
A good set of knives is crucial in the kitchen, and my Cuisinart Knife Set has been the perfect balance of quality and price. While there are fancier options out there, this affordable set slices, dices, and chops beautifully.
Bonus: The Orange Ninja 4-Stage Knife Sharpener is a great companion to keep knives sharp and lasting for years.
7. Cutting Boards
Of course, no knife set is complete without reliable cutting boards. I like having a few on hand so I don’t have to stop and wash one in the middle of prepping. It’s just nice to grab a clean one when I switch from chopping fruit to slicing bread or prepping meat.
Bonus Tip: I’ve also found smaller boards handy for quick jobs like cutting up fruit for the kids’ snacks.
8. Kitchen Scissors/Shears
My OXO Good Grips Kitchen Scissors are one of those tools I never knew I’d use so much. They’re perfect for trimming meat, snipping herbs, or quickly opening food packages. I especially love that they come apart for easy cleaning.
9. Meat Tenderizer
The Gorilla Grip Tenderizer is a must for transforming tougher cuts of meat. It breaks down fibers so meat cooks more evenly and turns out fork-tender.
10. Meat Thermometer
Cooking meat has been a learning curve for me, but my ThermoPro Meat Thermometer has made all the difference. It ensures meat is fully cooked but never overdone and dry. When I’m not using my sous vide, this tool helps me nail the right doneness.
11. Strainer or Colander
A kitchen basic that earns its keep—my colander is constantly in use for rinsing fruits and veggies, draining pasta, or straining grease.
12. Immersion Blender
I use my Ovente Immersion Hand Blender for homemade ranch and other dressings, sauces, and gravies. It blends everything silky smooth with zero lumps—just the way we like it.
13. Food Processor
From chopping veggies to shredding cheese or making energy bites, a food processor is an incredible time-saver in the kitchen. It’s one of those tools I didn’t know I needed until I had it! I don’t bring this gadget out everyday, but it is so nice to have nearby when extra prep is needed. I especially love it for whipping up coconut butter.
💡 Want my simple coconut butter recipe? Let me know in the comments!
14. Storage Containers
High-quality storage containers are a must for prepped ingredients, leftovers, and meal-prep. I rotate between these Anchor Hocking Glass Storage Containers and this Member’s Mark Glass Food Storage Set. Both are durable, easy to clean, and last forever.
🍰 Baking Kitchen Essentials
Baking might not be a daily ritual in my home, but when I do bake, these tools make all the difference.
15. Hand Mixer
From cake, bread, and muffin batters to whipped cream, my KitchenAid Hand Mixer handles it all. While I’d love a stand mixer someday, this one saves counter space and gets the job done.
16. Mixing Bowls
A nesting set is a must for prep and baking. I love my KitchenAid Mixing Bowls, and my Cuisinart Mixing Bowl Set with Lids is great for storing dough or batter in the fridge.
17. Measuring Cups & Spoons
No kitchen is complete without them! I currently have multiple sets, but I prefer my stainless steel set over my plastic set since they’re sturdier and last longer.
18. Kitchen Scale
A must-have if you’re into sourdough. A scale ensures accuracy when feeding your starter or following recipes measured by weight. I’ve used my Ozeri Pronto Digital Kitchen and Food Scale for years, and it’s still going strong.
Note: The link is to a similar Ozeri scale—I’ve had mine forever and couldn’t find the same one—but it’s lasted me years, so I feel good recommending the updated version.
19. Sheet Pans & Muffin Tins
Whether it’s cookies, a delicious sheet pan meal, or egg muffins, these get constant use in my kitchen. These GoodCook Nonstick Baking Sheets and Farberware Muffin Pan work wonderfully.
20. Bread Baking Pans
One of my favorite things to do is bake bread… I know, I know—how can a mostly low-carb mama love bread so much!? 😅 Even though we try to limit it in our house, I still can’t resist making homemade sourdough, and every now and then a banana or pumpkin bread sneaks its way into the oven. For those times, I love using glass bread pans like these Anchor Hocking Glass Bread Pans.
21. Parchment Paper Sheets
If I had to pick one simple kitchen essential that saves me the most time and stress, it would be parchment paper. These Reynolds parchment paper sheets are a lifesaver! I use them for just about everything—lining sheet pans for roasted veggies or shrimp, baking bread, or keeping cookies from sticking. They make cleanup a breeze (because scrubbing pans is not my favorite chore), and I love that the pre-cut sheets fit perfectly without me having to wrestle with a roll. It’s one of those little things that makes a big difference in my kitchen.
22. Cooling Rack
A small but mighty tool! My stainless steel cooling racks keep baked goods from turning soggy and help loaves, cookies, and muffins cool evenly.
🍕 Bonus Kitchen Essentials for Moms: Favorite Extras!
These aren’t essentials for everyone—but if you love coffee, sparkling water, or pizza night like we do, they’re totally worth the splurge.
23. Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Coffee Maker
Every day starts here: with the hum of the Nespresso and that first perfect sip to kickstart my day as a homemaking mama. We have the Vertuo Pop+, and I love how quick and easy it is to get a delicious cup of coffee without the fuss. Whether I’m sipping it quietly during my morning devotional or fueling up before diving into the day’s to-dos, this little machine has become a true staple in my routine.
👉🏼 Curious if it’s worth it? Check out my full Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Review for all the details.
Bonus: This Zulay Frother Wand is the perfect sidekick for creamy lattes or frothy cappuccinos.
24. Drinkmate Sparkling Water Maker
Our fun, frugal alternative to soda! The Drinkmate OmniFizz has saved us so much money since we ditched buying cases of sparkling water. We love carbonating cold water with True Lemon or True Lime, or making fizzy apple cider in the fall.
Bonus: The stainless steel carbonation bottles are worth the upgrade—they last longer and keep drinks colder than the plastic ones.
Double Bonus: If you’re a straw person, these Sunseeke Silicone Reusable Straws are great extras. They will also come in handy when traveling somewhere that only offers paper straws.
25. Pizza Baking Set
This Round Pizza Stone Set makes family pizza night even better. It comes with a pizza stone, peel, cutter, serving rack, and cooking paper—everything you need for homemade pizza.
📝 Wrapping It Up
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to simplify your homemaking, these kitchen essentials are the ones that keep me going day after day. Some make life easier (hello, Instant Pot), others bring joy (my beloved Nespresso), and all of them have earned a permanent place in my kitchen.
👉🏼 Your turn: What are your kitchen must-haves? Drop a comment and share—I love discovering new ideas from other mamas!
📌 Pin this post for future reference! This list of kitchen essentials is also perfect as a handy gift guide for the homemakers in your life.
And if you want to see these items in action or get inspired for your next family meal, be sure to check out my Meals section for recipes, tips, and kitchen inspiration.
2 Comments
Lexi
I had no idea they made sparkling water makers. How fun! Love this list! It tools
Me years to get a $10 kitchen scale but I love mine as well as it makes such a difference in baking accuracy
Danielle
Thank you! The sparkling water maker is definitely fun! And I agree on the scale. Isn’t it funny how we can take so long just to purchase an inexpensive and simple kitchen tool!? What comes to mind for me right now is that I’m still without a pastry cutter.