Set Your Kitchen Up For Real Food Success

Your no-fuss guide to essential kitchen tools that make healthy eating doable (and enjoyable)

 

If you’re ready to make a real shift toward better food, better energy, and better health, congratulations! You don’t need a fancy kitchen to cook real food, but having the right tools on hand can make all the difference between feeling frustrated… and actually enjoying the process.

This list will help you stock your kitchen with what you really need, everyday essentials that make cooking feel smoother, faster, and more fun.

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The Real Food Kitchen Essentials

Here's what I recommend keeping on hand.

Cutting & Prep

Chef’s knife The single most important tool!

Essential Knife set: WÜSTHOF Classic 3-Piece Chef's Knife Set (includes 3 1/2" Paring Knife, 6" Utility Knife, and 8" Cook’s Knife)
Or purchased separately: WĂśSTHOF Classic 8" Chef's Knife

Cutting boards At least two (wood or BPA-free plastic)

Mercer Culinary Composite Cutting Board 14 9/16" x 10 13/16”

Vegetable peeler  The only peeler chefs use! 

Kuhn Rikon Original Swiss Peeler, 3-Pack
Kuhn Rikon, Yellow Original Swiss Peeler, Qty 1

Box grater & microplane All-in-one Solution

Microplane Four Sided Stainless Steel Ultra-Sharp Multi-Purpose Box Grater - Slicer, Fine, Ribbon, and Extra Coarse Blade Styles

Measuring Cups & Spoons 

Pyrex Essentials (3-Pack) Glass Measuring Cups Set, (1, 2 & 4 Cup)
Cuisinart Stainless Steel Measuring Cups, Set of 4, Silver.

Mixing bowls  At least one of each large, medium and small 

FineDine Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls Set for Kitchen, Dishwasher Safe Nesting Bowls

Citrus Juicer or Reamer 

KitchenAid Citrus Juice Press for Lemons and Limes

Colander & Strainer

Colander OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel 5 qt./ 4.7 L
Walfos Fine Mesh Strainers Set

Cookware

Stainless Steel Cookware Set

All Clad 10 Piece Cookware Set, A bigger investment that’s worth it if you’re looking for quality and something that lasts
Budget Friendly Alternative: Cuisinart 10-Piece Chef's-Classic-Stainless Collection, Cookware Set

Purchased Individually

Cuisinart 766-24 Chef's Classic 8-Quart Stockpot with Cover
Cuisinart 3-1/2-Quart Saute with Helper and Cover, 3.5-Quart
Cuisinart Chef's-Classic Stainless Steel 3-Quart Saucepan w/Cover
Cuisinart 1.5 Quart Saucepan w/Cover, Chef's Classic Stainless Steel
Cuisinart 10-Inch Open Skillet, Chef's Classic Stainless Steel
Cuisinart 8-Inch Open Skillet, Chef’s Classic Stainless Steel

Non-stick Frying Pans

Cuisinart Professional Series 2-Piece Stainless Steel Nonstick Skillet Set, 2-Pack (8” and 10”)
Cuisinart 12-Inch Deep Fry Pan w/Cover, Chef's Classic Nonstick

Enameled Cast Iron Cookware

If you love Le Creuset like I do, for its versatility and ease of stovetop to oven, consider a set.

Le Creuset 9 Piece Set

Or purchase separately (my 2 must-haves)

Essential 5.5 Quart Dutch Oven
Signature 3.5 Quart Braiser

Best Budget Friendly Alternative

Lodge 6 Quart Dutch Oven

Baking Sheet Trays  Ideally two 

Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet - USA Made Aluminum Commercial Quality Sheet Pan for Baking or Roasting, 2-Pack
Nordic Ware Naturals Quarter Sheet, 2-Pack

Bakeware & Oven Tools

Glass or Ceramic Baking Dishes (for casseroles, etc)

Pyrex Basics 3-Pack Glass Baking Dish Set (2QT, 3QT, 4.8QT) With BPA-Free Lids
Loaf pan Fox Run Loaf Pan Stainless Steel Baking, 8.5 x 4.5 x 2.25 inches, Rectangular

Kitchen Tools & Small Appliances

High-speed Blender For smoothies, sauces, soups, etc.

Vitamix 5200 Blender, Professional-Grade, 64-ounce Container
Budget Friendly All-in-One: Ninja Blender, Mega Kitchen System, 1500W, 4 Functions for Smoothies, Processing, Dough, Drinks & More

Food Processor For chopping, shredding, or mixing doughs

Cuisinart 8 Cup Food Processor
Mini Processor: Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus Food Processor, 4 Cup
For Larger Jobs: Cuisinart Food Processor 14-Cup Vegetable Chopper for Mincing, Dicing, Shredding, Puree & Kneading Dough, Stainless Steel

Miscellaneous Kitchen Tools 

Set of stainless steel kitchen tools Stainless Steel Cooking Utensils Set, Berglander 13 Pieces Kitchen Utensils Set, Kitchen Tools Set With Utensil Holder
OXO Good Grips Small Silicone Flexible Turner Black (for non-stick pans)
Wooden Spoons: Chef Craft Select Maple Solid Spoon Set, 10, 12, 14 inch 3 Piece Set
Can Opener: The Original GORILLA GRIP Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Smooth Edge Manual Can Opener and Bottle Openers
Mallet: GORILLA GRIP Patented Dual-Sided Meat Tenderizer, Heavy Duty Kitchen Mallet with Soft Handle
Silicon spatula Rubbermaid Commercial Products High Heat Resistant Silicone Heavy Duty Spatula/Food Scraper
Tongs For Cooking - Heat Resistant 600 Degrees Stainless Steel Kitchen Tong,Heavy Duty Metal Locking Tongs, set of 3
Instant Read Thermometer: Lavatools Javelin® PRO Duo Ultra-Fast 1-Second Professional Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer for Grill and Cooking
Silicone Popsicle Tray, BPA Free - for essential healthy frozen treats!

Storage & Organization

Glass storage containers  Ditch the plastic!

Snapware 12 Pack Set solves most your storage needs

Or purchase separately:

Snapware Total Solutions (5-Pack, 3.8 Cup) Plastic Food Storage Containers Set, Round
Snapware Total Solutions (5-Pack, 4 Cup) Glass Food Storage Containers Set, Square
Pyrex 1 Cup: Perfect for small dipping sauces and dressings!

For Larger Storage Needs. Essential for family style prep!

Pyrex 6-cup Rectangle Glass Food Storage Containers with Blue Plastic Lids - 4 Pack
Pyrex Storage Plus 7-Cup Round Glass Food Storage Dish, Blue Cover, Pack of 2
Mason jars – all sizes, endlessly useful! Ball Mason Regular Mouth Jars with Lids and Bands, Set of 4, Two 32oz + Two 16oz Jars
Stasher Premium Silicone Reusable Food Storage Bags, 4-Pack

Start Small

You don’t need to go out and buy everything at once. Start with a few basics and build as you go. The more your kitchen supports your real food goals, the easier it becomes to stay consistent and actually enjoy eating well.

Let’s make healthy living feel fun & easy!
Chef Marie



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