The Complete Kitchen Essentials Checklist: How to Stock Your Kitchen | Joss & Main (2024)

We know that putting together a complete kitchen requires a lot of items, and sometimes you don't realize you're missing something crucial until you've started cooking. Make sure you don’t forget an important tool with the help of our kitchen essentials checklist. Thanks to this guide to kitchen necessities – from prep to dinnerware, and all the steps in between – your kitchen will be stocked and ready to use in no time!

Small Appliances
Serveware

Whether you're making a midweek meal for the family or preparing a spread for a dinner party, having the right cookware and utensils in your kitchen will help you master any recipe. Check out these kitchen necessities we recommend for everyday use and when entertaining guests.

Cookware Sets

The most obvious kitchen cookware essentials are the pots and pans you use on the stove. To keep it simple, most of them come in sets. We recommend having at least one small and one large skillet and saucepan, a saute pan, and a large pot. Make sure the pots and pans also have matching lids. You can choose sets with a variety of features from non-stick to dishwasher- or oven-safe or cool-touch handles. Make sure you choose a set that is compatible with your stovetop: electric coil, electric smooth, gas, or induction.

Cooking Utensils

Utensils like spatulas, whisks, tongs, and cooking spoons are crucial for your cooking and baking. We recommend purchasing the majority of these items in sets to make sure you've got the essentials. Add on more niche utensils like juicers, mincers, and mashers once you've got your core set.

Get precise by using the proper tools in your cooking and baking. These include measuring cups, rolling pins, and mixing bowls. Store these items in the same drawer or section of cabinetry to make finding your tools quick and easy.

Food Storage

Keep your dry ingredients, chopped produce, washed berries, and of course any leftovers fresh with proper food storage. Store ingredients like sugar, flour, and salt, in canisters or jars that also double as decor, so you can keep them close at hand on your counter or on display shelves. For perishable items, make sure your containers are sturdy and seal properly for longevity. Bonus: Look for storage options that are freezer safe, microwaveable, oven safe, and dishwasher safe.

Pro Tip:

Learn how to put your cookware and utensils on display with our guide .

Time to set the table. Use kitchen essentials like dinnerware and flatware to curate an inviting tablescape with styles, materials, and shapes that match your aesthetic. It's also important that you have enough table settings for any size event.

Dinnerware Sets & Place Settings

Selecting the correct amount of dinnerware depends on the size of your family and how often you entertain. One place setting comes with a dinner plate, salad plate, and soup bowl – there are also set options that include glasses, mugs, and cereal bowls. The standard rule of thumb is to have eight to 12 full settings to make sure you have enough for everyday and formal meals. Make sure you get the most out of your settings by choosing durable materials that are microwave and dishwasher safe like earthenware and stoneware.

Flatware Sets

Finish off your setting with the right flatware. Choosing the correct amount of flatware is the same as dinnerware – around eight to 12 sets will ensure you aren't running out of forks and knives during the week and that you have enough for a dinner party. Find a finish that matches your aesthetic and your needs. Maintain a cohesive look with matching dinnerware and flatware tones or add some transitional flavor by mixing it up. Think: matte black dinnerware with luxe gold flatware for a glam or modern statement; or a beige set of dinnerware paired with black flatware for something more rustic or contemporary. For easy clean up, we recommend dishwasher-safe flatware. If you want your utensils to last a long time, choose rust-resistant flatware.

Level-up your kitchen with these essential appliances, which give an electric-powered boost to your cooking and make life a little easier. Check out these small appliances we think everyone should add to their arsenal.

Mixers & Attachments

Use a stand or hand mixer to shorten your baking prep time and get a smoother mix of your batters, doughs, sauces, and creams. A hand mixer is perfect for whipped cream or small batches of cookies, while a stand mixer can handle thicker consistencies like dough for fresh-baked bread.

Coffee Makers

Coffee lovers: Step up your brew game with a new coffee maker that will help you get your day started. Whether you're more of a single-serving person, a French press lover, or a traditional coffee pot drinker, there's a coffee maker out there for you. We love how sleek and stylish coffee makers have become – they look great stored on countertops, so you don't have to keep putting it away after every use.

Espresso Machines

Need something with a little more oomph than a regular coffee? Become your own at-home barista with the help of an espresso machine. These machines are perfect for an extra shot of espresso for those longer mornings. Espresso also makes for a great option to pair with dessert when entertaining guests. Bonus: Expand your espresso menu with a machine that also creates lattes and cappuccinos.

Serve your guests in style with bowls, platters, trays, and utensils that elevate any meal. Whether you're displaying food buffet-style on the kitchen island or setting out a family-style meal on the dining table, serveware is a kitchen essential.

Serving Bowls

Set yourself up for success with these kitchen necessities. Make sure you have salad and soup serving bowls for the first course. Adding a vegetable and a pasta as sides to the main dish? There are serving bowls for that, too. Keep a candy/nut dish or a fruit bowl out throughout the day – they're great for quick snacks and make for a delicious display.

Serving Trays, Boards & Platters

If you plan on hosting parties where charcuterie and hors d'oeuvres will be served, then trays and platters are a must. Fill them with cheeses, meats, crackers, and fruits and display them on your living room coffee table for the perfect pre-dinner nosh. Choose materials to fit your aesthetic: marble platters are perfect for a glam or modern style, while wood boards or stone trays fit in with a rustic or traditional space.

Serving Utensils

Toss and serve refreshing salads with salad servers. Choose a wooden set to give your dining table a natural touch or bring a luxe feel to your party with a gold or silver metallic set. Make your charcuterie board easier to navigate with cheese knives, and get a smooth slice of pastry or cake with a pastry server.

Salt & Pepper Shakers

Salt and pepper are dining table staples – so make sure they're offered in style, like lux marble or a rustic wood. Choose between traditional shakers or cellars. A cellar can be a small bowl with a spoon that looks similar to a sauce bowl, or it can be a pinch pot that comes with a lid and lets you use your fingers to sprinkle the desired amount of salt or pepper on your food.

Sugar Bowls & Creamers

Give your guests the option to customize their coffee or tea with a sugar bowl and creamer cup. We love these sets for added style on your table – keep your bag of sugar and carton of milk in the kitchen and out of the way.

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