Minimalist Kitchen Essentials: Simplify Your Cooking Routine
When it comes to creating a minimalist kitchen, there are a few key essentials that I believe are necessary. As someone who has embraced a minimalist lifestyle, I have found that having a clutter-free kitchen not only makes it easier to cook and clean, but it also creates a more peaceful environment.
To start, I recommend culling your cooking equipment. Do you really need three different types of blenders or a dozen different pots and pans?
By keeping only the essentials, you’ll free up space in your kitchen and make it easier to find what you need. Some of my favorite minimalist kitchen essentials include a cast iron skillet, a sharp chef’s knife, and a few high-quality cutting boards.
Another important aspect of a minimalist kitchen is having a designated space for everything. This means having a specific spot for your utensils, dishes, and pantry items. By keeping things organized, you’ll be able to find what you need quickly and easily.
Plus, having a clutter-free kitchen will make it easier to clean up after meals. Overall, I believe that a minimalist kitchen is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it can also make cooking and cleaning a more enjoyable experience.
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Decluttering Your Kitchen
As someone who strives for a minimalist and clutter-free lifestyle, decluttering my kitchen was a necessary step toward achieving that goal. Here are a few tips that helped me declutter my kitchen:
Throw Out Expired and Broken Items
The first step towards decluttering your kitchen is to get rid of any expired or broken items. This includes food items that have passed their expiration date and appliances or utensils that no longer work properly.
To make this process easier, I created a table with two columns: one for expired items and one for broken items. I then went through my pantry and cabinets and checked each item. If it was expired or broken, I threw it out.
This exercise shouldn’t take a lot of time and it’s the best way to get started.
Decluttering Your Kitchen
When decluttering your kitchen look to get rid of items that you rarely use. I found it easy to declutter duplicate items. We had a lot of spatulas and large spoons so it was very easy to save two and get rid of the rest.
Set limits for everything in your kitchen. You might not want to be an extreme minimalist, but ask yourself how much you need in each category. Is this an essential kitchen item?
I set limits for spoons, dishes, cups, towels, and just about everything.
It’s easier to cook and clean in simple kitchens.
Invest in Essential Appliances
Once you’ve thrown out any expired or broken items, it’s time to invest in essential appliances. This doesn’t mean you need to buy every gadget and gizmo on the market. Rather, focus on the appliances that you use most often and that make your life easier in the kitchen.
For me, this meant investing in a high-quality blender, a food processor, and a set of good knives. But everyone’s kitchen will look different and what is important to one person won’t matter at all to the next. Make sure what you keep in your kitchen works for your lifestyle and way of cooking.
When deciding which appliances to invest in, consider your cooking style and the types of meals you typically prepare.
If you’re an avid baker, a stand mixer might be a good investment. If you love making smoothies, a high-powered blender might be more your style.
In summary, decluttering your kitchen is an important step towards a minimalist and clutter-free lifestyle. By focusing on your must-have list, you can create a functional and streamlined kitchen that makes cooking and meal prep a breeze.
Cookware and Utensils
When it comes to minimalist cooking, having the right cookware and utensils can make all the difference. Here are the essential items that I have found to be the most useful in my own minimalist kitchen.
Knives and Cutting Tools
A good set of knives is essential for any minimal kitchen. I recommend investing in a high-quality chef’s knife, a bread knife, and a paring knife. A cutting board is also a must-have, and I prefer a wooden one because it is durable and easy to clean.
Pots, Pans, and Baking Sheets
For minimalist cooking, you really only need a few pots and pans. I recommend a non-stick skillet, a saucepan, and a baking sheet. These items can be used for a wide variety of dishes and are easy to store.
Measuring Cups and Spoons
Accurate measurements are important in cooking, so I recommend having at least one set of measuring cups and spoons. I have plastic measuring cups so my children can help with the baking and I don’t need to worry about glass breaking.
Mixing Bowls and Colanders
Mixing bowls are essential for preparing ingredients and mixing batters. I recommend having at least two bowls in different sizes. A colander is also useful for draining pasta and vegetables.
If you feel you need more bowls I highly recommend nesting bowls. Essentially all the smaller bowls fit into the largest bowl, this will save you a ton of space.
Kitchen Utensils
A few basic kitchen utensils are all you really need for minimalist cooking. I recommend a spatula, a wooden spoon, tongs, and a ladle. These items can be used for a wide variety of dishes and are easy to store.
In addition to these essential items, there are a few other kitchen tools that can be useful for minimalist cooking. A slow cooker, for example, is great for preparing meals in advance. A blender can be useful for making smoothies and soups.
And a French press is a great way to make coffee without a bulky coffee maker.
When it comes to storage, I recommend investing in a few good-quality storage containers. Glass containers are durable and easy to clean, and they can be used for both storing and reheating food.
Overall, having a few high-quality, multi-purpose kitchen tools and appliances can make minimalist cooking a breeze. And with the right storage solutions, even a small kitchen can be well-equipped for any cooking task.
Dinnerware and Glassware
When it comes to minimalist kitchen essentials, dinnerware, and glassware are a must-have. Here are the items I recommend:
Plates, Bowls, and Cups
For plates and bowls, I suggest having at least one set for every person who lives there plus at least 2 more for guests. This is the perfect amount for your family or for hosting a few guests. I prefer white Corelle plates and bowls, as they are versatile and timeless.
For cups, I recommend having a set of four coffee mugs and four cups for tea or other hot beverages. Of course, this list of minimalist kitchen essentials will vary depending on how many people live in your home.
When choosing plates and bowls, consider the size and shape. I prefer plates with a diameter of around 10 inches and bowls with a capacity of around 20 ounces. This is a good size for most meals and prevents the need for multiple sets of dishes.
Glasses and Mugs
For glasses, I recommend having a set of four wine glasses and four tumblers. Wine glasses are perfect for entertaining, while tumblers can be used for water, juice, or other beverages. I prefer clear glass, as it is simple and elegant.
When it comes to coffee mugs, I suggest having a set of four. Look for mugs that are comfortable to hold and have a capacity of around 12 ounces. This is the perfect size for a cup of coffee or tea.
Overall, having a minimalist set of plates, bowls, cups, glasses, and mugs can simplify your life and make mealtime more enjoyable. By choosing classic and versatile items, you can avoid the need for multiple sets of dishes and glassware.
It can be trendy to drink out of mason jars since they are multi-purpose, but personally, I am not a fan of this style.
I know minimalist families that host a lot so they have more kitchen items and I know some families that only have one set per person and that is it.
Kitchen Organization
As someone who loves a minimalist kitchen, I have found that organization is key to maintaining a clutter-free space. Here are some tips for keeping your kitchen organized:
Countertop Storage
What you decide to store out on your counters will depend on if you have a lot of space in your cupboards and pantry and if the item gets a lot of use. In my previous home, we had huge kitchen drawers so I stored everything off the counters.
But in my current minimalist kitchen design, we are working with an old kitchen so we need to leave a little more out.
I like to keep my countertops as clear as possible, but there are a few items that I keep out for easy access. I have a small container for my dish soap and a sponge. Keeping these items out and easily accessible helps me stay organized while cooking and cleaning. I also like to keep my toaster out on the counter since we don’t have much space for it in the cupboards and we use it all day long.
Kitchen Appliances
Think about what you are making on a regular basis before decluttering or shopping for appliances. Every minimal kitchen will look completely different, but in general, most minimalist kitchens don’t have one-use items. For instance, an apple corer is not essential because you can use a knife.
With that in mind, these are the appliances we use all the time in our own kitchen.
Kitchen Gadgets
I find all of these to be essential kitchen items that we use all the time.
- Can opener
- cake pans
- Frying Pan
- Hand citrus juicer
- cheese grater
- Large Pot for Spaghetti or soup
- Dutch Oven
- Vegetable Peeler
- Garlic Press
- Stainless Steel Cookie Sheets (only 2)
- Large Cutting board
Pantry Staples
Keeping a well-stocked pantry is essential for any home cook, but it’s important to keep it organized as well. I like to keep my pantry staples in clear, labeled containers to make it easy to see what I have and what I need to restock. Some of my pantry staples include:
- Rice
- Pasta
- Canned tomatoes
- Beans
- Flour
- Sugar
- Oats
By keeping these items in containers, I can easily see what I have and what I need to restock, and it keeps my pantry looking neat and tidy.
Storage Containers
I love using storage containers to keep my food fresh and organized. I have a variety of sizes and shapes, from small glass containers for leftovers to larger containers for bulk items like rice and beans.
Using storage containers also helps me reduce food waste by keeping my food fresh for longer.
When it comes to organization, I like to keep my storage containers in a designated drawer or cabinet. I also make sure to keep the lids and containers together so that I can easily find what I need.
Overall, keeping my kitchen organized helps me maintain a minimalist space that is both functional and beautiful. By using these tips for countertop storage, pantry staples, and storage containers, I can easily keep my kitchen organized and clutter-free.
Functional Minimalist Kitchen
I hope this article has been helpful in identifying the minimalist kitchen essentials that you need in your home. With a few key items, you can create a functional and organized kitchen that is perfect for preparing meals and entertaining guests.
As I mentioned earlier, it’s important to focus on quality over quantity when it comes to kitchen essentials. Investing in high-quality tools and equipment will not only make cooking easier and more enjoyable but will also save you money in the long run.
When creating your minimalist kitchen essentials list, think about your own cooking needs and habits. Consider the type of meals you typically prepare, the amount of space you have available, and your budget. Remember, you don’t need every gadget and appliance on the market to create delicious meals at home.
Finally, I want to mention that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through one of these links. However, I only recommend products that I personally use and love, and that I believe will be helpful to my readers.
Thank you for reading, and happy cooking!
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Dana K White (A Slob Comes Clean) suggests storing storage containers with lids on rather than nesting. The lid is always with the container and less messing with making things nest you just pick the container from the stack of that size.
We have the same style storage containers as you do, and it works for us.
That is great that system works for you. I tried putting the lids on, but in the end it took up too much space in our cupboard and I felt like it was one extra step that I didn’t need to take.
=) As with all organizing setups and systems we must do what works for us and I always like to try new things. I hope you are doing well.
dual and multi use things are minimalist. a spoon a colander a cup scissors clay pots steel v aluminium hay box cooler netting store onions garlic kitchen harden micro greens thermos flasks slow cooking… is minimal. appreciate your clutter free space.
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