Building a kitchen from scratch? Or maybe you’re finally replacing that scratched-up pan you’ve been holding onto for way too long? Either way, you don’t need a ton of cookware to make great meals—you just need the right pieces.
Here are five essentials that belong in every home kitchen.
1. A Good Skillet
This is the workhorse of your kitchen. Eggs, stir-fry, seared chicken, pancakes—it does it all. Go for a 10 or 12-inch size so you have room to work. Non-stick is great for beginners, but stainless steel or cast iron will last longer if you take care of it.
2. A Sturdy Saucepan
You’ll reach for this more than you think. Soups, sauces, oatmeal, boiling eggs, heating up leftovers—a 2 or 3-quart saucepan handles all of it. Look for one with a tight-fitting lid and a comfortable handle.
3. A Dutch Oven
This is your slow-cook, one-pot-meal hero. Stews, braises, soups, even bread—the Dutch oven does the heavy lifting. Enameled cast iron is a popular choice because it’s durable, retains heat well, and looks good enough to go straight from stove to table.
4. A Non-Stick Pan
Even if you love stainless steel or cast iron, having one reliable non-stick pan makes life easier. It’s perfect for eggs, fish, and anything delicate that likes to stick. Just don’t crank the heat too high and it’ll last you years.
5. A Stock Pot
Big batches of soup, boiling pasta, making stock—you need something large enough to handle volume. A 6 to 8-quart pot is a good size for most households. Stainless steel with a heavy bottom heats evenly and cleans up easy.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need a 20-piece set to cook well. Start with these five, invest in quality where it counts, and build from there. Your kitchen (and your cooking) will thank you.
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