21 things all beginner cooks should have in their kitchen

amazing kitchen
Someday your kitchen could look this good.
ChalonHandmade/Flickr

If it's your first time cooking, you may not realize there are certain tools you absolutely need.

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But aside from utensils and plates, the beginner chef may not know where to start stocking up on kitchen necessities. What kind of chopping board should you get? And where can you get sharp yet affordable knives?

We researched the highest-rated products out there with the best reviews to come up with our list, but lots of the items are generic and can be purchased almost anywhere.

Keep reading to see our list of 21 essentials everyone — especially the beginner chef — needs in their kitchen.

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A cast iron skillet — like this 12-inch, pre-seasoned model — is a must-have. It heats evenly, cooks everything from steaks to pancakes, and can go in the oven or on the stove.

cast iron
Amazon

Buy it here: $33

Instead of buying a separate salt and pepper shaker, grab a duo grinder for sea salt and peppercorns. This Bodum grinder lets you switch between salt and pepper.

salt pepper
Wayfair

Buy it here: $20

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A good set of tongs can be used for just about anything, whether it’s turning over meats, keeping hot food stable while you cut, or tossing salads. This classic set has nearly five stars and will serve you well.

cooking tongs
Amazon

Buy it here: $16

A colander is perfect for straining your pasta, fruits, and vegetables. Buy a larger one like this five-quart strainer so you won't run out of room.

collander
Bed Bath & Beyond

Buy it here: $30

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Having a great knife is key when you're cooking. Though there are lots of great options out there, if you can’t afford to splurge, this Cuisinart Ceramic Knife set stays sharp longer than traditional knives.

knives
Bed Bath & Beyond

Buy it here: $13 - $30

In addition to your standard chopping knives, get a serrated knife to easily slide through bread and delicate foods like tomatoes. This ORBLUE knife is highly rated.

serrated knife
Amazon

Buy it here: $13

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When you’re cooking smaller grains like rice or quinoa, it’s necessary to have a sieve at hand to strain away the water. This one has a handle and will also sift sugar, flour, and more.

sieve
Crate & Barrel

Buy it here: $15

A good wooden spoon is a classic kitchen tool. Though this Williams-Sonoma spoon is a little overpriced, it fits into that annoying edge at the bottom of your pots and pans that most round spoons can miss.

littledeer pot scoop o
Williams-Sonoma

Buy it here: $23

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A large stockpot is perfect for making large amounts of chili and soup. This T-Fal pot is 12-quarts, nonstick, and dishwasher safe, plus it has a vent in the lid in case of spillage.

stockpot
Amazon

Buy it here: $40

A set of heat-resistant, flexible spatulas are perfect for baking, mixing, and scraping ingredients out of bowls. We love the different sizes and shapes in this set.

spatulas
Amazon

But it here: $6.50

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A decent julienne peeler is helpful for salads, peeling potatoes, zesting, and garnishes. We recommend buying an extremely sharp model like this precision peeler.

vegetable peeler
Amazon

Buy it here: $9

You can’t be effective in the kitchen without a solid set of measuring utensils. This set has 13 pieces, including measurements for a "tad," "dash," "pinch," and "smidgen."

measuring
Bed Bath & Beyond

Buy it here: $20

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A blender and food processor combination set will be your go-to in the summer. This Ninja Master Prep version is dishwasher safe, crushes ice cubes, and comes with three different-sized containers.

food processor blender
Amazon

Buy it here: $50

The best cutting board to buy is a quality wood version since the soft wood won’t dull your knives as quickly as plastic. This three-inch-thick Crate & Barrel board will last forever.

end grain board
Crate & Barrel

Buy it here: $140

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Aside from your mixing spatulas, you’ll want a special model known as the flipper for burgers, eggs, and more. Whether you want slots or not is up to you.

spatulas
http://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-Nylon-Short-Turner-Black/dp/B005D6FX3K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1455657819&sr=8-2&keywords=turner and http://www.amazon.com/CuliChef-Silicone-Stainless-Steel-Spatula/dp/B015W8IUQU/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1455657819&sr=8-10&keywords=turner

Buy it here (left): $6Buy it here (right): $12

Kitchen towels are not only great for drying your hands and wiping up messes, but can also be useful for baking. This set of 18 towels would let you use a new one every day if you needed to.

kitchen towels
Amazon

Buy it here: $20

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A multi-sided cheese grater allows you to choose your ideal cheese consistency, from shredded to sliced. This model even has a little box to catch your grated foods as well as a lid to keep it all fresh.

cheese grater
Amazon

Buy it here:  $18

Mixing and prep bowls are a number one tool for cooks. This 10-piece set will serve your prepping needs and are also microwave and dishwasher safe.

mixing bowls
Bed Bath & Beyond

Buy it here: $30

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From casseroles to lasagna, a good baking dish will be used forever. Make sure you buy a broiler-safe model — like this one — so you can get crispy crusts without shattering your dish.

baking dish
Amazon

Buy it here: $40

Don't measure your wet ingredients with standard measuring cups — buy a liquid measuring cup instead for easy-to-pour, exact measurements.

liquid measuring cup
Amazon

Buy it here: $9

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Once you master the crockpot, you’ll never order takeout again. This model has settings like "steam," "brown," and "sauté" in addition to coming with a recipe book.

crockpot
Amazon

Buy it here: $129

Cooking Baking
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