Saucepan
Cook with any regularity and you’ll find yourself reaching for a saucepan almost daily. These pans are great for boiling eggs, warming dairy, cooking grains Chef’s Knife
A high quality chef’s knife has good weight balance, a blade that keeps its edge, and of course, feels good in your hand Skillet
A.k.a “frying pan,” the humble skillet is a mainstay in our kitchens for searing meat, frying eggs, and, uh, baking giant cookies Nonstick Skillet
You won’t use a nonstick skillet for every cooking task, but when you need it, you really need it. They don’t impart as hard a sear as other skillets Sheet Pan
A rimmed sheet pan is great for roasting vegetables, making one-pan dinners, and (of course!) baking cookies Mixing Bowls
There’s a whole world of mixing bowl options out there, but the crucial thing when choosing a set is picking one that contains multiple sizes Measuring Cups and Spoons
Baking is as much science as it is art. In other words: Nope, you can’t just eyeball the measurements High-Heat Spatula
A flexible spatula is your BFF when it comes to sautéing, stir-frying, and baking. A silicone spatula, frequently known as a high-heat spatula Tongs
Use ‘em to turn meat, hold a roast steady as you slice it, sauce a pot of spaghetti, or serve a salad: There’s no question tongs are a must-have kitchen tool Thermometer
There’s no substitute when it comes to a thermometer for nailing the perfect internal temperature of meat