I know we still haven’t celebrated Thanksgiving, but I’m already thinking of gift ideas for the people on my Christmas list. I’m making my own list too and, like always, you will find kitchen items on there. Some people might think getting a kitchen appliance for Christmas is incredibly unromantic and quite dull. I feel no such thing! I love to cook regardless, but the right cooking utensils, appliances and gadgets can make it so much easier to enjoy your time in kitchen.
Today, I’m giving you a list of all my favorite kitchen items. Most of them I already own and can 100% vouch for their wonderfulness. A few of them are on my wish list this year and while I can’t say for certain how great they are because I’ve never actually used them, I feel pretty secure saying that I will love them too.
1. Knife Block Set
My number one recommendation for a plant based kitchen would be a knife block set. If veggies, fruits and nuts are going to be staples of your diet, you need a quality way to julienne, dice and chop them. There are plenty of gadgets out there to help you in this area too, but I much prefer to just use a knife!
A lot of people will say you need a top quality (read: expensive) knife set to last a lifetime. While that is not a bad idea, I will admit that I bought my first knife set at Ikea of all places and it lasted about 10 years. As long as you keep them sharpened (easy to do with the included knife sharpener) I think you will be good to go.
If you want to go with the best, Wusthof
If you want to save some $$, I suggest J.A. HENCKELS 
2. High Speed Blender
I use my high speed blender almost every day. You can make so many yummy things in it. Sauces, spreads, dressings, soups, smoothies, ice cream, nut butter, dips, etc. A high speed blender is so versatile. You will not be sorry if you get one!
The Vitamix Professional Series 500 Blender is the one I have. I was lucky enough to purchase it used from a friend for less than half the price.
You can also find a refurbished one on Amazon for much less $: Vitamix Certified Reconditioned Standard Blender.
I have also heard great things about the Blendtec Total Blender.
3. Food Processor
Another appliance that I use nearly every day in my kitchen is the food processor. I have the Cuisinart DFP-14BCN 14-Cup Food Processor. In addition to making nut butter, sauces, spreads, dips, dough and banana “ice cream”, I use it to easily combine ingredients for veggie burgers, grind oats and other grains into flour, and shred veggies in seconds. Truly a handy kitchen appliance to have!
4. Immersion Blender
If you have a blender, you don’t technically need an immersion blender. However, I do use mine all the time. If I want to puree some, or even all, of a soup I have cooking in a big soup pot on the stove, it’s much easier to get out this small tool, then to transfer all of that hot liquid to a large blender batch by batch and then pour it back into the soup pot.
I also used my immersion blender often when I made baby food for all three of my kids. I would steam the fruits/veggies on the stove and then use the immersion blender to puree them right in the same pot.
A lot of them come with several accessories like a whisk and a blending cup, but, personally, I don’t think you need those. I would stick with an inexpensive basic model like the Proctor-Silex Hand Blender.
5. Big Stock Pot
A large capacity stock pot is also a good idea. Obviously, you can use it to make large batches of veggie broth or soup (which freeze really well if you have leftovers), but it’s also great when making pasta. To cook pasta correctly, you need a lot of water and a lot of space for the noodles. One of the biggest problems people have with pasta is that it turns out gummy or sticks together…this is most likely due to not enough space and water while your noodles are cooking. Get yourself a big stock pot!
I have a big pot, but this Le Creuset Enameled Steel Stock Pot with Lid is going on my Christmas list this year!
6. Non Stick Skillets
I LOVE my non stick skillets for making pancakes, quesadillas, veggie burgers, etc. I got them for Christmas last year. What I love most is that you don’t need any oil. A lot of people seem to be moving toward the trend of cooking with no oil, so these skillets should be on your wish list! They truly are non stick and clean up is a breeze! You can get a whole set with different size pots and pans, but these Circulon Hard Anodized Nonstick 10-Inch and 12-Inch Skillets are my favorite.
7. Slow Cooker
Let’s face it, even the most enthusiast cook sometimes wants a day off from preparing food. A slow cooker should be on everyone’s wish list if you don’t already have one. Throw everything in the slow cooker in the morning and serve up an amazing meal come dinner time.
I have a rather old one that is still going strong, but I love this Crock-PotProgrammable Cook and Carry Oval Slow Cooker. We took our crockpot to a friend’s house just this past weekend for a chili cook-off party and having a slow cooker with a locking lid would have been ideal. Ours got a bit messy on the drive to and from.
8. Casserole Dishes
Every kitchen needs a few casserole dishes. Holidays beg for casseroles on the table, am I right? A large size is perfect for lasagnas, roasting veggies or casseroles. A smaller size is ideal for brownies, homemade granola bars, cornbread, or layered taco dip. The possibilities are endless. This Le Creuset Stoneware 1-1/4-Quart Rectangular Baker with Bonus 16-Ounce Rectangular Baker would be the perfect choice. They come in a variety of colors, but I happen to love them in this beautiful eggplant color.
9. Small coffee grinder
I have a coffee pot with a built in grinder for my coffee, but a small coffee grinder is a great idea for grinding small batches of nuts, seeds or grains. And inexpensive model like the Proctor Silex Fresh Grind Coffee Grinder is all you need.
10. Glass jars w/ lids
Glass jars with lids are incredibly versatile and will last a lifetime. I use them in the fridge to store homemade nut butters, overnight oats, homemade salad dressings, pasta sauces and pestos. I also use them in the panty to store dried beans, grains, dried fruit, fresh nuts and seeds and homemade flours (for ex: from oats or almonds). There are so many different ones to choose from, but these vintage blue Ball Jars with Lids look so pretty. They come in pint and quart sizes.
11. Measuring Cups and Spoons
Of course anyone who cooks or bakes on a regular basis must have measuring cups and spoons.
My favorite for liquids is this OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Angled Measuring Cup Set.
My favorite for sticky ingredients is this OXO Good Grips Measuring Cup for Sticky Stuff. I bet you didn’t even know you needed a different cup for your sticky ingredients. Truth is, you don’t, but you will LOVE this if you have it. You fill it with your ingredient and then push up the bottom so you can scrape it ALL right off into your bowl/pot/whatever. In a regular measuring cup you are sure to leave some behind.
Measuring spoons are measuring spoons if you ask me, but I do happen to think this SugarBooger Living Goods Ceramic Measuring Spoon Set is super cute!
12. Juicer
This kitchen appliance is only a necessity if you like fresh juice. This Breville Juice Fountain Plus is the one I have and I absolutely love it! It makes quick work of fruits and veggies and it’s really easy to clean as well.
You can also get a Breville Certified Remanufactured Juice Fountain Plus for much less $.
13. Kids Cutlery
Ok, obviously, you can walk into just about any store and buy some inexpensive kids cutlery, but I actually do have a preference here. I randomly found these kids utensils and plates/bowls at Ikea one day and I bought them on a whim. I love them…and so do the kids. They are BPA free, dishwasher safe and relatively inexpensive.
Ikea Kids Plastic Flatware, Bowl, Plate, Tumbler Set
14. DustBuster
Last, but not least, you are going to need something to easily clean up all those messes you are going to be making in your fabulous plant based kitchen. I could not live without my DustBuster and yes I did ask for this one Christmas and was super excited when I received it!
Black & Decker Dustbuster 15.6-Volt Cordless Cyclonic Hand Vacuum
Of course, I have many more than I could put on here…baking sheets, pizza stone, donut pan, waffle maker, coffee pot (duh!), teapot, etc., but this list is a great start! Did I forget any of your favorites? Will you be putting any of these on your wish list this year?
*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I will make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support in this way.