non-toxic kitchen staples

Let’s walk through my non-toxic cooking staples and help you build out your functional kitchen, because:

1. Cooking at home is pretty much essential if you want to eat a nutrient-dense diet (sorry not sorry!)

2. Making cooking at home efficient and easy is key for your sanity

The good news is that building out a functional kitchen DOES NOT require spending tons of money on various gadgets and tools.

It might shock you that even though cooking is my literal job, I am actually pretty low maintenance when it comes to supplies. A lot of my most-used items were $5 from the thrift store, I don’t have a million cutesy mason jars or dishes (I just use reused glass jars for everything), and I use measuring cups as a ladle lol.

If you want some free or very low cost things to make your home a little more non-toxic every day, check out this post. It’s a good reminder that we don’t always need to spend tons of money on fancy gadgets & products to feel better.

*Some of these are affiliate links and I receive a small commission at no cost to you. I included my discount codes where I have them to help you save $$

Water filter: I have used this for over 4 years so I have certainly got my money’s worth. It’s an easy way to access clean water, especially if you’re renting or don’t want to go through the process of a whole house water filter.

Pressure cooker: I love an Instant pot or any slow cooker/pressure cooker combo - it is one of my best friends in the kitchen. Quick stews or soups, perfectly cooked beans, tender rice, and easy stock!!! It’s a versatile workhorse. Get one with a stainless steel inner pot rather than one lined with non-stick chemicals.

Cookware: I cook every single day with a VERY minimal set up. Here’s what I use (check your local thrift or second hand store for these first):

• A large stainless steel skillet: A daily staple and used for pretty much everything from making steak, eggs, meat sauce, stir frys. Very helpful to be able to use it in the oven as well.

• A smaller stainless steel skillet: Perfect for reheating leftovers, cooking eggs, or smaller portions.

• A large cast iron pan: Another versatile staple. I love that you can transfer from stove top to oven.

• A stainless steel saucepan: For reheating bone broth, making pasta or rice, cooking fruit down into a jam

• Large stock pot: You know we need a giant pot to make big batches of stock and soups :)

• This is pretty much my ideal set if you want to just stock up all at once: Stainless steel kitchen set.

• Dutch oven, or other oven safe pot that you can use in the oven to braise meat

Wooden or stainless steel cooking utensils

Glass containers: My collection of glass food storage is a prized possession and something I have bought over the years and collected.

• I love these Pyrex glass mixing bowls that come with lids

• any glass container set

• and I also save every glass jar that crosses my path to use for storing soups and beverages.

• If you do want to spend some money on amazing glass jars for beverages, fermentation, or storing food, these are the best!

Chef’s knife: A kitchen is not complete without a sharp chef’s knife. You don’t need one of those sets with 7 different knives. You will use this every day and improving your knife skills will make your cooking substantially more efficient. Invest in one, take care of it, and use it for decades.

Wooden cutting boards: Another must have is a strong, sturdy wooden cutting board. Please toss the plastic boards. It’s actually a myth that plastic cutting boards are more sanitary and a wooden cutting board will last forever if you care for it.

Non-Toxic Air Fryer: This is certainly not a must have item but I do list it in the category of things that are definitely worth the money because it’s being used every day. It’s great for quickly reheating meal prep without having to heat a whole oven, making healthy ‘fried’ foods like chicken nuggets or fries, and single serving cookies! If an item is going to simplify cooking and help you eat more home cooked meals, that’s worth it in my book!

Glass/stainless steel blender: A strong blender is a staple in a functional kitchen. I love a glass or stainless steel blender as another way to remove exposure to plastic in the kitchen, especially because I like to blend hot soups and drinks.

Electric kettle: Another thing I use literally every day (like 5x/day) and helps me with hydration goals because I am constantly heating up water to make herbal teas. I love that it has a temperature gauge so that I can make my water a perfect 185F for my matchas. This has lasted me 3+ years.

Accessories: Some of my favorite accessories that make cooking easy are a very affordable, like a:

• microplane grater

• mandoline

• immersion blender

BONUS FUN ITEMS:

Ice cream maker: This is one of my favorite expensive purchases. I use it all year round to make healthier ice cream and frozen yogurts so it certainly doesn’t collect dust. I love that you don’t have to think ahead and freeze a base, but there are certainly cheaper options out there!

Juicer: I love to juice fresh fruits and veggies for green juices, juice up wilting produce to reduce food waste, make fresh juice to make flavored water kefir, and even sorbet from frozen fruit!

What other non-toxic kitchen staples did I miss? Be sure to check out thrift stores and garage sales, especially for stainless steel pans, cast iron pans, and glass baking dishes - that’s where I have collected a lot of my items.

Let me know if this is helpful!! What’s missing from your nutrient-dense kitchen??

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