The capsule wardrobe — a minimalist collection of a few quality pieces that combine into a variety of outfits — can transform your closet. But what if you could bring the same organization to your kitchen? By limiting your kitchen tools to these versatile items, you can make endless recipes while reclaiming your counter space.
What is the capsule wardrobe?
The capsule wardrobe consists of a limited number of clothing items and accessories that you can wear together, giving you many different outfits. Each piece is thoughtfully chosen to match with your overall style and be as versatile as possible.
Stylists at Nordstrom note that a few clothing pieces in a capsule wardrobe make it easier to plan outfits. You also won’t have anything that sits forgotten in your closet for months, taking up space.
Why not take that same approach to your kitchen? By reducing your kitchen tools down to a few versatile essentials, you can prepare all your favorite recipes and many new ones. Fewer tools also means more efficient cooking, more space in your kitchen, fewer dishes to wash and less money to stock your kitchen.
The capsule kitchen is especially great for beginner cooks, those who are setting up a kitchen in a new house or apartment or those who have a small space. Much like a capsule wardrobe filled with high-quality pieces, some of these tools may be worth spending a little extra on, given how much you will use them in your minimalist kitchen.
8 must-have kitchen tools for a capsule kitchen
These eight kitchen essentials are the perfect start to a minimalist kitchen. The convenience they offer is worth the space they take up and the cost. With the right quality and care, these tools will often last for years.
Blender
A quality blender is a must for everything from breakfast smoothies to savory soups. It can blend a cottage cheese smoothie to a silky texture, puree ingredients, make soups and sauces creamy, or blend dips like hummus or spinach dip. You’ll also need a blender for milkshakes and frozen drinks. Blenders come in a range of sizes and power options, making it possible to find one that fits on your countertop.
Casserole dish
You can adapt a casserole dish to many oven-baked meals. Dinner casseroles, like ground beef casserole with potatoes and cheese, are ideal for a casserole dish. You can also pull out this pan for lasagna, enchiladas, baked ziti, shepherd’s pie, roasted vegetables and more. For dessert, make brownies, cobblers and cinnamon rolls in your casserole dish.
Casserole dishes are traditionally glass or ceramic. Glass is more affordable, but ceramic heats up faster and retains heat better. If you are only going to buy one, a 9×13-inch casserole dish is the most versatile size for a family.
Sheet pan
A sheet pan unlocks all of your favorite roasting recipes. Roasted vegetables, meat and fish are an easy and delicious dinner on a sheet pan. You’ll also need a sheet pan for baking cookies, like classic chocolate chip cookies or plant-based almond flour peanut butter cookies. Scones, biscuits and bread also bake on a sheet pan.
A rimmed baking sheet is a great choice as the rim will keep food from sliding off. Using aluminum foil when cooking or parchment paper when baking can help keep food from sticking, make clean up easier and keep your sheet pans in great condition for longer.
Cast-iron skillet
Cast iron takes a little care, but will last for decades and can cook almost anything. The heat retention of the iron makes it perfect for searing and frying on the stovetop. A cast-iron skillet is also safe to use in the oven, meaning it can be used for many of the same recipes as a casserole dish.
The main challenge with cast iron is that you need to season your skillet so that the food doesn’t stick. Knowing how to clean a cast-iron skillet will keep the pan in perfect condition.
Chef’s knife
A chef’s knife is the most essential tool for cutting in any kitchen, accounting for over 90% of food prep, according to Cook Smarts. These knives can safely cut meat, vegetables, fruits and herbs. For many home cooks, spending a little extra on a high-quality chef’s knife is well worth it. No matter what knife you use, get it sharpened regularly. A sharper blade provides better cuts and is safer to work with.
Cutting board
Along with a quality chef’s knife, you will also want a reliable surface to cut food on. A heavy-duty plastic or wood cutting board will safely stay in place while you cut. Plastic can be cheaper, but wood will last much longer with the right care and is more environmentally friendly. Buy a cutting board as large as your space and budget allow to give you plenty of room to work.
Mixing bowls
A set of mixing bowls in various sizes has infinite uses for baking and cooking. Use the bowls to hold ingredients and create doughs, batters and other mixtures. If your mixing bowls are metal, they will also work as a double-boiler when set over a pot with an inch of water. In a pinch, mixing bowls can double as serving bowls as well.
Spatula
The humble spatula is a multi-use kitchen tool that can scrape, stir and spread. A silicone spatula works best since it will be durable and heat-resistant, letting you use it for almost any kitchen task.
Other tips to declutter your kitchen
Once you have your must-have tools, there are a few other ways you can keep your kitchen organized and efficient. As you put the tools for your capsule kitchen away, scan through your other kitchen utensils and donate anything you have multiples of or that you don’t regularly.
Think about storage as well. Keep your essential tools easily reachable. A blender might sit on your countertop and some cooks leave their cast-iron pans on their stovetop. For items you’ll use daily, quick access means you can get the most out of your tools.
You can store your less frequently used tools in cabinets and drawers. Hooks, shelves and drawer dividers can also help keep items off of countertops and organized inside cabinets.
Simplify your kitchen with the capsule approach
Whether you want the efficiency of a minimalist kitchen or you are tired of having to rearrange your cabinets every time you need something, let the capsule wardrobe approach transform your kitchen. Start with these basic tools or customize your list to the way you cook. By being more purposeful about how you stock your kitchen, you can create a space that you love to cook in.
Sharon Rhodes is the creative force behind the food blog The Honour System. Passionate about all things homemade, Sharon is a seasoned recipe curator focused on making healthier cooking and baking accessible to all.