Creating a Home Cook’s Kitchen on a Budget: A How-To Guide

Culinary enthusiasts are well-aware that quality kitchen items are crucial for success. However, your appliances and tools don’t need to cost you an arm and a leg. Of course, you can rack up a pretty penny from high-end retailers. But we’ve figured out how to put a chef-quality kitchen together on a budget from Amazon, Walmart and more. Check out our favorite items, below.

Store Brand Appliances Will Get the Job Done

Excluding large, essential appliances like refrigerators, most appliances are made equally, regardless of the brand. For example, a KitchenAid mixer will pretty much execute the same job as a less expensive house brand alternative. Likewise, a toaster will crisp your bread to perfection, whether it’s Smeg or Walmart’s Mainstays brand. So choose your small appliances wisely, do your research and depending on what it is, consider getting the store-brand option.

Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale, Amazon, $12
Even if you aren’t weighing your macros for weight loss, owning a kitchen scale is crucial to follow recipes that list measurements in the metric system. It also helps portion ingredients properly, and can even help reduce cleanup. All scales will pretty much get you the same results, so opt for the Amazon Basics’ version, which costs less than $20, over a more expensive brand.

Pioneer Woman Standing Mixer, Walmart, $129
KitchenAid’s standing mixers are cute, but sometimes they can cost you up to $500. So opt for the Pioneer Woman’s Standing Mixer, which is significantly cheaper but still delivers 600 watts of mixing power. It still has a nice aesthetic but it doesn’t cost hundreds of dollars. And unless you’re starting an at-home bakery, the brand likely won’t make a difference in performance and how long it lasts.

Mainstays 6-Quart Slow Cooker, Walmart, $20
Generally, the qualities we look for in a slow cooker are: it’s easy to clean, it has more than one cooking setting, and it has a decent rating — and Mainstay’s 6-Quart Slow Cooker from Walmart is all of the above (4.7 stars!). When compared to a high end one from Williams-Sonoma, which can cost a few hundred, we’re content with opting for this $20 option.

Mainstays Four Slice Toaster Oven, Walmart, $20
We know that Smeg toasters are all the rage, but Mainstays’ $20 toaster from Walmart will truly get the same job done. It may not have the retro look, but with three settings and room for four pieces of bread, you’re going to be able to make the same quality toast — it’s just toast.

Mainstays High Speed Corded Hand Mixer, Walmart, $13
Hand mixers are essential items for anyone baking bread, cookies or even perfectly scrambled eggs. But something like this doesn’t require anything fancy. We promise Walmart’s house brand will do, and it will only cost $13.

Invest in Quality Pots and Pans That Will Last a Lifetime

If you’re truly a home cook, you’re most likely using your pots and pans every single day. This and kitchen knives are worth saving up for, because it’s essential to purchase a reliable set that will be able to withstand loads of washes, without corroding or rusting. Below we’ve selected a few options that will seem like a large investment short-term, but will ultimately save you quite a bit in the long run.

HexClad Nonstick Frying Pan, Amazon, $179
Even though it may seem like a large price to pay for a pan, HexClad’s frying pan is non-stick, so as long as you treat it right, it’s going to remain that way for years to come. It’s both dishwasher- and oven-safe, so it can withstand all kinds of conditions. And it’s scratch resistant, so if your S.O. uses the wrong spatula a few times, it isn’t the end of the world, and it has a lifetime warranty, anyway.

Cuisinart eight-inch Stainless Steel Pan, Amazon, $15
If you don’t want to pay for nonstick and are happy using olive oil or butter in your cooking, you don’t have to spend a lot for quality pots and pans. Cuisinart’s eight-inch stainless steel pan from Amazon is currently 25% off,  bringing the price down to just $15. Its aluminum base makes it heat up quickly and evenly, preventing hot spots. And while the stainless steel look is super sleek, it doesn’t change color based on the ingredients you cook it with — we love that.

KitchenAid 1o-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set, Amazon, $170
Invest in your morning eggs with KitchenAid’s 10-piece stainless steel cookware set. Each piece is super durable with a stainless and aluminum sandwich base, heats up quickly and evenly, and should work great on all stovetops—it’s induction cooktop compatible. And they’re dishwasher safe so you don’t need to worry about ruining them by accident but if something ever goes wrong, KitchenAid has a limited lifetime warranty on the set.

Best Choice Products 7.5 QT Cast Iron Dutch Oven Amazon, $70
Whether you’re baking bread or a hearty soup, Best Choice Product’s $70 Dutch Oven is bound to come in handy for a variety of situations. The thick cast iron is highly durable, while the enamel interior makes for easy upkeep. You can put it on the grill, in the oven, or on the stove — regardless, it’s going to last you a lifetime. Here’s a little secret: You can pay more for fancy cast iron, but it all performs the same.

Pick Wood Cutting Boards Over Plastic, to Stand the Test of Time

Even though most people think of plastic as indestructible, its a little different in the world of cutting boards. Over time, plastic cutting boards degrade from abrasions from your knives. This leads to microplastics infiltrating our food, and eventually, it requires replacement. But  wood cutting boards last a long time and are naturally antimicrobial, too. So if you’re truly looking for a safe, quality kitchen, you can definitely find wood cutting boards that won’t cost too much.

Hiware Bamboo Cutting Board Three-Piece Set, Amazon, $16
Hiware’s cutting boards are made from 100% organic bamboo. Bamboo is extremely hard but knife-friendly and hand-crafted, with a “juice groove” to ensure you don’t spill while slicing a hearty tomato or a juicy steak. We love how hard and durable (and sustainable) bamboo cutting boards are, but make sure you don’t soak them in water, because all bamboo cutting boards are made from many laminated (glued) strips.

BoosBlock Reversible Cutting Board, Wayfair, $95
If you want a thicker, butcher-block style, use a maple cutting board for a stable, lifetime work surface. It’s sturdy, with a guarantee to last several years. It’s available in more than one size and has a hand grip, which makes it a little easier to lift (especially if you’re transporting a significant amount of chopped veggies!).

Mainstays Bamboo Cutting Board, Walmart, $11
Walmart’s house brand Mainstays to the rescue! Mainstays’ bamboo cutting board is highly durable and not only provides a smooth cutting experience — it’s also easy to clean, and has antibacterial properties. This one also has a juice groove, keeping your countertop clean, and its relatively large size gives you enough space to prepare anything you want.

Freshware Bamboo Cutting Boards, Amazon, $12 for a set of three
This three-for-$12 deal on cutting boards is truly everything we could ask for. Each board comes with a handle for convenience, they’re knife-friendly, and each one is a different size. They’re on sale from $20 as a limited time deal so it’s definitely worth getting yours ASAP. Lots of different sizes are available, too—you can get a huge, 24-inch one (great for making bread) for under $40.

Snag Knives and Other Prep Tools on Sale

Similar to pots and pans, good quality knives and kitchen tools are essential for a next-level kitchen. But, you can totally find them on sale. Below, we’ve listed a few sale items to help you prep your food to the best of your ability.

Caphalon Premier 15-Piece Knife Set, Wayfair, $200 (from $240)
Considering Caphalon’s quality, this 17% sale is a big deal. Each set comes with a full-tang, high-carbon stainless steel chef knife, shears, Santoku knife, eight steak knives, two kitchen utility knives, and a pairing knife. The block also built-in “SharpIN” sharpeners that sharpen every time you use them to ensure your knives are doing the most whenever you use them.

KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears, Amazon, $9 (from $12)
If you don’t need an entire set of new knives but could still use some kitchen scissors, you know KitchenAid’s kitchen shears are high quality — and right now, it’s 25% off. It comes with a sheath, in many different colors, and it’s dishwasher safe, so it’s bound to last a while, too.

KitchenAid Can and Bottle Opener, Amazon, $12 (from $15)
There’s nothing worse than a can opener dying when you need to open something— but KitchenAid’s Can and Bottle Opener is equipped with a durable cutting wheel that slices smoothly and effortlessly. The knob is easy to turn and the handles are soft for added comfort. It includes a bottle opener, comes in 14 colors and right now, it’s on sale for $12 and up, depending on color.

Zwilling Razor-Sharp Knife Sharpener, Wayfair, $35
Keep your knives in peak condition with this German-engineered pull-through knife sharpener. Sharp knives are essential not only for ease, but also for safety. Zwilling’s Razor-Sharp Knife Sharpener features two slots for Japanese knives,two for Western knives, and a fifth that can sharpen scissors. Right now, it’s on sale for 20% off, so get it while you can.

Opt for Non-Plastic, Dishwasher-Safe Food Storage

If your food storage solutions are dishwasher safe, they’ll last longer, and glass containers can last literally thousands of years. That’s why we’ve included several options for both ingredients and leftovers that will endure the heat from your dishwasher, and will never break down and contaminate your food (ahem, plastic!).

Pyrex Food Storage Containers, Amazon, $38 for a set of nine
Keep your leftovers fresh, sans the microplastics, with Pyrex’s glass food storage containers. Each pack comes with nine containers, each in different sizes and with BPA-free plastic lids. They’re also dishwasher- and microwave-safe, so they’re bound to last a while. Pyrex offers many different sets in beautiful colors to meet your storage needs (and shelf and fridge capacity).

Libbey Stackable Glass Jars, Wayfair, $35 for a set of four
Storing your pantry ingredients properly is crucial to ensure each item stays fresh, and safe from pests. Libbey’s stacking jars from Wayfair come in a pack of four, and they’re both freezer- and oven-safe. And since they’re made from glass, they’re both free of BPAs and won’t leave behind nasty microplastic residue.

Mainstays 32-ounce Glass Jars, Walmart, $9 for a set of four
Jars are a basic necessity for any kitchen, whether you’re canning homemade jelly or simply making an airtight storage solution for brown sugar. Mainstays’ 32-ounce glass jars are both dishwasher safe and better-for-you (and the planet) than plastic. And they come in a pack of four, so it’s a pretty nice deal.

Stasher Silicone Reusable Bags, Amazon, $42 for four
While the zero-waste community has known about Stasher bags for a minute now, they’re becoming mainstay staples in kitchens nationwide. Reminiscent of a Ziploc, they’re made from silicone, and can be resealed, put through the dishwasher, and even the microwave or oven. Walmart is currently selling 2 for $20, so if I were you, I’d hop on this now.

Ditch Single-Use Cleanup Solutions

Paper towels are so 2000-and-later. Instead, wash up with a quality apartment-sized dish washer, use dish wands with durable handles, and quality sponges that you won’t need to toss after only a few uses.

Honeywell 18-Inch Dishwasher, Amazon, $400
Although a dishwasher seems like yet another large investment, it saves on water, time, and energy. Honeywell’s 18-inch dishwasher is currently 11% off on Amazon right now, so if you need a replacement for a tight space like a condo or apartment, now is a better time than ever to get a new one.

Scrub Mommy Dual-Sided Cleaning Sponge, Amazon, $14 for three
A sponge may seem like a small matter. However, you’ll save money over time by opting for a sturdy kind, as opposed to cheap flimsy ones. There’s a reason Scrub Daddy has a cult following, and the Scrub Mommy is just as good — we promise.

Lola Soap Dispensing Wand with Reusable Sponge Head, Amazon, $10
Even though the sponge heads are replaceable, Lola’s sponge wand will likely last you a very long time. It has a soap dispenser than can wash as you clean and it makes for a gentle-yet-strong scrub, working on both non-stick and non-scratch cookware.

Mainstays Reusable Kitchen Dish Cloth Towels, Walmart, $5 for three
There’s no denying that transitioning away from paper goods can be a challenge, but it will ultimately save you money in the long run. And items like Mainstays’ reusable dish cloths are worthy replacements. They’re made from sustainably materials, and absorb just like a regular paper towel. They come in a pack of three for $5, too, so you’re definitely getting a better bang for your buck, in comparison to paper towels.