No matter how accomplished a home cook you may be, there are some essentials for any kitchen.
The right appliances to suit your household, from smart fridges and microwaves to air fryers that can cater for the entire family, and the non-stick pots and pans to whip up all sorts of meals, from stir fry-making woks to cast iron pans that can flash fry a steak before it finishes cooking in the oven.
Wherever you happen to be on the cooking scale, a decent set of cooking utensils is absolutely essential. From spatulas to flip burgers and fish slices that will help turn delicate fillets, to handy spoons for stirring and sauteing, the right utensils can turn a tricky method into a straightforward one.
While you might already have odds and ends stuffed in a kitchen drawer, a matching set not only looks better aesthetically, but can work out cheaper than forking out for them individually too. Not to mention, they make great housewarming and off-to-uni presents, a key kitchen element that’s often overlooked.
They vary in cost from budget-friendly to double figures, so there’s a set for every pocket. We’ve done the legwork and found the best to make shopping for one even simpler.
See our list of the best cooking utensils to invest in now below.
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Umite Chef Kitchen Cooking Utensils Set
Available in light grey, dark grey and black to suit different kitchen schemes, this bumper set of utensils has everything to help you cook delicious meals at home. As well as an array of slotted spoons, ladle and spatulas, the 24 piece set includes a whisk, pastry brush, tongs and measuring spoons, all made with BPA-free, food grade-safe silicone that’s hygienic and easy to clean as well as heat-resistant to 230°C.
Need it in a hurry? Prime members can score same-day delivery in selected areas.
Buy now £30.99, Amazon
ProCook Designpro Nylon Utensil Set with Carousel
ProCook is one of the best places to pick up high-performance kitchen gadgets and cookware, from the large - its collection of colourful cast iron pots are a snip of the market leaders - to the small; in this case, cooking utensils sets.
Delivered with a matching rotating holder to keep within reach on the countertop, the five piece set is heat-resistant to temperatures of 210°C and dishwasher safe, so cleaning is as easy as pie.
Consisting of a slotted turner, serving spoon, masher, draining spoon and ladle, they’re comfortable to hold and have a non-stick finish, which means they’ll be kinder to your pots and pans too. Comes with a one year guarantee.
Buy now £24.99, ProCook
Joseph Joseph 5 Piece Elevate Slim Utensil Set
Prep and serve food with help from Joseph Joseph’s colour-coded five-piece utensil set. Made up of a flexible turner, slotted turner, slotted spoon, solid spoon, it comes with an in-drawer storage tray to help keep them all in one place and your drawers a tidier place. The tools are non-stick and heat-resistant with ergonomically-designed handles so they’re comfortable to hold. The whole lot is dishwasher-safe too, so simply sling it in when it needs a good clean.
Buy now £40.00, Marks & Spencer
All Home 6 Piece Gadget Set
Already got all the slotted spoons and spatulas your kitchen can handle? Go up a rung on the kitchen utensil tier with this set of gadgets that every household could use. In this set, you’ll get the extras that aren’t normally found in basic sets: a bottle opener, can opener, garlic press, peeler, ice cream scoop, and a pizza cutter. Non-slip rubber handles support the stainless steel heads, finished in chrome for a sleek look. It comes with a matching chrome stand so you can keep you most reached for tools at hand.
Buy now £24.99, Wayfair
Habitat 6 Piece Utensil Set with Holder - Blue
Covering all the basics, Habitat’s utensil set is full of clever, double-duty tools for homemade grub. The six piece set comes with a matching holder to keep on your countertop and keep your cutlery drawer free of bulk. As well as slotted spoons and turners, there’s a vegetable masher, all made from long-lasting and hard wearing plastic in a smart shade of blue.
Buy now £18.00, Argos
Brabantia Colour Kitchen Utensils with Utensil Holder
Keep your utensils within reach and free from washing up gunk with Brabantia’s set, which includes a holder that supports the tools from the handles first. This means the utensils will dry upright and be perfectly clean for your next kitchen adventure. The space-saving set includes a slotted spoon, a spoon with a spout, a serving spoon and slotted spatula which also incorporates a prong - helpful for knowing when veg is tender. All are coated with a non-stick finish to protect the surfaces of your cookware.
Buy now £25.00, Dunelm
Kitchen Gadgets 5 Pieces Space Saving Kitchen Accessories
Short on space, but not on culinary ambition? This space-saving set of utensils has the most popular pieces in one bundle, from a veg peeler and mini grater to a bottle opener. Perfect for small spaces like motorhome kitchens or taking with you on your next camping trip, they’re made from robust ABS plastic and have been designed for lefties as well as righties in mind.
Buy now £14.39, Amazon
IKEA FULLÄNDAD 5-piece kitchen utensil set, grey
One of the few things from IKEA that doesn’t require hours of allen key construction, this is the perfect set of utensils if you’re strapped for cash or need an inexpensive set for the short term. The set of five come with hanging holes on the ends of the handle, so you can store on a rod and keep your drawers clear of bulk. As well as spatulas and serving spoons, there’s a slotted one to help cook things like pasta and a pair of tongs for handling piping hot ingredients. Each one is finished with non-stick coating, making cleaning up afterwards less of an ordeal.
Buy now £4.00, IKEA
The White Company Wooden Kitchen Utensils – Set of 3
While silicone is the optimum choice for cooking utensils, it’s not always the most aesthetically-pleasing look. For something more rustic, head to The White Company where you can pick up this natural oak wood set. The pared-back trio is made up of the most popular tools: a spoon for stirring and serving, spatula for flips and a perforated spoon that helps drain boiled, poached and steamed food. They come wrapped together in twine and make a lovely gift for the master chef in your life.
Buy now £30.00, The White Company
Lakeland Children’s Baking Gift Set – 5 Mini Baking Tools
Getting little ones involved in cooking isn’t just a wholesome family activity; it will teach them valuable cooking and nutrition lessons too. Lakeland’s mini baking utensils set shrinks some of the best baking tools down so they’re comfortable to hold in small hands. The five-piece set includes a whisk, spatulas, slotted spoon and basting brush, all colour-coded to make reaching for what you need easier. An ideal utensils set to help teach kids the cooking basics.
Buy now £9.99, Lakeland
