When you’re cooking for two, having the right kitchen tools can make all the difference in not only how the meal turns out, but also in the amount of time spent making it.
While working with smaller portions means you may not need large kitchen equipment, the quality and versatility of the tools you do have and use become extremely important.
Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting out, having these products in your kitchen will help you create delicious meals with ease. So this holiday season, whether you are looking to purchase something new for yourself or trying to find that perfect gift for a friend or family member, consider one of the products below that have personally made my life easier in my own kitchen.
Top 15 Kitchen Tools When Cooking For Two
1. Digital Thermometer
A digital thermometer is a must for achieving perfectly cooked meat, poultry, and even baked goods. When cooking for two you will often choose smaller cuts of meat, which are easy to overcook.
An instant read digital thermometer ensures that everything is cooked to the exact temperature you want. Believe me, it is a life saver to prevent chicken breasts from being dry and tough when cooked.
Affiliate Product Link: ThermoMaven Professional Instant Read Digital Thermometer
2. Kitchen Scale
Not a common kitchen tool recommendation in the United States, but having a digital kitchen scale will make your life so much easier when it comes to portioning ingredients accurately.
Not only is a kitchen scale is ideal for recipes that call for precise measurements, it also comes in handy when you are cutting a recipe in half. You can easily measure small amounts of ingredients without any guesswork.
Because it is difficult to determine what really is 4 ounces of pasta when you have to purchase a box of noodles?
Affiliate Product Link: Trudin Kitchen Scale
3. Small Mixing Bowls
Small mixing bowls are perfect for prepping ingredients in manageable amounts. These bowls make it easy to organize ingredients for more complex recipes, whisk together sauces, or even for serving snacks when you make a charcuterie board.
Look for a nesting set to save space, and you’ll have a variety of sizes on hand without taking up all your kitchen cabinet space.
Affiliate Product Link: Anchor Hocking 10 piece Glass Mixing Bowl Set
4. Small Silicone Spatula
A small silicone spatula is a versatile tool and can be used for everything from scraping down mixing bowls to stirring sauces. But what I love most about it easily fist into jars and cans to get every last bit of food from the container.
Not to mention that its flexible, heat-resistant material allows it to be used on the stove without melting or scratching non-stick cookware. This is one tool I can’t live without!
Affiliate Product Link: Silicone Spatula Set
5. Soup Ice Cube Trays
If you love making soups, sauces, or broths but don’t want leftovers to go to waste, soup ice cube trays are a fantastic solution. You can pour your soups or broths into these trays, freeze them, and pop out individual portions whenever you need them.
They come in 1 and 2 cup molds, and because the have a square shape they stack easily so they don’t take up too much space in the freezer. Then all you have to do is heat a block on the stove for a quick and ready made meal whenever you need one.
Affiliate Product Link: Silicone Soup Freezer Tray
Must Have Baking Dishes – The Ultimate Kitchen Tools
6. Loaf Pan
A loaf pan isn’t just for bread. This versatile pan is perfect for smaller casseroles, meatloaves, lasagnas, and even mini desserts. (See my Loaf Pan Lasagna Recipe)
For two-person portions, the loaf pan is a great size that helps avoid making more than you need.
Affiliate Product Link: Wilton Metal Loaf Pan
7. 8 x 8 Baking Dish
An 8 x 8 baking dish is an ideal kitchen tool for smaller casseroles, side dishes, and baked desserts. It’s also great for making brownies, blondies, or other small-batch desserts.
The smaller size fits well in the oven and doesn’t take up much storage space, therefore making it ideal for couples or small households.
Affiliate Product Link: 8 x 8 Inch Ceramic Baking Dish
8. Small Oval Baking Dish
For elegant and practical serving, a small oval baking dish is perfect for one-dish meals. It works well for baked pasta dishes and vegetable gratins.
Affiliate Product Link: Lodge 2 quart Oval Baking Dish
9. Ramekins
Ramekins are perfect for personal-sized portions of desserts like crème brûlée, molten lava cakes, apple crisp, and custards. They’re also great for serving dips, sauces, or small appetizers.
However, not all ramekins are the same. They come in all different sizes, so choose one that is large enough to be used for several different recipes.
Affiliate Product Link: Vancasso 8 ounce Ramekin Set With Lids
10. Rimmed Baking Sheet
A good rimmed baking sheet is an essential kitchen tool for not only roasting vegetables and baking small batches of cookies. It is the perfect pan to make complete dinners like Sheet Pan Chicken and Vegetables or even an entire Christmas Dinner For Two.
Its rimmed edge keeps everything in place, so you won’t have to worry about spills or drips in your oven. Look for a high-quality, smaller-sized one to fit two-person portions perfectly.
Affiliate Product Link: USA Pan Bakeware Half Sheet Pan
11. Silicone Baking Mat
Silicone baking mats are a game-changer for baking and roasting. They’re reusable, making them an eco-friendly alternative to parchment paper. I have saved so much money over the years because I rarely use parchment paper.
A silicone baking mat also provides a non-stick surface, so your cookies, veggies, or meats won’t stick to the pan. And best of all, cleanup is easy! Just wipe it off with soap and water and you’re good to go!
Affiliate Product Link: Silicone Baking Mat
Small Appliances – Best Kitchen Tools When Cooking For Two
12. Hand Mixer
A hand mixer is perfect for quick mixing jobs, like whipping cream, mixing cookie dough, or beating eggs. It’s lightweight and easier to handle than a stand mixer, making it ideal for smaller jobs.
When cooking for two, a hand mixer takes up less storage space and is quick to set up and clean. However, be sure to purchase a good quality hand mixer that will be sturdy enough to get the job done.
Affiliate Product Link: Kitchen Aid 6 Speed Hand Mixer
13. 4-Quart Slow Cooker
A 4-quart slow cooker is the perfect kitchen tool for making small-batch soups, stews, and casseroles. This compact size is ideal for two people and allows you to make enough for a meal but also giving you the perfect amount of leftovers.
With a programmable slow cooker, you can set it and forget it, and your meal will be warm whenever you are ready to eat.
Affiliate Product Link: 4 Quart Programmable Crock Pot
14. Small Food Processor
A small food processor is incredibly handy for chopping vegetables, making sauces, and blending ingredients in small batches. From making fresh pesto to blending salad dressings, this tool speeds up prep work and makes it easy to work with the right portion sizes for two people.
Just don’t get too small of a food processor. You want one that can get the job done quickly without having to work in multiple batches.
Affiliate Product Link: Kitchen Aid 7 Cup Food Processor
15. Air Fryer
An air fryer is a game-changer, especially when cooking for two. You can quickly cook or crisp up small portions of vegetables, proteins, or even make small-batch fried foods with a fraction of the oil.
It’s fast, efficient, and much easier to clean than a deep fryer. Many air fryers also have multiple functions, allowing you to roast, bake, or reheat foods effortlessly.
I highly recommend getting a large capacity air fryer so that you can cook enough food for the two of you all at one time.
Affiliate Product Link: Instant Vortex Air Fryer
The Perfect Kitchen Tools for Two
Equipping your kitchen with these tools can make cooking for two more enjoyable, efficient, and delicious. With these essentials, you’ll be able to create a variety of meals, from quick weeknight dinners to more elaborate weekend treats.
Not only will you find it easier to cook small portions without waste, but you’ll also have a more organized and versatile kitchen. I can attest that each one of these products has made my life easier in my own kitchen!
Enjoy! Mary
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