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Collected all on one page, this Shop My Kitchen list includes links to my favorite kitchen items.
In full disclosure, the links below are affiliate links, meaning that if you purchase an item, I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you.
My Favorite Kitchen Tools
KitchenAid Stand Mixer
If you do any baking at all, a stand mixer is a must! KitchenAid stand mixers come in a variety of colors and you can add lots of attachments (meat grinder, pasta maker, etc.). I use my tilt-head KitchenAid stand mixer to mix cookie dough, make cake batter, and even use it to quickly and easily shred baked chicken for chicken salad!
Ninja Power Blender and Processor
With all the nifty attachments, my Ninja doubles as a blender and a food processor—basically two kitchen appliances in one! It's heavy duty and blends up smoothies, pie dough, salad dressings, and homemade pesto in a breeze!
Open Kitchen Electric GriddleÂ
My Mom bought us a non-stick electric griddle for Christmas over 20 years ago and it still works perfectly! My husband loves using the griddle to cook Saturday morning pancakes and bacon. We've even taken it with us for family weekends in a mountain cabin!
Crock-Pot 6-Quart Slow Cooker with Digital Timer
A working parent's best friend! I especially love cooking weeknight dinners in my Crock Pot on those days that our schedules after work are crazy. Add ingredients to the slow cooker, set it, and forget it and dinner is ready when we get home! LOVE that!

Nordic Ware Half Sheet Pan with Oven-Safe Grid
The BEST sheet pan I've ever owned! This pan is heavy duty, easy to clean, and you can get a rack insert that's great for baking chicken tenders! I love this pan for sheet pan dinners!

OXO Good Grips Fish Turner
Not only is this wide spatula perfect for flipping fish, it works great for frying eggs, too. Definitely a super handy utensil to have in your kitchen drawer.

OXO Good Grips Cherry/Olive Pitter
What can I say? This little cherry pitter is a real gem! Ever since I purchased my OXO cherry pitter, I've gone a little crazy making cherry desserts! Easily pit a whole quart of cherries in just minutes—it's dishwasher safe, too.
elihome Cutting Boards & Silicone Spatulas
The best set of cutting boards I've ever owned! And, they are dishwasher safe — yay! Heat resistant and durable, I use their silicone spatulas ALL THE TIME. They're perfect for mixing up quick dips and sauces and for cooking with non-stick pans.
Staub Enameled Cast Iron, 7 Quart CocotteÂ
This beautiful Staub Dutch Oven is perfect for stove-to-table serving of hearty soups and stews. A heavy pot like this one is bound to become a piece of heirloom cookware in our family.
Nuwave Air Fryer Oven, Family Size
I've become a big fan of air frying the last couple of years and really like the big basket in this Nuwave family-size air fryer. I'm still experimenting with recipes, like my air fryer asparagus fries, but so far I'm loving it!
Viking Culinary Roasting Pan with Rack
I actually won this roasting pan in a contest, and WOW it is just amazing! This deep, stainless steel, roaster can accommodate a full size turkey or prime rib and is just what I needed for hosting large parties and family holiday dinners.
Stainless Steel Metal Measuring Spoons, Fits in Spice Jar
Admittedly, I have several sets of measuring spoons, but this is the only set that is designed with long, skinny spoons that fit through the top of most spice jars.. It's the little things that count!
Lemon Lime Squeezer - Manual Citrus Press Juicer
We use a lot of freshly squeezed lemons and limes, so this little tool gets a workout at our house!
Silicone Pastry MatÂ
Rinse it off and roll it up! That's what I love most about this pastry mat. It protects my kitchen counter when rolling out the dough for my Rustic Cherry Tart, when I make biscuits, cookies, or scones—a real time saver for me!

OXO Good Grips Thermocouple Thermometer
This instant-read digital thermometer takes the guesswork out of knowing when your meats are done! I especially like to use this tool to test my roasted pork tenderloin, no matter if I'm cooking it on the grill or in the oven.
Silicone Basting Brush
I use this little brush to brush oil on meats for grilling, to baste on barbecue sauces, and as a pastry brush when making pies and scones. It's the perfect size and dishwasher safe!

OXO Good Grips Complete Grate & Slice Set
Compact and easy to store, this grating set comes with a variety of blades and a safety guard (USE it with the slicing blade!). The lid doubles as a bowl to catch grated cheese or vegetables.
Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet
Every Southern cook needs a good cast iron skillet, especially if you like making cornbread (BTW, this Honey Cornbread with Fresh Sage is one of my faves) or frying chicken. I even use my cast iron skillet to sear and finish steaks in the oven.
Poultry Shears
Spring-loaded poultry shears make spatchcocking a chicken or deboning a turkey breast a simple task. Tapered blades for hard to reach places, these scissors cut through bones easily and without hand strain.
3 Tier Galvanized Metal Serving TrayÂ
And last, this fun tiered serving tray isn't a kitchen tool, but it is one of my favorite serving and decorating pieces. It's the perfect way to display party snacks or cupcakes. But, often it sits on my kitchen island loaded with fresh fruit for easy snacking.

About Sheila Thigpen
Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Food Writer
Sheila Thigpen is the publisher of Life, Love, and Good Food — a Southern food blog — and the author of Easy Chicken Cookbook and The 5-Ingredient Fresh and Easy Cookbook. After 20+ years in the publishing industry, she retired in 2018 to focus on her own creative endeavors full time. She and her husband live near the beautiful Smoky Mountains and have a precious little granddaughter who has stolen their hearts. As an influencer, Sheila has collaborated with brands like Creamette, Kroger, HERSHEY’S, Hamilton Beach, Garafalo Pasta, OXO, Smithfield, Valley Fig Growers, and more.