“There are WAY too many utensils in everyone’s kitchens. All you need are the standard silverware set and a spatula to complete almost anything in the kitchen. Drawer space is always wasted on useless tools we rarely use. Plus, less clutter means keeping things simple. That’s always a good thing,” Sharp says.

So now we’ve stocked up on all the essentials (and maybe one or two luxury items we just couldn’t resist), and we need some ingredients to actually cook with. Here are the top ingredients the chefs recommend:



Photo Credit: © iStock/Joe Brandt Essential Ingredients:

  1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This was the most recommended item by the chefs, seems you can’t live without it.
  2. Salt. Preferably sea salt or kosher salt.
  3. Butter. Not just for toast, butter can be used in all sorts of dishes.
  4. Cracked Black Pepper. Great for a simple seasoning blend.
  5. Garlic. Not everyone likes the flavor, but it’s used in so many dishes.
  6. Red and white wine. Goes great with dinner, but can also be used for sauces and in many dishes.
  7. Your favorite vinegar. “Vinaigrettes are so easy to whip up if you have oil and vinegar in the house and a little mustard to bring it together,” McCullough says.
  8. Cheese. Parmesan comes highly recommended, but whatever your favorite is, it’s good to have on hand.
  9. Eggs. Perfect for quick meals like omelets.
  10. Sugar. Essential for baking, and your tea.
  11. Chicken or vegetable stock. Better than water in soups.
  12. A basic spice set. This can vary depending on your tastes, but no one wants to eat bland food.