Vegetarian Cooking Essentials – Best Kitchen Accessories 

Cooking at home as a vegetarian can be a fun and delicious experience especially when you have the right tools. The right kitchen accessories make meal prep faster, cooking easier, and eating plant-based foods more enjoyable. Whether you’re new to vegetarian cooking or a seasoned pro, these are some of the must-have kitchen gadgets and accessories for vegetarians.

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1. High-Quality Knife Set

A sharp, reliable knife is the backbone of every vegetarian kitchen. Since vegetables, fruits, and herbs will make up the bulk of your meals, you’ll want knives that slice cleanly and makes chopping effortless. Pair your knives with a wood cutting board for long-lasting use.

We have this 15 piece knife set from Henckels and it’s a great value. Henckels makes a quality knife and I love that these are dishwasher safe.

2. Food Processor 

From chopping veggies and shredding cheese to making homemade hummus, a food processor is one of the most versatile tools for a vegetarian kitchen. I use mine on almost a daily basis. This is the number one kitchen gadget I can’t live with out!

A food processor is used to make a lot of recipes but I also use it to meal prep for the week. At the beginning of the week I will shred a block of cheddar cheese. I keep the shredded cheese refrigerate in a storage container and use it as needed throughout the week. I do this with carrots as well because I love having grated carrots I can add to my salads and meals whenever I want.

My favorite recipe to make with a food processor is Carrot Pate Rustic Spreadable Dip. You have to have a food processor to make this recipe so that you can get the texture you want from the carrots and cashews in this dip.

3. Dutch Oven

A large Dutch Oven can be used to make stews and casseroles. Dutch Ovens are made of cast iron and are great because cast iron retains and distributes heat exceptionally well. This makes them ideal for versatile cooking like searing, braising, and even baking. The tight-fitting lid traps moisture and steam, which creates moist, tender food. I love cooking hardy root vegetables this way.

4. Cast Iron Skillet

A well-seasoned cast iron skillet is perfect for everything from sautéed veggies and searing tofu to baking cornbread and cobblers. Cast Iron can go straight from the stove top to the oven for baking. It retains heat beautifully and adds depth of flavor, making it a vegetarian’s best friend for hearty, one-pan meals. I’m a big fan of Lodge cast iron because they are made here in Tennessee.

My favorite recipe to make with a cast iron skillet is a cobbler! Cast iron allows for even baking and the caramelization of the fruit’s juices so you get crispy, buttery edges and a soft, moist interior.

5. Immersion Blender 

Perfect for blending soups and sauces directly in the pot. An immersion blender makes creamy soups a breeze without dirtying multiple dishes. Before I had an immersion blender I would have to transfer some of the hot soup from the pot to a regular blender if I wanted a smooth creamy soup. This eliminates that hassle and messy process.

6. Magic Bullet Blender

A smaller high power blender, like a Magic Bullet Blender, is perfect for making salad dressing, sauces, and smoothies. Because it is smaller it’s easier to clean and store. I use my Magic Bullet Blender in similar ways that I use my Vitamix blender. Lately I have been using this smaller blender more often than my Vitamix because it’s less bulky and much easier to clean. If you are looking at both products I would recommend this blender because it is so much cheaper unless you are planning on blending larger batches. I only use my Vitamix now when I’m making a larger or double batch of a recipe.

My favorite recipe to make with a Magic Bullet Blender is Dairy Free Nacho Dip. You have to have a high power blender to make this vegan nacho cheese sauce otherwise you will not be able to get the smooth velvety consistency this recipe calls for.

7. Storage Containers 

Cooking vegetarian often means lots of fresh produce and meal prep. Glass containers make storing leftovers or prepped veggies easy plus they’re microwave and dishwasher safe. I also use OXO, Good Grips Storage Containers. These produce keepers extend the life of fresh veggies. Their unique design keeps produce fresh longer. They have a carbon filter on the top on that slows the ripening process and they have an interior colander that keeps veggies fresher. I use these containers for lettuce and herbs.

8. Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

A pressure cooker can be used for all kinds of different recipes. We use our Instant Pot to make seitan and to cook dried beans. The Instant Pot makes surprisingly good corn on the cob too! This might be my second favorite kitchen gadget for vegetarian cooking just because we use it to make all of our seitan recipes.

My favorite recipe to make with an Instant Pot is Instant Pot Sloppy Joes. This is a a great one pot vegan meal.

9. Tofu Press 

For vegetarians who love tofu, a tofu press is a game-changer. Pressing tofu removes excess water, helping it absorb marinades better and cook up with a crispier texture. It’s perfect for stir-fries, scrambles, and sandwiches.

10. Grills for Outdoor Vegetarian Cooking 

Why should meat eaters have all the fun grilling? If you have the space for an outdoor grill I highly recommend getting one. Grilled veggies are delicious! Grilling opens up a whole new world of vegetarian cooking adventures. My Husband, Eric, loves grilled broccoli. When we grill out we often make Barbecue Seitan Ribs or plant based burgers. We have a charcoal Weber grill and a Blackstone flat top griddle. We don’t use the Blackstone that often but it’s great for making breakfast on the weekend. You can easily and quickly cook a large batch of pancakes, some hash browns, or an omelet.

My favorite thing to grill is anything unexpected or different because I love to experiment on the grill. Check out this recipe for a Grilled Strawberry PB&J Sandwich. Bet you never thought to grill strawberries!

Must Have Gadgets for Creative Vegetarian Cooking

• Mason jars for smoothies, overnight oats, and salads on the go.
• Spiralizer for healthy alternatives to pasta and can also create curly fries.
• Mortar and pestle for grinding spices and herbs.
• Air fryer for crispy veggie fries, falafel, and cauliflower wings with less oil.
• Vitamix blender for sauces, soups, and more!

Having the right kitchen accessories and a well stocked pantry can make vegetarian cooking easier, healthier, and a lot more fun. From a good knife to specialty tools like a tofu press or food processor, these gadgets will help you create delicious, plant-based meals without the hassle.

Invest in a few essentials, and you’ll be amazed at how much more enjoyable cooking at home becomes.