Discover the names of kitchen utensils in English. Learn 93 essential kitchen tools and their uses to enhance your cooking vocabulary and kitchen skills.
Ready to master your kitchen vocabulary? In this guide, you’ll learn the names of 93 essential kitchen utensils in English.
Discover what each utensil does and how it can help you in the kitchen. You’ll find descriptions and uses for each item.
List of Kitchen Utensils in English
This comprehensive list covers 93 kitchen utensils, organized into categories that make it easy to understand and locate each item. So, whether you love cooking or just want to better understand your kitchen tools in English, get stuck in!
Cutlery
Cutlery refers to the tools used for cutting, picking up, and eating food. This includes knives, forks, spoons, and other utensils that help in both the preparation and consumption of meals.
Here are the names of different types of cutlery:
Butter Knife – A small knife with a rounded, blunt edge used to spread butter, jam, or other soft spreads on bread. It’s designed to avoid tearing the bread.
Cheese Knife – A knife designed for slicing various types of cheese. It often has a forked end for serving and a sharp blade for cutting through different textures.
Chopsticks – A pair of slender sticks, often made of wood or bamboo, used for eating food in many East Asian cultures. They are used to pick up and hold small pieces of food.
Dessert Fork – A small fork with shorter tines used for eating desserts such as cake, pie, or pastries. It’s designed to handle smaller, delicate food items.
Fork – A utensil with three or four prongs used to pick up, hold, and eat food. Commonly used for dining and serving.
Knife – A tool with a sharp blade used for cutting, slicing, and chopping various types of food. Essential in food preparation and eating.
Salad Fork – A smaller fork with longer, narrower tines used for eating salads. It is designed to handle leafy greens and other salad ingredients.
Soup Spoon – A spoon with a deep, round bowl used for eating soups, stews, and other liquid-based dishes. It holds more liquid than a regular spoon.
Spoon – A utensil with a rounded bowl at the end of a handle, used for scooping, stirring, and eating food. Essential for various dining and cooking tasks.
Spork – A hybrid utensil combining a spoon and a fork, useful for eating foods that require both utensils, like pasta or salads.
Steak Knife – A knife with a serrated edge, designed for cutting through steak and other meats. Its sharp teeth help cut through tougher meat fibers.
Tablespoon – A larger spoon used for serving and measuring larger quantities of ingredients. It’s bigger than a teaspoon and commonly used in cooking.
Teaspoon – A smaller spoon used for stirring beverages like tea or coffee and for measuring small amounts of ingredients, often used in recipes.
Serving Utensils
Serving utensils are tools used to present and serve food at the table. They help in transferring food from cooking dishes to individual plates or bowls and are designed for ease of use during mealtime.
Here are the names of different serving utensils:
Butter Knife – A small knife with a rounded, blunt edge used to spread butter, jam, or other soft spreads on bread. It’s designed to avoid tearing the bread.
Cake Server – A flat, wide utensil with a pointed edge used for cutting and serving slices of cake. It makes it easier to lift and serve cake pieces.
Cheese Knife – A knife designed for slicing various types of cheese. It often has a forked end for serving and a sharp blade for cutting through different textures.
Egg Slicer – A tool with wires that slice hard-boiled eggs into even pieces. It makes it easy to prepare eggs for salads and garnishes.
Gravy Boat – A small pitcher used to serve gravy and sauces at the table. It often has a spout for easy pouring.
Gravy Ladle – A large spoon with a deep bowl used for serving gravy and sauces. It helps to pour sauces without spills.
Ice Cream Scoop – A tool with a curved, spoon-like bowl used for serving ice cream. It typically has a handle that helps release the ice cream easily.
Salad Fork – A small fork with longer tines used for eating salads. It is designed to handle leafy greens and other salad ingredients.
Salad Tongs – Tongs used for tossing and serving salads. They help pick up and mix salad ingredients without crushing them.
Serving Fork – A fork with long tines used for picking up and serving large pieces of food like you might find at roast dinners with a whole chicken or joint of beef.
Serving Spoon – A large spoon used to serve portions of food from a dish or pan. It is designed to hold and transfer larger quantities of food.
Soup Ladle – A large, deep spoon with a long handle used to serve soups, stews, and other liquid-based dishes. It helps transfer liquid from a pot to a bowl.
Sugar Tongs – A small tool with two arms used to pick up and serve sugar cubes. It allows you to handle sugar without using your fingers.
Tea Strainer – A tool used to strain tea leaves from brewed tea. It helps ensure that you only drink the liquid without any floating tea leaves.
Preparation Utensils
Preparation Utensils are tools used for preparing ingredients before cooking. This includes items for chopping, peeling, measuring, and mixing ingredients, making the cooking process more efficient and organized.
Here are the names of different preparation utensils:
Apple Corer – A tool with a sharp, circular blade that removes the core from apples and other fruits. It helps to prepare fruit for baking or eating.
Can Opener – A device used to cut open cans of food. It typically has a rotating blade and a handle to grip and turn the can lid.
Cheese Grater – A kitchen tool with sharp holes or blades used for shredding, grating, or zesting cheese and other ingredients like vegetables, garlic, or citrus zest.
Chef’s Knife – A versatile, all-purpose knife with a wide blade, used for chopping, slicing, and dicing a variety of ingredients. Chef’s knives are a staple in any kitchen and come in different shapes and sizes.
Colander – A bowl with holes used for draining water from cooked foods such as pasta or rinsing fruits and vegetables. The holes allow liquid to drain away while keeping the food in place.
Cutting Board – A flat surface used to cut and prepare food. It protects countertops and provides a stable area for chopping and slicing.
Garlic Press – A tool used to crush garlic cloves into small pieces by pressing them through a perforated chamber. It speeds up food preparation by minimizing the need for manual chopping.
Grater – A tool with sharp-edged surfaces used for shredding cheese, vegetables, and fruits into fine pieces. Commonly used in baking and cooking.
Kitchen Shears – Scissors designed for cutting various foods, including herbs, poultry, and packaging. They are more robust than regular scissors.
Mandoline – A tool with adjustable blades used for slicing fruits and vegetables evenly and quickly. It often includes different blade settings for various slice thicknesses.
Meat Tenderizer – A tool with a textured surface used to pound and soften meat, making it more tender and easier to cook.
Measuring Cups – Cups used to measure liquid and dry ingredients for recipes. They usually come in sets of various sizes to ensure accurate measurements.
Measuring Spoons – Small spoons used to measure precise amounts of ingredients, like spices or baking powder. They come in a set with different sizes for precision.
Mixing Bowls – Deep, round bowls used to combine and mix ingredients. They come in different sizes and are essential for preparing ingredients before cooking or baking.
Paring Knife – A small knife with a sharp blade used for peeling, trimming, and slicing small fruits and vegetables. Its size makes it ideal for detailed work.
Rolling Pin – A cylindrical tool used to flatten dough for baking. It helps roll out dough to an even thickness for pies, cookies, and other baked goods.
Santoku Knife – A Japanese-style knife with a flat blade and a slight curve, used for slicing, dicing, and chopping. It’s known for its sharpness and precision.
Spatula – A flat, flexible tool used for turning, mixing, and scraping food in a pan. It helps handle delicate foods without breaking them.
Tongs – A tool with two long arms joined at one end, used for picking up, lifting, and serving food. They are especially useful for handling hot or delicate items.
Utility Knife – A versatile knife used for various cutting tasks. It is typically smaller than a chef’s knife and handy for precise cutting jobs.
Vegetable Peeler – A tool used to remove the outer skin or peel from vegetables and fruits. It makes peeling quick and easy.
Zester – A tool with a grating surface used to remove the outer, colorful peel of citrus fruits. It adds flavor and aroma to recipes.
Mixing and Blending Tools
Mixing and blending tools are used to combine ingredients thoroughly. These tools help in creating smooth mixtures, from beating eggs and whipping cream to blending sauces and purees.
Here are the names of different mixing and blending tools:
Balloon Whisk – A large, round whisk with a balloon-shaped design used for whipping and mixing ingredients like cream or eggs. It incorporates air and makes mixtures light and fluffy.
Blender – An electric appliance used to blend, mix, and puree foods. It’s perfect for making smoothies, soups, and sauces.
Dough Scraper – A flat tool used to scrape dough off surfaces and cut it into portions. It’s useful for handling and preparing dough for baking.
Food Processor – An electric appliance that chops, slices, grates, and blends food quickly. It’s versatile and saves time in food preparation.
Hand Mixer – A handheld electric mixer used for beating and mixing ingredients like batter and dough. It’s portable and easy to use for small mixing tasks.
Immersion Blender – A stick blender that blends ingredients directly in a pot or bowl. It’s useful for making soups, sauces, and smoothies without transferring to another container.
Mixing Bowls – Deep, round bowls used to combine and mix ingredients. They come in different sizes and are essential for preparing ingredients before cooking or baking.
Mortar and Pestle – A set consisting of a bowl (mortar) and a grinding tool (pestle). Used to grind and crush spices, herbs, and grains into a fine powder.
Silicone Spatula – A spatula made of flexible silicone, used for mixing, folding, and scraping food from bowls and pans. It’s heat-resistant and won’t scratch cookware.
Sifter – A tool with a mesh screen used to sift dry ingredients like flour or powdered sugar to remove lumps and aerate them.
Spatula – A flat, flexible tool used for turning, mixing, and scraping food in a pan. It helps handle delicate foods without breaking them.
Stand Mixer – A stationary electric mixer with a bowl and beaters, used for mixing and kneading dough and batter. It’s ideal for heavy-duty mixing tasks.
Whisk – A tool with wire loops attached to a handle, used to beat, mix, and incorporate air into ingredients. It’s perfect for whipping cream or eggs.
Baking Utensils
Baking utensils are tools and equipment specifically designed for baking. This category includes items needed to prepare and cook baked goods, from measuring ingredients and mixing dough to baking and cooling the finished products.
Here are the names of different baking utensils:
Baking Sheet – A flat, rectangular pan with slightly raised edges used for baking cookies, pastries, and other items. It provides an even surface for baking.
Cake Pan – A round or square pan used to bake cakes. It comes in various sizes and shapes and often has straight sides for a uniform cake shape.
Cooling Rack – A wire rack with legs that allows baked goods to cool evenly by letting air circulate around them. It prevents sogginess by keeping the food elevated.
Loaf Pan – A pan with a rectangular shape used for baking loaf-shaped items like bread and cakes. It provides the structure needed for the loaf to hold its shape.
Measuring Cups – Cups used for measuring liquid and dry ingredients for recipes. They usually come in sets of various sizes to ensure accurate measurements.
Measuring Spoons – Spoons used for measuring small amounts of ingredients, like spices or baking powder. They come in a set with different sizes for precision.
Muffin Tin – A pan with multiple cups used for baking muffins and cupcakes. Each cup holds a portion of batter and helps in even cooking.
Oven Mitts – Gloves or mitts used to protect your hands from heat when handling hot pans or dishes from the oven. They are insulated to prevent burns.
Parchment Paper – Non-stick paper used to line baking pans and sheets to prevent food from sticking and to make cleanup easier.
Pastry Bag – A bag used to pipe frosting, fillings, or dough onto baked goods. It has a pointed end for precise application.
Pastry Brush – A brush used to apply egg wash, glazes, or butter to pastries before baking. It helps in achieving a golden, glossy finish.
Pastry Cutter – A tool with multiple blades used to cut butter into flour when making pastry dough. It helps to create a crumbly texture in the dough.
Pie Dish – A shallow, round dish used for baking pies. It has sloped sides to support the pie crust and filling.
Silicone Baking Mat – A non-stick mat used to line baking sheets, preventing food from sticking and making cleanup easier. It is reusable and heat-resistant.
Rolling Pin – A cylindrical tool used to flatten dough for baking. It helps roll out dough to an even thickness for pies, cookies, and other baked goods.
Cooking Utensils
Cooking Utensils are tools and equipment used to prepare and cook food. This includes various types of pans, pots, and specialized tools designed to handle different cooking techniques, from frying and roasting to steaming and sautéing.
Here are the names of different cooking utensils:
Basting Spoon – A large spoon with a long handle used to spread or pour liquids, such as marinades or sauces, over food while it cooks. Ideal for keeping meat moist and flavorful.
Cast Iron Skillet – A heavy, durable pan with a flat bottom and low sides, made of cast iron. It retains and distributes heat evenly, making it great for frying, baking, and searing foods.
Dutch Oven – A deep, heavy pot with a tight-fitting lid, usually made of cast iron or enameled metal. Perfect for slow-cooking, braising, and making stews or soups.
Fish Spatula – A wide, thin spatula with a slotted surface, designed to handle delicate fish fillets. It helps lift and turn fish without breaking it apart.
Grill Pan – A pan with raised ridges on the bottom that mimics a grill. It’s used to cook food with grill marks and a grilled flavor on a stovetop.
Meat Thermometer – A device used to measure the internal temperature of meat to ensure it is cooked to a safe temperature. Helps avoid undercooking or overcooking.
Potato Ricer – A tool with a handle and perforated basket used to mash potatoes into a smooth, fluffy texture. It can also be used for other vegetables and fruits.
Pressure Cooker – A sealed pot that cooks food quickly by using high-pressure steam. It is ideal for preparing tough meats and beans in a shorter time.
Roasting Pan – A large, usually rectangular pan with low sides and a rack. Used for roasting meats and vegetables in the oven, allowing fat to drain away.
Sauté Pan – A pan with high, straight sides and a flat bottom. Used for cooking food quickly over high heat with a small amount of oil, perfect for sautéing and pan-frying.
Skillet – A versatile, flat-bottomed pan with slightly curved sides, used for frying, searing, and browning food. Often used interchangeably with “frying pan.”
Spider Strainer – A tool with a wide, round mesh and long handle used for lifting and draining food from hot liquids, such as pasta or fried items.
Steamer Basket – A basket that fits into a pot and holds food above boiling water. Used for steaming vegetables, seafood, and other foods, preserving nutrients and flavor.
Stockpot – A large, deep pot with high sides and a lid, used for making large batches of soups, stocks, and stews. Its size allows for simmering long-cooking recipes.
Wrapping Up: Stick a Fork in It!
Congratulations! You’ve now explored the names and uses of 93 essential kitchen utensils in English. Understanding these tools not only makes cooking easier but also helps you navigate recipes and kitchen tasks with confidence.
With this knowledge, you can enhance your cooking skills and make your time in the kitchen more enjoyable. Keep this list handy as you continue to learn and grow your knowledge of kitchen vocabulary. Happy cooking!
James has been helping people teach English abroad for over twelve years. He’s traveled to over 30 countries, lived in 3, and taught English in Chile and online.
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