Homestead Kitchen Essentials: 7 Tools You Need to Cook from Scratch

If you are a homesteader or aspire to be one, you know that cooking from scratch is a big part of the lifestyle. You want to make the most of your homegrown or locally sourced ingredients, preserve your harvest, and create delicious meals for your family. But cooking from scratch can also be time-consuming and challenging without the right tools. That’s why I have compiled a list of seven essential tools that every homestead kitchen should have. These tools will make your cooking easier, faster, and more enjoyable. Let’s take a look at them.

1. Cast Iron Dutch Oven and Pan

This one’s a no-brainer. Cast iron cookware is durable, versatile, and easy to maintain. You can use it on the stovetop, in the oven, or over a fire. You can cook anything from soups and stews to bread and cakes in a cast iron dutch oven. A cast iron pan is perfect for frying, sautéing, baking, and roasting. Cast iron also retains heat well and adds a nice flavor to your food. Plus, it lasts for generations if you take good care of it. 

2. Stand Mixer

Don’t have a stand mixer yet? You’re missing out on a lot of possibilities. A stand mixer is not just for baking. It can also help you make homemade pasta, pizza dough, bread, whipped cream, butter, cheese, and more. A stand mixer can save you a lot of time and energy by doing the mixing, kneading, and whipping for you. You can also get different attachments for your stand mixer, such as a grain mill, a meat grinder, or an ice cream maker.

3. Chef’s Knife

Every homesteader’s kitchen should have a great chef’s knife. A chef’s knife is a multipurpose tool that can handle most of your cutting, chopping, slicing, and dicing needs. A good chef’s knife should be sharp, comfortable, and well-balanced. It should also be easy to clean and store. A chef’s knife can make your food preparation faster and safer. Invest in a quality chef’s knife and keep it sharp with a honing steel or a whetstone. 

4. Blender/Vitamix

So this one is a bit controversial. Some homesteaders may prefer to use a hand blender or a food processor instead of a blender. But I think a blender, especially a high-powered one like a Vitamix, is a great tool for a homestead kitchen. A blender can help you make smoothies, soups, sauces, dips, nut butters, nut milks, and more. A blender can also help you process your fruits and vegetables for canning, freezing, or dehydrating. A blender can also make your own flour from grains, seeds, or nuts.

5. Vacuum Sealer

Anytime you’re preserving, freezing, or storing food, you should have a vacuum sealer. A vacuum sealer can help you remove the air from your food packages, which prevents freezer burn, spoilage, and oxidation. A vacuum sealer can also help you save space in your freezer or pantry, as well as extend the shelf life of your food. You can use a vacuum sealer for meats, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, herbs, and more. You can also use a vacuum sealer for sous vide cooking, which is a method of cooking food in a sealed bag in a water bath at a precise temperature.

6. Food Dehydrator

A food dehydrator is another great tool for preserving your food. A food dehydrator can help you dry your fruits, vegetables, herbs, meats, and more. Drying your food can help you retain the nutrients, flavor, and color of your food. Drying your food can also help you reduce waste, save money, and create your own snacks. You can make your own jerky, fruit leather, granola, crackers, and more with a food dehydrator. You can also use a food dehydrator to make your own herbs, spices, teas, and powders.

7. Kitchen Scale

A kitchen scale is a must-have for any serious cook. A kitchen scale can help you measure your ingredients accurately, which can make a big difference in the outcome of your recipes. A kitchen scale can also help you portion your food, which can help you control your intake and avoid food waste. A kitchen scale can also help you convert between different units of measurement, such as grams, ounces, pounds, and cups. A kitchen scale can also help you weigh your food before and after cooking, which can help you calculate the nutritional value of your food.

There you have it, seven essential tools for your homestead kitchen. With these tools, you can cook from scratch with ease and confidence. You can also save time, money, and resources, while enjoying the fruits of your labor. What are some of your favorite tools for your homestead kitchen? Let me know in the comments below.