Rather than having cupboards packed full of different pots and pans, you should only have a few well-designed pieces of cookware that allow you to do what you want, under different temperatures and situations.
When I look into cookware, I judge off of a few different things:
- Price. At the end of the day, the price matters.
- Heat retention. How well will they heat up and retain temperature over different heat sources?
- Design. Will the handle get too hot, or will the cover not seal completely?
- Utility. Will this be able to handle all of my basic needs, and then some?
Generally speaking, good cookware is solid and a bit heavier than others. It will sit flat on a stove and conduct heat well, meaning it adapts quickly to changes in temperature. It will be sturdy, heat-proof, and will have secure handles and lids that will feel comfortable. In my opinion, these are the best cooking recommendations for your keto journey:
Cookware
TRAMONTINA TRI-PLY CLAD STAINLESS COOKWARE SET
THE PANS YOU'LL STILL HAVE IN TEN YEARS
While non-stick pans have the appeal of easy cleaning, they just don’t cook as well as these will. Going stainless gives a longer life to the pans, nothing to wear off, and the use of being dishwasher safe (though hand washing is the better bet).
Tri-ply clad is the part that matters. The aluminum core runs up the sides of every pan, not just across the base, so heat is even wherever the food touches and the pan responds the moment you turn the burner down. Reviewers rank it close to sets costing several times as much.
BLUE DIAMOND 12 INCH CERAMIC NONSTICK FRY PAN
FOR EGGS AND DELICATE FISH
Stainless is the workhorse, but you still want one big non-stick pan in the house. Eggs and delicate fish stick to stainless no matter how careful you are.
The ceramic surface releases eggs cleanly, and twelve inches does a four-egg scramble or a fillet of salmon with room to turn it. Every non-stick surface wears out, so use a little fat, keep it to medium heat, and stick to wood or silicone tools. There’s no lid, and it won’t work on induction.
LODGE 12 INCH CAST IRON SKILLET
EXTREMELY STURDY AND PRE-SEASONED FOR EASE
A cast iron skillet is perfect for those times you need a non-stick surface without having any of the chemicals. From heat distribution to heat retention, cast iron does a fantastic job of getting hot and staying hot.
Although it is pre-seasoned, I recommend seasoning it on your own for the perfect cook on your foods. Lodge is always a brand to choose because they’re known for using quality iron, which shows through on the heat distribution.
LODGE REVERSIBLE CAST IRON GRIDDLE
BREAKFAST TO DINNER IN A FLASH
You get two cook surfaces here. On one side, you can grill meats (with grill marks) easily and effectively.
On the other side, you can flat griddle sausage, eggs, and bacon in no time flat, and have it as crispy as you like it! Better yet, you can easily save all of that delicious fat and jar it up for the next time you need it!
Baking & Bakeware
NORDIC WARE NATURALS BAKER'S HALF SHEET
UNCOATED ALUMINUM THAT WON'T WEAR OUT
Non-stick bakeware is well known for losing its non-stick surface after a few months. A bare aluminum half sheet has nothing to wear off, and it browns beautifully.
This is the pan for oven bacon, sheet pan dinners, and cookies, with a silicone mat or parchment on top for release. You shouldn’t need much more than this to create, bake, and show off to all your other low-carb friends!
BIA CORDON BLEU RAMEKIN SET
IMPRESS YOUR GUESTS WITH EASY BAKING
Ramekins not only impress people with the presentation, but they are awesome containers for cooking portion-controlled food in an easy way.
Ramekins can be covered with plastic wrap and used as storage containers at the same time. They’re versatile, working from breakfast to lunch, dinner, and dessert, and can be used in almost any recipes if you apply a bit of creativity.
OXO SILICONE BAKING MAT
REUSABLE RELEASE FOR YOUR SHEET PAN
Silicone is one of my favorite things to use in the kitchen. From rolling out dough to baking cookies, a mat like this can be used for pretty much anything you need.
It does practically everything parchment paper does, and it rolls up for storage instead of going in the trash. This one is cut for a half sheet, so it drops straight onto the pan above. And you’ll love how easily your cookies come off of it.
Measurements & Utensils
OZERI PRONTO DIGITAL KITCHEN SCALE
MEASURE WITH PRECISION
Being able to accurately measure your food should be a priority in any kitchen. As many of you know, using cups as a weight measurement isn’t always the best way to find out how much you’re eating.
Using a scale will give you all of the information you want to know, so when you’re tracking your food, you’ll know exactly how much you’re eating and the exact macros of what you’re eating.
RUBBERMAID BRILLIANCE GLASS STORAGE SET
FREEZE, REFRIGERATE, AND REHEAT LEFTOVERS
Most of us don’t like to cook on a daily basis, but storing your food properly is one of the best things you can do to get the most bang out of your buck.
Using airtight containers that are both durable and space-friendly will make your food last longer, and your cupboards feel emptier. Glass doesn’t stain or hold last week’s smell, and the bases go from freezer to oven with lids off, or into the microwave with lids on and latches open.
SILICONE KITCHEN UTENSILS
NEVER SCRATCH YOUR COOKWARE AGAIN
Silicone utensils are easy to clean, won’t scratch your cookware, and look great. These have stainless steel running through the middle, so they don’t flex or bend back on you when you’re stirring something thick.
There’s no wood anywhere, which matters more than it sounds: a wooden handle has to be hand washed and dried or the joint splits and traps water. You get nine tools and a holder, and all of it goes in the dishwasher. Buy tongs separately, because the set doesn’t include any.
OXO MAGNETIC MEASURING SPOONS
DURABLE, MAGNETIC, AND EASY TO USE
These are the tools that have to be in every baker’s kitchen. From measuring out the exact amount of xanthan gum to the correct amount of oil, measuring spoons are something you’ll use on a regular basis.
Get stainless rather than plastic, and magnetic rather than a ring, so you can grab one without unhooking the rest. Even peanut butter out of the jar gets measured first, so you know how much you’ve eaten.
OXO STAINLESS STEEL MEASURING CUPS
DURABLE, BEAUTIFUL, AND SIMPLISTIC IN DESIGN
These guys save time and guesswork by allowing you to properly create the recipes you want to make.
Without having to measure out the ingredients in grams, these (almost) universal measuring cups will be the perfect addition to any baker’s arsenal. The markings are etched, so they won’t wash off.
THERMOWORKS THERMOPOP 2
STOP GUESSING WHEN MEAT IS DONE
We cook plenty of protein around here, and the fastest way to ruin an expensive cut is to pull it at the wrong moment. A pen-style instant-read thermometer removes the guesswork with a reading in two to three seconds, accurate to one degree.
Use it on steaks, roasts, chicken thighs, and anything you’re reheating. The display turns to face you, it’s waterproof enough to rinse under the tap, and it costs more than a bargain model because it’s built to keep working.
Looking for something else? Head over to our recommended keto products page for more suggestions on the products we and the community use.