Want to cook like the Contessa? Shopping her fave kitchen tools is a start.(Getty)
It is a universal truth that Ina Garten knows all, so when the celebrity cook speaks, we listen. While her recipes have always been mouthwatering delights that even amateur home chefs can recreate, you can't get anywhere without a good foundation. The foundation, of course, is an array of reliable kitchen tools.
So, we pulled a Nancy Drew and dug around the internet to find out exactly what the Barefoot Contessa uses while she's whipping up enviably elegant comfort food in the Hamptons. From her favorite food processor to the vegetable peeler she adores, these are our cooking hero's must-have kitchen gadgets.
One of Ina's favorite gadgets is shockingly affordable! This option is only $6, and its carbon steel blade cuts cleanly and stays sharp for longer than most.
One thing you'll never catch Ina without? One of these essentials. "I have lots of timers," she told NYT Cooking. "I don't want to put something in the oven to forget about it, which I can do." Very fair! Amazon shoppers say this affordable option is easy to use and incredibly accurate.
Just like kitchen timers, Ina has a ton of oven thermometers. "No matter what it says on the dial, the oven itself can be totally different," she shared with NYT Cooking. Reviewers love this under-$10 thermometer for how user-friendly it is.
A good cast iron skillet is key in the kitchen, and this one from Lodge has Ina's heart. It comes pre-seasoned, so you can get right to the good part (which is obviously frying).
Ina often relies on one of these bad boys: "What I like is that something ends up with texture, so it's not just like baby food," she says about using the tool. The Moulinex version she loves is hard to find in stock, but Amazon shoppers adore this pick that's great for jams, sauces and purees.
Back in 2022, Ina shared with Food Network Magazine that she's partial to pop-up sponges during cleanup. Made from all-natural cellulose, these compressed options fatten up when immersed in water. Keep them fresh in between use by running them through the dishwasher.
Unlike standard dough flatteners, Ina finds this one — with a classic French handle-less design and tapered edges — easier to use with more precision and control.
What's great about this gadget, which Ina recommends on her website, is that the repeated grooved pattern is spread evenly across the face of the surface. That creates a larger area for food and allows you to grate more with less effort.
For heartier grounds, Ina depends on this top-selling model. Pro tip: Ina also uses one to make her own spice mixes (but don't use the same machine for coffee and spices, unless you want your latte to have notes of cumin!).
A good knife needs a good knife sharpener to keep said good knife sharp. Ina favors this brand — this compact model hones both straight-edge and serrated blades.
Le Creuset is pretty much the gold standard in cookware, especially when it comes to the brand's beloved enameled cast iron Dutch ovens. Ina told Food Network that she uses her 5.5-quart pot pretty much all the time. "It's great for soups, stews and braising," she said.
"I can't think of anything that's not great paired with All-Clad. It's just great equipment," Ina shared with Williams Sonoma Taste. She loves this cookware set because it's easy to clean, cooks evenly and retains heat beautifully. Even though the sticker shock can be intense, this set comes with two skillets, two saucepans, one sauté pan and a large stockpot. Plus, these pieces were built to last just about a lifetime.
As you can see in this NYT Cooking video, Ina's counter is covered with butcher blocks. She prefers the large Boos boards: "If you take care of them, they last forever." Noted!
When you think of versatile kitchen must-haves, ice cream scoops probably aren't at the top of your list, right? Well, Ina loves them — so therefore, we love them. Use this stainless steel tool for everything from cookies to meatballs and, of course, gelato and the like.
No home baker's kitchen is complete without a sturdy stand mixer, and KitchenAids are considered the cream of the crop for a reason. They're remarkably powerful and built to last, and make easy work of everything from kneading bread and mixing batters to whipping up cream and meringues.
According to the manufacturer, this model can hold nine dozen cookies' worth of dough at a time. Plus, it comes with a flat beater, whisk and dough hook. This is the lowest price we've seen since Black Friday.
Unlike cooking, baking is an exact science. Ina uses this essential to keep everything precise — and delicious. What's neat about this model is that the display can be pulled out, allowing you to read the measurements even when weighing things in large bowls.
Every home cook needs a good chef's knife — and Ina favors this brand. "They’re pretty expensive, but they last a lifetime," she shared with The Kitchn. "That's why I say, ask for one as a gift or buy one at a time." Made from high-carbon steel, this blade's built to resist rust and stains and can cut through pretty much anything.
In a video for Food Network, Ina shared that she uses this for things like potatoes, breadcrumbs and even thinly sliced Brussels sprouts. This model features an extra-large feed tube, a 625-watt motor and a variety of attachments and accessories.
Back in 2017, Ina told Bon Appétit that her favorite kitchen tool is a microplane because she loves "the zest of citrus fruit." She also uses it for garlic "because it grates it so finely."
If you're in the kitchen half as much as Ina is, you'll want to invest in a cushy standing surface. The Barefoot Contessa's favorite is this comfy landing pad that comes in a variety of colors and dimensions.
The tasting process is one of the best parts of cooking. Ina told NYT Cooking that she always keeps a bunch of inexpensive spoons in a jar on the counter to allow for impromptu dips. Easy peasy!
Ina loves a good Oxo kitchen tool, and this salad spinner is no different. It comes with a non-slip base that keeps the bowl steady and a built-in brake button for easy unloading. The basket doubles as a colander.
Last, but certainly not least, Ina sings this genius gizmo's praises, telling NYT Cooking that it's one of her favorite cleanup items. Simply pull the plastic wrap out and tap the machine for a perfect square in no time.
Ina uses this appliance — also known as the stand mixer to end all stand mixers. Not only does it come with a large-capacity bowl, dough hook, whip and flat beater, but you can choose from over 20 gorgeous colors. (Ina's is classic white, though.)
Ina told a fan on her website that she uses a food blitzer from this very brand. While her exact model is sold out at Amazon, this version has the same 40-ounce capacity.
Ina loves a good Oxo kitchen tool, and this romaine rinser is no different. It comes with a non-slip base that keeps the bowl steady and a built-in brake button for easy unloading. The basket also doubles as a colander.
