Things I Keep on My Kitchen Counter: The 3 – Always Leave Out
I’ve tried the minimalist thing. I’ve wiped my counters clean, tucked every gadget into a drawer, and promised myself that this time I’d “keep it simple.” It lasted… maybe a day. Let’s be real: my kitchen is a working kitchen, not a showroom.
And there are three things I always end up pulling back out. These aren’t trendy or high-tech. They’re the things I keep on my kitchen counter every single day. They make cooking easier, feel like home, and somehow keep me grounded.
1. My Wooden Spoon (No Surprise Here)
You already know my love for this one. My grandma’s wooden spoon has earned its permanent place. It’s right there beside the stove, resting in a little crock with a few other tools. Even when I try using something else, I end up back with it.
Whether I’m stirring scrambled eggs or folding together the base for a comforting egg roll in a bowl, that spoon just feels right in my hand. It’s not just a tool. It’s a reminder of where I come from.
I’ve tried fancy silicone and sleek metal ones. They look nice, but this one stirs better. It’s got history. It’s got grip. There’s even a little burn mark on the handle that I can’t bring myself to sand off.
2. The Big Bowl That Does Everything
This isn’t some artisanal heirloom piece. It’s a wide, speckled ceramic bowl I got on sale years ago. I swear, I use it for everything—salads, cookie dough, pancake batter, even tossing together chopped veggies and whatever protein I have on hand.
It’s perfect when I’m making something like a perfect salmon rice bowl or mixing the sauce for Thai coconut curry mussels. Everything just fits in this bowl. Clean-up is easy too.
This bowl lives on the counter because I use it too often to put away. It’s pretty and makes me want to cook. It’s definitely one of the things I keep on my kitchen counter without question.
3. My Garlic Jar (AKA Shortcut to Flavor)
Right next to the salt and pepper lives a little jar of pre-minced garlic. Now listen—I love fresh garlic. But on a Tuesday night when time is tight and I’m trying to pull dinner together while answering a math homework question, that jar is my lifeline.
I scoop a spoonful into the pan, stir it with my wooden spoon, and just like that—instant aroma, instant flavor. I use it for everything. Especially when making cozy dishes like creamy garlic parmesan chicken or beef seared in a spoonful of beef tallow for extra richness.
Why These Things I Keep on My Kitchen Counter Matter
I used to think I needed more gadgets to cook better. Now I’m realizing it’s the things I use with love, over and over again, that make the biggest difference. These things I keep on my kitchen counter never fail me.
So no, my counters aren’t spotless. But they tell a story. And those three things—my wooden spoon, my mixing bowl, and my garlic jar—they’re part of it.
What’s Always on Your Counter?
If your kitchen’s a little messy and a lot lived-in, you’re in good company. Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful.
