13 Essential Tools for French Cooking

Fish Spatula

MIU France Large Stainless Steel Turner

$28 $25 at Amazon

Ask any professional cook, and we guarantee that their fish spatula will be one of their most-used pieces of kitchen equipment. This thin, malleable metal spatula is strong but delicate enough to slide under thin pancakes, crepes, or a rendering piece of fish skin. If you love a crispy, lacey-edged fried egg, it's also the perfect tool for gently lifting and allowing the excess oil (or butter) to drip away before being placed on your plate or atop a slice of crusty bread.

The MIU quickly rose to the top of our list during our tests thanks to its classic design and how easy it was to grip, maneuver, and hold. We also love how affordable and versatile it is, which makes it suitable for seasoned chefs or beginners. It's best used on cast iron or stainless steel, but you can use it carefully on your nonstick pans or opt for this silicone-lined one instead.

8-Inch Chef's Knife

Paudin Pro Chef’s Knife

$34 $24 at Amazon View on Paudinstore.com

An 8-inch chef's knife is an all-purpose shape and length for just about every cooking task. The Paudin Pro knife is lightweight and affordable, which makes it a great choice for beginners who want to work on their knife skills and do some serious cooking. We were pretty impressed with its consistent performance during our tests, and we loved how well-balanced and comfortable it is to grip.

The ergonomic wooden handle and high carbon steel blade are features you don't often see in knives at this price point, and with proper care and routine sharpening, this blade should last well in most home kitchens. But if you want to upgrade, try our favorite high-end knife pick: the Shun Classic Blonde Chef's Knife.

Braising Pan

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Braiser

$290 $232 at Amazon $290 at Williams Sonoma View on Le Creuset

For an escargot appetizer, roasting a cornish hen, or making a mini beef bourguignon for two, this small braiser is the best option. The smooth interior of the enameled cast-iron pan allows for the right amount of caramelization while preventing sticking. It's dishwasher safe, oven safe up to 500 degrees, and requires no seasoning. Sear proteins or vegetables first on high heat, then cover and let it all simmer for deeper and more delicious flavors. Many color options make it perfect to take from the oven or stovetop straight to the table for serving.

Metal Tongs

OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Tongs

$16 at Amazon $16 at Wayfair $23 at Walmart

When you're working efficiently in the kitchen, a good pair of tongs becomes an extension of your arm. This metal pair from OXO is lightweight but sturdy enough to turn a thick bone-in rib-eye or retrieve a chicken leg from a simmering braise. They're one of the best stainless tongs we've tested, thanks to their rubberized handle and excellent gripping capabilities. In our experience, 12 inches is the perfect in-between length for cooking on your stovetop and working on the outdoor grill too.

Rimmed Baking Sheet

Nordic Ware Naturals Baker's Half Sheet

$30 $28 at Amazon $28 at Wayfair View on Walmart

When buying baking sheets, chefs always invest in thick aluminum pans. We especially love this Nordic Ware pan, and it's our top pick for a reason. The height of its sides and the rolled edges made it easy to maneuver in and out of the oven, and we found it incredibly easy to clean. It even held onto its glossy sheen after several uses as well.

The extra thickness will help prevent warping, and the metal surface will give you better caramelization on roasted vegetables than those dark "non-stick" pans. Also, rimmed sides are key when it comes to keeping everything on the pan. You can use these for everything from cookies to roast chicken.

Nonstick Skillets

All-Clad HA1 Hard Anodized Nonstick Fry Pan Set

$100 $80 at Amazon $56 at Williams Sonoma $80 at Sur La Table

For a perfectly seared piece of fish with extra-crispy skin, a good nonstick skillet is a must. Also, unless you enjoy scrubbing pans for hours, it's the only skillet we'll ever cook eggs in. Nonstick pans do not last forever, but this reliable set from All-Clad will hold up to heavy cooking, especially where French food is concerned.

The 10-inch is the perfect size for most of your cooking needs, while the 12-inch is great to have on hand when cooking enough fish for four or making a large frittata. This set rose to the top during our tests for a reason, and the fact that you get two quality skillets for around $100 makes them an incredible value as well.

Silicone Baking Mat

Silpat Nonstick Baking Mat

$29 at Amazon $39 at Macy's View on Simon.com

Silicone baking mats do a much better job of protecting your food from the heat of the pan than parchment paper. You don't need a mat if your intent is to brown vegetables or meat, but they create an even heat that is ideal for baked goods and French desserts. Try it out with cookies or French macaron, then wipe off the mat or toss it in the dishwasher when you're done. A half-sheet pan-size mat will fit a standard home kitchen's rimmed baking sheet.

Linen Kitchen Towels

Pottery Barn Caravan Linen Stripe Tea Towels

$89 at Pottery Barn View on Bed Bath & Beyond View on Caravanhomedecor.com

Every classically trained chef has a stack of clean linen kitchen towels within arm's reach. Use these cloth towels to wipe your space clean, get hot pans in and out of the oven, wrap a loaf of warm bread, or cover the pain au chocolat on the table. These Caravan towels come in several fun colors, which we love.

Round Dutch Oven

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven

$409 at Amazon $260 at Williams Sonoma $420 at Nordstrom

A Dutch oven is an essential piece of equipment for long braises like Coq Au Vin and Beef Bourguignon, and it truly feels like one of those classic French kitchen items. The thick, enameled cast-iron walls conduct heat evenly (so there are no hot spots inside the pot) and help retain it. The heavy lid traps moisture inside the casserole and lets it drip back down onto your food, making what's cooking inside tender and moist.

Le Creuset is an iconic brand with plenty of style, so their pots can go from the stovetop to the oven to the table. Plus, it has consistently been a top performer during our tests. The 6-quart is a good standard size if you often cook for four people or fewer.

Tart Pan

Attmu Non-Stick Tart Pans

$21 $12 at Amazon

Whether it's filled with rustic apples, a savory egg custard, or a generous amount of caramelized onions, the French love their tarts. The tender-crumbed pastry can go sweet or savory, so make one for brunch, lunch, or dinner. This 8-inch tart pan has a nonstick surface and a removable bottom too, making serving and slicing beyond easy.

Ramekins

Norpro Porcelain Ramekins

$23 at Amazon

One can never have too many ramekins, and they're great to have on hand for cooking a number of classic French favorites. If you're unsure about what size to buy, an 8-ounce (or 1-cup) capacity ramekin is pretty standard and an ideal size for classic French soufflés, crème brûlée, pot pies, or crisps.

Oval Baking Dish

Le Creuset Stoneware Oval Gratin

$54 at Amazon $45 at Williams Sonoma View on Le Creuset

A ceramic baking dish is both versatile and makes for an elegant presentation. Use this 11-inch Le Creuset dish for a traditional French clafoutis, a classic dessert made with fruit and a pancake-like batter, or a scalloped potato gratin cooked in bubbling cream. You may even want to grab two.

High-Powered Blender

Vitamix Professional-Grade Blender

$500 at Amazon View on Vitamix $699 $698 at Newegg.com

For a light and airy hollandaise or a perfectly smooth vichyssoise, a high-functioning blender is key. This professional-grade blender from Vitamix is a bit of a splurge, but it is durable and consistent enough for everyday use. Plus, it blitzed through everything we threw at it during our blender tests. The 64-ounce pitcher is large enough for a batch of soup, and the variable speeds give you more control over consistency.