Essential Cookware

Whether you're a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, having the right cookware is essential for creating delicious meals. From sautéing and simmering to baking and roasting, the quality of your pots and pans can greatly impact your culinary creations. At Sur La Table, we understand the importance of having a well-equipped kitchen, which is why we have curated a collection of essential cookware that will elevate your cooking experience. Discover a range of durable, versatile, and high-performance options that will help you achieve professional-level results in your own home.

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  • Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Nonstick Hard-Anodized 17-Piece Cookware Set
    $329.95
    (373)

    I absolutely love my pans. They are great, clean easily, heat evenly ??????...I have had several different pans over the last 30 years and these are the BEST!!! Thank you Santa...For the money, this is the best cookware I have ever used and, in this...

    Pros: easy to clean, quality, oven safe

  • Staub Perfect Pan, 4.5 qt.
    $199.96
    (239)

    Quickly came to realize this pan is a great braiser, roaster, deep fryer, and fry pan....Love the rack that fits on one side of the pan to drain deep fried foods....Perfect for Super Bowl Sunday gatherings and the best pan for homemade donuts!...Love...

    Pros: versatility, color, easy to clean

  • Hestan NanoBond Titanium Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set
    $1999.95
    (163)

    Best pots...I've always cooked on great pots but I love these....Best for searing meats! Awesome...Best brand!...Great brand and great product!

    Pros: durable, easy cleanup, easy to clean

  • All-Clad Copper Core 10-Piece Cookware Set
    $1299.96
    (131)

    Awesome Pots and Pans, best hardware and looks great....Best Pans EVER!!...Absolutely love my new pans!!!

    Pros: durable, even cooking, quality

  • Zwilling Spirit Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set
    $499.95
    (127)

    Best Pans Ever!!...I love these pans and would recommend them to everyone!!...I could not love this set more!...Heavy, the ceramic non-stick is seriously great and the lids with the built in straining are incredibly...Best investment we've made in our...

    Pros: easy to clean, stainless steel, glass lids

  • Cuisinart GreenGourmet Hard Anodized 12-Piece Cookware Set
    $319.95
    (96)

    Great cookware set...I love this new cookware set heavy duty and well made! Nothing sticks to these pans....
    Best set of cookware I've ever had!...Great gift, they love it!

    Pros: easy to clean, non-stick, durable

  • Staub Traditional Deep Skillet, 8.5"
    $99.96
    (80)

    Best cooking pan...Cook's great, easy to clean....Staub best cookware ever...Love it! Staub is the greatest cookware! The color is beautiful!i

    Pros: quality, size, easy to clean

  • All-Clad Essentials Nonstick 2-Piece Skillet Set, 8.5" & 10.5"
    $79.95
    (79)

    These pans are great and match an All Clad set we already have!...Great price, arrived quickly and best pans ever!...Best Searing Skillets...Great skillets for cooking almost everything. Best for searing meats. They're also easy to clean.

    Pros: easy to clean, non-stick, nonstick

  • Cuisinart Preferred Pan 4-Piece Set
    $64.96
    (74)

    Great pan!...Best pan ever! Does not boil over due to lid design....Love having this pot!...This is a great pan, I love cooking with it!

    Pros: versatility, easy to clean, non-stick

  • Lodge Skillet
    $63.95
    (64)

    I love that Lodge is still made in the USA. They are the best cast iron pans, hands down....I LOVE to cook and can say my husband taught me much including my love for cast iron....We have read, looked at, tried, and read more and find that the LODGE...

    Pros: versatility, durable, quality

  • Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless Steel 14-Piece Cookware Set
    $279.95
    (57)

    Ideal for upgrading your current cookware collection or putting together a brand-new kitchen, this elegant 14-piece set was inspired by the kitchens of France. Easily prepare bouillabaisse, simmer delicious stocks or sear the best steak au poivre with...

    Pros: durability, quality, easy to clean

  • Hestan ProBond Stainless Steel Essential Pan, 5 qt.
    $299.96
    (56)

    Love all the hestan products...Hestan has the best quality products i own the hestan 42 inch gas grill and OvenBond Tri-ply Quarter...Sheet Pan with Rack and the stainless steel quality is great, i love hestan, the Professional Clad Stainless...I love...

    Pros: versatility, quality, size

  • Demeyere Essential5 Stainless Steel Saucepan with Lid
    $229.95
    (54)

    Great...Great quality,easy to clean and handle.highly recommended. You would love this item...Best soup and sauce pan I’ve ever had! Easy to clean and heats evenly.

    Pros: even heating, quality, high quality

  • Zwilling Spirit Stainless Steel 7-Piece Cookware Set
    $379.95
    (49)

    The advantages of 3-ply cooking meet the beauty of polished stainless steel in this 3mm-thick, seven-piece cookware set made using fully clad, scratch-resistant stainless steel with an aluminum core for even and responsive cooking. Flared rims pour liquids...

    Pros: dishwasher safe, durable, easy to clean

  • Demeyere Industry5 Stainless Steel Sauté Pan With Helper Handle & Lid
    $299.95
    (49)

    Love the heat conduction! Best pan ever! Lynn S....Love this pan. Quality cookware. Great performance.

    Pros: easy to clean, even heating, no rivets

  • Sur La Table Classic 5-Ply Stainless Steel Saucepan
    $129.95
    (41)

    Great pot...This is the best stainless steel pot I've ever purchased....Looks and works great. Perfect size for so many different things. I also love that it's rounded.

    Pros: perfect size, easy to clean, quality

  • Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Hard Anodized Nonstick 11-Piece Cookware Set
    $229.95
    (35)

    This versatile 11-piece cookware set from Cuisinart includes all the tools you need to perform virtually any cooking task. Serious chefs can sauté veal or salmon steaks, reduce a delicate sauce, and simmer the perfect stock. You can also slow-cook creamy...

    Pros: easy to clean, non-stick, easy cleanup

  • Demeyere Essential5 Stainless Steel 12.5" Frying Pan with Glass Lid
    $229.95
    (30)

    Great skillet! Love the glass lid....Love it!...Love it, heats. well and evenly, easy to clean, great size.

    Pros: easy to clean, even heating, size

  • Le Creuset Signature Braiser, 5 qt.
    $429.95
    (27)

    The Best!...The best chicken I have ever prepared!...Great

    Pros: versatility, quality, favorite

  • Viking Hybrid Plus Nonstick Skillet
    $69.96
    (25)

    Update your essential cookware with this multipurpose nonstick skillet from Viking. Made with a 3-ply stainless steel core, this skillet prevents hot spots so you can cook food quickly and evenly. The five layers of nonstick coating are protected by...

    Pros: non-stick, durability, appearance

  • Scanpan ES5 Skillet
    $84.95
    (78)

    I love this pan! One of the best that I have ever used!!...Best pan I ever tried! Don’t look any further. This is it!...
    I absolutely love making scrambled eggs, chicken tenders, vegetables and much more.

    Pros: easy to clean, non-stick, durability

  • Sur La Table Stainless Steel Cooling Grids
    $34.95
    (69)

    Great love it...Great grids...Love these for cooling foods or using in the oven for bacon.

    Pros: sturdiness, easy to clean, stainless steel

  • Scanpan ES5 Wok, 12"
    $124.96
    (65)

    ONLY AT SLT Ideal for stir-fries, noodles, healthy poached meals and more, this do-it-all wok features Scanpan’s incredible nonstick surface for effortless tossing and sautéing. Unlike standard nonstick, Scanpan’s Stratanium coating...

    Pros: easy to clean, durable, versatility

  • Scanpan Classic Nonstick Wok
    $159.95
    (25)

    This professional-quality wok is great for stir-frying, steaming, deep-frying, sautéing, braising, and more. Little to no added fat is required for cooking, so you can enjoy a healthy meal with minimal cleanup.

    Heavy-duty pressure-cast aluminum...

    Pros: versatility, easy to clean, non-stick

Essential Cookware

Building a well-rounded kitchen starts with essential cookware—timeless pieces that serve as the backbone for everyday meals and special occasions alike. Whether you’re outfitting your first apartment, upgrading your collection, or searching for a meaningful gift, the right cookware can make every recipe more enjoyable and every meal more memorable. Essential cookware includes a range of pans and pots, each designed for particular tasks: a nonstick skillet for delicate foods like eggs and pancakes, a cast-iron skillet for searing steaks and baking cornbread, a Dutch oven for slow-simmered stews and crusty loaves of bread, a stainless steel saucepan for whisking up sauces or boiling grains, and a large stockpot for hearty soups or weekend pasta dinners. As autumn settles in and kitchens fill with the aromas of roasted vegetables and simmering broths, having the right cookware on hand makes it easier to embrace the season’s flavors and traditions.

When selecting essential cookware, it’s important to consider material, construction, and compatibility with your cooking style and stovetop. Stainless steel offers durability and even heating, making it a reliable choice for a wide range of dishes. Cast iron, known for its superior heat retention, excels at high-heat cooking and can last for generations with proper care—a cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven becomes a cherished kitchen companion over time. For those who prefer a nonstick surface, modern ceramic coatings provide a non-toxic option for effortless food release and easy cleanup. If you love to grill indoors, a staub grill pan with lid lets you achieve perfect sear marks and juicy results, even when the weather keeps you inside. Check that your cookware is oven-safe and compatible with your stovetop, whether it’s gas, electric, or induction. Well-constructed pieces with comfortable, securely attached handles make cooking safer and more enjoyable, especially when moving from stovetop to oven or serving straight from the pan at the table.

Essential cookware makes a thoughtful gift for new graduates, newlyweds, or anyone setting up a new home. It’s also a practical choice for anyone looking to refresh their kitchen or expand their culinary repertoire. During the cooler months, these pieces shine—imagine simmering a big pot of chili for a football Sunday, roasting root vegetables on a rimmed baking sheet, or baking a batch of cinnamon rolls in a heavy Dutch oven. Each pan and pot has a role to play, from weeknight stir-fries in a sauté pan or wok to holiday feasts that call for every burner in use. Investing in quality cookware is an investment in shared meals, family traditions, and the simple joy of cooking at home. For those interested in exploring cookware designed for the demands of professional kitchens, our Professional Cookware collection offers even more options to elevate your experience. With the right essential cookware, every season and every meal becomes an opportunity to cook with confidence and creativity.

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