The Ultimate Guide to Indian Kitchen Tools

Indian cuisine is known for its vibrant flavors, but creating those delicious dishes requires unique kitchen essentials beyond the typical pots, pans, and spoons commonly found in most kitchens. Authentic Indian cooking relies on specialized utensils that bring traditional recipes to life. Indian kitchens go far beyond the spice jars you see in cooking videos—they feature a distinct range of cookware and servingware designed to simplify cooking. 

These essential tools are staples in every Indian household, integral to traditional culinary techniques. We've compiled a list of Indian kitchen tools to help you effortlessly create nourishing, homemade dishes that replace your favorite take-out meal.

1. Masala Dabba (Spice Box)

Masala Dhaba is a round stainless steel box with a lid, containing separate bowls and small spoons for scooping.  Masala dabba’s basic function is to store and organize Indian spices in one place.  Some staple spices usually placed in the masala dabba needed for everyday cooking include turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder (dhaniya powder), cumin seeds, elaichi (cardamom), and garam masala. 

2. Pateela 

Pateela is a deep, round-shaped, and wide-mouthed pot made of stainless steel that comes in various sizes. Pateela is used to make the majority of Indian food.  Pateela is the most versatile pot in Indian cooking as it's used for making chai, boiling milk, preparing curries, rice, and stews,  even baking without an oven. Its design allows for even heat distribution, making it ideal for slow-cooked dishes.

3. Karahi 

A karahi—also known as a kadai is a deep, round-bottomed cooking pot traditionally crafted from stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or cast iron. Its wide mouth and high sides make it ideal for a variety of cooking techniques, such as deep-frying, stir-frying, and sautéing.  

It is commonly used to prepare flavorful dishes like puris, pakoras, samosas, hakka noodles, and the iconic chicken karahi. Its design allows for even heat distribution, making it especially effective for cooking at high temperatures.

4. Belan and Chakla

The belan (rolling pin) and chakla (flat rolling board) are must-have tools for shaping Indian flatbreads like rotis, parathas, and puris before cooking. Made from lightweight wood, the belan is slimmer and lighter than a typical baking rolling pin.  These uniquely Indian tools help roll out dough evenly, ensuring flatbreads come out thin, round, and perfectly shaped every time.

5. Tawa

A tawa is a flat, round, shallow pan. After rotis or parathas are rolled out, they are placed on the hot tawa to cook. In addition to flatbreads, the tawa is also used to prepare popular street foods like pav bhaji and bun kabab.

6. Tong

Tongs, traditionally known as chimta, were originally made from iron, though stainless steel versions are now more commonly used. They are essential for flipping rotis or parathas on a tawa and for holding them directly over an open flame to get that perfect char. Tongs are also useful for grilling or roasting vegetables and meats over open heat.

7. Mortar and Pestle

A mortar is a round bowl typically made from materials like wood, marble, or metal, paired with a pestle—a matching heavy, club-shaped tool used for crushing and grinding. They have been known as a traditional grinder that has been an integral part of Indian cooking for centuries.

Mortar and pestle are commonly used to grind freshly roasted spices into powders or pastes, prepare spice blends like garam masala, and make flavorful pastes such as ginger-garlic or various chutneys including mint, garlic, peanut, and coconut. This method enhances the taste by releasing the natural oils and aromas of the ingredients.

8. Idli Steamer 

Idli steamer is a stack of stainless steel or aluminum trays with a separate round mold for batter. The trays are placed inside a larger steaming pot with a tight lid. Besides Idli, some of the other things that you can make in the steamer are dhokla, steamed eggs, rice cake, khaman, and steamed dumplings. 

9. Jhaara 

A jhaara is a flat, round utensil made of stainless steel used for lifting and draining fried foods from hot oil. It’s especially handy when removing items from a kadai or deep frying pan. The long handle helps keep your hands safely away from splattering oil. It’s commonly used while deep-frying snacks like puris, pakoras, vadas, and samosas.

10. Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker 

The Instant Pot or traditional pressure cooker has become an essential kitchen appliance, known for significantly reducing cooking time and making cooking more efficient. While pressure cookers have been a staple in Indian kitchens for decades, the Instant Pot has gained popularity in recent years for offering similar functionality with added features. From yogurt, curries, dals to boiled rice and even cheesecake, a wide range of dishes can be effortlessly prepared in it. One of its biggest advantages is that it requires minimal supervision during cooking.

Equipping your kitchen with these essential Indian cooking tools transforms the way you experience homemade Indian cuisine. It helps you understand traditional cooking techniques passed down through generations. Mastering Indian cuisine goes beyond learning recipes—it starts with having the right tools, and with the tools listed above, you can confidently recreate delicious Indian recipes.