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This Is the Only Knife That Ina Garten Will Use in the Kitchen
Published on Apr. 25, 2025
Ina Garten can always be counted on to provide whatever you need to live your best life. Maybe that’s a reliable crowd-pleasing recipe for an upcoming event (in which case I recommend Ina’s favorite dessert). Or maybe you don’t feel like cooking, and just want to bask in the glow of a few Barefoot Contessa episodes with a glass of wine. Like I said, she’s always there for you!
Recently, I learned that Ina Garten hates cilantro. This really threw me for a loop! I kept thinking back on all those shots of Ina chopping up fresh herbs on her cutting board with her trusty knife. And then I started wondering if Ina Garten has a favorite knife (welcome to my brain!). Turns out that she does have a preferred knife, and it’s from a German brand.
What is Ina Garten’s favorite type of Knife?
Ina swears by German brand Wüsthof Classic for her kitchen knives. And I’m going to call it out right now: Yes, they can be expensive. But according to Ina, knives are the most important tool for any home cook. If you’ve ever tried to chop a bunch of veggies with a bad knife, then you know this is true.
The great thing about knives is that you only really need one good one and you’re set. A versatile chef’s knife is a one-time investment that can really take your cooking to the next level—especially if you take care to maintain it. You can find a Wüsthof Classic 6-inch chef’s knife on Amazon for $135 (and for $145, you can have it custom engraved, which would make a really great gift!).
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WÜSTHOF Classic Chef’s Knife
Want to cook like Ina? Pick up your own chef's knife in a variety of sizes and colors.
If you want a more budget-friendly option that isn’t going to skimp on quality, I recommend the IKEA 365+ brand vegetable knife. It costs $19.99, and I’ve used mine everyday for years with no complaints.
But regardless of what knife you choose to buy, the most important thing is taking care of it. Don’t use the knife edge to scrape chopped veggies into a pot, as this can make it dull. Use a bench scraper or the spine of the knife if you must. Make sure you’re storing it correctly, too. Ina actually stores her knives sharp side up in a knife block so she isn’t constantly scraping the blade on the wood. Finally, learn to sharpen a knife so that yours can cut well for years to come.
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