9 Best Mixing Bowls to Stir Things Up

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Though they may not receive much appreciation, mixing bowls are essential kitchen items. I reach for these bowls as I prep, mix, and serve meals. And if you are a baker, you can’t do without a steady and reliable bowl.

A fantastic mixing bowl should be sturdy and able to handle a variety of tasks from mixing pancake batter to tossing yummy salads to holding your popcorn. Actually, you may need more than one bowl for these tasks. You see, deeper bowls are better for working with dough and batter. And shallower containers are great for whipping, whisking, and tossing food.   

Luckily, you’ll find numerous affordable bowls in a variety of sizes. But which are the greatest? Well, I did the roundup for you. Read on for details on the best mixing bowls. These sturdy versatile containers are great for mixing, beating, folding, marinating, and much more.  

Let’s jump right in.

What to Look For When Choosing a Mixing Bowl

A superb mixing bowl will enhance your cooking and baking projects. When searching for the perfect mixing bowls, you should consider how you’ll use them. You need easy-to-clean functional bowls that are durable. Here’s what you should consider when you buy a mixing bowl.

Volume

Ensure that you check the capacity of a mixing bowl before you make a purchase. Don’t just look at the shape of the bowl. A deeper dish may hold less than you imagine. Always check the manufacturer’s details on bowl capacity and match the volume to your needs. But it’s always great to own a variety of different-sized bowls. Larger mixing bowls are handy for big thanksgiving dinners while smaller containers are great for your day-to-day kitchen tasks.

Shape

Did you ever try to toss a salad from a deep mixing bowl? Or have you stirred batter in a shallow wide bowl? Both these tasks are difficult because of the shape of the bowl. So, it’s wise to consider the form and structure of a mixing bowl.

For example, if you’re a regular baker, then you should have at least one deep mixing bowl. A deeper dish is better for batter and hydrating dough. A shallower dish is good for whipping cream or whisking eggs. For a standard bowl, its height should be approximately half the size of its diameter. Additionally, you’ll find bowls with handles and spouts that ease the pouring of liquid ingredients.

Compatibility with appliances

After all the effort of prepping and cooking food with that mixing bowl, I sure appreciate one that is easy to clean.  Plus, you need a bowl that can handle some heat when you want to melt butter, warm leftovers, or steam some green veggies. Therefore, check whether a mixing bowl is safe for your dishwasher, oven, or microwave. Such a bowl will make your work much easier in the kitchen.

Colors

You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to colors, from see-through glass to decorative ceramic bowls. Go for hues that blend in with your kitchen. Consider whether you need something pretty for serving meals or taking food to a potluck.

Material

Stainless steel bowls are versatile, durable, and unbreakable. Plus, they are easy to clean, non-porous, and lightweight. But they are not microwave- or oven-safe unless specified by the manufacturer.

Plastic bowls are lightweight and generally safe for the microwave. They are also great as storage or serving containers. Plastic mixing bowls can discolor and absorb odors especially if you work with oil-based ingredients like vinaigrette.

Glass bowls made of fortified glass can be used in cold and hot kitchen appliances. Most are attractive and safe for microwaves and ovens. Unfortunately, if handled without care, there’s always the risk that they could chip or break.

Ceramic bowls are the most attractive. You’ll find options that are beautifully crafted in a variety of beautiful glazes or painted colorful patterns. Though heavier than other bowls, ceramic bowls are great for entertaining.

The Best Mixing Bowls and Sets

1. Metal: 4-Piece Stainless Steel Bowls

by Crate & Barrel

This sleek stainless steel set comes with 4 attractive and sturdy mixing bowls. The dishwasher-safe bowls are perfect for mixing, marinating, tossing, stirring, and serving.

They are not too heavy and have solid bottoms that keep them steady as you mix away. The wide rims and lips offer a steady grip. You’ll reach for them time and time again as you work in the kitchen. Better still, the bowls are tall to prevent spills and splashes in your work area. Plus, they nest for easy storage.

They come in different sizes and stay shiny even after long-term use. On the downside, the largest dish is a 5-qt bowl which may not be sufficient for large batches of baked treats.

2. Glass: Duralex Lys Clear Stackable Bowl

by Sur La Table

When it comes to glass bowls, you need one that won’t chip easily. That’s why we love this chip-resistant clear glass bowl. It has a simple design and a tempered-glass construction that can handle hot and cold liquids.

With a great balance of depth and width, this bowl will make meal prep a breeze. And they are cute enough to take to the dinner table. It’ll hold cereal, soup, baked treats, popcorn, marinades, and much more.

This versatile bowl is safe for your microwave and dishwasher. Its Duralex glass has increased resistance to sudden impacts and thermal shock.

You can choose a specific size or buy multiple sizes separately. The good news is that different-sized bowls are stackable.

3. Decorative: Golden Rabbit Mixing Bowls

 by Pottery Barn

These gorgeous mixing bowls are great for those looking for something functional but pretty. With a nonstick interior, they are easy to clean after prepping and serving meals.

Each bowl has an airtight lid for easy transport and storage of leftovers. These durable bowls are made from thick-gauge steel and porcelain enamel.

Plus, they are scratch- and warp-resistant to maintain their beautiful finish. Each attractive set has 3 bowls measuring 4.5-qt, 3.5-qt, and 3-qt.

4. Lids: Orabel Melamine Bowls with Lids, Set of 3

by Crate & Barrel

These lidded bowls are great for keeping leftovers fresh, chilling meringues, and taking tasty treats to a potluck. Each of the three bowls comes with a thick durable plastic lid.

Plus, these versatile containers are easy to handle during meal preparation. They are made from lightweight melamine in a lovely palette of grays.

Moreover, these bowls are safe to wash on the top rack of a dishwasher. Better still, they nest perfectly when you remove their plastic lids.

5. Large: Rosti Large Mixing Bowl

by Crate & Barrel

With its classic design and 6-liter capacity, this large mixing bowl is awesome for kneading dough. Its wide features make it easy to get your hands in it. You can also use this roomy practical bowl to mix and whisk big batches or prepare large salads.

We love the anti-slip ring on its base which keeps the bowl steady as you work. Plus, it has a convenient handle and pouring spout. This light melamine bowl looks good, can resist temperatures of up to 150F, and is dishwasher-safe.  

6. Ceramic: Set of Vintage-Inspired Mixing Bowls

by Magnolia

You can use these sturdy ceramic bowls for a range of tasks like whipping up batter, reheating leftovers, and holding fresh fruits. Each bowl’s weight and wide rim offer great stability as you mix your ingredients. They are microwave- and dishwasher-safe. Plus, the three bowls stack together for convenient storage.

7. Handmixer: Non-Skid Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls

by Sur La Table

We are familiar with the messes that are caused by a mixing bowl that skids around the countertop as you prepare food. That’s why we appreciate these bowls with non-slip rubber bases.

These bowls are bottom-weighted so they won’t easily tip over. They are made of durable stainless steel with a matte finish on the outside and shiny interiors. Though they are dishwasher-safe, you can easily clean them by hand.

With these non-skid sturdy bowls, you can let your kid help you out without worrying that they’ll lose their hold on the container and cause a mess. Moreover, they are light and nest together for easy storage.

8. Eco-friendly: Bamboo 7-Piece Nesting Bowl Set

by Food52

Made of recycled bamboo, this set of bowls is perfect if you are looking for an eco-friendly option. These practical bowls are great for the smallest mixing tasks to prepping large batches of food.

They come in lovely designs with tall sides that help to minimize overflows and spills. With their wide range of sizes, these bowls can double up as measuring cups. And their beautiful colors make these stackable bowls a great addition to any sustainable kitchen.

They are dishwasher-safe. Unfortunately, they may be damaged by sharp utensils and they are not safe for the microwave.

9. Versatile: Mixing Bowl Set with attachments

by [amazon link=”B07N646N9S” link_icon=”none” title=”Wildone” /]

[amazon fields=”B07N646N9S” value=”thumb” image_size=”large” image_align=”center” image_alt=”Mixing Bowls Set of 5″]

For great versatility and functionality, spend on this mixing bowl set. It has five sturdy bowls with airtight lids to keep food fresh. For easy measurements, each container has etched quarts and liter markings. The set comes with three grater attachments. The largest bowl has a removable center on its lid where you can attach a grater.

Even better, these bowls have effective non-slip bottoms that aid the safe and thorough mixing of ingredients. The depth and high side walls prevent splatters and splashes.

The bowls are made of stainless steel with an attractive brushed exterior finish. Graters and lids are hand-wash only. But you can clean the bowls in your dishwasher.

Mixing Things Up

Everyone who spends any time in the kitchen will appreciate the value of a good mixing bowl. Used more often than we notice, mixing bowls are important for easy meal preparation. 

Durability and versatility are key factors to consider when buying these containers. You should not compromise looks for functionality.

Fortunately, there are awesome mixing bowls that offer the best of both worlds. In this list, I tried to capture everything you will need in the perfect mixing bowl. Select the ones that caught your eye and arm your kitchen with a reliable mixing bowl that’ll last for years.