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Kitchen essentials to bring more homemade "yum" into 2021.
Curio Spice Co. is a woman-owned Cambridge, Massachusetts-based small biz specializing in sustainably produced spices from around the world. The founder, Claire Cheney, is a self-taught cook who, over the last 10 years, has visited and worked on spice farms and communities in over a dozen countries sourcing the best spices to bring back to her native New England.
The spice set, packed in a gift box with a ribbon, includes Egyptian cumin, toasted and ground in-house Sri Lankan pepper, organic and fair trade Maine sea salt, Maras chile flakes, Sri Lankan turmeric, organic, in-house ground Cassia cinnamon, Greek oregano, and Spanish smoked paprika.
Get a seven-piece set from Curio Spice Co. for $30.
This titanium nonstick set includes vented glass lids, an 8-inch fry pan, a 9-inch fry pan, a 1-quart saucepan, a 2-quart saucepan, a 3-quart deep sauté, a 5-quart Dutch oven, a spoon, and a slotted spatula. All pieces are dishwasher-safe and oven-safe to 350-degrees Fahrenheit.
Promising review: "This cookware really does make you a better cook. Meat browns up perfectly. They are heavy duty and easy to clean. Great heat distribution. This feels like a professional set and the price point is very good for what you get. I researched cookware heavily before settling on this set and I couldn't be happier. I think this set offers the best value of any set out there. You don't need to pay more for another set. This will handle everything!" —Lin K.
Get a 12-piece set from Amazon for $99.99 (originally $129.99).
The flexible cutting mats are BPA-free and designed to fit snugly into the top surface of the cutting board. Use them with or without the bamboo cutting board, and store them inside when not in use.
Promising review: "I was shopping for a set of small, identical cutting boards for prep work. Instead, I ordered this. The board itself is beautifully crafted bamboo, with an inset for the removable cutting mats. The rest store neatly under the board, ready to be pulled out and placed in the inset. This keeps the mat in place during use. A small thumb dent in the board makes for easy removal. I season meat or chicken, and simply leave them on a mat. Pull out the next and chop onions, dump those and pull out another for buttering buns. Or whatever. The most useful cutting board I've ever seen!" —Gary P. Olson
Get it from Amazon for $28.49.
Promising review: "Finally...an apron that is generously sized to properly protect my clothes, a sizing clasp on the neck strap that stays where you put it and ample pockets. I love it! Material is thicker than I expected so it can get warm but I will not give up this apron. So happy with this purchase." —Debra S.
Get it from Food52 for $45 (available in five colors).
This handy tool is top rack–safe for easy cleaning!
Promising review: "Are you an avocado lover? This product is for you. If you even looked through these reviews to decide if you truly needed an avocado slicer, the answer is clear — your avocado obsessions clearly requires this. I will admit, you can do everything this tool does without it. You may lose a minimal amount of avocado by using a knife instead to remove the seed and cut it open. This product is mainly for convenience's sake. However, I will say, the convenience is uncanny. It's simple to use, cuts everything just how you want it, and is worth the small investment for the future of my avocado enjoyment. If you inhale avocado, then the convenience is well worth the investment :)" —Friendly redwood
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
This handy kitchen gadget is a rice cooker, pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, sauté, yogurt maker, warmer, and more — all in one. If you don't need all the bells and whistles, you may want to check out the regular Instant Pot. Read our full Instant Pot review to learn more about it!
Promising review: "When my range blew up, I had to find a way to feed my family. Instant Pot to the rescue! This has all the bells and whistles, and is worth every dollar. I have used this from day one, at least twice a day, to cook meals. I have proofed bread in it and baked cheesecake in it. It does a great job. I like the upgraded safety lock, it is very easy to clean, and I highly recommend it." —CKE
Get it from Amazon for $119.95+ (available in three sizes and in two styles).
Check out more praise for this little gadget from BuzzFeed editor Elizabeth Lilly in her KitchenIQ knife sharpener review.
This teeny-tiny knife sharpener features two slots with carbide blades on one side to provide quick edge setting capabilities, and ceramic rods on the other for the final edge honing. Plus, there is a nonslip base for added stability and control.
Promising review: "I am a former chef and have many knife sharpeners. I rotate about 10 knives at home and have found this to be a tremendous sharpener to put an edge back on a blade. Use along with a honing steel after sharpening. I have purchased a bunch of these for friends due to their effectiveness and ease of use." —drockchef
Get it from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in four colors).
This BPA-free plastic 24-piece set includes four 0.5-cup mini containers, four 1.3-cup small containers, two 3.2-cup medium containers, and two 4.7-cup deep containers, plus 12 corresponding lids.
Promising review: "I bought these on a whim when they were on sale. I am so glad I got them! They are a sturdy, hard plastic and dishwasher-safe. I love the clamp-on lids with the rubber seal. No escaped smells, stained plastic, or leaks. My set has several different sizes so I always have a container that fits my leftover food. They stack well in my cupboards too! I threw out all my warped and stained Glad plasticware and am replacing them with these. I want to buy another set, but I will wait until they go on sale again. Recommended." —Bookworm from WV
Get a 24-piece set from Amazon for $39.99.
Vivaljo is an Austin-based small business run by Mariana who handmakes sleek, minimalist home decor items out of concrete.
Promising review: "These are more beautiful in person! Simple yet stylish. I love how they feel and with the cork on the bottom they are perfect for the counter. Thank you!" —Melissa Killen
Get it from Vivalijo on Etsy for $20+ (available with or without lids).
Promising review: "I've had these about a month — we use them CONSTANTLY — to keep food warm while cooking, cover plates/bowls in the microwave, as lids for leftovers in fridge. Honestly the best $40 I've spent for the kitchen. I've already bought them for my mom and mother-in-law for Christmas, and will be buying them for my best friends as well. Don't second guess it. Just get them." —saraederr
Get a five-pack from Food52 for $40 (available in two colors).
It'll auto shut off if the readout stays on for 10 minutes, and it's powered by AAA batteries (which are included). The screen is also backlit so you can see clearly even when cooking or grilling in low light scenarios.
Promising review: "I was growing tired of waiting for my old analog food thermometer to register a food's temperature so after seeing a friend using his digital thermometer while grilling chicken, I decided it was time to upgrade. This one looked like it would fit the bill so ordered it and I'm happy I did! Insert the battery, push the button to release the probe, lock it into place, turn it on and you are ready to go — plus, I like that it's red! Unbeknownst to me, my husband was also impressed seeing our friend's digital thermometer in action so he ordered one from another brand as a gift. That one arrived a few days after the one I had selected so we compared them and the ThermoPro is far superior in quality; the other one was returned." —FLPats54
Get it from Amazon for $13.99.
Since both of my parents worked, I grew up understanding the almighty power of the slow cooker. So much so, that this very slow cooker is one of the first things I bought for my own "adult" kitchen. Being able to program how long it cooks and have it bump to the warming setting automatically is great, especially when you plan to be out of the house all day. Then you just get to walk in to the smell of a finished dinner. It's great for making a million different things. A roast, pulled pork, mulled wine — the list is endless.
Get it from Amazon for $59.99.
Magic Linen is a family-run Lithuania-based small business handmaking high-quality, sustainably produced linen towels, bedsheets, and more, all of which are Oeko-Tex certified (absent of harmful chemicals).
Promising review: "Wonderful towels — great color and quality. Love the little hook sewn in, which allows me to hang them more easily from my kitchen cabinets. Very happy!" —Brianna Peregoy
Get it from Magic Linen on Etsy for $12 (available in 18 colors).
Promising review: "Probably the coolest holder I have ever seen. Bought it for my wife and she loves it and thinks it's cute. I laugh when I look at it! Hangs on all of our pots and pans and stays cool. Easy to clean and looks awesome. Great addition to any kitchen. Works great and does exactly what it is intended to do!" —Logan E
Get it from Amazon for $15.80.
Planning meals and going to the grocery store is the actual bane of my existence. The fact that EveryPlate sends me everything I need at a very affordable price is such a weight lifted off my shoulders! This photo is of a real recipe I've made, and loved, and have actually recreated on my own many times since! I've been using EveryPlate pretty regularly for over two years and there has never been a recipe I (a novice chef, at best) couldn't handle.
Sign up for EveryPlate for $4.99/serving.
My colleague Bek O'Connell swears by these! In her own words:
"The sleek-looking containers keep food fresh and presentable, so you don't have to get a lecture when your mom visits and peeks into your cabinets. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate your various needs. So far I've used them for sugar, flour, cornmeal, Wheat Thins, spaghetti, pretzels, and almonds. Each container has a big button on top that you can press to open or seal the jar. It's so satisfying to pop these things open that I can't imagine using a different container system ever again."
Get a five-piece set from Amazon for $61.05.
Read the rest of her OXO Good Grips container set review (#1 on the list!) to learn more.
This three-piece set includes a swivel peeler to tackle most fruits and veggies, a julienne peeler for creating extra thin julienne strips (if you don't have a spiralizer this can fill in nicely), and a serrated peeler for tackling tougher fruits and veggies like peaches, zucchini, and more! All peelers are dishwasher safe.
Promising review: "I have spent a few dollars here and there for various off-brand peelers. I finally got tired of the uselessness of these cheap peelers. I did a search and found this three-for-one deal. I know the brand is good and this was an awesome deal. Peeling tomato skins using the green peeler and making carrot strips with the orange peeler for salads have been so easy and enjoyable. Love it! Stop suffering from using cheap off-brand peelers and just get these! Just be careful when using as they are sharp." —chitty!!
Get a three-piece set from Amazon for $19.99.
This set comes with a 4.8-quart large mixing bowl, 3.2-quart colander, 1.75-quart steel sieve strainer, 0.5-quart small mixing bowl with measurements, four measuring cups (1 cup, 1/2 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/4 cup), and one tablespoon. The plastic is BPA-free, and all pieces except for the steel sieve are dishwasher-safe.
Promising review: "This bowl and measuring set is great for someone who wants to add some color to their kitchen but doesn't want to give up a lot of space. I have a small kitchen with limited cabinet space, so this set was the perfect solution to my issue. The bowls are very sturdy and work well, and the measuring set is great. It is nice to have everything all in one place and not have to search for a bowl or a cup to measure when cooking. I take this out and I am ready to cook. The non-slip base on the bowls is a nice feature and keeps the bowl in place while mixing ingredients." —Trickster
Get a 9-piece set from Amazon for $32.49.
Promising review: "I am one of the messiest cooks in the world. When I get done, I usually have scraps around my feet where I have knocked bits of veggies off the counter. I've looked for a long time for something to take care of the problem, but everything seemed like overkill. This container is perfect. It's just the right size. I attach it in front of my belly, and all the stuff that usually hits the floor goes in the container. Plus, I can wipe the counter into it, empty it in the trash, and pop it in the dishwasher." —Patricia Logos
Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in green and black).
These BPA-free measuring cups are dishwasher safe and are each marked with both imperial and metric markings.
Promising review: "I love these so much I had to come back and write a review! I cook every day so I appreciate good kitchen items. These measuring cups make measuring liquids so easy! I don't have to set the cup on the counter and scrunch down to see if it's the right amount. They nest beautifully so don't take up much space. And they are fine in the dishwasher" —LPG
Get a three-piece set from Amazon for $19.95.
Our Place is a WOC-founded brand bringing inventive cookware and kitchen products. You can braise, sear, steam, strain, saute, fry, boil, and more with this pan. It does the same job as a fry pan, saute pan, steamer, skillet, saucier, saucepan, nonstick pan, spatula, and spoon rest. The spatula is designed with an integrated spoon rest. The pan is dishwasher-safe and only weighs 3 pounds thanks to the lightweight aluminum body.
Promising review: "This pan is EVERYTHING! I went from making pasta in the basket to steaming broccoli in it and then finishing my meal in there. Then I forgot about cleaning it because I’m lazy and the nonstick cleaned up so easily. The sponge they include is incredible, I do all my dishes with it now. Also, it looks really cute sitting on my stove all day." —Darby S.
Get it from Our Place for $145 (available in six colors).
Synthia Saint James is a world-renowned Black visual artist whose art graces the hall of over a dozen US Embassies and who designed the first 2016 Forever Kwanzaa Stamp for the US Postal Service.
Both the mitt and pot holder are machine washable for easy cleaning!
Get it from Vida for $35.
Promising review: "As a kitchen utensil and tablet holder, the design is something you will want to display, but the function is gold. Trying to find somewhere to wedge a laptop and not interfere with the meal prep process or trying to use a tablet that wasn't always falling over or onto the floor was extremely trying. Having to keep walking across the kitchen while following a recipe is annoying at best and not a solution. On first use of this product, I'm happy to say those days are gone! The well is large enough to fit the necessary cooking utensils, or flowers if you like, along with a shelf that securely holds a tablet in place, yet remains compact enough not to interfere with meal prep at all. And having the convenience of your recipe at the right height and the right place — I cannot recommend this piece highly enough. Very well done!" –Mike
Get it from Uncommon Goods for $60.
Vicky Cakes is a Black woman-owned small business fronted by co-founder and CEO Christian Sargent, who was inspired by her mother Vicky's love of the kitchen and the simple yet delicious recipes she whipped up for her family as a single mother. The goal of Vicky Cakes is to bring families back together around the table for breakfast by creating delicious, easy-to-make pancake mixes that work for a busy, modern lifestyle.
All Vicky Cakes mixes are dairy-, GMO-, and preservative-free!
Promising review: "We made our cakes this morning for the first time and immediately all four of us fell in love. They tasted delicious, they were soft, and FLUFFY! I swear they tasted homemade. I HIGHLY recommend this mix. I will never buy stop mix again. I also appreciate the lack of artificial colors and ingredients. That's a HUGE plus in my book. I'm excited to try other flavors." —Angela T.
Get a three-pack from Vicky Cakes for $15.99.
Get it from Bespoke Post for $32.
Promising review: "I want order another one! I wish I had thought to purchase one of these sooner. The magnet is strong and holds plenty of my everyday knives. I decided to put it on the side of my fridge and it holds perfectly. I didn't need anything extra to hold it in place either. I'd like to get one more for the rest of my tools because this is so much better than the block! Now I have more counter space." —RayJoni07
Get it from Amazon for $17.99.
In need of an egg cooker deep dive? Check out BuzzFeed editor Marquaysa Battle's Dash Egg Cooker review.
This cooker includes the base, clear lid, measuring cup, poaching tray, omelet bowl, boiling tray, and a handy little recipe book!
Promising review: "Where has this gadget been all my life?! I love to cook but I always find boiling water for eggs to be annoying. It's very easy to use and the eggs come out perfect! You just pick how you want to make your eggs, fill the cup with water to the appropriate line, pierce the egg, cover it, and turn on. All in all, it's a great product and I’m happy with this purchase." —Death2Barbie
Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in five colors).
Promising review: "Greasy ovens don’t stand a chance against this cleaner! All you do is spray the foam-like substance over the entire oven. You will hear the foam sizzling while it works — it’s magic! After your oven has had a chance to marinate in the foam (two to three hours), you can start to wipe away the gunk! Literally, wipe your oven clean with paper towels or a disposable sponge with ease: no scrubbing required! Tip: to make the job even easier, or if you have some tough food spills and stains, leave the foam on overnight and wipe it clean in the morning! Recommend for literally anyone who has an oven! and even if you think your oven is fairly clean, just give this stuff a try and watch what comes off!" —Cori P.
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $22.97.
The set comes with a silicone peeling tube and a heavy-duty, rust-proof garlic press that is dishwasher-safe.
Promising review: "I wouldn't normally get excited over a garlic press. However, this set was a head-turner at our party. First, the garlic press is great quality and easy to use. The post 'smashed cloves' left in the holder are very thin compared to the last cheap press I have, so more of the garlic is actually used. Next, and sadly most excitingly, the rubber roller is THE BOMB at peeling garlic. Everyone had to try it after I loudly with my most excited voice said 'Holy crap, this thing actually works!' We all hate to peel garlic and it will never be a problem anymore! It is quick and efficient and you could even do it without having garlicky smelling fingers. Great combo!" —D. Metcalf
Get it from Amazon for $12.97.
Promising review: "My old, faithful friend bit the dust after almost 15 years. We bought a different can opener. Garbage. We bought another one. Complete garbage. Went to Amazon, praying they could replace my old one and there it was: my new bae!! There are some design differences; the turner knob is hollow. The handles look to be more waterproof than the original. (Don't leave your opener in dishwater as I was prone to do) I recently had carpal tunnel surgery, so opening ANY can was difficult. Not with my new bae! The action, while not as velvety as my old one, chews through the lids like...well, a very good can opener with sharp blades. FAST. EASY. I ordered another one to put into backup status. I'll probably open it up in 15 or so years." —Austin
Get it from Amazon for $14.95.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.