We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
1. A versatile chop, slice, and dice unit that'll drastically *cut* down on food prep and cleanup time with interchangeable blades that can each be popped into the dishwasher.
This unit comes with three interchangeable chopping blades, three grater blades, and two slicer blades. It also comes with holding containers to house all the blades, a cleaning fork, and a safety holder.
Promising review: "I have arthritis so slicing and chopping have become so painful for me. This device made short work of all the chopping for our Thanksgiving dressing. I read the directions and watched a couple of YouTube videos to get a clear understanding of how the chopper works and how to best prepare onions, celery etc. for chopping. I finished all the chopping in record time, and my hands were pain free. This device gives me uniform dices — something a food processor can't do." —Charis
Get it from Amazon for $29.97.
2. A nonstick microwave pasta cooker for the need-it-now noodle lover. This easy-to-use container cooks and drains so you get perfect al dente pasta every time without dirtying multiple dishes!
Promising review: "One of those 'why didn't I think of this?' kind of things. It makes cooking pasta so easy and foolproof! No trying to bend/break pasta to get it to fit into a round pan. The instructions tell you exactly how long to microwave it for the different size proportions." —EQUUS
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
3. A hassle-free air fryer so you can easily whip up your own oilless fried food (brb dreaming about fried pickles) in a fraction of the time with a fraction of the usual mess.
This is the air fryer I bought for my parents a couple of years ago and they ~love~ it. The first time my mom used it she noted how easy it was to clean, especially compared to traditional oil fryers. The nonstick frying basket is completely detachable and includes a dishwasher-safe basket.
Promising review: "I love fried food (I use various healthy oils; grape seed, olive, avocado) but I hate the mess. This contains everything so no splashing. Very easy to clean. I put the basket in the sink to soak while we eat and then lightly scrub afterward. So easy to make chicken wings, fried shrimp, and lots of vegetables. We got it for Christmas and my wife commented that I seem to use have used it every day since. Very happy." —Larry Greenblatt
Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in four colors).
4. Plus, a quick reference magnetic air fryer cheat sheet if you're tired of researching cook times on your phone when your stomach is growling and all you want is to be eating your Trader Joe's potstickers.
The set comes with two different-sized magnets.
Promising review: "I thought it over a few times then I bought these so I could have a quick reference handy for those times I wanted to make something in my air fryer, which is quite a bit. What surprised me is how often I refer to it. I just throw something in my air fryer glance at the section that lists the item I’m cooking. Press a few buttons on my fryer and I’m in business. No more having to search on my phone with wet fingers. A frivolous buy that turned out to be worthwhile." —PickyExtra
Get it from Amazon for $11.29+ (also available in black).
5. A Yonanas fruit soft serve maker to satisfy anyone whose dinner-planning approach starts with dessert first. This easy-to-clean machine turns any frozen fruit into a creamy, sorbet-like treat in minutes, which is particularly perfect for vegans and any one else with a dietary restriction keeping them from getting their ice cream fix.
Promising review: "I saw one of these in action at a friend's house like five years ago and thought it was just a made up memory, because making ice cream out of solely frozen fruit seems wild. But when I saw a TikTok about it I immediately went to Amazon and bought it. Literally this was the BEST decision of my life. I cannot believe still how amazing this thing is! It makes the creamiest, best tasting fruit ice cream ever. It’s easy to take apart and clean, and super easy to use." —DMCKAY
Get it from Amazon for $42+ (available in five colors)
6. A pair of heavy-duty kitchen herb shears because fresh herbs taste great, but cutting them takes a lot of ~thyme~. Speed things up with these five-blade shears and an included cover that doubles as a comb to remove clinging herbs, making cleanup simple and reducing food waste.
These shears are also dishwasher safe for even easier cleanup.
Promising review: "These things are a lifesaver. My wife always complained about having to chop herbs...I found these on Amazon and decided to give them a chance. I can't say enough good things about them. Easy to clean (the protective cap can be used to scrape leftover herbs out of the scissor) and seem like they will last a while. Do yourself a favor and purchase these now." —Robb Fladry
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (also available in black).
7. An ever-popular Instant Pot Duo Plus that does the work of nine kitchen appliances in one compact cooker, saving you invaluable kitchen space while making it easy to whip up delectable meals faster than you ever thought possible.
The Duo Plus replaces nine common kitchen appliances. It can be used as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, and egg cooker, with the ability to sauté, steam, warm, and sterilize, and it even makes cakes!
Promising review: "We first tried a large whole chicken in this pot and (well after we remembered to shut the pressure relief knob) we had a perfectly cooked teriyaki chicken in less than a half hour (25 minutes). Pork roast is next. If you follow the directions it works great. There is a cookbook that comes with the pot. Also, there are a ton of cookbooks for the Instant Pot out there, so figuring out meals is a breeze. The lid takes time to learn to set on the pot to lock it in, but with practice it becomes easier. Anyone who likes a fast and tasty meal, the Instant Pot is the way to go." —Bill Ellis
Get it from Amazon for $84.55+ (available in three sizes).
8. Or just opt for a budget-friendly rice cooker for a set-it-and-forget-it way to get PERFECTLY cooked rice every. single. time. Plus, it comes with a basket for steaming veggies while rice is cooking. Now, be sure to add "multitasking" as a skill on your resume.
There's a lot to love about my roommate. One of those things just so happens to be his rice cooker, which I didn't know I couldn't live without until I had one around. I mean, what's not to love? It makes perfect rice every time by pressing approximately two buttons. I'll be honest, I've never used it to steam vegetables, but I've made a boatload of both white and brown rice in it over the last 2 1/2 years and it's completely idiot-proof — AKA perfect for moi.
Get it from Amazon for $39.92.
9. A handy Souper Cubes freezer tray designed to fit a serving (one cup) of soup or sauces per cube so you can freeze and then reheat when you need a quick meal. The included lids also make it super easy if you're already short on freezer space.
Souper Cubes is a small, family-run business with a passion for better frozen meal prep and food waste reduction! Plus, their products are BPA-free, dishwasher-safe, and it have fill lines on the side of the compartments for half and full cups.
Promising review: "LOVE LOVE LOVE. My freezer is so much more organized now. Gone are the days of having to defrost an entire bag of chicken broth for one cup for a recipe. I now have perfectly portioned half-cup and one-cup blocks ready to go. They fit easily in freezer bags, take up less space, and make me incredibly happy. There was a lot of attention to detail put into the design and I particularly appreciate the wire inside the rim that holds everything steady — no more worrying about spilling all the liquid on the way to the freezer. Just a fantastic product all around. I purchased this and a cheaper version from another manufacturer at the same time, but returned the other product. This one is definitely worth the added cost." —Kate
Get it from Amazon for $19.95.
10. A stainless-steel garlic mincer and silicone peeler if too much of your prep time is spent peeling and chopping fresh garlic. This magical peeling device is quick and prevents hand stank, while the simple-yet-effective mincer is waaayyyy easier to clean than a traditional garlic press.
Promising review: "I love garlic, but I don't enjoy peeling and mincing it. This thing made the work so much faster and easier! It's easier to clean and use than a handheld squeeze-type press. I bought one for my mother after telling her about mine, and she loves hers too :) Great price for a really useful kitchen gadget." —Lisa
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
11. A bamboo cutting board with seven color-coded mats to prevent cross contamination and maintain an organized prep zone. Plus, all these cutting mats store inside the wooden base, saving you tons of space.
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 $34.99+ (available in two styles).
12. A bestselling sauce sampler because it IS possible to make restaurant-quality meals at-home in under 30 minutes. Each packet combines all the sauces, aromatics, and seasonings you need to cook a variety of Asian dishes, and recipes are provided — just add your own protein and veggies!
Omsom is an Asian woman-owned small biz selling preservative- and artificial flavoring-free sauces from regions all across Asia to help up your cooking game with very little effort involved.
Keep these sauces stocked in your pantry, and you'll always have a quick and easy dinner option that you can really get excited about. The recipes they provide really couldn't be simpler to shop for/follow and I've yet to make one that wasn't an absolute ~delight~ to put in my mouth. If you're sensitive to spice, I would be mindful of their chili pepper ratings before buying, but if you have a pretty average spice tolerance none of their meals should give you any trouble. After enjoying them so much myself, I gifted my brother the Instant Pot x Omsom sampler for (somehow) even easier meals he can make right in his Instant Pot.
Get it from Omsom for $58.
13. A compact knife sharpener that's easy to store and will keep your blades in tiptop shape. You'll save a lot of time slicing, instead of sawing, through your tomatoes — I promise.
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).
14. A handy salad spinner with an easy-to-use spin knob and built-in drainage so you can wash and dry fruits and veggies with ease. No more soggy salads because you don't have time to let your lettuce dry.
Promising review: "I am 28 years old and never used a salad spinner before. I work on a farm now and have access to lots of lettuce so figured I'd invest in one. (AKA, asked my sister to buy one for me since I'm broke.) This thing is amazing and I now wonder how my 28 years of salad experience would've been different if I had this from the get-go. The spinner is very efficient in the little time it takes to wring out the water and easily pours out. It's pretty sweet and I highly recommend. It's well made and seems durable. If we take care of it enough, it may just become a family heirloom :)" —Krystal Montes De Oca
Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (available in two colors).
15. And for everything else, an extendable over-the-sink colander for a sturdy straining experience that doesn't require a death grip to keep your food from spilling all over your sink. Bonus — it can double as a thawing station or drying rack!
Promising review: "Having a stable and large strainer that I don't have to hold in the sink basin while I pour things has been life changing. I don't get nervous pouring pasta anymore thinking half of it might end up in the sink! After pouring pasta and produce in a small strainer my whole life, it's one of those things I didn't really think would be so amazing to have until I got this. I'm sending one to all my relatives because they don't know it yet, but they need this in their lives." —Cockatiel Mom
Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in five colors).
16. An under-cabinet lid opener if you live alone, have mobility issues, or pickle and pasta sauce jars just so happen to be your mortal, dinner-delaying enemy.
It comes with peel-and-stick adhesive strips and three screws for installation!
Promising review: "I have tried a million different tools and gadgets for help opening jars of all sizes, and each one had its own issues! Finally, someone has invented the perfect jar opener that is simple and requires no space in your kitchen drawers or on your counters. There was one person who suggested placing the opener with the sharp end of the 'V' closest to you and with it placed in the front, in the right corner, under your cabinet. I followed those directions, and it works perfectly and easily. I have already placed an order for another one as a gift for my sister." —cat lover
For more info, check out our full under-cabinet lid opener deep dive.
Get it from Amazon for $20.98.
17. Plus, a hands-free electric can opener to effortlessly crack open some canned corn without slicing your finger on jagged lids brought to you by manual openers.
Promising review: "I bought this for my mother, who has some problems with arthritis, and when we gathered around to see if it worked, we were all pretty impressed. It left the edge of the can crimped in a way that avoids those sharp edges, which I personally have been sliced by several times. At first, it didn't seem like it was working, but then we lifted it and boom! Open can. I might get one for myself, honestly." —Rachel C.
Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in 10 colors).
18. A pair of meat shredder claws that look like a fun Wolverine toy, but are actually incredibly effective at shredding meat quickly. One session with these and you'll scoff at the thought of poking at a pork shoulder with two forks again.
Promising review: "I used these to shred chicken for Thanksgiving and was so excited when I realized how effective these were. They were easy to hold and I didn't have to wait until the chicken was cooled. It made quick work of a usually tedious chore." —Bonnie Maxfield
Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in four colors).
19. A two-pack of Dan-O's seasoning for taking the time-consuming guesswork out of flavoring your favorite dishes. These all-purpose spice blends are no less versatile than your standard salt and pepper, but unlike other spice blends are low-sodium and free of any gluten, carbs, or sugars.
Dan-O's is a small biz that launched in 2017 and gained popularity on TikTok during the pandemic.
Promising review: "I became interested in this product while watching TikToks. I have been adding it to so many things. I use it in spaghetti, on fish, and one of my favorites is to add it to popcorn. My husband had to ask why my popcorn smelled like steak. I love the fact that it is low sodium as well. I am not a fan of extra salt and most foods already have plenty of salt but need some seasoning. This should be your go-to seasoning." —Heartcri
Get a pack of two (one original, one spicy) from Amazon for $21.94.
20. A set of modular sheet pan dividers so you can quit making DIY dividers with tin foil. These nonstick trays make it easy to divide food by cook time, so you can easily remove sections when they're done and avoid over- or undercooking any part of your meal.
Promising review: "Brilliant. 100000% Recommend them! It lets me separate veggies by how long they take to cook so they are all ready at the same time and nothing is over/undercooked. I love these cheat sheets. They are a great tool for my kitchen." —yule
Get a set of four from Amazon for $27.95+ (available in three colors, without or without lids, and in multipacks).
21. A super-convenient tofu press if you're tired of spending more time tending to your tofu than you do your cat. This all-in-one system works in the fridge without you needing to come back and increase the pressure.
Plus, all the water collects at the bottom so there's no mess and no need for paper towels.
Promising review: "I've been a vegan for 13 years and I can't believe I went this long without a tofu press. So much more enjoyable cooking with tofu after pressing it. This press is different than all the rest as it has a tray that catches all the water. You can put the whole thing in the fridge and it's hassle free. Take it out the next day and drain the liquid and you're good to go. The other presses require a plate underneath and some require tightening and adjustments as it presses. I'll admit after reading some of the reviews here of users with broken Tofuture presses I was hesitant to order but I've just been careful with mine and haven't had any problems so far." —Conner
Get it from Amazon for $27.94.
22. An EveryPlate meal subscription to cut out stressful meal planning and grocery shopping. This truly affordable kit will deliver pre-portioned ingredients to prepare well-balanced meals that can be ready in around 30 minutes. Less wasted food, money, and time!
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! 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. And lately, it's been a really easy way to eat more creative meat-free meals, because of their increasing (and delicious) vegetarian options.
Sign up for EveryPlate for $4.99/serving.
23. A slim magnetic stove shelf because dinner takes longer when your prep station isn't organized. Clear some counter space with this easy-to-install update and all your go-to oils and spices will stay out of the way but within arm's reach.
StoveShelf is a small business founded by Scott Fleming after struggling with storage space in his own small Milwaukee apartment. After a couple of beers, he quickly realized the entire top of the stove itself was wasted space, and the magnetic StoveShelf was born.
Promising review: "There was no set up...Take it out of the box and place it on the stove. The magnets are very strong keeping the shelf fixed in place. The magnets are raised allowing air flow underneath preventing the shelf from heating up. Sizing was perfect. I love it!" —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in three sizes and in five finishes).
24. An all-in-one pancake batter dispenser with a blender ball inside that makes it easy to mix, pour, and store batter all in one easy-to-clean receptacle. Breakfast for dinner *and* fewer dishes? Dreams really do come true.
Promising review: "I was a little hesitant to buy this as an addition to my camping supplies. I thought who really needs a pancake batter mixer? How hard is it to mix up some batter in a bowl and ladle it? After using this, I was extremely happy I spent the money and purchased it. It makes mixing the batter super easy and the control it offers when pouring the batter is exceptional. Get one!" —Monkey's Mom
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
25. Some Shark Tank-approved "everything" sauces for packing a whole lot of flavor into any dish with one quick addition. Whether you use it as a dipping sauce or a glaze on your favorite meats and veggies, you can feel good knowing each sauce is gluten-free, contains no high-fructose corn syrup, and 4x less sodium compared to other sauces.
Sienna Sauce was started by then-14-year-old Tyla-Simone Crayton after her favorite wing place shut down and she asked her mom if they could recreate the sauce. Together they created something even better, an everything sauce that won the favor of the Sharks in season 12 of Shark Tank.
Promising review: "Saw this first on Shark Tank so I thought I would give it a try. I figured if nothing else, at least I would be helping a young entrepreneur. I ordered the sauce and the delivery was very fast. I received a three-pack of different flavors. I tried one and found it to be awesome so I tested each of the others and they were the same. I am now a devoted consumer of these sauces. This young lady has hit a home run with this product!" —Navys-Top9
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $29.85.
26. A cotton twill do-it-all apron turned trusty kitchen assistant with extra coverage, loads of pockets, an easy-to-reference conversion chart, and even built-in oven mitts so you can spend less time fumbling for the right tools and more time, well, cooking!
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 sizes and five colors).
27. A variety pack of ready-to-eat beans if there just doesn't feel like enough time in the day to cook up the nutritious (and delicious) meals you crave. Simply warm up a packet in the microwave or on the stove and you've got a ready-made protein to mix into any meal in minutes.
A Dozen Cousins is a small biz aiming to create healthy, plant-based options that are actually convenient and authentic. The Black-owned brand is based in San Francisco and is named after the founder Ibraheem Basir's daughter, her 11 cousins, and all the family dinners they've shared.
My colleague Katy Herman is a big fan of these beans:
"This pack is from Black-owned, San Francisco–based bean brand A Dozen Cousins and comes with black beans, pinto beans, chickpea curry, red beans, refried black beans, and refried pinto beans. They're all vegan and made with avocado oil. I personally swear by their black beans, which I have just recently become completely obsessed with. They're so flavorful and perfectly seasoned and shockingly easy. Plus, one bag has about two small servings for one person, so I have leftovers the next day. I've been enjoying them with quesadillas and nachos, in homemade burrito bowls, and over microwave seasoned rice."
Get a variety six-pack from Amazon for $24.99.
28. A handy-dandy digital meat thermometer with a backlit display to instantly tell whether your meat is cooked through. No need to poke and prod your chicken breast wondering if it's going to give you food poisoning with this around!
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 $15.99 (available in three colors).
You, after whipping up your best work yet in record time:
