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1. A miraculous veggie chopper with four interchangeable blades that slice and chop your fruits and veggies for you. It cuts down your food prep time by a LOT, making it a huge relief for when you have guests coming over and you didn't know making stir fry could take that long.
Check out a TikTok of the veggie chopper in action.
Promising review: "Makes life so much easier. I can't imagine chopping onions or bell peppers by hand anymore, and it does so much more. We used to have a Prepworks chopper which was a similar idea, but you had to press so hard to chop, and it broke after not too long. This one requires very little effort to cut through the food and it has a generous container." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in four styles and four colors).
2. Plus a manual food chopper in case your knife skills are a bit underwhelming. This'll quickly get you a chopped-up concoction of fruits and veggies (plus, it's fun to use!!).
It's also dishwasher-safe (top rack only!) so cleanup is super simple.
Promising review: "This is great for cutting lots of veggies super fast. All you have to do is rough chop down your veggies toss them in and give it four to five pulls for perfectly diced chunks for salsa or toppings on eggs or tacos. It comes with a handy cover too so all you have to do is rinse the blade and toss the container in the fridge or cooler." —Kevin B.
Get it from Amazon for $18.42 (available in three colors).
3. An electric air fryer that gives you endless possibilities when it comes to your options for dinner. Use it to make fan faves like fries, spicy chicken wings, and fried vegetables (hey, just because they're fried doesn't mean they're not technically healthy...right?).
Promising review: "My husband surprised me with this fryer cause he said it was the deal of the day and couldn't pass up. I was hesitant at first because it is a very large piece of equipment and we have limited counter space. But once I started using this, I couldn't stop! I love it so much! It really does get things crispy! I have cooked chicken wings, tacos, zucchini fries, bacon, and more in it, and everything comes out great! You do have to play around with the temp and timing of stuff but once you get the hang of it, it's easy peasy! The digital buttons make it easy and it's nice to have different options instead of just off/on like with some fryers. And it actually isn't too heavy so I can move it on and off my counter easy, too. I think it's a great way to crisp food without turning on my hot oven in the summer! Would definitely recommend!" —willmatic84
Get it from Amazon for $59.95+ (available in three sizes and four colors).
4. Plus, a magnetic air fryer cheat sheet that'll let your inner foodie experiment with different delicious concoctions while giving you the peace of mind that everything will still come out fully cooked and safe to eat.
Promising review: "Bought an air fryer several months ago which I haven't used a whole lot because it came with only a few recipes but not enough info on other items to cook. The Lotteli cheat sheet gives you cooking times and temperatures for a lot of your common everyday foods in a magnetized easy-to-read, two-sheet combo that fills in where the air fryer pamphlet that came with the unit leaves out. I also bought an air fryer cookbook but this only comes with specific recipes, whereas the cheat sheet fills in the void for quick basic needs. Very happy with this purchase! 😁" —B. Frank Smith
Get it from Amazon for $7.45+ (available in two colors and two bundles).
5. Some slow cooker liners if the only thing stopping you from making that delicious chili is the cleanup afterward. 🫠 With these babies, your cleanup time is reduced to seconds!
Elizabeth: I adore my slow cooker but hate cleaning up after using it. So I use these handy lil' bags. Read my full review of Reynolds Slow Cooker Liners (#4).
Promising review: "I am so happy I decided to purchase these crockpot liners. I love cooking with my slow cooker! Do I love cleaning it afterwards? NO! This is such a simple step to take when cooking. Using this product saves you so much time from not having to clean out the crockpot after. You simply lift out the liner and throw it away when you are done. No fuss no muss! It is so nice to finish your day with a slow-cooked meal and not have to worry about scrubbing it clean. Highly recommend!" —Thomas Casey
Get box of six liners from Amazon for $3.48+ (available in three styles and four sizes).
6. A nonstick microwave pasta cooker so that you don't have to subject yourself to the patience it takes to wait around for water to boil. This cooker will satisfy your spaghetti craving in just 12–13 minutes! You'll be slurpin' up those yummy noodles like you're in Lady and the Tramp in no time.
Promising review: "I don't want to get all gushy over a pasta maker, but man...I really love this gizmo! I like spaghetti — either with normal Prego-type sauce or sometimes just with butter and Romano cheese sprinkled on. But I'm lazy and impatient, and don't like things that take a long time to make, with a bunch of steps, and a big clean up afterwards. The Fasta Pasta is perfect for me. I get the exact amount of correctly-measured spaghetti; it's faster than boiling water in a big pot then having to watch and stir the pasta; the pasta comes out perfectly cooked every time; and the cleanup is a snap." —Smilin Sam
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
7. Plus, some jarred truffle-infused pasta sauce that'll work its magic to transform any easy, reliable pantry meal into something straight out of a fancy restaurant.
Elizabeth: The Pomodoro sauce is hearty without any spice. And the Arrabbiata sauce delivers the heat. I've tried both of these flavors of Truff pasta sauce and they are SO good. It likely goes without saying but if you don't like truffles, you won't like this. It is VERY truffle-y. I'm also a big fan of the Truff hot sauce from the same brand. Most of the time I make a meal of whatever pasta and jarred sauce I happen to have as a last resort, but I look forward to eating pasta with this delish sauce — even if it's just noodles and sauce with not even a sprinkle of Parm to dress it up! It'll cost ya more than Prego or other store-bought sauces. But it's worth it as a treat!
Get two jars from Amazon for $29.99.
8. A set of nonstick, heat-safe sheet pan dividers so that you can meal prep like a pro. This lets you cook several ingredients at once — all on a single sheet pan!
Check out a TikTok of the nonstick sheet pan dividers in action.
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 $29.99.
9. *Reusable* toaster bags for when you're in the mood for a melty grilled cheese — aka always. And this way, you don't have to fire up that stovetop *or* catch your toaster on fire. (It was one time, okay?)
These are also a fan favorite for families with members who have Celiac disease or other food sensitivities.
Promising review: "Unless you are a 'foodie' and need to grill your sandwiches, this bag is a great way to get a warm sandwich — and if you have cheese on it, the cheese will melt. Just make your sandwich and put it in the bag. Put the bag in your toaster and you have a great sandwich! Its so easy, and when I am done, I just rinse the bag under the faucet. Great for kids who love grilled cheese without the fuss of 'grilling'!" —joycetv
Get a pack of four from Amazon for $4.95 (also available as a pack of six).
10. And a microwavable panini press, because it's no secret that those grill marks make any old sandwich extraaa yummy. This'll let you make your own paninis, grilled cheeses, and even meats with *just* a microwave. Pro tip: you can even use it make leftovers taste like a freshly made meal.
11. A cute lil' mini rice cooker that is designed to get you perfect, hot rice — a.k.a. the most versatile dish base ever — in less than 20 minutes! Reviewers rave about how consistent the end results are, so never end up burning your rice and having to make that emergency Thai food order ever again🤷♀️.
Plus, it's got PFOA-free nonstick coating, makes up to two cups of rice, and includes a rice measuring cup, serving spatula, and recipe book.
Promising review: "I love this rice cooker. I've used it a dozen times. It cooks rice so fast. I use the small cup they provide, fill the rice to the top, and then add two of the same small cups of water. Hit the cook button and go on to do other things. When it's done it's on warm. I don't add any butter or salt, the rice is cooked perfectly. The pot is nonstick, so very easy to clean up. Highly recommend." —DRG
Another promising review: "I wasn't expecting much for such a low-priced appliance. I'm glad I gambled on it — what a surprise that this cute little rice cooker performs exactly as it's advertised. It cooks rice perfectly, keeps it warm for as long as you want, and cleanup is a breeze!!!! It's so little that at first you can't believe it could make so much. Definitely get this if you're cooking for one or two." —Julie S.
Get it from Amazon for $21.95+ (available in seven colors).
12. The Omsom Bundle if you're a fan of all the delicious sauces, aromatics, and seasonings that an Asian dish brings. Each one comes with easy-to-follow recipes! Just add protein and veggies, and you'll have yourself a mouth-watering meal ready to eat.
Cofounders and sisters Vanessa and Kim Pham started Omsom after stints at startups and in consulting. As the kids of Vietnamese refugees, they were inspired by all the from-scratch Viet dinners they watched their mom cook growing up. With Omsom, they aim to bring lots of flavor to your pantry with their pantry starters that'll help you make some amaaaazing Asian dishes. Each starter serves two to three people. (Fantastic news for lazy people like me who buy a spice once and then let it expire.)
This bundle will give you some major kick for your buck. It includes the entire Omsom collection of 6 cuisines with 12 starters total, including one Southeast Asian Omsom Sampler with Vietnamese, Thai, and Filipino starters and one East Asian Omsom Sampler with Japanese, Korean, and Chinese starters.
Promising review: "Delicious and easy dinner. I love the flavors because they are nostalgic and delicious, and make mealtime a breeze with my kids." —Suzanne R.
Get it from Omsom for $59.
13. Pre-made simmer sauces — just dump this on your chicken breast once it's cooked in the pan, and you'll give it a *seriously* elevated flavor. Plus, you wouldn't even know that these are actually keto- and Paleo-friendly!
Elizabeth: I've tried nearly all of these sauces and can vouch that they dress up all kinds of stuff. If you're craving some takeout food you're too lazy to replicate at home, some of these (especially the Thai Coconut Sauce that's shown here) will help you get some of that taste without buying a million ingredients.
Promising review: "These sauces are magic. A high-end trick added to our meal prep. Really tasty options. We have been doing meal prep for quite a while and the salt and pepper meals were getting old. We tried to incorporate skillet sauces into our meals and tried all the brands out there. They were OK but not very healthy. When I saw these on Amazon, I had to try them (keto and Paleo certified) and they taste amazing. Now we have a different flavor each and every day and we can still keep the diet." —Fernando Pimentel
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $15 (available in nine flavor combos).
14. A crab spoon rest, a helpful lil' crustacean that'll lend a claw if you want to keep your spoon out of your stew without having to place your messy utensil on the counter. I'll obviously be naming mine Sebastian.
15. A Blue Apron subscription, because there's hardly anything that beats having groceries with easy-to-follow recipes delivered right to your doorstep. They even offer meal kits that fit many different diets and lifestyles, such as wellness, fast and easy, or family-friendly.
Subscribe to a single-serving plan from Blue Apron for $9.99+ a week.
16. A bottle of Mike's Hot Honey — seriously, this must be what had Winnie the Pooh in a chokehold. Add it to your favorite dishes (like pizza, wings, and tacos!) for that beautifully balanced "hint of sweet with a kick of spice" flavor.
I've used this stuff and it is FANTASTIC. Just don't pour it in your morning tea! It's not that kind of honey.
Promising review: "Saw someone try this in TikTok and knew I needed it. It’s so good and sweet and spicy. I love it on fried chicken and even pepperoni pizza. It’s delicious." —Tricia
Check out BuzzFeed's review of Mike's Hot Honey for more info!
Get it from Amazon for $13.49 (also available in multipacks).
17. A jar of Fly By Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp for those nights when you get home from work and you're in the mood for a flavorful meal but you are not in the mood to cook it. No need — just add this tasty condiment to your instant cup o' noodles and it'll give it just the right amount of spice, making your quick dinner go from basic to elaborate just like that.
Fly By Jing is an Asian woman-owned small business that makes sauces, seasonings, and dumplings featuring flavors from Sichuan.
Here's what BuzzFeed contributor Brittany Ross says about it: "Ever since my sister introduced me to this life-changing condiment, I've slathered it on pretty much everything I could think of — from roasted vegetables and noodles to seafood and popcorn. It's got a kick, yes, and while I'm a big fan of spicy food, the thing I love most about this chili crisp is that it also has great flavor that doesn't get overpowered by the heat, which happens with so many other spicy sauces. That deep savory flavor comes from ingredients like fermented black bean, shallots, mushroom powder, ginger, and seaweed, so it's no wonder it's become my go-to pantry staple when I want to zhuzh up my dinner in a matter of seconds. PS: Some people even swear by it as an ice cream topping!"
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in three sizes and three flavors).
18. A bottle of Bachan The Original Japanese Barbecue Sauce — a mouth-watering concoction of soy sauce, cane sugur, mirin, tomato, green onion, sea salt, organic rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and toasted sesame oil that'll turn your plain white rice into anything *but* plain.
Bachan is a Japanese-owned small business that makes this savory Japanese barbecue sauce. The name means "granny" in Japanese and founder, Justin Gill, incorporates the values and traditions his bachan passed down to him and hopes to continue them with his own family and in his business.
Promising review: "Alright, I get that this sauce is a little pricey, but it seriously packs some incredible flavor. I use this sauce as a binder for salmon. Apply a coat to both sides, season it, and then smoke it. I’m tellin' ya... it’s perfect." —Mark
Get a 17 oz. bottle from Amazon for $8.99 (also available in multipacks; check out more of the brand's flavors).
19. A versatile waffle maker you'll simply adore for an at-home brunch. It heats up in minutes and has dual nonstick surfaces so that cleanup is a breeze.
20. And to make things even simpler, a set of squeezable instant pancakes to make your Saturday morning pancakes as easy as adding water to the bottle and squirting the batter onto the pan or waffle maker. This also means less dishes, which is always a win in my book.
Happy Grub is a family-owned, US-based small business specializing in products to bring families together in the kitchen.
Promising review: "I love these pancakes and their ease with no messes! Just add water, shake and squeeze! Organic ingredients too! The kids love making shapes! Also perfect to bring camping!!" —KJ
Get a set of two from Amazon for $19.99 (also available in a whole wheat style).
21. A two-tier stackable steamer, aka your lil' sous chef here to take care of dinner for you while you commence your daily dose of TikTok scrolling. Priorities, right?
Promising review: "I love this steamer. I work full time and have recently joined Weight Watchers. I can make a meal in 15–20 minutes. It’s easy to use and easy to clean." —Marissa D.
Get it from Amazon for $34.99.
22. Or a mini steamer that'll make steaming frozen veggies as easy as popping them in the microwave.
23. A variety pack of Goodles — if you're a mac 'n' cheese lover (aren't we all?), you're gonna want to try this. It's made with REAL cheese and even has some extra stuff in it, like protein and prebiotics. But TBH, the flavor alone is what'll get you hooked. 😍
Elizabeth: I've tried all these varieties. My fave is the Mover & Shaker that's a mac 'n' cheese version of cacio e pepe (my fave kind of pasta). They're all super tasty and you can tell that they're more elevated than your standard boxed stuff. When it comes to pasta, normally I'm of the opinion that the cheesier, the better. And these pass that standard! Like, if I'm gonna eat a meal that's supposed to taste like cheese, it needs to taste like cheese. And these do — probably because these are made with *actual* cheese. That is unless you're trying out the vegan option that's made with cashew nut milk.
Get a four pack from Amazon for $19.99. Note that you can also score them for a bit cheaper than this variety pack by the box from Target for $3.39 each: Shella Good (aged white cheddar and shells), Cheddy Mac (creamy cheddar and macaroni), Twist My Parm (asiago and parmesan with spirals), Mover & Shaker (cacio e pepe-inspired), and Vegan is Believin' (plant-based white cheddar with spirals).
24. A Betty Crocker countertop pizza maker for those extra tough days when you just want a slice from your fave local pizzeria to magically appear in front of you. This gets you pretty darn close!
25. A dishwasher-safe silicone splatter screen designed to keep the grease in your pan and stop it from splattering all over your stovetop or forearms (*cringes*). Now, you can safely return to your goal of cooking more!
Promising review: "It is big — so it will fit large frying pans, etc. Yet it works on pans smaller than it diameter as well. It did a good job of lessening grease/fat splatters. It was placed in the dishwasher and came out clean and intact. Nothing high tech here — but he silicone does clean up nicely." —G.H.
Get it from Amazon for $12.99.
26. A variety pack of grain pilaf mixes because they come in a variety of different flavors that'll turn any of your go-to meals into one inspired by a traditional West African dish. And bonus! It takes just five minutes to cook.
Yolélé is a Black-owned, New York-based business established in 2017 that connects smallholder farmers in West Africa with local and global markets, and specializes in products inspired by traditional West African dishes.
The three flavors include Afro-Funk (dawadawa and herbs), Jollof (tomato and bell pepper, and Yassa! (onion, lime, and chili).
Promising review: "We ordered the variety pack and love all of them! This stuff is seriously good, and so quick and easy to make. Excellent quick and healthy meal...just throw in some chopped veggies and meat/tofu, and dinner is done in minutes. It’s also good cold, as a salad. Will definitely make this a staple in our house." —Kate in the Northwest
Get three-pack variety pack from Amazon for $18.95.
27. A pack of Velveeta cheese sauce with a scrumptious flavor that would make people think you spent a while preparing it. But in reality, all you had to do was pour it into a bowl, microwave it, and then dump it over pasta. You could also just use it as a dip for some good ole tortilla chips.
Promising review: "These have been great to use. Cooking for just one person isn't the easiest thing for me, but these portions have been great when I want mac 'n' cheese, nachos, or a small smothered burrito for one. I'm sure when it's camping time these will make it into my camping stash." —M. Cheatham
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $3.28 (also available as a 24-pack).
28. A pack of microwaveable Peacadillo in Salsa Verde taco filling that'll bring Taco Tuesday right to YOU. Made with green tomatillos, protein-rich peas, and serrano peppers, your future burrito bowls are about to be on another level. As a Mexican who grew up with my grandmother's cooking, this stuff tastes truly delicious and authentic. Plus, it's vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free!
SOMOS is a Mexican-founded brand that specializes in flavor-packed plant-based entrees with the convenience of microwave pouches.
Elizabeth: I've tried EVERYTHING in the SOMOS line after I was sent samples at launch. And then after I went through the samples, I bought a bunch of the product with my own money. Twice! And writing this reminds me that I need to do another order. This stuff is so so so good. And truly is just as easy as microwaving the pouch. I find that for me, I can do half a pouch of an entree and then half a pouch of a side (like cilantro lime white rice or Mexican brown rice) in a bowl, then top it off with a little bit of hot sauce (it's already quite flavorful!) and some green onions. Bam, there's your filling meal.
Promising review: "My husband is a carnivore and he was obsessed with this plant-based alternative. I am so happy to have found a healthy taco filling. It was also was delicious as a side dish!" —LEM2011
Get a six-pack from Amazon for $26.95.
29. An under-cabinet lid opener, because challenging yourself to open that jar of olives is all fun and games until it becomes a household competition and things get aggressive. Don't worry, this compact little tool will help you out *and* save you lots of wrist strain.
Promising review: "Works exactly as it says it does. I have small hands and trouble gripping things. This makes opening jars extremely easy and it opens in seconds just by twisting the jar counterclockwise. I'm so glad I ordered two so I can give one to a family member who has trouble with opening jars as well. I would definitely buy this again!" —H.T.
Get it from Amazon for $11.25.
30. A trio lasagna pan perfect for folks with family members that have ~varying tastes~ (and now your kid is apparently vegan??). With this, you can make everyone's fave version of lasagna all at once.
FYI, you can use these for brownies, blondies, and bread, too. This is also great for making several kinds of lasagna at once if you and other fam members have different preferences!
Promising review: "I loved everything about this pan. It's versatile, I can put three different cake mixes in each well, or meat loaves, etc. I really love this pan! A very happy customer." —Lisa F.
Get it from Amazon for $22.99.
31. An instant-read thermometer that'll act as your little helper to keep you from ending up with a drier-than-the-desert cake. Use it with meats and other desserts as well so that they're baked to *chef's kiss* perfection.
I sincerely hope you'll never have to suffer through a burnt steak ever again (the same goes for anything that's too raw as well), and using an instant-read thermometer is the best way to monitor the cooking process along the way and ensure your food is at its safest — and most delicious — temperature. This one might not be quite as durable as the pricier options on the market, but it's much more affordable and will cover any basic cooking needs — just don't leave it in the oven, like one reviewer did!
Promising review: "I like to make jam, and since moving to Denver I've had trouble accurately adjusting my recipes for the altitude. Things were coming out too soft (but still delicious!). This was a small investment that is making all the difference; I just cook to temperature now rather than time. I've made several batches and it is accurate, cleans up easily, and is sturdy and easy to use." —Jen P
Get it from Amazon for $9.98+ (available in two colors).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.