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1. A "tingly" umami seasoning that'll give your protein a serious kick of flavor. Put it on salmon before cooking and prepare to get an expensive taste for a cheap price!
So $15 for a jar of seasoning might feel a bit steep but hear me out: This has made so many lackluster quick home lunches feel like something I paid $20 for and stood in line to order with everyone else in New York City. And you don't need a whole lot to add some amazing flavor either. When I use it for salmon, I rub the salmon in olive oil and then top it with this before cooking. I love salmon but am sorta bad at grocery shopping, so I tend to eat the same lunch over and over again. (Also, cooking for one is hard!) This keeps things feeling lively and gets me excited about food I actually fixed for myself. —Elizabeth
Promising review: "A very tasty seasoning to enhance and improve the overall taste of a meal. We use it on everything. I think I'll need to order another one soon!!" —John Sachs
Get it from Amazon for $30.90
2. An egg bite maker for Starbies-level egg bites in the comfort of your own home. This little gadget will make them on the cheap(er) side and allow you to customize 'em as you like.
Psst. A lot of folks also use these for pancake and protein pancake bites!
Promising review: "I bought this in hopes to make egg bites similar to Starbucks' and I have not been disappointed. I chose this one after reading reviews on the smaller four-bite size. I have used it several times and have had excellent results each time. I followed the recipe in the booklet and used a tip from another reviewer that suggested to triple the cottage cheese amount. It’s very easy to use and clean." —April124
Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in three colors).
3. A sandwich cutter and sealer that'll allow you to make Uncrustable sandwiches at home for WAY less (they add up!). Plus, they're the perfect afternoon *cough* midnight *cough* snack.
4. A magnetic stove shelf to *finally* have the perfect place to keep your spices. No more sifting through your cabinet for a pop of flavor! This rack magnets right to your stovetop so you can see everything in plain view.
StoveShelf is a small business, and these shelves are built to last a lifetime.
Promising review: "This is an excellent buy. The shelf helped me declutter my cabinet, and it is an awesome storage space for my more often used spices. It is sturdy, easily installed, and attractive. I recommend this shelf." —Pamella R.
Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in three colors and three sizes).
5. Slow-cooker liners so that your one-pot dinner can be served and cleaned up in one fell swoop. Place these bbs in your slow cooker, and it will look untouched!
I adore my slow cooker but hate cleaning up after using it, so I use these handy little bags. Read my full review of Reynolds Slow Cooker Liners (#4). —Elizabeth
Get box of six liners from Amazon for $3.25.
6. A Momofuku ramen noodles variety pack for those nights when you can't muster up the energy to make dinner. Just open the packet, boil some water, and eat up.
I tried out these noodles as part of the Ultimate Variety Pack and haven't looked back since. I want to ALWAYS have these in my kitchen cabinets. Yes, they're THAT good. I'm very lazy and have spent way too much money on takeout in my life, so I'm forever looking for a solution to help me get takeout-worthy food at home for the least amount of effort. These totally fit the bill. I also like to toss chopped scallions on top. I'll even even mix in sautéed veggies and chicken to help bulk up the dish...or just use up the stuff that I have that I know I need to eat. I adore them so much that I even bought my brother a big bundle of them for Christmas and he was VERY excited when he opened it because Momofuku and David Chang's amazing reputation precede them. —Elizabeth
Get a 15-pack from Amazon for $45.99 (includes 5 servings each of 3 varieties) or get a 20-pack from Momofuku for $52 (includes 10 servings of the popular Soy & Scallion and 5 servings each of the other 2 varieties).
7. An electric air fryer that will make you look at all the food in your house differently. Use it to make onion rings, fried pickles, hash browns, and more. There are dozens of scrumptious possibilities.
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 $62.30 (available in three sizes and four colors).
8. And a magnetic air fryer cheat sheet to help you know *exactly* how long to cook your dinner. If you have an air fryer, you might as well have this, too (it's way better than googling recipes to cook).
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 $15.99 (available in four colors).
9. A microwave pasta cooker that beats boiling water on the stove any day. It achieves al dente noods in a matter of minutes, and its top works as a strainer. Aka, cleanup is a breeze!
Promising review: "I LOVE this product. You can cook the pasta in any portion size and then strain it using the cover. It is so easy to use and clean up. The cooker/strainer is definitely dishwasher safe! I have used another microwave pasta cooker in the past, and this one far exceeds the quality!" —ruth thedinga
Get it from Amazon for $15.
10. A two-pack of jarred truffle-infused pasta sauce complete with a savory Pomodoro sauce and a spicy Arrabbiata sauce that delivers the heat. Each flavor is delish, even if you're eating plain ol' noodles 'n sauce.
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! —Elizabeth
Promising review: "This is the only jarred sauce I will buy that’s actually as good as my own without the trouble. Even though all their Italian gravies are not made in Italy anymore, this one is and is one of the most delicious, perfectly blended complementary flavors you can imagine. It is so extraordinarily delicious I literally eat it out of the jar at room temperature or pour some into a bowl and soak it up with a good crusty bread and eat it that way. The sauce is just too good for pasta. Yes, it’s on the pricey side, but it’s worth a splurge according to my very fussy taste buds and tight budget." —Unpredictable Quality
Get two jars from Amazon for $29.99.
11. *Reusable* toaster bags to make delish sandwiches without needing to firing up the stovetop (or toasting one slice of bread at a time). What's better than a cold sandwich? A hot one, of course.
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 $5.99.
12. A microwavable panini press so that you can finally make your own paninis, grilled cheeses, and even meats with *only* a microwave — grill marks and all! Reviewers also rave about its magical ability to improve leftovers.
13. The Omsom Bundle — basically a starter pack for delicious dinners. It contains 12 dish starters (aka sauces, aromatics, and seasonings) that you can use whenever. Each comes with a recipe, so you can quickly whip up with something good to make!
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.
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 $50.15 (originally $59).
14. A three-pack of simmer sauces that are made with simple and clean ingredients, because #health. They'll turn that boring chicken breast in your sink into something amazing! Once it's cooked in the pan, dump the sauce on for a totally transformed meal.
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) will help you get some of that taste without buying a million ingredients. —Elizabeth
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 a variety of combos).
15. A bottle of Mike's Hot Honey to take that pizza in your freezer to the next level. One drizzle makes basically everything taste better, cocktails included.
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. —Elizabeth
Promising review: "This is a great topping to pizza. Can be used in a multitude of ways but I mainly just add it to a pizzeria pizza or a frozen pizza straight from my oven. Good flavor. There’s heat, but not too hot." —Kate Singleton
Get it from Amazon for $13.49.
16. A jar of Fly By Jing chili crisp because it adds the perfect amount of ooh la la to meats, veggies, dumplings, ramen, and more. Be prepared: this will quickly become your new go-to condiment for its spice and crunch.
Fly By Jing is Asian woman owned and sells sauces, oils, and dumplings!
Promising review: "This is just as I remember when I visited Sichuan and the spicy hot pot I had in a small restaurant. Love it!" —Imants L
17. A Potato Express that will cook up to four potatoes in four minutes, because, let's be real, potatoes are the best sides for dinner. And topped with butter? Heck, they might as well be dessert.
18. A Dash mini rice cooker great for when you need a filling to go with that protein in your fridge. But it doesn't stop at rice! Use it to make oatmeal, stew, soup, quinoa, and pasta. There's a realm of possibilities — and its compact size makes it an easy sell.
Promising review: "I bought this for my daughter for her dorm at college. She loves making flavored rice and warming up soups and things. She likes it so well that she brings it home from college with her on breaks. It is especially nice that it has a removable pot, which makes it so much easier to clean or keep leftovers in. Would definitely buy again, don't waste your money on a slightly cheaper one that does not have a removable pot." —midohtree
Get it from Amazon for $21.95 (available in eight colors).
19. And a bottle of Bachan, The Original Japanese Barbecue Sauce, for a simple way to jazz up that plain white rice in your cabinet. It combines soy sauce, cane sugar, mirin, tomato, green onion, sea salt, organic rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and toasted sesame oil for a mouth-watering taste.
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 $8.69.
20. A waffle maker that's too adorable not to use on the regular. It's nonstick and easy to clean, making it even more of a sell. Breakfast for dinner, anyone?
21. A set of squeezable instant pancakes because it makes breakfast attainable every. Single. Day. Simply, add water to the bottle and then squirt out the batter onto the pan or waffle maker. Squirtable batter = way less dishes.
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
22. A two-tier stackable steamer that makes cooking veggies, meats, grains, and more so easy, you no longer have an excuse not to eat healthy. It's dishwasher safe, too, so cleanup isn't even hard! Say goodbye to frozen meals; this steamer is game changing.
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 $33.38.
23. A variety pack of Goodles — which might be the best-boxed mac you ever try, made with REAL cheese. It's also made with protein and prebiotics for bonus nutrition. I've tried all the flavors, and this stuff is the real deal for boxed food. I love it!
Like I said up there ^, I've tried all these varieties. My fave is the OG Cheddy Mac, which is made with mild cheddar and is super creamy, but tbh, all of the varieties pass my taste bud test. Seriously, this mac 'n' cheese is that good. —Haley
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. —Elizabeth
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $21.50. Note that you can also score them for a bit cheaper than this variety pack by the box from Target for $2.99+ — 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 the little more expensive Vegan is Believin' (plant-based white cheddar with spirals).
24. A jar of granola butter for you to spread all over your morning toast! It's nut-free, so you can get that peanut butter texture without the allergy. Reviewers say it's also great on ice cream!
Oat Haus is a small business specializing in nut-free, vegan, school-safe spreadable granola.
Promising review: "This is my favorite granola butter on the planet! I can’t go a day without it. Due to allergies, I can’t eat most granola and nut butters but I’m able to eat this one with no issues. Not only that it taste absolutely AMAZING! The cookie dough has been my absolute favorite so far!!! I love that the chocolate chips are no longer in the cookie dough because I would not be able to eat the original due to the sugar in the chocolate chips. This is absolutely amazing and can go with so many different breakfast, desserts, yogurt, or just straight out of the jar. You name it! I have several friends who have children with peanut allergies and I tell them about this and so far all of them have left it as well. Thank you Ali and team for creating an incredible product that’s healthy and allergen free!" —Teaching Is A Royal Adventure
Get it from Amazon: the cookie dough for $12.30, and seven other delicious flavors for $12.30+ (including a variety pack).
25. A Betty Crocker countertop pizza maker because as great as ordering pizza is, it can add up. Instead, make some 'za with this. This way, your pizza crust is just the way you like it.
26. A variety pack of fully cooked Indian chana to ease any take-out cravings you might have. Heat it up in the microwave and boom! You're ready to eat up (it's quicker than take-out, too).
Maya Kaimal is a legacy Indian food brand founded by its namesake (a two time award-winning, best-selling Indian cookbook author) in 2003. It sells tons of shelf-stable pantry items that are great if you're like me and HORRIBLE at planning out meals.
I'm queen of convenience foods (though really am trying to cook more!) but get bored very easily with what I eat. Seriously, every day is a struggle to not order off a food delivery app. (Hey, I'm supporting the local economy!) I've tried all of the varieties from this pack and have found them all to be super satisfying and filling when I pair them with some long grain rice. They make a VERY easy WFH day lunch that doesn't leave me hangry by 3 p.m. To prep, you simply open the package a few inches and put it in the microwave to heat. I'm no expert on Indian food but have eaten a fair bit of it in my life and I find that these are super flavorful but won't leave you breathing fire. *And* if you have leftovers, I simply leave it in the package, close it with a chip clip, and store it vertically in my fridge! You can see the Chickpeas + Coconut + Kale above with the brand's Turmeric + Cumin Surekha Rice. —Elizabeth
Promising review: "I was pleasantly surprised by the boldness of the flavor - it’s surprisingly spicy with some kick - and the spices are fragrant. It can be a quick lunch with or without rice. Or a light dinner with a side salad or steamed veggies. Good protein source. Very handy in pouches - would travel well. You could consume it cold if and it would be fine. I will purchase again." —Einina
Get six packs from Amazon for $34.99
27. A three-pack of Velveeta cheese sauce you can microwave and put on top of anything for a gooey and delicious taste. Use it on tortillas, pasta, and more. It's great for days you crave cheese *cough* everyday *cough.*
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 them from Amazon for $3.12.
28. A six-pack of microwaveable peacadillo in salsa verde taco filling that will help you craft the perfect taco or burrito bowl without leaving the house. This stuff is SO GOOD, vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free!
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. —Elizabeth
SOMOS is a Mexican-founded brand that specializes in flavor-packed plant-based entrees with the convenience of microwave pouches.
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 them from Amazon for $24.26.
29. A dishwasher-safe silicone meal prep tray sure to make meal planning for the week super freakin' easy. Each cube holds 1 cup of hot entrees like soup/chili/stew/sauce to reheat and enjoy whenever.
It also comes with a lid so you can easily stack them and four fill lines (½ cup, 1 cup, 125 mL, 250 mL).
Souper Cubes is a small business seen on Shark Tank that specializes in bake-and-freeze storage products.
Promising review: "I'm extremely happy with my Souper Cubes! I cook chili and soup and always make too much, having the ability to freeze serving-size portions is perfect. Saves time and food quality by not having to thaw it all each time I want another serving. High quality and since it's silicone and not rigid plastic it won't crack in the freezer. Highly recommend!" —Alexander S. Waterman
Get it from Amazon for $19.95.
30. A rapid defrosting tray that thaws meat quickly enough to stop you from ordering takeout. It uses the thermal conductivity of aluminum to thaw frozen food faster!
Promising review: "I was a little concerned this was going to be one of those gifts that were hyped up but it’s not. It’s not going to thaw a huge chunk of meat in an hour but I have thawed a chunk of chicken in a few hours. The product itself isn’t very thick which I like as it doesn’t take up a lot of space for storage. It doesn’t warm up, but pulls the cold from the meat, which makes the product thaw (like putting meat in cold water to thaw it faster and not cook it)." —Savannah A.
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.