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. An 11-piece cookware set with detachable handles made with a nonstick granite material so you don't have to worry about the dishes you spent hours cooking getting stuck to the bottom of the pan. It comes with everything you'll need to get started and the detachable handles make storage a ~breeze~ since you can easily stack the pots and pans to save space.
This set includes two frying pans, two saucepans, two removable handles, fridge storage lids, silicone lids, and a saute pan.
Promising review: "I was looking for ceramic pots that are safe for the family and I but I was also looking for something that will save me space! These were the perfect find! They come with two amazing lids as well as lids to use in your refrigerator! Easy to put on the handles and they won't fall off no matter how heavy the contents are in your pot! We truly love these and will be buying more! These were even great for sautéing onions and browning them! Love these and would highly recommend!" —Areeba
Get it from Amazon for $69.99+ (available in two colors and six set sizes).
2. And a 10.25-inch pre-seasoned cast-iron skillet, which is bound to become your new BFF. Once you see the sear you can get with this, you'll never make a steak any other way again.
It can be used on the stove, in the oven, on a grill, and even over open flames. Do *not* put this in the dishwasher, simply hand wash it with a mild soap or no soap at all.
Promising review: "I can’t speak highly enough about this skillet. Because it’s already conditioned, I just rinsed it out with a moist cloth, and was ready to go. Cooking with cast iron is one of those things that make you wonder why you didn’t before. Since I got this, every meal is an excuse to use it. My favorite is making cornbread in it…slightly crispy perfection! Worth every penny." —alix pitcher
Get it from Amazon for $19.90 (also available in six other sizes).
3. A manual can opener for any traditionalists who don't wanna mess around with electric versions that need batteries and are often more trouble than they're worth. And there's a built-in bottle opener so you can complete your meal with one of those fancy Cokes in a glass bottle.
Promising review: "We stopped using electric openers a few years ago. Couldn't find one that would last more than a year or two, they are not like the older ones from the '60s and '70s. I purchased several manual openers, some were okay, and some were junk. I read the reviews for the Oxo Good Grip opener so I bought one. I have one I purchased in 2019, it still works as well as when I bought it. My 90-year-old mom loves it with her arthritic hands, the knob and grips are very comfortable, and it's so easy to clean. Sometimes you find a product that withstands the test of time, this is one of them. If it does wear out, I would buy another one in a minute." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $14.71.
4. An All-Clad pot holder that bends into different shapes so you can easily grab lids, pans, pots, etc. with ease and *without* burning yourself. You're good up to 500 degrees, so now you don't have to be scared that you'll still feel the heat through your 10-year-old oven mitt.
5. An Instant Pot for making perfectly cooked rice without the stress and confusion that comes with making it in a traditional pot. You can also make pressure cooked (aka *fast*) dishes, slow cooked meals, and so much more.
This one gizmo has 7-in-1 functionality, aka it's basically a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan, and food warmer all in one. Which means you can create full meals all in this one pot, which is amazing for saving time and not making a huge mess of used pots and pans.
Promising review: "I’ve had this thing for years. I even have bought a second one since this one in a different size. Instant Pot is a game changer and can turn the laziest ramen-noodle-and-boxed-mac-'n'-cheese-eating horrible cook into somebody in the kitchen. I can cook now!!!" —Turd Ferguson
Get it from Amazon for $69.99+ (available in three sizes).
Still wondering if this is right for you? Check out I Tried The Instant Pot That Everyone's Obsessed With for an in-depth look.
6. And a Ninja air fryer so you can bring your leftovers back to life or make super crunchy and crispy foods with little or *no* added oil! You'll get all the benefits of deep frying without the treacherous pot full of burning hot oil.
This is an XL version so you can cook loads of food at once (including up to three pounds of fries or wings 🤯). It comes with a 5.5-quart nonstick basket, a nonstick crisper plate, and a chef-inspired 20 recipe cookbook. The basket and crisper plate are both dishwasher-safe! In addition to air frying, you can use this to air roast, bake, reheat, and dehydrate!
Promising review: "This is the first air fryer I’ve owned. It quickly replaced my toaster and a counter grill in my kitchen. In the three weeks I’ve owned it, I’ve used it one to three times each day. Everything I’ve made - from toast to chicken, to an egg and potato casserole has turned out wonderfully!" —Health Conscious in Arizona
Get it from Amazon for $119.99.
7. A two-pack of TikTok-famous Dan-O's seasoning to help transform even the most boring dish into something deeeeelicious. Not only is it incredibly tasty, but it's low sodium and made of dried herbs, citrus, and granulated onion and garlic to spice up everything from fish to beef to eggs to veggies.
Dan O's Seasoning is a small business established in 2017 that gained popularity after taking to TikTok during the pandemic, where the company now has millions of followers with plenty of delicious food content.
Promising review: "The best seasoning I've ever had. I literally put it on everything. I love to cook and I put this on just about anything I grill or make on the stove too. Amazing stuff, and the guy who created this seems like a hell of a dude. Has a fun YouTube channel and his personality is real solid. He's passionate about his product and I bought some and it did not disappoint." —Kevin L Kemper
Get a pack of two (one original, one spicy) from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in two quantities and a three-pack with a chipotle version).
8. A measuring cup that holds up to two cups and makes measuring *so* much easier with the angled surface. You can see how much you're pouring from the top instead of awkwardly bending down to try to get level with it.
Promising review: "Exactly what I needed. The angled measurements are the best. No more holding it up to see how much is in there. Super lightweight. The large grip handle is perfect for those days when my arthritis acts up. Can't use it in the microwave due it being made out of plastic but I've got a four-cup Pyrex for that. I totally recommend this measuring cup." —David Horner
Get it from Amazon for $10.95 (also available in a one- or four-cup).
9. Or an adjustable measuring cup, which will eliminate the need to dirty four of them every time you make a recipe 'cause this bad boy can measure allll your ingredients in one spot!! It's especially great for those ~gooey~ ingredients (peanut butter, honey, molasses, etc.) since the bottom pushes up to help get every last bit.
Promising review: "Saw Alton Brown using one of these to make peanut butter cookies and I had to have one. I've used it for PB, coconut oil, and sour cream so far, and it's great. Pop it apart and throw it in the dishwasher. No more scooping gooey ingredients into a measuring cup and then scooping them back out; just scoop them in and pop them out, scape with your spatula and it's done. Love it." —Laura Marks
Get it from Amazon for $10.49.
10. Orrr a pretty rose gold measuring cup set so you can upgrade your fresh-outta-college dingy plastic set for these, which are worthy of being in a professional kitchen.
The set comes with 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1 tbsp, 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup, and 1 cup measures.
Promising review: "These are beautiful! It's a wonderful set! They are heavy duty and have a great expensive look without costing a fortune!" —K. LaNou
Get the eight-piece set from Amazon for $21.99 (available in two colors).
11. Anddd an adjustable measuring spoon that has you covered for dry ingredients 1/4 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon and wet ingredients up to 15 mL all in one spoon. So instead of keeping track of a whole collection, all you need is this bad boy and you're set.
And it's dishwasher safe!
Promising review: "One measuring spoon to replace several......how can you go wrong? The two pieces are completely separate so you can wash it thoroughly! Pleased with my purchase and the amount of room it just freed up in my drawer!" —zonneschijn
Get it from Amazon for $7.95.
12. Or a set of space-saving measuring spoons with dual sides for wet and dry ingredients. These neatly nest into each other so you'll never lose track of your teaspoon, leaving you to struggle with guesstimating the correct amount.
Promising review: "I got so tired of measuring spoons either getting lost in my drawer or having to deal with ones on rings. These are fantastic. The magnet holds them together well, and I love that each ‘spoon’ is actually two (each end is a different shape, too)." —Alicia S.
Get the set from Amazon for $15.97+ (available in four color combinations).
13. An Our Place oven pan that isn't just for your oven. This is gonna be your new go-to for roasting, baking, and even using on the stove as a griddle. Now you can make more than one pancake at a time!! Cute and efficient, we love it. 👏🏼👏🏼
It's oven safe up to 450 degrees. It is unfortunately not compatible with induction stove tops, so be aware of that if you're buying it in hopes of using it as a griddle.
Promising review: "A solid pan, and the silicone sheet is one of the best I have ever used. Easy to clean, and everything in the oven is baked to perfection. Love the color as well. It is a versatile pan that can be used on the stove. Cooked an entire breakfast, eggs, sausage, and potatoes all in one pan." —Mary N.
Get it from Our Place for $125 (available in 10 colors).
14. A snap-on pasta strainer so you don't have to worry about dirtying another dish or making room in your sink that's already overflowing.
Promising review: "I've owned this for about six months, and I couldn't imagine cooking without it. I hate strainers. They are bulky and fill up the dishwasher, I'm lazy, whatever. This strainer is a lifesaver. Clip it on your pan, strain, and voila! And it is so easy to clean. A little hot water and it's good to go for the next round. I highly recommend this gadget — it will retire your current strainer." —Viola Evens
Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in five colors).
15. Or a stylish colander you can expand or retract to fit and rest perfectly on your sink, so you can easily wash or rinse products without wasting any space in the actual sink basin. It's also great for prepping food and leaving it to the side where it can't be ~infected~ by your other ingredients. And if you're tight on space, this is a great place to store drying dishes!
This colander can expand from 14–19 inches. It's top-rack dishwasher safe as well!
BuzzFeed Shopping editor Jenae Sitzes owns this in the pink color and absolutely loves it! "I don't leave it out on my sink permanently, but I've hung it right next to my sink using small Command hooks so I can quickly grab it and place it on my sink whenever I need to clean produce or drain pasta. I love being able to leave ingredients on it to drain while I work on other steps of a recipe, and it also leaves enough room in the sink for me to place dirty dishes or wash a pan without the dirty water going onto my clean ingredients. Highly recommend, especially for small kitchens!"
Promising review: "I’m obsessed with this. I leave it in my sink always. It makes washing fruits or draining pasta so much easier and has such a simple cleanup. It also adds a nice pop of color to my kitchen. I highly recommend it." —Alyssa
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in nine colors and two-packs).
16. A set of nesting mixing bowls that not only save you space when you aren't using them, but also add a little extra joy with their super cute color palette. Plus these aren't just regular bowls, they're ~cool~ bowls… they have handles and spouts for easy pouring and nonslip bottoms so they won't slide all over the place when you're whisking.
Promising review: "I love these mixing bowls. The packaging is very beautiful. The bonus for me is the black rings in the bottom to prevent the bowls from sliding around on the counter when you’re mixing/whisking. I bought them for making pancakes, but I use them for everything now. The set is a nice upgrade from using a regular soup bowl for mixing." —Sarita
Get the set of four from Amazon for $19.99 (available in 11 color combinations).
17. Or a stainless-steel mixing bowl, which is wayyy fancier than regular bowls because this one is equipped with attachments for slicing and grating and a splash guard. AND the bottom is nonslip so it won't slide out while you're mixing your batter and leave you with cake mix allllll over the counter.
Every part of it is dishwasher safe, so you don't have to worry about loads of cleanup time! And it's from BuzzFeed's Goodful collection.
Promising review: "So many positive features! Lid, nonslip, slicing tools, great size, on and on. Husband has used it and relayed its value. I’ve used it and found it useful and versatile. Great kitchen tool! Great value!" —RA
Get it from Amazon for $23.99+ (available in two colors).
18. A hand-powered chopper so you can stop risking your fingers and crying every time you need to chop up onions for your recipes. Stop worrying about your knife skills and just get this to do all the work for ya.
Promising review: "This chopper is amazing!! I love cooking, but used to absolutely HATE chopping onions...until someone gave me this chopper! Now I simply have to quarter the onion, throw it in the chopper, pull the handle about 10–15 times, and they're ready to be used! No more teary eyes or spending a long time chopping onions. The cup is big enough to fit a whole onion...I think the capacity is three cups. There's tons of other uses to this as well...you can chop pretty much anything from herbs, veggies and fruits, to making salsa and guacamole." —Valjulia
Get it from Amazon for $18.42+ (available in three colors).
19. A three-pack of nonstick baking sheets designed to 👏🏼 not 👏🏼 warp 👏🏼 in the oven *and* to prevent your precious cookies and other delicious snacks from sticking to the pan. There's nothing worse than whipping up a fresh batch of dough and poppin' it in the oven just to find out when you go to scrape the cookies off that the middles (THE BEST PART) are stuck to the pan and you're gonna have to pick at 'em (cause obvi you're not gonna waste them…).
This is a set of three half-sheets, but other sizes are available.
Promising review: "I can't think of anything more to ask from a cookie sheet. The cleanup is minimal. Nothing sticks. Nothing. When the recipe calls for greasing the pan, don't. No parchment or grease is required. I was worried because initially there was a minor warp the first time I used one, but since that time, all the pans are straight and have never warped in the oven. If there were more than 5 stars to rate these pans, I'd rate them higher. I've been using them for a while and am still satisfied. I'll come back and re-rate them if there is ever a problem, but so far, they're as good as the day I received them." —Feedback
Get them from Amazon for $59.99 (available in two versions, three sizes, and three quantities).
20. A pack of storage containers so you can ditch the single-use baggies that cost way more than they should and make you feel kinda guilty that you used one for, like, six hours and then threw it away. Reviewers rave that these containers are leakproof and the lids actually stay on.
The containers and lids are freezer-safe, top rack dishwasher-safe, stackable, and reusable. Plus, they don't have to be used just for food — you can store toys, office supplies, puzzle pieces, and more.
Promising review: "These are perfect for meal prep for the fridge or freezer. Unlike other flimsier plastic containers, these do not crack or break down after several freeze/thaws. The lids are very secure, and I’ve never had one leak, even full of soup jostled around in a lunch bag!" —Ashley Kimball
Get them from Amazon for $19.87+ (available in four sizes and two combo packs).
21. A digital thermometer to give you a precise and FAST temperature reading so you don't have to worry about cutting your chicken open like three times only to never be fully confident that it's actually cooked all the way.
This doesn't have to just be used for meat — you can use it for making candy, frying, and so much more!
Promising review: "I purchased this little thermometer a year and a half ago, and it is wonderful. I use it frequently. I started using it for baking/roasting chicken to ensure I was cooking it to the US recommended 165 degrees F. Suddenly my chicken was cooked perfectly and was tender and moist! I've expanded my use of it to pork and even grilled steaks. In the last few months, I've tried frying chicken. This little device lets me know reliably when my oil is at 360 degrees F, ideal for starting to fry. Once frying, I use it to monitor the oil temperature as well as the chicken temperature. This is an inexpensive thermometer, but I love it. It cleans easily and has been reliable over the time I've had it. I would recommend it, and I would buy it again." —Graham K. Glover
Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in three colors).
22. And a meat cooking temperature magnet since just getting the fancy thermometer doesn't mean you actually know what temperature you are waiting for it to be.
Moonshine & Glitter is a small business based in Sneads Ferry, North Carolina creating beautiful wood signs and decor.
Promising review: "I got this for my mom since I'm a chef and she's always asking me what temps to cook things to! Great quality and my mom smiled when I opened it! We put it on the side of the fridge for her to see and it's been a good laugh for her whenever she needs to know a temperature. THANK YOU!" —Eliza Schane
Get it from Moonshine & Glitter on Etsy for $8+ (available in four sizes).
23. Annnd a magnetic air fryer cheat sheet because let's be honest, we've all just been throwing food in for a random amount of time and cutting through it like four times to check if it's done (please tell me I'm not the only one who does this...). Now you can finally know the actual timing to create perfectly cooked masterpieces.
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 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 bundles).
24. A handheld garlic press so you can quickly and almost effortlessly mince up the copious amount of garlic you've decided this recipe needs. It also comes with a scraper so you don't lose even one precious piece of garlic. You'll get five cloves prepped in the amount of time it would take for you try chopping one with a knife.
25. A set of "floating" kitchen knives because the hodgepodge of steak knives you've acquired over the years isn't exactly ~cutting~ it as an "adult's knife set." Now you can get yourself a cohesive set that will put your drawer full of random knives out of business.
This set includes 14 professional chef knives, kitchen scissors, a peeler, a premium quality two-stage knife sharpener, a knife cleaner, a knife guard, and a modern knife stand.
Promising review: "I love these knives! I saw them on a TikTok and decided I had to have a set of black knives and they exceeded my expectations for sure. Super durable, and very sharp. And they aren’t an eyesore in the kitchen." —Emily S.
Get the 20-piece set from Amazon for $39.99.
26. And a two-stage knife-sharpener designed to give your dull knives the ~refresh~ they deserve. Plus it'll make your life a whole lot easier when you can just slice through an onion in one go instead of hacking it apart with what has essentially become a butter knife.
Promising review: "Wow, this little gadget is pretty amazing! I have some old (expensive) nonserrated knives that are supposed to never need sharpening but unfortunately, lost their sharp edge long ago. I saw this gadget and decided to try it. I set the bottom of this gadget on the edge of the counter and ran one of the knives through the side labeled 'coarse' about 10 times, then ran it through the side labeled 'fine' another 8–10 times. Bingo! The knife was transformed back to its former high-dollar cutlery glory. I could hardly believe how effectively it had sharpened the knife, which I had been ready to throw away a week before. I've been happily sharpening all our knives and trying to add up in my head how much money I've saved by NOT having to buy another set of expensive knives. I don't know where else you can spend $7 and get this return for the money. Great score!" —Schelly L. Wagoner
Read our full review of the KitchenIQ knife sharpener for more info.
Get it from Amazon for $7.82+ (available in three colors and three-packs).
27. And a pair of cut-resistant gloves (since your knives are sharp as heck now) made to be four times stronger (!) than leather to help keep allllll your fingers safe, even if you have somewhat questionable knife skills.
Promising review: "I bought the gloves because I had two nasty cuts in quick succession from a cheese grater. Anyone who has had injuries to their fingers knows how difficult it is to continue to do everyday activities and meal preparation while still protecting your wound. I received the gloves quickly after my order and pressed them into use immediately that evening. I am most impressed. My fingers/hands were protected from my very sharp grater and knife while I prepared dinner. I bought two pairs, one to keep and one to give as a gift. I am now going to buy a third pair in a larger size for a friend who also likes to cook but suffers from occasional run-ins with mandolines, graters, and knives. Great product!" —O'Hare
Check out BuzzFeed's full write-up of NoCry Cut Resistant Gloves for more deets.
Get them from Amazon for $13.49+ (available in sizes XS–XL, two colors, and multipacks).
28. A magnetic hanging utensil set that includes a slotted spatula, spaghetti server, slotted spoon, solid spoon, and a ladle, all designed to fit perfectly nestled with each other so you don't have to rummage around in your drawer to find your ladle when you just desperately want to eat your bowl of soup.
BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord has this and says, "Someone gifted me one of these many moons ago, and the utensils have held up for over four years! They're still as perfectly magnetized and functional as they were when they first arrived, and I barely ever notice them even though my counter space is approximately that of a lunch tray (wish I were kidding!!!)."
Promising review: "We travel full-time and move every three months so everything has to be compact and packable. These replaced five other kitchen utensils that did not nest in each other. They sit on the counter ready to use. They are sturdy and have been used in nonstick ceramic and cast-iron pans. Very happy with this set." —Justice Talbot
Get a set from Amazon for $33.47+ (available in four color varieties).
29. Or a colorful set of heat-safe silicone utensils so you won't scratch up your brand-new pans while you vigorously whip up your stir fry.
Each set includes a large and medium spatula, a large and medium spoon, a large and medium spreader, a medium pastry brush, an egg whisk, and an egg separator.
Promising review: "Great quality!! I’ve been using them for a few months now and they are great! They clean up well with no spots and feel pretty sturdy while using for thick heavy foods. I also use some for sautéing and have had no heat issues or melting. I would definitely buy these again, but at this rate I won’t need to!" —Mizz87
Get a nine-piece set from Amazon for $13.99.
30. And a set of tongs with silicone tips so you won't get those obnoxious scratches all over your pans from accidentally scraping the metal version on 'em. And this set has you covered with two different lengths to suit all your cooking and BBQing needs.
Promising review: "I’m always using these, they’re perfect! They feel so well-made, and they grab ahold of everything with ease. I use them for taking things out of the oven, the air fryer, the toaster oven, the grill, turning, everything! I used to use the old metal tongs for years and years, and I didn’t know what I was missing. These silicone tongs are fantastic!" —Sharon
Get them from Amazon for $12.99 (available in four colors and a set with a whisk).
31. A splatter guard to protect your stove (and arms) from all the bacon grease splatters when you're just trying to add a little ~pizzazz~ to your Brussels sprouts.
Frywall is a New York-based small business that specializes in protective kitchen accessories.
Promising review: "I was frying chicken with lard, and I put too much in the frying pan. A few minutes after putting the chicken in, the lard began to bubble up, and if I hadn't had the Frywall in place, it would have spilled all over my stove. The Frywall creates a seal around my frying pan, stopping spillovers. Splatters don't escape, it's easy to work around it (turning my chicken over), and when I'm done, I just throw it in the dishwasher. If you do any frying at all, you want the Frywall. Helpful." —Carl G Brown
Get it from Amazon for $21.95 (available in four colors).
32. And a spill stopper because somehow a watched pot never boils, but an unwatched pot always boils over. This will trap excess foam and liquid to prevent it from spilling and inevitably burning into a hard-to-clean mess.
Promising review: "Wow wow wow, I have no words to describe how great this product is. I'm a mom with a large family who cooks and bakes all the time, and there is never a time that something doesn't spill over even when standing and watching the pot. With this, life has just gotten easy. I think I'm throwing out all my pot covers after using this."—Rackel
Get it from Amazon for $20.
The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.