25 Essential Kitchen Gadgets to Elevate Every Meal

Some kitchen tools may seem unnecessary but are actually life-changing. As a passionate home cook, I value free counter space and organized cupboards in my kitchen, which sometimes means I choose single-use tools and simple devices.

However, I also find some kitchen tools and devices crucial. These are some must-haves for even amateur cooks.

1. Wood Spoon

A wooden spoon is a must. You can use it to stir anything; it doesn’t melt or scratch your expensive pans. They’re a classic that’s been around for ages.

The best part is that wooden spoons are inexpensive and very easy to find.

2. Glass Jars

Use them for meal prep, to store leftover soups, and more. Since many jars are made for canning and food storage, they will last a long time — more than the average plastic food storage containers.

Stock up on these jars, and you’ll always have one for kitchen use.

3. Meat Thermometer

Listen to me: you need a meat thermometer. Unless you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you need a meat thermometer. I always thought it was unnecessary or indicated I wasn’t a good enough cook to know when meat is done, but it’s such an essential item, and there is no shame in it.

Using it regularly helps you gauge meat temperatures better in general!

4. Mandolin

I have beef with mandolins, as I am one of many folks who have lost significant skin to these sharp and devilish little tools. Also called a Microplane, these help slice ingredients super thin, like potatoes and carrots.

Be careful, as they can be dangerous.

5. Cut-Resistant Gloves or Hand Guard

This is my favorite addition to the list. If you get a mandolin, you need to get a cut-resistant glove or mandolin hand guard that will prevent you from losing a figure to the greedy mouth of the mandolin.

Whatever it costs, it’s less than a trip to the hospital to save your thumb, so buy one.

6. Immersion Blender

I’m obsessed with my immersion blender. It’s so easy to use and makes everything supremely creamy and smooth, from sauces to soups to smoothies. They usually come with a few extensions you can play around with and are essential for anyone who cooks regularly.

7. Cookie Cutters

I love making biscuits, cookies, and the like, but mine are always depressingly distorted and not in a charming rustic way. Don’t be like me — get a cookie cutter so your food can be symmetrical and pretty.

8. Stand Mixer

Unlike a cookie cutter, a stand mixer has a hefty price tag, so this “essential” can be a little inaccessible. However, everyone I know swears by their beloved KitchenAid, so it’s worth pinching pennies for a little while to add it to your countertop.

9. Mixer Attachments

Along with your beautiful new mixer, get some diverse attachments. Most stand mixers come with a few attachments, but the options are endless, including meat grinders, dough hooks, spiralizers, pasta rollers, ravioli makers, ice cream churners, and more.

A few funky attachments make your stand mixer even more useful.

10. Mortar and Pestle

I need one of these, mainly because I’m always pathetically crushing coriander with the bottom of cans. I’m pretty sure my boyfriend got the hint, and it’ll be in my kitchen by my next birthday, but if you don’t have one, it’s time to get one.

If you make heavily spiced food as I do, such as Indian curries, a mortar and pestle are critical to getting those bold flavors.

11. Funnel

I can attest to the essentialness of a funnel. Whether pouring used oil into a container or refilling your spice jars, a funnel saves you from wasting a ton of product and making a massive mess in your kitchen.

I recommend getting an affordable set of plastic funnels in all different sizes.

12. Kitchen Shears

Kitchen shears are great for cutting garnishes, flatbread, pizzas, meats, and more. Cutting pizza with scissors gives me an icky feeling, but they do sound useful!

13. Tofu Press

I used to use a ton of paper towels while making tofu. Now that I have a press, I’m ashamed of my pathetic tofu-pressing method. Paper towels get the job done, but a tofu press is far more efficient.

14. Cookie Scoop

This one coincides with my need for cookie cutters. I always think, I’ll just do it with my hands! That was fine when I was broke in college, but it’s time to grow up and get a cookie scoop.

They’re for so much more than cookies, as you can use them to make falafel, meatballs, fillings for pierogies, other dumpling fillings, and more.

15. Knife Sharpener

I always thought sharpeners were for fancy chefs, but everyone should have one. My boyfriend bought me the cheapest knife sharpener ever, which changed my life. A couple of swipes through the sharpener, and I’m slicing tomatoes like a magical ninja.

Also, dull knives are a massive kitchen hazard, so invest in a sharpener.

16. Air Fryer

Air fryers are magical machines. The obsession with air fryers is tiresome, but I’ve never heard anyone say they regretted buying one.

In fact, some people say they’ll live and die by their air fryer. They make perfect crispy french fries and are a great way to reheat leftovers.

17. Tongs

Unlike air fryers, tongs are a simple and affordable addition to your kitchen that makes a huge difference. If you don’t have tongs, you need a pair.

However, I recommend stocking up on tongs because I use them almost every day, and having multiple pairs means you can toss them in the dishwasher.

18. Vacuum Sealer

This kitchen tool might seem like a niche item, but it’s a must-have for people who cook regularly. It can be useful for marinating meat, storing food, and even sous-viding food!

They’re a bit of an investment but worth it if you’re an avid cook.

19. Digital Scale

A digital scale is essential for anyone who loves to bake. While measuring cups seem perfectly fine, weighing ingredients for baked goods ensures perfect and consistent results.

I’m not the most talented baker, but the digital scales simplify everything.

20. Pliers

Pliers can easily remove tendons from chicken, bones from fish, and pits from fruit. Gone are the days of fumbling with a paring knife and risking cuts on your hands.

They also work for cracking nuts — truly a versatile tool. I’m hooked.

21. Pizza Cutter

Even if you don’t make pizza at home often, a pizza cutter is super useful. It’s great for cutting dough into strips, chopping lettuce into ribbons, cutting herbs, and more.

Whether you make pizza from scratch, microwave frozen pizzas, or order from Domino’s, a pizza cutter ensures your pizza is always perfectly sliced.

22. Pizza Stone

If you do make pizza often, a pizza stone will light up your world. They deliver even heat to the dough, so the pizza is always beautifully cooked.

They can also be used for roasted veggies, cookies, bread, chicken, and more!

23. Milk Frother

Few things are as yummy and delightful as a frothy latte from a coffee shop, but you can achieve this foamy texture at home with a milk frother. You can froth milk, coffee, chai, matcha, and many other drinks.

If you have an immersion blender, look for a frothing attachment.

24. Dough Cutter

A dough cutter or bench scraper can be useful for more than making pies and croissants. These broad metal tools are excellent for scooping veggies, clearing cutting boards, roughly chopping food, and more.

It seems like a tool reserved for the pros, but it’s more versatile than many realize.

25. Oil Dispensers

One of the best kitchen purchases I ever made was my oil dispensers. I buy oil in bulk, and they can’t sit on my counters, but hauling them out of the pantry for a drizzle is annoying.

Oil dispensers are convenient and look attractive on your counter, so I highly recommend them for anyone who cooks with oil.