12 Gadgets You Absolutely Need in Your Kitchen

Everyone loves a good home-cooked meal. Except not everyone wants to spend hours in the kitchen cooking and cleaning. Makes sense. 

We’re here to make the experience a bit more…enjoyable. Aka we’re bringing you tools that’ll get the job done and make kitchen time a bit more fun. Imagine that.

This post was originally published in 2020 and has since been updated.

For when you wanna cut cherry tomatoes without them flying off the counter…

Get a better grip. So you can easily slice through awkwardly shaped foods. Safely. You can even use the holder on raw meat to keep your hands clean. Boom. ($12.95, The Grommet)

Buy it

For when you wanna save that Sunday sauce for later in the week…

Freeze it. Think ice cubes, but bigger. This tray is perfect for soups, stews, sauces, and broths. Each compartment has measurement marks for portioning. Plus a lid to prevent spills. Dinner is served. ($19.95+, The Grommet)

Buy it

For when that Sunday sauce explodes all over the inside of the microwave...

Steam it off. Literally. This gadget (that’s wearing a cute dress, NBD) produces steam to soften caked-on spills. So your cleaning time gets cut in half. No scrubbing necessary. ($7.99, Walmart)

Buy it

For when you wanna steam veggies, fry bacon, and strain pasta…

Use one tool. That can do it all. Made from silicone, this heat-safe pot insert can be used as a colander, trivet, splatter screen, and steaming basket. It’ll collapse when you need to store it. So yes, you can actually keep it in a drawer. Magic. ($39.95+, Food52)

Buy it

For when you’re looking to avoid smelly garlic hands…

Peel without touching. Place a few cloves into the tube and roll. It’s that easy. ($6.19/set of 2, Amazon)

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For when you’re tired of watching your strawberries get soft after four days…

Try a new container. These trap and absorb ethylene gas, so they keep your produce from spoiling. That’s right. Lettuce won’t wilt. Blueberries won’t mush. BTW, the carbon filter lasts 90 days and refills can be purchased in packs. ($9.99+, The Container Store)

Buy it

For when you’re running low on cabinet space…

Try nesting. And fit your mixing bowls, measuring spoons, sifter, and colander together. Neatly. ($29.99, Target)

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For when you’re in the mood for avocado toast…

Prep in minutes. If ya can’t go to brunch, bring brunch to you. This three-in-one tool will cut into your avocado, remove the pit, and create clean, uniform slices. Impressive. ($10.99, Target)

Buy it

For when you wanna chop herbs, not your fingers…

Use scissors. With five blades, you’ll be able to get fine slivers instead of large chunks. You can even cut directly over your sizzling pan. ($7.99, Sur La Table)

Buy it

For when wiping down your kitchen counter is basically your new hobby…

Give your sauce spoon a proper home. This utensil clip can fit onto the rim of any pot or bowl. So your counter will never know it’s pasta night. ($8.99, Bed Bath & Beyond)

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For when you wanna get every last bit out of the peanut butter jar…

Scoop it out. Because nothing should go to waste. The curved spoon will reach every nook and cranny. So you can get your money’s worth. ($12, Uncommon Goods)

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For when you’ve spent way too much time trying to finely dice an onion…

Put the knife down. This tool can chop, slice, and grate. It’s got eight different blades, a safety holder, a cleaning fork, and a collection bin so your cut ingredients won’t be all over your countertop. Sigh of relief sold separately. ($29.97, Amazon)

Buy it

Skimm'd by Alexandra Napoli, Jessica Kelly