My Favorite Kitchen Tools, Gadgets, and Accessories
This post is by no means sponsored. These are just a few of my favorite tools and gadgets that make life my easier and I certainly do not want to gatekeep them.
Some products I am very passionate about a specific brand/model so I have linked or listed it here…..others I do not have as strong feelings for or do not think it matters. Most links are from Amazon but you can find many of these at Walmart, Target, or your favorite kitchen store. Shop around for the best price.
My hope is that this list makes cooking, storing food, or bringing your lunch/snacks to work easier for you!
In NO particular order…
Glass storage containers - heat up food in the microwave straight from the container, especially great for taking to work!
Vitamix Blender - this is such a splurge. I’ve broken many blenders in my time. Many can’t crush frozen fruits or ice like the Vitamin mix can for smoothies.
Immersion blender - not necessary but so great to puree a large pot of soup instead transferring batch by batch to the blender.
Garlic press - I feel that mincing garlic is for the birds. This press peels and minces it.
Egg Slicer - love this for layering hard boiled eggs on avocado toast or salads.
Apple corer - cuts apples quickly into even wedges. I learned that apples taste better when they’re cut up ;)
Pineapple Corer - I find cutting pineapples to be a big pain but I don’t want to spend the money on the pre-cut pineapple, enter this corer.
Olive Oil Sprayer - to avoid the added stuff in your olive oil spritzers. Just simply add olive oil to a spray bottle. Several brands out there.
Spice organizer trays for drawers - The ones I have have from Ikea have since been discontinued. Updated model linked.
Vegetable peeler - I am particular about this.... I loved this one from Ikea that I no longer have. Great for peeling ginger root, carrots, and potatoes.
Mason jar plastic lids - because the metal ones rust and are annoying in two pieces. I don’t actually use the silicone bands that come with it. I buy a mix of the wide mouth and regular because I have/like both sizes for my mason jars. I use mason jars to make salad dressings, sauces etc.
Plate bowls - fun for grain bowls and they retain the sauce. My black ones are from Pier 1… RIP
Wooden spoons and spatulas - I wouldn’t invest much into these. Once they get burned you can throw them away. I prefer to use word instead of the plastic that can melt over heat.
Mini whisks - great for whipping up sauces in small bowls or ramekins.
Williams Sonoma gold baking sheets - obviously a splurge errr investment but they are quality and last.
Lemon and/or lime squeezer - get the most juice without burning the cuts on your hands
Air fryer - Get the largest one you can so you can to avoid multiple batches, if possible. Mine is Cosori brand, linked.
Tongs - a pair or two are mandatory in my kitchen. I remember I left and pair at a friend’s house and haven’t forgotten that trauma. It’s so much easier to flip veggies or shrimp with tongs versus a fork. Also great for the air fryer. OXO is my fav brand . I recommend getting a few different sizes.
Handheld frother - I have the aerolatte brand, it’s about $20 and easy to just run the top through water to clean. I really don’t like the plug in versions - I haven’t witnessed a great froth and they are a pain to clean. I have two - one for home and one for travel! I make a cafe au lait every morning and the frothed milk is just ~chef’s kiss.~ Frothing milk at home for my coffee elevates it and has saved me tons of money from buying coffee out. You could also use this to incorporate your creatine into your water or juice.
Flour and sugar jars - I like the convenience of having them out on the counter. Also, sticking a measuring cup in a bag or pouring it out is just annoying and messy.
Glass Pyrex measuring cups - set of 3 different sizes. Get the glass, not the plastic. Better for hot liquids and microwave safe.
Glass Pyrex bowls - get a set of different sizes that have lids! This is so easy to store large quantities of leftovers.
Clay sugar keeper bear - to keep your sugar from getting hard in the jars. The clay absorbs the moisture.
Salad dressing silicone pouches - I like these because you can squirt the dressing out. No pre-dressed salads to go. I bought mine at a grocery store and there’s no brand.
Silicone reusable pouches - more sustainable option for ziploc bags. I have three sizes and could definitely use more. Flip them inside out to clean them. Stasher brand is great.
Salad spinner - I LOVE my salad spinner! I put wash my greens then spin them to dry. Otherwise they take forever to dry or they go bad quickly in the fridge because they retain the moisture.
Produce saver - I use this one to store my salad greens or chopped kale after I have washed it. Everything lasts MUCH longer in here! I also stored my strawberries in here after a picked a ton at a farm and my sister was so astonished how long they lasted and she went home and bought one.
Cookbook holder - to follow cookbook recipes. Old school? Yes. I love tangibles. My favorite books are cookbooks. There’s many options out there one from Crate and Barrel and has a clear plastic shield to protect the book from splashes.
iPad/tablet stand - to view and search recipes on the iPad for the digital folks to reduce counter space.
What did I miss? (An instapot? It’s because I don’t have one yet!)
Is there something that’s changed your life? Let me know and I’ll add it to the list.
