26 Incredibly Useful (and Underrated) Kitchen Gifts for Cooks That Professional Chefs Swear By

Silicone mats definitely deserve a spot in the kitchen—they’re incredibly useful and versatile, and can be used for both cooking and baking. They’re non-stick and allow you to cook a variety of foods without making a mess, says Stephen Chavez, chef and instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education. This one from Silpat is also the easiest for clean up. Just toss it into the dishwasher and you’re good to go.

Pros

• Easy to clean and dishwasher-safe
• Non-stick
• Can also be used as a prep surface

Cons

• Flexible, so need to be careful moving it around

Okay, the cook in your life likely already has a cast iron skillet. They probably have multiple. But that’s the thing—one can never have too many skillets, and Lodge has an affordable one that comes pre-seasoned, a chef’s dream. Recommended by Chavez, this Lodge skillet can really do it all, from sautéing and baking, to broiling and frying. “I think in terms of cookware, a good cast iron pan is super essential,” he tells Well+Good. “I mean, nothing heats up as well, nothing sears as well… cast iron is great.”

Pros

• Durable
• Good heat retention
• Can be use on the stove, in the oven, on the grill

Cons

• Heavy
• Need to maintain seasoning for a non-stick surface

If your chef pal already has an air fryer, good for them. If not, it’s time to introduce them to one. And Drew Barrymore’s (from her cookware line) is worth adding to your kitchen. “Not only is this piece of equipment an excellent cooking device, it is a perfect example of design-thinking,” says Stephen Kalil, executive chef at Quorn Foods. “There are no nobs or dials, it has a sleek silhouette, and it comes in a variety of colors,” he says. “It’s one kitchen appliance that you will be proud to keep visible on your counter.”

Pros

• Sleek design, comes in multiple colors
• Easy to use
• 5-lb capacity

Cons

• Hard to store away

If you don’t love to cook (or don’t have the time) and still want to eat healthy, homemade meals, get yourself an Instant Pot—the speedy version of the crock pot. “The time saver isn’t just the cooking time but also the time you save with meal prep, defrosting time, and clean up. Just toss the pot in the dishwasher and its ready to go again tomorrow!” says Brigitte Zeitlin, RD, registered dietitian and owner of BZ Nutrition in NYC.

Pros

• 7 functions in one
• 13 customizable programs
• Safety features including overheat protection
• Dishwasher-safe lid and inner pot

Cons

• Bulky

Chefs prefer functionality over form every time, but why not give the chef in your life both? This sheet tray duo (aptly named Holy Sheet) from Great Jones is aesthetically pleasing and durable as heck. Made with heavy-duty scratch-resistant carbon steel that can withstand temps of up to 450°F, these sheet trays both avoid warping (a chef’s nightmare), and are dishwasher-friendly. The bright, primary colors will look great no matter where your giftee chooses to store them.

Pros

• Scratch-resistant
• Doesn’t warp in high heat
• Dishwasher-safe

Cons

• Only two, bold colorways

Not every home cooking enthusiast is a pressure cooker or air fryer stan, but they all certainly love a good, classic Dutch oven. Not only do they last forever, this Staub Dutch oven comes in over 10 colors, so you can pick the exact perfect one that’ll go with any kitchen or chef. The enameled inside ensures a non-stick surface, and is also an absolute breeze to clean. And, four quarts is the perfect amount for a small dinner party stew, or a mac and cheese for a crowd.

Pros

• Comes in many colors
• Oven safe up to 900°F
• Enameled bottom works on all cooking ranges, including induction

Cons

• Hand-washing recommended
• Very heavy

A chef’s knife collection is probably their most prized thing, so if you’re shopping for a seasoned chef, it’s likely they don’t need additional knives (plus, chefs are very, very particular about their knives). However, a cook-in-training could totally benefit from a high-quality knife set they may not buy for themselves. “The set is the best knife set for home use and is reasonably priced and made from steel that will stay sharp and can take a beating from everyday use,” says chef and former Top Chef contestant, Sara Hauman. “The set includes three knives that are really all you need to tackle any kitchen task.”

Pros

• Set of three includes all your essential knives
• Japanese steel
• Durable

Cons

• No covers or stand

“The right knife can save so much time during meal prep,” says chef and dietitian Allison Schaaf, founder of PrepDish.com. “A good-quality, sharp chef’s knife ensures speedy and more precise chopping.” She recommends the 7-inch Shun Santoku knife, which is handcrafted in Japan. It’s made with high carbon stainless steel, designed to hold a super sharp edge, and has a Pakkawood handle that can be used by right- and left-handers.

Pros

• Super sharp
• High-quality
• Stainless steel

Cons

• Expensive
• Slightly shorter than a standard chef’s knife

Another great chef knife option, this 8-inch Victorinox chef’s knife has a stainless steel blade and an ergonomic, thermoplastic elastomer handle that won’t slip even when it gets wet. Schaaf recommends sharpening your knives every few months.

Pros

• Affordable
• Non-slip handle
• Dishwasher-safe

Cons

• Some reviewers say the knife is too light

Containers might not come to mind as a kitchen gadget—but Schaaf says they’re essential for prep and efficient food storage. Chop your veggies and cook your grains ahead of time and store them in the fridge to keep them fresh for longer. They’re also great for sauces, soups, and stews. Get the most out of your leftovers by transferring the containers from fridge to freezer.

Pros

• Oven- and microwave-safe
• BPA-free
• Leak-proof

Cons

• Large set to store

Canning jars are handy whether you’re canning, pickling, or just storing food in the fridge or pantry. BPA-free and with tight lids, these glass Ball mason jars will keep your leftovers fresh. Bonus— they make attractive and easy drinking glasses, too.

Pros

• BPA-free
• Includes four, 32 fl. oz. jars and lids
• Lids seal up to 18 months

Cons

• Hard to stack

Made of silicone, these stasher bags are an easy alternative to all those single-use plastic bags crowding up your drawers. They have a pinch seal to keep contents secure and come in various sizes (snack, sandwich, pocket, half-gallon, and in sets). They’re also extremely versatile, since they’re stovetop-, dishwasher-, freezer-, sous vide-, and microwave-friendly.

Pros

• Can be used to hold a variety of dry and wet food
• Dishwasher-safe
• Sturdy

Cons

• Can stain over time
• Expensive

The best chefs know that being able to prep ahead of time for big holidays or parties is essential to pulling off a great meal. This 4-slot freezer tray is perfect for storing sauces, pureés, or even mirepoix for soups. It also comes with a lid, so you know whatever you’re storing is going to stay fresh and avoid freezer burn.

Pros

• Microwave/oven/dishwasher-safe
• Perfectly portioned

Cons

• Potentially smaller than some at-home chefs need

When preparing a meal that requires you to drain sauces, a regular colander is not going to do the trick. Instead, Chavez recommends getting a strainer, like this one from New Star Food Service. Its fine mesh allows you to separate tiny food particles, like the pulp from your orange juice and the minced vegetables from your stock.

Pros

• Sturdy
• Easy to clean
• Good for straining a lot of different liquids

Cons

• Relatively big in size
• Inflexible cone shape is harder to store

If you really want to make a cook jump for joy, consider getting them a proper peeler (because the one they have is likely dull from being used so many times). Though small, a peeler can be a huge time-saver in the kitchen.”The majority of people, especially for the holidays, just use the wrong peeler and they make work so much more difficult for themselves,” Chavez says. Many people naturally stick to a swivel peeler, which has a narrow and straight handle. But a Y-peeler has a wider handle that allows to cut your food in a more precise manner, and doesn’t shift when peeling, making for an efficient prep process.

Pros

• Includes three different colors
• Dishwasher-safe
• Carbon steel blades

Cons

• Some reviewers say the blades rust easily

Another gadget that can make a difference in a cook’s life, is a food scale. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned chef, having an efficient (and precise) way to measure quantities of food is crucial to the cooking process. “In professional cooking we really don’t use cups and teaspoons, we weigh everything,” Chavez says. “Plus, you can scale up and down your recipes.” And this OXO scale is a chef-favorite. “You can put a big bowl on there because the little display pulls out. It’s a great, great tool. I love it,” Chavez says.

Pros

• Pull out display
• Thin profile
• Easy-to-read display

Cons

• Requires batteries (one set is included)

For Adrian De Leon, chef and culinary director at Tarbell’s Restaurant in Phoenix, AZ., it’s all about having a food mill in your cooking arsenal. It’s a type of device that finely purées, refines, and strains ingredients. “[It’s] a time-saving tool that helps home and professional chefs prepare a range of recipes,” he tells Well+Good. Ask any chef (literally any chef) and they will very likely tell you that their go-to brand for anything is All-Clad. And even if your giftee has a food mill, you’d be making their lives better by giving them one by All-Clad.

Pros

• Works with 8″–12″ pots, pans, and bowls
• Ergonomic ball on handle
• Dishwasher-safe

Cons

• Bulky

When it comes to underrated kitchen gadgets, a food dehydrator is a tool that Chavez swears by. This one from Hamilton Beach comes with five stackable drying trays and a 48-hour timer. You can use it to dehydrate some of your fave fruits, veggies and even jerky.

Pros

• 5 stackable trays
• 48-hour timer with auto-shut off
• Continuous airflow

Cons

• Bulky

The easiest and fastest way to know whether or not your meat is done (without cutting into it) is by using a thermometer. But not just any thermometer: A probe thermometer like this one from Taylor Precision Products. With it, you can check the status of your meal without ever removing it from the oven, thanks to the probe that sticks inside the meat.

Pros

• Programmable and timer alarm
• Magnetized back
• Measures temperatures from 32°F–392°F

Cons

• Some reviewers say the probes aren’t durable

Another small gadget to make life easier in the kitchen (and another tool one can never have too many of) is a Microplane zester grater. It has razor-sharp edges that makes grating parmesan cheese, or chocolate flakes, a breeze.

Pros

• Comfortable grip
• Can zest and grate hard cheese
• Comes with a protective cover

Cons

• Can be hard to clean

If your home chef really want to beef up their cooking skills, and learn tried-and-true recipes, The Complete America’s Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook is the way to go, Chavez says. It’s great for beginners who want to know the ins and outs of classic meals.

Pros

• Great for beginners
• Tested recipes
• Includes shopping guide

Cons

• Limited range of recipes versus what’s available on their website

Keri Glassman, MS, RD, CDN, founder and CEO of Nutritious Life, says she uses her blender almost every morning to make smoothies for herself and her kids. “It’s the one gadget I always keep out on my counter. It’s so versatile!” she says.

This professional-grade Vitamix blender has hardened stainless steel blades and 10 variable speeds to help you heat, chop, grind, blend, emulsify, and more with just a press of a button. And when you’re done using it, add a drop of dish soap and warm water and the blender will clean itself in just 30–60 seconds.

Pros

• 10 different speeds
• Self-cleaning function
• 48-ounce container

Cons

• Expensive

Here’s an easy way to save yourself $5 (or more) every day: Make your morning caffeine at home. Zeitlin says her Aerolatte milk frother is the single most-used item in her kitchen. It’s obviously ideal for frothing the milk in lattes and cappuccinos—but it’s also perfect for matcha tea or lattes. “The electric whisk blends the matcha powder so perfectly that I never have any clumps,” she says. “Using the traditional wooden whisk took more time and was less consistent with its blend-ability.”

Pros

• Compact
• Fast and easy to use
• Includes batteries

Cons

• Doesn’t heat the milk

Love veggie noodles? Make a lot of pies? A spiralizer is an easy way to do this at home—ensuring a lower price and fresh vegetables of your choice. This spiralizer preps zucchini and sweet potatoes to use as high-fiber bases for mains like grilled chicken, salmon, or turkey. Or, enables you to peel all those apples for your latest pie. With a little prep work, your fruits and veggies are ready in 10 minutes or less.

This spiralizer includes six different blades to give you plenty of options for all your meals.

Pros

• Includes six blades from (1.2 mm to 6 mm)
• Dishwasher-safe, includes cleaning brush
• Easy to assemble

Cons

• Can be messy

Chopping always seems like an unending chore in the kitchen. A food processor can make prep work a little easier. Plant-based chef Katie Simmons says she uses her Breville at least five times a week. “It’s worth the extra cost to get a brand that lasts for a long time,” she says.

The Breville food processor has a 12-cup capacity and a pulse option to let you chop, mix, and pureé with ease.

Pros

• 12-cup capacity
• Multiple chute options
• Adjustable slicer

Cons

• Expensive
• Heavy

Every chef needs the perfect apron. Enter: the Tilit apron, beloved by home cooks and professionals alike. The crossback design makes it so pesky ties don’t get in the way when cooking, and also makes this apron ultra-adjustable. Features also include a chest pocket for pens and small thermometers, and a towel loop to keep everything super handy for your favorite at-home chef.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Adjustable

Cons

• Not spill- or stain-proof like other apron designs