I Made This One Lazy Dinner Once… Now I Keep These Kitchen Shortcuts on Hand Every Week

The starting point was my renowned street corn chicken rice bowl at 8 p.m. on a Tuesday. It took 4 minutes to get ready, no remorse. My kitchen slowly filled with the sorts of tools and pantry staples that change “I can’t” to “fine, I will.” Here are 20 shortcuts I now reorder with no thought. Jar sauces, one pan miracles, no chop devices, freezer savers. The lazy dinner stock up is complete.

Please take a moment to look at the list I have created below (I believe you will discover something that will save you time every single week and allow you to prepare some fantastic meals). Nesting bowls (#15 on the list) are fantastic!

1. A Five-Blade Meat Chopper That Breaks Down Ground Beef in Seconds

Meat Chopper, 5 Curve Blades Ground BeefSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon →

When you’re browning ground beef, the goal is to get an even brown crumble. That typically requires a wooden spoon and accepting a few clumps. With five curved nylon blades that actually break the meat instead of just shoving it around the pan, you are able to get more surface area and more even browning quicker. The nylon can withstand up to 450°F, so you can leave it in the skillet without it warping into a puddle. The nylon blades are also non-stick, dishwasher safe, and BPA free. The handle is designed with a gentle outward curve to follow the shape of your palm, which is especially helpful when you’re working through two pounds of taco meat. It is also great for smashing potatoes, breaking down canned tomatoes, and dismantling block tofu.

2. Nine Wood-Handled Kitchen Tools That Actually Look Good on the Counter

Stainless Steel Kitchen Gadget Set (9 Pieces)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon →

The ideal set for organizing a messy utensil drawer features 9 matching stainless steel tools with wooden handles and one neat storage box. Each tool has a soft-touch grip to make lifting comfy and easy (no knuckle bashing for you). These tools include a pizza cutter, garlic press, peeler, whisk, can opener, bottle opener, cheese grater, cheese knife, and ice cream scoop. Use the hanging holes on each tool to save drawer space with wall storage. You can even use the included box for easy gifting. Just remember, these tools are hand wash only, so you’ll have to wash the tools more than your old mismatched set.

3. Five Stackable Kitchen Tools That Fit in a Single Drawer

Kitchen Gadgets Set 5 PiecesSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon →

Five tools, one stack, approximately the height of a deck of cards. The peeler, grater, pizza cutter, bottle opener, and garlic grinder nest into each other via a locking ring, so you can hang them on a hook or toss them in a drawer without the usual jangle of loose metal. The blades are made of 304 and 430 stainless steel, and the handle is made of ABS plastic, which is light enough for both left and right handers to grip without strain. Each gadget is close to five inches long. Small, yes, but not novelty small. The full size functionality holds up on cheese, ginger, and the occassional flatbread. The dishwasher safe feature makes it even better. Packed in a tidy gift box, it makes sense for RVs, first apartments, and anyone with limited counter space.

4. A Crinkle Cutter That Turns Carrots and Potatoes into Wavy Fries

Crinkle Cutter,Upgraded Stainless Steel Crinkle KnifeSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon →

Wavy fries? Ridged carrot coins? Fluted cucumber rounds? Whatever you are making will certainly be stepped up with this Mandoline Slicer. The stainless steel blade does the work, but as a user you will appreciate the safety guard which means instead of coming in contact with the blade, you will be pressing down on the safety barrier. The blade’s serration is designed to grip potatoes (russets) so that there is no sliding when cutting and the handle is designed so that significant force is not needed to be applied in order to push through soft/water laden vegetables. It is claimed to be dishwasher safe, and while that may certainly be true, if you want to prolong the life of the blade, hand washing is recommended. If anyone in your household is picky about textured foods, this may be the perfect tool to deploy as it will likely be worth the space taken up in your tool drawer.

5. One Slotted Silicone Spoon That Drains, Mashes, Skims, and Grates

Multifunctional Kitchen Cooking SpoonSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon →

Draining, mashing, stirring, and straining. Four utensils worth of work done by one silicone spoon. The slotted spoon separates oil from your ground meat, or olives straight out of the brine. with the help of the spoon’s raised garlic masher, you can even mash roasted garlic or avocados without wasting the space in your drawer for a separate masher. Plus, the food-grade thermoplastic is safe up to 410°F, which means it can live in a simmering stew without warping or releasing any chemicals. The handle is light, almost suspiciously so, but the frame supports a pot full of mashed potatoes. The top hole means the spoon can be hung on a hook instead of sticking it in the utensil crock. Red, for the record, is more cherry than fire-engine.

6. An 18-in-1 Chopper That Replaces Half Your Knife Drawer

18-in-1 Vegetable Chopper Mandoline Slicer for KitchenSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon →

With nine interchangeable stainless steel blades, one container, and zero excuses, there’s no need to keep crying over onions. The attachments for slicing, dicing, julienning, chiffonading, and spiralizing swap out in seconds, and the steel will stay sharper longer than those flimsy mandolines that usually hide in the back of the drawer. The 7.5-cup catch container also functions as a colander, so you can rinse, chop and drain without dirtying another bowl. The nonslip base sticks to the counter with a nice suction-like grip. A brush and scraper are provided for the ever-present garlic skin situation. Food-grade ABS, BPA-free. It’s compact enough to actually store. Meal prep is transformed from a project to just five minutes.

7. 26 Nesting Stainless Steel Bowls with Lids, a Grater, and Non-Slip Bottoms

Umite Chef Thickened Heavy (26 Pieces)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon →

To some, twenty-six pieces may sound like a lot. However, the set includes some very useful components: A 7QT nesting bowl that goes all the way down to 1QT. Each size is labeled, so you’ll no squint to see which size you are grabbing. In addition to the bowls are some tight-fitting lids that are made from BPA-free materials, and a grater attachment. There are also small components like a whisk, spatula, brush, and measuring spoons. One of the biggest selling features of this set is the silicone bottom. Unlike most bowls, this one STAYS put when you press it down on the counter. This is a big deal when you are trying to make scrambled eggs and need to grab the salt to season it (assuming you have some to add). All the bowls are dishwasher safe, and the whole set can fit on a single shelf due to their nesting design. Another very useful design feature is that the lid for the 3.5QT bowl has an insert that you can use to add ingredients while keeping the lid on. It’s genuinely a well thought out set.

8. Seven Everyday Gadgets That Snap Into a Magnetic Countertop Crock

bella 7-Piece Modular Gadget SetSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon →

The selling point is the magnetic base, which attaches to other bella modular accessories if you’re expanding a cohesive countertop. The crock has a removable divider so you can rearrange it depending on what you actually use most (the peeler, probably). TPR handles make the tools have a soft, slightly tacky grip, the type that doesn’t slide when your hands are wet. Stainless steel on the important parts. The entire set is dishwasher safe. The shears separate for easy cleaning, not the kind where you pretend that rinsing will do. This is a starter kit that will make your countertop look organized.

9. Eight Magnetic Measuring Spoons That Stack into One Tidy Cluster

ChefAide Pack of 8 Stainless Steel MagneticSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon →

Magnetic measuring spoons are a solution to the problem of metal rings on measuring spoons. If you have ever tried to use a ringed set of measuring spoons, you know how annoying it can be when you have to pull the metal spoons apart when you are trying to use them. This set does not have an annoying metal ring. Instead, you get 8 stainless steel measuring spoons and a magnet to hold them together when you are not using them. Plus, there is a measuring spoon included so that you can level off your scoop if you are the kind of person who takes offense to “scant teaspoon” instructions.

10. A Twist-Top Shredder That Pulls a Chicken Breast in Seconds

Chicken Shredder Tool Twist Large Chicken BreastSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon →

As much as I would love to spend 20 minutes shredding chicken with a fork, I really don’t want to spend that much time doing it, especially when the aftermath looks like a horror movie. However, I don’t have to when I can just use this twist-style shredder. Just toss in the cooked chicken, clamp down the lid, and give it a few twists and you’ll have perfectly shredded chicken, pork, or beef in seconds. This can be used for tacos, enchiladas, and even for buffalo chicken dip! The anti-slip base really grips the countertop. It is also made out of BPA-free materials, dishwasher safe, and heat resistant up to 356 degrees. It even comes with a cleaning brush and a fork that while may seem minimal, is actually more than what most kitchen gadgets come with.

11. Five Utensils Fused into One Slim Silicone Tool

Joseph JosephSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon →

With a single handle, five tools, and a whole lot less drawer chaos, there’s a lot to like! The nylon construction can handle up to 480°F so that covers most stovetop scenarios short of deep-frying. The slotted edge drains pasta, the solid side scoops up sauce, the flat edge turns over pancakes and the angled edge slices through lasagna or sheet pan brownies and doesn’t scratch nonstick cookware. The silicone tipped head is forgiving and clear enough to go against the skillet to lift a fried egg out perfectly. The utensil is dishwasher safe, which is great for using the same utensil for multiple jobs in the same meal. Practical, slightly nerdy, and very Joseph Joseph, the utensil is a great solution for small kitchens or anyone who hates digging through a utensil crock.

12. Five-Blade Herb Scissors That Mince Basil in One Snip

2026 Upgraded Herb ScissorsSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon →

Chopping basil with a chef’s knife turns it brown and bruised within minutes. These scissors avoid that problem by slicing fresh herbs without the crushing. The blades are stainless steel, and the handles are TPR. One of the handles even has a cover that doubles as a blade comb. There is also a mini cleaning brush for the green bits that will inevitably get stuck in between the blades. They are useful for cutting cilantro, mint, parsley, scallions, and the ribbons of basil that you might need for a caprese salad. they are a small and specific tool that is reasonable to add to a wedding registry.

13. Heat-Resistant Silicone Spatulas That Won’t Melt at 600°F

ChefAide 5 Pieces Silicone Spatula SetSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon →

Seamless one-piece silicone construction means no more excavating dried pasta sauce out of the seam where the handle meets the head. A small thing. A meaningful thing if you’ve ever owned a two-part spatula. The set runs five pieces in different sizes and shapes, covering the spoonula-to-jar-scraper spectrum, and the silicone holds up to 600°F without warping or shedding flecks into your scrambled eggs. The flex factor is the real selling point: firm enough to fold cookie dough, pliable enough to chase the last of the brownie batter around the bowl. Nonstick-pan safe, dishwasher safe, available in colors that don’t look like a hospital cafeteria. Not a bad upgrade from the lone scorched spatula in your drawer.

14. A Five-Blade Masher That Crumbles Ground Beef in Seconds

Meat Chopper, Upgrade Hamburger Smasher, Premium HeatSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon →

Brown beef with a wooden spoon leaves you with meatball-sized chunks and a feeling of defeat. This nylon chopper has five blades that are specially designed to give you real crumbles instead of clumps. With this chopper, you can get a pound of turkey broken up in about thirty seconds. The heat resistance is up to 447 degrees so you can let it sit in the pan while you cook and it won’t warp or melt into your food. This product is BFA free, non-stick safe, and dishwasher friendly. The handle has a slight rubberized grip which means you can stir without your wrist cramping. Aqua is an odd color for a kitchen tool, but it does make it hard to lose.

15. 26 Nesting Stainless Bowls with Airtight Lids and Grater Lids

Thickened Heavy (26 Pieces)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon →

At first, the 26 pieces look excessive, but calculated, it makes sense. There are 6 nesting bowls (1 to 7 quarts), lids that are airtight for each, 3 interchangeable grater attachments, and a whisk, spatula, brush, and measuring spoons. The 3.5 quart lid has a smaller removable insert, so you can add ingredients mid-blend without unsealing it. Silicone bottoms make everything anchored while you whisk, which matters more than you’d think. Mirror and matte finish. Dishwasher safe exteriors. QT labels on each bowl mean you stop guessing which one the recipe wants. A complete prep-to-storage system that actually nests back into the cabinet when you’re done. That’s rare.

16. A 12-in-1 Chopper with Seven Blades and a Catch Container

Yusshn Vegetable Chopper,12See price on AmazonSee on Amazon →

Seven blades, one container, and the honor of not shedding a tear through an onion. The 420J2 stainless steel inserts work (dicing in two sizes, wave slicing, grating, fine milling), and the hand protector keeps your fingers where they belong. The real improvement is the integrated water filter basket: rinse chopped potatoes or onions straight in the container, drain and you’re done. No second colander. No transfer stage. The blades click in and out for cleaning, which is important because garlic residue is forever. The ABS housing keeps the weight reasonable on the counter and is something to consider for those who have been outsourcing dinner prep to a meal kit just to avoid the cutting board.

17. Seven Interchangeable Blades That Turn Onions into Perfect Dice

SpaceHacks 12See price on AmazonSee on Amazon →

Evenly chopping an onion, not crying from cutting it, and not smelling like an onion for 3 days is all possible with the 12 in 1 Nicer Dicer. With the nice dicer you can chop to your heart’s content with the 7 different attachments for noodles, chopping, and more that lead to a 1.7L container for catching all the food you just made so you can cook. Not everything is perfect, so as a trade you do need to wear the finger safety device as these are sharp. A base keeps this thing in one spot as youre pushing away. The value of this is less than a holiday gift, and it comes with an egg separator, cleaning brush, stuck bit, and the other attachments all are coming with an egg separator, cleaning brush, stuck bit scraper, and more. Everything nests into the container for storage, which matters if your gadget drawer is already at capacity. Weeknight stir-fry fresh, with the Nicer Dicer everything feels a little more doable and less tedious.

18. Non-Scratch Meat Chopper That Won’t Wreck Your Nonstick Pans

5 Blade Heat Resistant Meat ChopperSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon →

The body is made of heat-resistant nylon and won’t warp when you leave it resting against the side of a hot skillet (we’ve all done it). The rounded edges mean your nonstick coating will stay intact. Meat falls apart into fine crumbles that taco night actually requires, no more sad clumps of partially mashed beef. The handle is made so you can ground frozen and thawed chicken without your wrist feeling sore. Don’t worry about scrubbing fat out of the channels, it is dishwasher safe.

19. Multi-Function Veggie Chopper with Finger Guard and Egg Separator

HomeHacks Vegetable Chopper Vegetable CutterSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon →

It may seem excessed to have twelve attachments for your kitchen gadget, but trust us, once you get your hands on this unit, you will understand the numerous features. The handle on the lid provides you with the ability to lever down and dice anything you want without the risk of crushing your wrist or only getting half diced food. The blades are made out of 420 stainless steel, and are removable, making them ideal for slicing, juilenning, and grating. You can even use the blades to separate egg yolks. The base of the unit also acts as a drain basket, meaning you can chop and wash your food without having to clean an additional bowl. Each unit comes with a finger guard, cleaning brush, and blade grate (which nobody wants to deal with). The units are made out of food-grade ABS plastic with embedded rivet construction for extra durability and longevity. The unit may not be beautiful, but it will get the job done every time.

20. Eight Kitchen Tools That Stack Together into a Wine Bottle

BUTEFO 8 in 1 Kitchen Tool SetSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon →

When these eight pieces are assembled, they resemble a wine bottle on a kitchen counter. But when you disassemble it, they become a funnel, juicer, grater, egg cracker, shredder, can opener, egg separator, and measuring cup. Each component also has a unique color which may seem like a gimmick, but is probably helpful when you’re half asleep at 7 a.m. grabbing the wrong divider. The assembled unit is about 11 inches tall and has a nice clicking sound when secured. Ideal for tiny apartments, RVs, or any kitchen drawer that is packed full of utensils. Most of the tools probably won’t replace your old favorites, but the space saving design makes a strong case for the trade-off, and it looks nice on open shelving.