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.
Nesting bowls (#15 on the list) are awesome. Take a look at the following list I made (there’s something on here I’m sure you’ll find will save you time each week and help you cook up great meals.).
1. A Five-Blade Meat Chopper That Breaks Down Ground Beef in Seconds
Meat Chopper, 5 Curve Blades Ground Beef
See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Curved to fit comfortably in your palm (important when you’re breaking apart two pounds of ground beef for taco night), the handle attaches to five curved blades for crumbling, mashing, and breaking apart food. The blades make short work of breaking apart browned ground beef into an even crumble (no more pushing chunks of beef around the pan with a wooden spoon, hoping for the best), crushing potatoes, breaking apart canned tomatoes, crumbling tofu, and more. The blades are made of heat-resistant (up to 450°F.) nylon, so they’re unlikely to melt and drip a sad plastic puddle into your dinner. They’re also BPA free, nonstick, and dishwasher safe.
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
Unlike their disparate predecessors, all nine of these stainless steel utensils feature coordinating wooden handles with comfortable, soft-touch grips (farewell, bruised knuckles.). From a can opener to a whisk to a garlic press, this set has everything you need (cheese grater and pizza cutter, too.) to tackle your culinary tasks in style. Not only does each item feature a hole for convenient (and space-saving) hanging storage, the utensils come in a nifty little box perfect for gift-giving. Just note that these pretty little helpers will need to be washed by hand.
3. Five Stackable Kitchen Tools That Fit in a Single Drawer
Kitchen Gadgets Set 5 PiecesSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The 5 tools can lock together with a ring making them easy to store either hanging from a hook or thrown in a drawer without clanking around. The set includes a peeler, grater, pizza cutter, bottle opener and garlic grinder. The handles are made of ABS plastic and the blades out of either 304 stainless steel or 430 stainless steel. The gadgets measure just under 5 inches. Light enough to use with either hand. Blades big enough to shred a wheel of cheese, grate ginger or cut a small flatbread. Would work well for those traveling in an RV, those living in small first apartments or for those who just don’t have a lot of counter space. Comes in a nice little gift box. All five pieces are dishwasher safe.
4. A Crinkle Cutter That Turns Carrots and Potatoes into Wavy Fries
Crinkle Cutter,Upgraded Stainless Steel Crinkle KnifeSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Textured vegetables are the order of the day with this Mandoline Slicer. Make fluted cucumber rounds, wavy fries or even ridged carrot coins. The stainless steel blade is serrated to hold onto russets (or whatever else you’re slicing) so there’s no slipping and sliding when you’re making cuts. The ergonomically designed handle requires minimal pressure so pushing through softer, water filled vegetables will be easy on your hands. There’s a safety guard included as well so instead of having direct contact with the blade, you’ll be pushing down on a protective cover. This Mandoline Slicer is supposedly dishwasher safe, but for the longevity of the blade hand washing is suggested. If there’s a finicky eater in your household who loves textured foods this Mandoline Slicer may be just the ticket and well worth a spot in your utensil drawer.
5. One Slotted Silicone Spoon That Drains, Mashes, Skims, and Grates
Multifunctional Kitchen Cooking SpoonSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Made of food-grade thermoplastic that’s heat resistant to 410 degrees Fahrenheit, this silicone spoon won’t warp or leach chemicals into your food (great for that stew that’s been simmering on the stove for hours). And despite its surprisingly light handle, the sturdy construction can hold its own when mixing a whole potful of mashed potatoes. This spoon does a lot of jobs. It can drain, mash, stir, and strain. Its raised ridges double as a garlic masher (handy for mashed avocado too.), and the slots make it easy to scoop out olives from their brine or remove meat from a bit of oil. Reddish (closer to cherry than fire-engine, if you’re curious), it can hang from its large hole in the handle on a handy hook when not in use.
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
Chopping and slicing your way through the week’s meals takes just five minutes with this slicer that comes with nine stainless steel attachments (for everything from dicing to spiralizing) that switch out quickly, a 7.5-cup container that doubles as a colander (rinse, dice, and drain all in one.), a nonslip base that grips the counter with suction-like tenacity, and a BPA-free, food-grade ABS body that packs down nicely for storage. Say goodbye to flimsy, dull mandolines, hello to a cutting tool that promises a long-lasting edge. (Included are also a cleaning brush and scraper, for dealing with the dreaded garlic peeling situation.)
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
Twenty-six may sound like a lot, but this set really has some nifty additions. First off, there are some lids that fit pretty snugly and are also made from BPA-free materials. There’s even an insert for the 3.5QT bowl lid for adding ingredients without having to uncover the bowl. It also comes with a whisk, spatula, brush, measuring spoons, and even a grater attachment. All of these little items are really helpful additions. The nesting bowls range in size from 7QT down to 1QT. The silicone bottom really stays put when placed on the counter (great for cracking eggs and grabbing the salt shaker.). The nesting design really makes for easy storage since the whole set will fit on one shelf in your cabinet. Each bowl is labeled so you can see which size you’re grabbing without having to squint. These bowls are also dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
8. Seven Everyday Gadgets That Snap Into a Magnetic Countertop Crock
bella 7-Piece Modular Gadget SetSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
If you want to get a more cohesive look on your counters and expand to include other bella modular accessories, the set features a magnetic base. Stainless steel where it counts, TPR (which gives the tools a soft yet slightly tacky grip, nice when your hands are wet and slippery) and a removable divider (so you can customize the set to feature the tools you use most often, probably the peeler) round out the features. Shears come apart for thorough cleaning. Everything is dishwasher safe.
9. Eight Magnetic Measuring Spoons That Stack into One Tidy Cluster
ChefAide Pack of 8 Stainless Steel MagneticSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Instead of spoons held together with a ring (you know the ones I’m talking about; those where you have to wrestle with the spoons in order to remove one for use), this set of spoons stores neatly with the help of a magnet. The eight stainless steel spoons will make you wonder how you ever baked without them. Oh, and there’s a leveling spoon, too, for those of us who balk at recipes that call for a “scant teaspoon” of something.
10. A Twist-Top Shredder That Pulls a Chicken Breast in Seconds
Chicken Shredder Tool Twist Large Chicken BreastSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
I know that I could shred cooked chicken with a fork in about 20 minutes and end up with a kitchen scene worthy of a horror movie, but instead I’ll use this bad boy. Simply place your cooked meat (chicken, pork, or beef) in this handy dandy tool, clamp the lid shut, and twist away. In seconds you’ll have shredded meat perfect for tacos, enchiladas, buffalo chicken dip, or anything else your little heart desires. It’s BPA-free, dishwasher-safe, and heat-resistant up to 356 degrees. The base has an anti-slip feature so it will grip your countertop like a champ. It even comes with a cleaning brush and fork which is nice because it seems like most kitchen gadgets don’t come with much of anything.
11. Five Utensils Fused into One Slim Silicone Tool
Joseph JosephSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The head of the spatula is tipped with silicone, which is great for nonstick surfaces. The edges are interesting: one is flat, which is good for flipping pancakes; one is slotted, which is helpful for pasta; one is at an angle, which is nice for lasagna or brownies baked on a sheet; and one is solid, which is great for scooping up sauces. The silicone tip and flat edge make this spatula also nice for lifting fried eggs out of a skillet. It’s dishwasher-safe, heat-resistant up to 480°F (basically everything except deep-frying), and made of nylon. And it’s got five tools in one. My only complaint is that the silicone tip is somewhat opaque, so you can’t always see exactly what you’re scooping up. But all in all, it’s a winner for anyone who doesn’t want to clutter up their utensil crock or drawers, or for anyone who likes practical, slightly nerdy gadgets like this one (they’re very Joseph Joseph).
12. Five-Blade Herb Scissors That Mince Basil in One Snip
2026 Upgraded Herb ScissorsSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The handles on the Herb Scissors are made from a rubbery material called TPR and the blades are stainless steel. Chopped herbs like basil quickly turn brown and bruised when cut with a chef’s knife, but the Herb Scissors slice the herbs without bruising. Cilantro, mint, parsley, scallions and ribbons of basil (hello caprese salad.) will all be snipped up with these scissors. A mini brush is provided to clean out the herb confetti that inevitably ends up between the blades. One of the handles even has a removable cap that conceals a little blade-cleaning comb. Not a particularly flashy kitchen tool, but totally useful and reasonable to ask for on your 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
Unlike a one piece silicone spatula there is nowhere for pasta sauce to get stuck and dry. Silicone utensils won’t warp or shed little pieces of themselves into your scrambled eggs at temperatures as high as 600°F. Sturdy enough to mix cookie dough, these spatulas are still flexible enough to get every last drop of brownie batter out of the bowl. Non-stick friendly and dishwasher safe this five piece set of spatulas in a variety of shapes and sizes (there’s even a little jar scraper.) is an upgrade from that one beat up scorched spatula you keep finding in the back of your utensil drawer. And they come in colors other than those found in your local hospital cafeteria.
14. A Five-Blade Masher That Crumbles Ground Beef in Seconds
Meat Chopper, Upgrade Hamburger Smasher, Premium HeatSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Unlike a wooden spoon, this nylon chopper will allow you to brown meat without frustration. Instead of coming away with meatball sized chunks, this chopper’s five uniquely shaped blades will ensure that your meat actually crumbles. I was able to brown a pound of turkey in about thirty seconds. The chopper can withstand temperatures up to 447 degrees which means you can leave it in the pan while you’re cooking without worrying about it warping or melting. This chopper is BFA free, safe for nonstick cookware, and can be tossed in the dishwasher when you’re done. The handle has just a touch of a rubberized grip that I appreciated when stirring pots for extended periods of time, avoiding wrist cramping. I have to admit I wasn’t sure about the color aqua, but I’ll admit it does make it easy to find in a sea of cooking implements.
15. 26 Nesting Stainless Bowls with Airtight Lids and Grater Lids
Thickened Heavy (26 Pieces)See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The matte and mirror finishes and dishwasher-safe exteriors are a nice touch. While 26 pieces may sound like a lot, the majority of those pieces are the six (ranging in size from one to seven quarts) nesting bowls and their respective lids (all airtight), three grater attachments (interchangeable), a brush, spatula, whisk and set of measuring spoons. All the bowls have silicone bottoms (helpful so they don’t slide around while whisking, believe it or not) and QT markings so you know which size bowl is which. The 3.5 QT lid has a nifty little insert you can remove to add ingredients while blending without having to completely remove the lid itself. All-in-all, it’s a pretty comprehensive prep-to-storage system that, when not in use, nests nicely back into a cabinet.
16. A 12-in-1 Chopper with Seven Blades and a Catch Container
Yusshn Vegetable Chopper,12See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
Meal kits make it easy to avoid chopping onions and potatoes, but if you’re ready to take back control of your cooking, the ABS construction makes this model light enough to leave out on the counter between uses. Seven 420J2 stainless steel cutting, dicing (two sizes), wave slicing, grating and fine milling attachments click in and out of the container for use and easy cleaning (because nothing is more stubborn than garlic smell), and there’s a hand protector so your digits stay intact. The real nifty feature is the water filter basket, which eliminates having to dump your chopped onions or potatoes into a strainer. Just rinse them right in the container.
17. Seven Interchangeable Blades That Turn Onions into Perfect Dice
SpaceHacks 12See price on AmazonSee on Amazon
And it’s all thanks to the 12 in 1 Nicer Dicer. Evenly diced onions? Check. Not tearing up while dicing said onions? Check. Not reeking of onions for 3 days after? Check. The 12 in 1 Nicer Dicer is perfect for those who want to cook more but find themselves bogged down by the prep work. This nifty little dicer has seven different attachments (for everything from dicing to making noodles) and can be used to prep veggies, fruit, meats, cheeses, etc. Once you’ve diced away your hearts content, everything funnels into a 1.7L container ready to be tossed into a pan or pot. The Nicer Dicer also comes with a host of other useful attachments including an egg separator, cleaning brush, stuck bit scraper, etc. One warning, the blades ARE sharp. You’ll want to use the provided safety tool when using this dicer. It also comes with a handy little suction-cup base that sticks to your counter top so the whole contraption doesn’t move around as you’re dicing away. If you’re anything like me and your kitchen gadget drawer is bursting at the seams, you’ll be happy to know that all of the attachments can be stored neatly within the 1.7L container for easy storage. This dicer would make a great holiday gift for the foodie in your life (and is well under the price of one.).
18. Non-Scratch Meat Chopper That Won’t Wreck Your Nonstick Pans
5 Blade Heat Resistant Meat ChopperSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The ergonomic handle makes mincing thawed or frozen chicken easy on the wrists. The heat resistant nylon construction won’t warp (looking at you, people who rest their meat grinders against their hot skillet.). Rounding edges make it easy to mince meat without scratching your nonstick cookware. Easy to clean, with no more trying to get all the grease out of the channels, this meat grinder is dishwasher safe. Breaks up meat into evenly minced pieces to say goodbye to partially mashed beef chunks and hello taco night ready crumbles.
19. Multi-Function Veggie Chopper with Finger Guard and Egg Separator
HomeHacks Vegetable Chopper Vegetable CutterSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
stainless steel blades are removable for juilenning, grating, slicing and even separating egg yolks. Food grade ABS plastic and embedded rivet construction add strength and durability Convenient drain basket base means less dishes Lid handle lets you dice with ease and no danger of crushing your wrist (or incompletely diced veggies) Includes finger guard, brush for cleaning and a grate for the blade (yay.) Twelve attachments may seem like a lot for a chopper, but you’ll see that there are a lot of uses for this one. It’s not the prettiest, but it does the job.
20. Eight Kitchen Tools That Stack Together into a Wine Bottle
BUTEFO 8 in 1 Kitchen Tool SetSee price on AmazonSee on Amazon
The eight pieces click together to form an 11-inch tall object that could pass for a wine bottle on a counter. The eight pieces are: a measuring cup, can opener, egg separator, egg cracker, juicer, grater, funnel, and shredder. While I wouldn’t use any of these instead of my regular tools, this would be great for an RV or small apartment where storage space is limited, and looks cute on a shelf. Each piece is a different color. At first I thought this was just for show, but I can see how it would help at 7 a.m. so you don’t grab the wrong one.