24 Things To Help You Whip Up Impressive Meals, Even If You Graduated From The Trader Joe's Academy Of Frozen Food

Buzz Feed

04-05-2025

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
If you don't already have scissors to cut the gross bits off of chicken tenders... what are you even doing. 😩
1. A TikTok-viral floating pasta timer so you never under or overcook your pasta again. Al Dente, as he's known, sings a different song every seven, nine, and 11 minutes so you know exactly when you pull your farfalle.
www.amazon.com
Check this dude out on TikTok.
Promising review: "Fun little kitchen gadget — it really works. Bought this as a gift last January and ending up keeping it with the plan of buying several more to give as Christmas gifts this year." — KW
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
2. Some dried ramen topping — with goji berry, carrot, cabbage, corn, shiitake mushroom, green onion, shrimp, squid, and beancurd — you simply rehydrate and toss on top of noodles, pizza, salad, etc. You're basically a Next Level Chef contestant when you pull this from the cupboard!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Love the taste and texture that this mix adds. It makes a plain bowl of Maruchan feel like a proper meal. A few people have complained about a fishy smell... but it's a seafood mix. I love it and will get a lot of use out of it." — Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $23.99.
3. A Himalayan salt block if you've been chomping at the bit waiting for grilling season to get here. A big ol' slab of steak and some veggie kebabs cooked to perfection on a hunk of salt??? Let's goooo.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "The meat came out with a nice salted crust and the salt block kept the meat juicy and moist. I wouldn't grill any other way if I could! I bought this for my father as a gift for his birthday and he LOVES IT. When it's not in use, it's a good table centerpiece in my opinion." — just someone
Get it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in two sizes).
4. A veggie chopper so you can dice up an onion as impressively as former VP Kamala Harris. If you haven't seen it, I'm gonna need you to open another tab and promptly google "Kamala Harris and Mindy Kaling cook masala dosa," because, man, it is a thing of beauty.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Fullstar is a small business established in 2017 that specializes in kitchen gadgets. Check out a TikTok of their veggie chopper in action.
Promising review:" I was skeptical at first 'til I opened the box and found a very sturdy, very well-built kitchen tool inside. I read the pamphlet it comes with, and it explained all I needed to know when first using it. And, it was very easy to use. I bought it for a specific recipe I was going to make, and it called for lots of chopped onions and potatoes. It went through them like a champ and did exactly what I wanted. A very good deal and a good product. Would buy it again." — W.L. Shute
Get it from Amazon for $24.95 (clip the $5 off coupon to get this price!; available in four colors).
5. A Thaw Claw that'll weigh down your meat in the sink and thaw it out seven times faster than if you left it on the counter. Now that you have to thaw your own meats, you understand why mom was royally PO'd every time you were so sucked into Sims 4 (recreating your neighborhood, naturally), that you totally forgot to take the chicken out of the freezer.
www.amazon.com
Bonus: The ThawClaw is a small biz!
Promising review: "I am a stickler for properly defrosting meat after working in food service for years and this makes that process super easy and surprisingly quick! I've even convinced my father — a retired rocket scientist — that this is the best way to defrost." — Sarah
Get it from Amazon for $10.95.
6. Some bat-shaped kitchen shears you can use to chop up herbs and remove the creepy bits from your chicken tendies. Trust me, as someone with a weak stomach... it makes such a difference!!!!
Amazon
Promising review: "What is there not to like about bat scissors? These are durable, comfy on the hand when cutting, and they are sharp... Plus, they look awesome in my knife holder. 😀" — sharon skully
Get it from Amazon for $14.20.
7. A breakfast sandwich maker that simultaneously cooks your egg, toasts your bread, warms precooked meat, and melts cheese so you can slap together the ultimate breakfast sammie without having to wait in line at Dunkin' or Starbucks.
www.amazon.com
Promising review:"I am actually excited for my weekday breakfast now. These homemade McMuffins are so good! My favorite version uses sliced tomatoes, Swiss cheese, and precooked bacon (from Costco). So many options, so easy! My kindergartener and my teenager both love it. I may have to buy another one for our family. It's also easy to clean with a quick wipe-down." — Joolie
Get it from Amazon for $32.99 (available in six colors).
8. Or a super easy-to-use egg bite maker so you can make lil' egg bebes that adhere to your keto/paleo/gluten-free/vegetarian lifestyle and *don't* cost $9 (plus the gas to get you to the drive-thru).
www.amazon.com
Psst — a lot of folks also use these for pancake and protein pancake bites, too!
Promising review: "I bought this in hopes of making egg bites similar to Starbucks, and I have not been disappointed. I chose this one after reading reviews on the smaller four-bite size. I have used it multiple times and have had excellent results each time. I followed the recipe in the booklet and used a tip from another reviewer that suggested to triple the cottage cheese amount. It's very easy to use and clean." — April124
Get it from Amazon for $32.60+ (available in three colors).
9. A neutral set of silicone-coated kitchen utensils so you can throw away the mismatched ones you've been using since college.
www.amazon.com, Amazon
The utensils can withstand temperatures of -40 degrees F up to 446 degrees F. Each set includes 24 tools and a holder.
Promising review:"I don't normally write reviews, but I went out of my way to share this! I love these; they are super cute and really nice to cook with! I went through and threw away all of my plastic spoons and spatulas after using these. I'm definitely a fan!" — Patricia B.
Get them from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in eight color combos).
10. A colorful pan — from BuzzFeed's Goodful line — that's not just cute, but has the ability to kick all of your other dented and scratched pots to the curb as it can pan fry, sauté, sear, boil, simmer, blanche, braise, poach, deep fry, stew... and more, but I'll stop myself there.
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I waited to write a review until I'd actually tested the pan and after using it for 2 months, I can honestly say that it is amazing! It's the best cookware product that I've ever used as it heats up evenly and cleans so easily (even the bottom of the pan still looks new). I am currently looking at other Goodful products to replace my other pots, so YES, I'd highly recommend this product!" — Johnny O
Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in eight colors).
11. A silicone crab or witch utensil holder ready to triumphantly hold your spoon over its head so it doesn't melt on the side of your stove while you're cooking.
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review: "Probably the coolest holder I have ever seen. Bought it for my wife and she loves it and thinks it's cute. I laugh when I look at it, just cool as all! Hangs on all of our pots and pans, stays cool. Easy to clean and looks awesome. Great addition to any kitchen. Works great, does exactly what it is intended to do!" — Logan E.
Get it from Amazon for $13.95.
12. A Dracula garlic mincer because garlic powder simply doesn't compare to freshly minced garlic when you're whipping your own Olive Garden–inspired "Tour of Italy" (chicken parmigiana, lasagna, and fettuccine alfredo, obvi).
PS: You can also use it for ginger!
Promising review:"I purchased this as a gift for my friend who is a fantastic cook — she uses fresh ingredients almost exclusively — but pressing fresh garlic is a task usually delegated. No longer — Gracula is there for her. She uses him nearly every time she needs garlic (which is basically daily) and months later still makes a point of saying how much she enjoys the gift. Anyway, definitely recommended for people who cook with garlic and have a sense of humor." — L
Get it from Amazon for $16.95.
13. Modular sheet pan dividers so you can make a one-pan meal without overcooking any of the elements. Sick of burning your butternut squash while you wait for your Brussels sprouts to finish? Well, now you can pull 'em out as soon as they're done without worrying about shuffling several hot pans.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
Prep'd, the small biz that created these handy dividers, was founded in 2015 by two industrial engineers who believed cooking should be simple, easy, and ultimately fun.
Promising review:"These are great for so many reasons. We're in a mixed gluten household (one person has celiac and is diabetic, but we are not all doing a gluten-free diet). We can portion control for carb counting and separate out gluten-free vs. none on one pan. Plus, cleanup is just throwing in the dishwasher!" — J Fans
Get a set of four from Amazon for $32.99.
14. A pastel knife set with such an arresting design, one reviewer warns not to forget they're super sharp, too!!!
www.amazon.com
Promising review: "I am a sucker for everyday use items that are effective at what they do and also super beautiful to look at. The pastels are just perfect. I agree with everyone, though, do not get comfortable and forget how sharp they are." — Ibric Family
Get it from Amazon for $16.99.
15. A set of toaster oven bags if you're always craving a grilled cheese but don't want to pull out a pan. Just put together all your fixins, drop 'em in the bag, and let your toaster do the work for you.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
You can also heat up pizza slices, chicken nuggets, and more with it, meaning you'll have dinner ready in a matter of minutes. Reviewers say these are also great for anyone with a gluten allergy who needs to keep their bread separate in the toaster. Check 'em out on TikTok here!
Promising review:"This item is so cool and it real works. Makes a great sandwich and supper easy too use and clean up." — Flecia Young
Get them from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in packs of 4, 6, and 10).
16. A foldable mushroom funnel so you can transfer your liquids without spilling them all over the counter. Think of how many paper towels this will save you!!
Amazon
To use it, just flip it inside out and stick the "stem" through your container's opening. Plus, it's dishwasher safe!
Promising review: "I am obsessed with this funnel!!! I juice a lot of citrus and juices for cocktails, and this little guy is the perfect size for bottling. It's beyond cute and really great quality. I'm always hesitant about buying silicone items, as I don't want them to be too thin. This is perfect! Sturdy and cute! Can't get better than that! The perfect addition to any cottagecore kitchen!" — Abbey Klem
Get it from Amazon for $13.95.
17. An Amazon Basics 6-quart Dutch oven that people compare to budget-busting versions from Le Creuset, Staub, and Lodge. Here you come, TikTok recipes!
www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com
Promising review:" Le Creuset? Don't know her. I have always wanted one of these enamel-covered cast iron beauties, but even from the outlet stores, they were expensive. I saw this guy after finding a stew recipe that went from stove to oven, and I got it. I am DELIGHTED with this purchase! I've cooked in it several times, including a chili recipe tonight that had to reduce by half. It left a ridiculous ring on the inside, and that sucker wiped right out. I haven't burned or scorched any of my foods and it's pretty, too!" — HerRoyalHighness
Get a 6-quart Dutch oven from Amazon for $47.84+ (available in two other sizes and 11 total colors).
18. A cactus measuring spoon set made from ceramic so they won't melt when oops! you accidentally leave them too close to the stove.
Amazon
Promising review: "The cutest measuring spoons I've ever owned. They feel high quality and look great in our kitchen. I love using them." — Ash Johnson
Get it from Amazon for $20.99+ (available in three styles).
19. An automatic spice grinder so you can top off every dish with a bit of spice and in the most ✨extra✨ fashion imaginable.
Kayla Suazo / BuzzFeed
BTW — this grinder is battery-operated, so make sure to get a few AA batteries, too!
Promising reviews:"Nothing like freshly ground spices to add a little snap to your cooking. The pods snap on and off with ease and the grind size is very easy to adjust from barely ground to pulverized... The ability to group commonly used spices together in threes and carry them across the kitchen or outside to the grill just adds to the usability." — Todd Tittle
Get it from Amazon for $34.99+ (available in eight colors, comes with grinder and two interchangeable pods).
20. A pair of herb scissors if you just don't have the patience to finely dice your scallions when there's shrimp fried rice to be eaten. (And "you're telling me a shrimp fried this rice??" jokes to be cheesily told.)
Amazon
The scissors have five blades which do the work of 10 knives! They also come with a cleaning comb which makes it easy to get out every last bit of your herbs.
Promising review: "We use HelloFresh which has a lot of meals with scallions. My uniform knife cutting skills are sketchy at best and I just knew there had to be a gadget out there that would make things easier. These herb shears are awesome! They make my life much easier. They are just like the description says, easy to use, easy to clean, and so far seem pretty durable." — Mike Taylor
Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in three colors).
21. A versatile Ninja Crispi Air Fryer system that can air fry, bake, crisp, and reheat when attached to your choice of included 6-cup or 4-quart container. And anything you don't finish? Just slap a lid on it, store it in your fridge, and enjoy leftovers the next day! No extra dishes necessary.
Amazon
Each air fryer comes with the"PowerPod," two containers (a 4-quart and a 6-quart), and lids. The PowerPod has auto-shutoff and four modes: Max Crisp, Bake, Air Fry, and Recrisp. The "feet" are heat-safe, so you can prop it on any surface without worrying!
Promising review: "I got my Ninja Crisper today and reheated some stuffed bread with feta cheese and spinach, and it did a wonderful job. I t was like it just came out of the oven the first time. Nice and crispy outside, but the inside heated just right. I love that the bottom glass can be covered with the lid it comes with. They come with a metal plate you can put in the glass bottom part, and it actually fits into the lid, so it doesn't get lost. The glass makes a difference in the taste, too. It is a great product and well worth it." — Jennifer
Get it from Amazon for $159.99 (available in three colors).
22. A set of decorative trivets made to protect your table from the scorching heat of your latest creation: an over-microwaved Hot Pocket (AKA molten lava straight from Earth's mantle).
Amazon
Line + Arc is a small biz!
Promising review: "This was a really hard purchase for me. I searched for quite a bit but couldn't settle on any trivets that also fit the aesthetic of my kitchen. These are perfect! Love the color, size, shape, dimensions… all of it. It was hard to press that purchase button though just because of the price (there are sooooo many cheaper options), but these seem like they will stand the test of time." — Anna
Get a set of three from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in seven colors).
23. A leaf-shaped herb stripper if you're looking for a quick and easy way to strip fresh cilantro, rosemary, and even kale while cooking. Slide them through and leave behind that bitter stem!
www.amazon.com, Amazon
Promising review: "This is one of those random kitchen gadgets that you would never even think about existing, but it's brilliant! We grew kale in our garden, and I was spending way too much time cutting the leaves off the stems, then I stumbled across this tool being suggested on a blog. I immediately ordered one and was very impressed! It saves me so much time stripping those leaves. I also use it for rosemary, oregano, and other herbs." — Elaine S.
Get it from Amazon for $9.99.
24. And an artichoke spoon rest to keep your counters sauce-free. Just be careful if you have pets because they may try to snatch it off the counter in search of a treat!
avOKado Ceramic / Etsy
avOKado Ceramic is a Ukranian small biz from Oksana Kadochnikova.