31 Kitchen Items You'll Use All The Time

Buzz Feed

3 days ago

A jar opener to help you twist off the lid of that stubborn jar of pesto that's sealed tighter than Beyoncé and Jay Z's lips after theee ~elevator~ incident. This low-key genius tool tucks away under your cabinet, keeping your counters clear, and is ready to pop open everything from salsa to marinara with one hand and zero grunting. Whether you have arthritis, wrist pain, or just a healthy hatred of wrestling a jar of sauce, this thing delivers.
A stylish Wonder Oven from Our Place that is so multifunctional, it can basically replace six kitchen appliances — saving you not only countertop space, but also serious coins because you'll never let anything go to waste. Whether it's reviving that sad slice of pizza or giving leftover, limp fries their crunch back, this aesthetic little powerhouse air fries, toasts, bakes, broils, and even steams your food to juicy, flavorful perfection — faster than your oven and with way less cleanup. Your leftovers might even taste *better* than they did the first time.
The Instant Pot Duo you'll use so much, your stove will start sending 'u up?' texts. From weeknight stews to Sunday roasts, this kitchen baddie handles it all — pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, yogurt making, sautéing — faster and more efficiently than what a regular-smegular pan could even dream of. And once you've experienced how quick and flavorful dinner can be, you'll never look back (except maybe to wave goodbye to your pot and stove).
Or a Dream Cooker from Our Place for those that want more of a *vibe* on their countertop, but don't want to sacrifice on quality. This sleek multi-cooker can pressure cook, sauté, slow cook, sear (80% faster, no less), with a nonstick, ceramic coating that handles everything from oatmeal to braised short ribs like a champ. Cute and wildly efficient? We stan a double-threat queen.
A waterproof digital food thermometer that turns 'Is this done?' into a question of the past. It has a backlit display for night grilling or low light conditions, and it even locks the temp reading so you're not squinting over open flames like a human marshmallow. From steaks and salmon to heating up oil on the stove, this bad boy will definitely become your year-round kitchen MVP.
The Guac Loc, a storage container so air-tight, it just might finally end your trust issues with leftover guacamole. You just add your guac to the container, press out the air, seal it tight, and marvel as it stays bright green for days. Your five-day old guac will truly have Chipotle shooketh.
A pair of meat shredder claws so good, you'll be serving "Food Network star" energy along with that tender shredded turkey at Thanksgiving or that melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork at the family BBQ. They're melt-proof up to 475 degrees F, made from BPA-free, dishwasher-safe nylon, and sharp enough to tear through meat without tearing up your hands. If you're the host with the roast, these are a must.
A seven-cup silicone mold that'll have you breaking up with overpriced egg bites for good. Not only is this budget-friendly accessory non-stick, which means you can jump from making egg bites to muffins with ease, but you can use it in the oven (up to 450 degrees F), freezer (up to -40 degrees F), microwave, air fryer, steamer, toaster oven, and Instant Pot. Dare I say you might actually enjoy meal prep now?
Or an egg bite maker you can also use as a mini griddle — aka, your new favorite reason to skip the Starbucks line. With four egg bite cups and a larger cup that's perfect for making breakfast sandwiches, this compact powerhouse makes everything from DIY egg McMuffins to cheesecake bites. Whether you're short on time or big on breakfast cravings, you'll love having this little machine on your counter.
A five-speed KitchenAid immersion blender so handy, it'll feel like a natural extension of your arm. Just imagine all the time you'll get back from skipping the messy transfer of ingredients from the pot or a bowl to a blender. You'll be able to just blend your soups, sauces, and smoothies right where they are. Plus, it comes with a blade guard, so your beloved (and let's be for real for real, *expensive*) cookware stays scratch-free and stunning.
A clip-on strainer to cut down the number of steps from "done" to "in your mouth" on pasta night. Its attachable design ensures that it can fit a variety of pots and pans, and it is heat-safe up to 230 degrees F, making it perfect for draining pasta, filtering grease, and washing fruits and vegetables. So, fewer dishes and more food in your belly — fast... Need I say more?
An electric peeler for anyone who would rather do other valuable things with their hands in the kitchen (like scroll on TikTok). Whether you're prepping potatoes, cucumbers, apples, or even delicate tomatoes, this peeler can handle them all and in just a matter of seconds. You'll be cooking hands-free, stress-free, and probably peeling everything in sight just because you can.
A Ninja blender/food processor so powerful, it doesn't just crush ice — it turns it into fluffy snow, which makes it perfect for whipping up frozen margaritas, snow cones, or a slushy lemonade on the fly. It can also swap between a full-size blender pitcher, a food processor bowl, and a mini chopper, so you can blend, chop, and prep without hauling out three different appliances. It's giving minimalist energy with overachiever results. Surprise guests? You'll be snack-ready in minutes.
A milk frother for anyone who is tired of paying *extra* for foam at Starbucks. Whether you're team coffee or matcha, this high-powered whisk delivers creamy, frothy perfection in seconds. And if you are sick of clumps and lumps in your protein shake or collagen elixer, this will ensure you get a smooth sip every time. Plus, the stainless-steel design makes cleanup a total breeze — you just run it under water and it will clean itself. If your morning ritual includes any type of powder + liquid, this gadget will be your new daily essential.
A microwave pasta cooker if you've ever said, 'I want dinner, but I refuse to try.' If you're tired of waiting for water to boil like it's 1999, this genius container lets you cook your favorite noodles right in the microwave—faster, easier, and somehow still perfectly al dente. Your stove legit may never recover from the rejection.
A corn peeler because in this economy, buying pre-frozen corn can feel like a ~luxury.~ This peeler is a much safer alternative to risking your precious fingers as you try to hack those kernels off the cob with a knife, thanks to the non-slip handle that will fit comfortably in your hand. I know you didn't have "peeling corn is my happy place" on your 2025 bingo card, but there's a first time for everything.
A KitchenAid hand mixer that has all the bells and whistles you need to whip up your favorite treats, from mom's sacred chocolate chip cookie dough to grandma's world-famous mashed potatoes. If you love to cook, then I know you'll deeply appreciate the five speeds, the "soft start" feature that helps to keep what you're making in the bowl instead of splattering all over your clothes, and the lockable swivel cord that stays in its lane. Even if you only bake a little, this will definitely become your "right-hand mixer."
A hands-free, electric can opener because using a traditional one can feel like doing algebra, and lining up the can perfectly so that the opener will finally puncture the top is the "x" that deserves to be left unsolved. With this bad boy, all you have to do is place the opener on the lid, press start, and it will smoothly cut around the lid. You'll never have to worry about cutting yourself on a rough edge again.
A pair of cut-resistant food gloves for people who don't want any "surprise ingredients" to show up in their dinner salad. These gloves are not only machine washable and constructed from a lightweight, breathable fabric, but they also contain a high elastic nylon that's meant to help the gloves fit snugly on your hands. Because real talk, the only thing that should be shredded is the cheese — not your knuckles.
An anti-fatigue mat to make standing at the sink feel like you're doing dishes on a cloud. It's got ¾" of high-density foam to cushion your feet while you tackle Mount Dishmore, plus a stain-resistant top that you can wipe clean faster than you can say 'oops, marinara spill.' Your feet? *Thriving*. Your back? ~Blessed.~
A frozen fruit soft-serve maker that will have you constantly saying "I can't believe this is NOT ice cream" with every bite. All you have to do is add your favorite frozen fruit, and within minutes you'll have a smooth, creamy treat that will have ice cream drafting a cease-and-desist. If you're lactose-intolerant, love sorbet, or just hate seeing ripe fruit go to waste, this will definitely be the most fun way to get more fruit into your day.
Or a personal ice cream maker for those of us who are in the mood for ice cream, but not in the mood for the checkout line to get it. With this mug-shaped delight, all you have to do is freeze the base for at least 24 hours, add your ingredients, and churn. In just minutes, you'll have a single serving of your favorite frozen treats from scratch.
An oil sprayer that will turn that jug of oil and cooking spray you have cluttering up your counter into one sleek, multipurpose bottle. You can choose between a fine mist or a clean pour with a flip of a switch. Drizzle on your salad or mist on your pan — this dual-dispenser does both with zero mess and max control.
A cold brew coffee maker for anyone who's ever lost it while leaving the drive-thru because they took one sip of their coffee and realized the barista used 2% milk instead of oat milk again (insert melting smiley face). Instead, brew up to a week's worth of your own beloved beans at home in this dishwasher-safe pitcher that features a super fine mesh strainer, ensuring that you only get a nice smooth sip every time. This will not only make your wallet SO proud of you, but it also gives you extra time in bed in the morning. In fact, go ahead and press snooze one more time — you earned it.
A pack of oven rack guards to help anyone that just wants their oven to be serving cookies and not third-degree burns. They sit right at the edge of the rack, can be cut to meet the lengths of your racks and can withstand temperatures of up to 446 degrees F. If you're a frequent baker, your wrists will deeply thank you for this one.
A blue, apple-shaped produce saver because no one can afford to lose their precious fruits and veggies in this economy. They're designed to absorb the ethylene gas that causes your food to ripen, allowing you to waste less and to enjoy your hard-earned money on other ~luxuries~ like paying rent (insert several melting smiley faces here).
A Cuisinart defrosting tray for those nights when you know you want chicken, but you also forgot to take it out of the freezer. Instead of calling in for take-out to get your chicken fix, you can keep your money in your wallet and just place your frozen meat on this tray, which is made of high-conductivity aluminum that helps to melt frozen items at a more rapid pace.
A pop-out ice cube tray with bin and scoop, because sometimes even refrigerated water on a hot day can feel room temp. This compact tray set makes and stores ice in one neat container, and easily releases cubes with a satisfying press — no banging or swearing required. Plus, it stacks cleanly, so even your freezer can have an aesthetic.
A glass rinser for when your reusable tumbler smells like last week's coffee and you're too tired to deep clean anything. Not only is it easy to install, but it's a game-changer for people who don't have dishwashers. It fits right by your sink and blasts gunk out of glasses, baby bottles, and water bottles in literal seconds — no soaking or scrubbing required. It's like the ultimate car wash for your drinkware.
A pack of silicone baking mats that will cut cooking spray and parchment paper off your shopping list. They're non-stick, which means picking up those ooey-gooey chocolate chip cookies or that yummy fillet of salmon will be a breeze (as long as the oven is 480 degrees F or less). Reviewers also say these are just as good (if not better) than the more splurge-worthy Silpat liners.
A rapid egg cooker to help whip up any type you desire with minimal effort. We're talking hard boiled, soft boiled, poached, omelets — all with just the press of a button. Hosting brunch with the girls will truly be 🎶 eaaaaaaaaaaasy like Sunday morning. 🎶