10 Kitchen Tools That Make Cooking Faster and Easier

Cooking at home doesn’t have to be a full production every time. The right tools can save you time, cut down on mess, and take some of the frustration out of everyday meals.

Over the years, we’ve found a handful of kitchen tools that actually pull their weight. Here are the ones that have earned their place on our counter or in a top drawer.

A Sharp Chef’s Knife

A good chef’s knife changes everything. Chopping, slicing, and even basic prep becomes faster and safer when you’re not wrestling with a dull blade.

You don’t need the most expensive knife on the market—just one that holds an edge and fits your hand well. Once we got a decent one and kept it sharp, prep time dropped dramatically.

A Digital Meat Thermometer

Guessing if meat is done is stressful, especially when you’re cooking for guests. A digital meat thermometer gives you a clear answer in seconds.

We use ours for chicken, pork, roasts, and even grilling. It prevents overcooking and helps avoid that “cut and check” routine that dries everything out.

A Microplane or Fine Grater

We didn’t realize how often we’d use this until we had one. It’s perfect for zesting citrus, grating garlic or ginger, and topping meals with fresh parmesan.

It’s faster and more effective than chopping tiny ingredients by hand. We reach for it constantly, especially when we’re trying to add flavor without adding time.

Kitchen Shears

Good kitchen scissors aren’t just for opening bags. We use them to cut herbs, trim meat, and even slice up pizza when we don’t feel like dealing with a wheel.

They’re fast, easy to clean, and way more versatile than we expected. Keep a dedicated pair in the drawer and you’ll reach for them more than you think.

A Bench Scraper

This little tool helps transfer chopped veggies from the cutting board to the pan without dropping half of it along the way. It’s also great for cleaning up flour or dough off the counter.

It saves time, keeps things tidy, and spares your knife from doing a job it wasn’t meant for. It’s cheap and way more useful than it looks.

A Silicone Spatula

Silicone spatulas are flexible enough to scrape every bit out of a bowl or pot, but sturdy enough to stir batter or fold ingredients together.

They’re heat-safe, easy to clean, and don’t stain like some plastic ones. We keep a few on hand and use them for everything from scrambled eggs to baking.

A Large Cutting Board

A too-small cutting board slows everything down. You end up moving ingredients around just to make space. A large one gives you room to chop, pile, and prep without making a mess.

We prefer ones with a groove around the edge to catch juices and non-slip feet to keep it steady. It’s an upgrade you’ll notice immediately.

A Salad Spinner

We held off on buying one for years, but once we did, we stopped wasting paper towels drying greens. It makes prepping salads faster and keeps lettuce from going soggy in the fridge.

It’s also great for herbs, berries, and rinsing small veggies. If you eat a lot of fresh produce, it’s one of those tools that earns its spot.

A Rice Cooker or Multi-Cooker

Perfect rice on the stove can be hit or miss. A rice cooker makes it foolproof—and hands-off. If you cook rice more than a couple times a week, it’s worth it.

If you go with a multi-cooker like an Instant Pot, you get more flexibility for soups, stews, and even batch cooking beans. It frees up your stove and shortens cooking time.

A Garlic Press

Mincing garlic by hand is fine if you’ve got time, but a garlic press speeds it up and gives a consistent texture. Plus, no sticky fingers.

We keep ours in a top drawer and use it almost every night. It saves time and adds flavor without the hassle of chopping cloves into tiny pieces.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.