We hope you love our recommendations! While every product is independently chosen by our editors, BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. You can read more about how our affiliate partnerships work in our Editorial Standards & Ethics Guide.

A super useful gadget can give you the confidence (and actual ability) to make your meals at home. Sometimes that's just the start you need!

Most of the time it's easier to just pick up a slice of pizza or pop in a Trader Joe's frozen meal into the microwave for dinner. And both of those things are perfectly fine! But when it comes down to finances and just being able to live life a little bit easier, having some basic kitchen skills will save you in all sorts of ways. You don't need to chop an onion like Gordon Ramsay, but buying a whole onion and prepping it for a stir fry (and yummy leftovers) with a TikTok-viral chopper *will* make your life much easier. You can look forward to that and so many more things that'll make at-home food prep a little less painful and so much more delicious. 

Buying whole veggies and chopping them is cheaper than buying pre-chopped stuff. (Pre-chopped stuff is still a great option if you have limited dexterity, though! There's a reason grocery stores sell them aside from convenience for the able-bodied person. Do NOT even get me started on how everything isn't for *you* specifically.) AND evenly chopping ingredients means that they'll cook evenly and, therefore, taste better. Check out a TikTok of the veggie chopper in action. 

Promising review: "Makes life so much easier. I can't imagine chopping onions or bell peppers by hand anymore, and it does so much more. We used to have a Prepworks chopper, which was a similar idea, but you had to press so hard to chop and it broke after not too long. This one requires very little effort to cut through the food and it has a generous container." —Amazon Customer

I SWEAR by this Caesar dressing, and Caesar salads are one of my favorite things to eat. I can toss together a vinaigrette pretty easily (though the brand's vinegarettes are also very good), but creamier dressings are tougher IMO. So I always have some of these in my fridge as a shortcut. I've tried nearly everything from the brand and can vouch the stuff is delicious.

Promising review: "Love these knives. Sharp, aesthetic, and serve their purpose. The set comes with a good amount of knives and the shears are incredible." —Samantha Gillin

Get a set of six knives plus kitchen shears on Amazon for $17.98. 

Promising review: "Like everyone else, I have a huge food processor. I decided to try this little 3-cup, and I have absolutely no regrets. It’s so easy to clean, so I use it to just do two or three garlic cloves; great for all the fresh herbs. Haven’t used my cheese grater in ages. Cheese does not resemble the gratef, but it works fine for me. Book is very handy with suggestions of how to use the product." —Ginger

Get it from Amazon for $39.95+ (available in four colors).

It also comes with a lid so you can easily stack them and four fill lines (½ cup, 1 cup, 125 mL, 250 mL).

Souper Cubes is a small business seen on Shark Tank that specializes in bake-and-freeze storage products. 

Promising review: "I absolutely love this. I am a widow and live alone. It is perfect for freezing soup. The frozen cubes come out of the tray very easily, which I then put in a freezer bag. I recently decided to try some Marinara sauce because the 32 oz. jar is much too large for me to use up for just one person. Again, the 32 oz. sauce filled all four compartments, which I froze. Popped frozen cubes into a freezer bag, which frees me up to put something else in these silicone freezer trays. I thought they were pricey, but am so glad that I bought them!" —Aloha Phyllis

Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (available in four colors and packs of two).

Check out a TikTok of the weekly meal planning pad in action. 

Sweetzer and Orange is a small business specializing in planners, stationery, and educational products. 

Promising review: "The magnet is great, sticks to fridge very well, does not slide or move. Perfect for planning meals and adding needed grocery items to the right side. Then you just tear off the right side and head to the store. This has made our family meal planning so much easier!" —SandyBeach

Get it from Amazon for $8.99 (available in two styles). 

It also includes four dry-erase markers! 

Promising review: "Saw it on TikTok being used as a dinner menu for the week! It will help me be more organized and add little chores that needs to completed or important reminders. Love it, no complaints." —Clarince Thomas

Promising review: "I had to try this because I saw it on TikTok, and I spend way too much on Uncrustables for my picky kids! And my kids (ages 3 and 6) love the different shapes they can choose from." —Rachel

I have a well-documented love for the Ultimate Variety Pack, but the brand recently revamped their noodles and I've tried several of the new versions. Now I'm an even bigger fan! They're good enough that you can convince yourself that you're eating takeout (just forget the part about you actually boiling water for them). This new sesame miso recipe is my new favorite and is flavorful/hearty enough to feel like a full meal. 

Get a four-pack from Momofuku for $12 (and check out other flavors).

Check out a TikTok of the salad scissors in action. 

Promising review: "Love these! I hate big leafy salads so I bought these and they're perfect for chopping greens into bites. I also use them to quickly chop cherry tomatoes, onions, and other veggies. VERY nice quality." —asoon

A Dozen Cousins is a San Francisco-based, Black-owned small business that specializes in beans, rice, and seasoning sauces, and provides an annual grant and volunteer support to nonprofits working to eliminate socioeconomic health disparities in the US.

Promising review: "The Dozen Cousins beans are awesome! They are ready to eat and are very flavorful. I love them and they are very healthy. I have a very busy life working and fitness, and these are very easy to prepare. I purchased some for my daughter too. I highly recommend." —Janet Gosse

Promising reviews: "We decided to do a little test. One banana in a bag and one out, same location in the kitchen. This was after nine days you can see that’s there’s a distinct difference in the bananas. Amazing product!" —Trio Mum

Get a 20-pack from Amazon for $14.99 (also available in a 32 and 40-pack).

Promising review: "I was a little concerned this was going to be one of those gifts that were hyped up but it’s not. It’s not going to thaw a huge chunk of meat in an hour but I have thawed a chunk of chicken in a few hours. The product itself isn’t very thick which I like as it doesn’t take up a lot of space for storage. It doesn’t warm up, but pulls the cold from the meat, which makes the product thaw (like putting meat in cold water to thaw it faster and not cook it)." —Savannah A. 

Oh, and there's also a built-in garlic grinder on the wheat straw side! Check out a TikTok of the double-sided cutting board in action. 

Promising review: "This cutting board is perfect! One side is for meat, the other for fruits and vegetables. There is no need for two separate boards. It's very stylish, made of sturdy materials, and easy to clean. It's so pretty I just leave it on the counter, but it does have a handle for hanging." —Jowana Lamb 

Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in three sizes). 

Check out a TikTok of the Ninja Crispi Air Fryer System in action. 

Each air fryer comes with the air-frying top, two containers (a 4-quart and a 6-quart), and lids. It has auto-shutoff and four modes: Max Crisp, Bake, Air Fry, and Recrisp. 

Promising review: "I got my Ninja Crisper today and reheated some stuffed bread with feta cheese and spinach, and it did a wonderful job. It 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 $179.99+ (available in seven colors). 

I live in an apartment without a dishwasher, and I honestly use that as an excuse to order takeout food instead of cooking. But, as soon as I got my hands on a bottle of this stuff (regular Dawn is my go-to dish soap, BTW), I put it to use on both a saucepan I used to make homemade enchilada sauce *and* the casserole dish I baked those enchiladas, which had a ton of caked-on food. It really does work like I say it does! Like, scary well.

Get the starter pack from Amazon for $22.99.

Promising review: "After years of using bricks, rocks, and water jugs, I finally broke down to research and buy one of these. It works flawlessly as designed, and now I can press and marinade my tofu blocks in the fridge, instead of pressing in the sink. Beautifully designed product, Now I can enjoy more tofu!" —Paula M.

Get it from Amazon for $27.95 (available in two colors).

Promising review: "These have been great to use. Cooking for just one person isn't the easiest thing for me, but these portions have been great when I want mac 'n' cheese, nachos, or a small smothered burrito for one. I'm sure when it's camping time these will make it into my camping stash." —M. Cheatham

Promising review: "I bought this for my daughter for her dorm at college. She loves making flavored rice and warming up soups and things. She likes it so well that she brings it home from college with her on breaks. It is especially nice that it has a removable pot, which makes it so much easier to clean or keep leftovers in. Would definitely buy again, don't waste your money on a slightly cheaper one that does not have a removable pot." —midohtree

Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in four colors).

Check out a TikTok of the rectangular lazy Susan in action. 

Promising review: "This is perfect for short people with big refrigerators! I could never reach anything on the top shelf and had to grab a step stool, now everything fits perfectly on this, and I can reach them all! It glides great and is very sturdy." —Tara Mann

Rapid Brands is a small biz specializing in microwave cookware. 

Promising review: "God's ramen cooker. This thing may seem like just an ordinary Tupperware, but I assure you it will blow that thin plastic garbage out of the water. It retains heat amazingly and does not bend or falter under extreme temperatures. I'm a college student and I have never felt such joy from making ramen in my small dorm microwave, for a 900-watt I recommend five minutes. Buy this product if you live and breathe air, because it is beautiful." —Theron

So this might feel a bit steep but hear me out: This has made so many lackluster quick home lunches feel like something I paid $20 for and stood in line to order with everyone else in New York City. And you don't need a whole lot to add some amazing flavor either. When I use it for salmon, I rub the salmon in olive oil and then top it with this before cooking. I love salmon but am sorta bad at grocery shopping, so I tend to eat the same lunch over and over again. (Also, cooking for one is hard!) This keeps things feeling lively and gets me excited about food I actually fixed for myself. 

Get a box of six liners from Amazon for $3.18.

This is made from borosilicate glass with a glass lid so it's microwave-, oven- Oven-safe (500 degrees F for bowls, 400 degrees F for lids), freezer-, and dishwasher-safe. Its 8-cup capacity makes it great for storing, freezing, and then reheating leftovers. 

Promising review: "This thing is absolutely incredible, it makes cooking sides (especially sweet potatoes) so much easier! I just throw it in the microwave and by the time my protein is done, whatever I put in the bowl is done too. I’m glad I went with the 8-cup size; it’s not too big or too small. It easily fits two sweet potatoes." —Smilin Sam

Get it from Amazon for $41.99 (available in six colors).  

Check out a TikTok of the nonstick sheet pan dividers in action. 

Promising review: "Brilliant. 100000% Recommend them! It lets me separate veggies by how long they take to cook so they are all ready at the same time and nothing is over/undercooked. I love these cheat sheets. They are a great tool for my kitchen." —yule

Get a set of four from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in three colors, without or without lids, and in multipacks). 

Promising review: "Baked potatoes couldn't be easier or quicker. These work just as advertised. We have found that with larger potatoes, you may have to double your time, but 8–10 minutes compared to an hour or more in the toaster oven can't be beat!" —Don Juan

These are also a fan favorite for families with members who have Celiac disease or other food sensitivities.

Promising review: "Unless you are a 'foodie' and need to grill your sandwiches, this bag is a great way to get a warm sandwich — and if you have cheese on it, the cheese will melt. Just make your sandwich and put it in the bag. Put the bag in your toaster and you have a great sandwich! Its so easy, and when I am done, I just rinse the bag under the faucet. Great for kids who love grilled cheese without the fuss of 'grilling'!" —joycetv

Get a pack of four from Amazon for $6.99.

I've tried nearly all of these sauces and can vouch that they dress up all kinds of stuff. If you're craving some takeout food you're too lazy to replicate at home, some of these (especially the Thai Coconut Sauce that's shown here) will help you get some of that taste without buying a million ingredients.

Promising review: "These sauces are magic. A high-end trick added to our meal prep. Really tasty options. We have been doing meal prep for quite a while and the salt and pepper meals were getting old. We tried to incorporate skillet sauces into our meals and tried all the brands out there. They were OK but not very healthy. When I saw these on Amazon, I had to try them (keto and Paleo certified) and they taste amazing. Now we have a different flavor each and every day and we can still keep the diet." —Fernando Pimentel

Get a three-pack from Amazon for $15 (available in a variety of combos).

Fly By Jing is Asian woman owned and sells sauces, oils, and dumplings!

Promising review: "I have purchased my share of Chili Crisps, but this is BY FAR MY FAVORITE!!!!!!! My job allowed its employees to build a box of our favorite items and this was one of the items I chose. And I tell you I’m so GLAD I DID!!!!! It had just the amount of heat and DID NOT HAVE A GREASY TASTE!!!! After my first BITE, I looked it up so I can place my order!!!!!!! GREAT JOB!!!!!!!" —Pozaya B. 

Get it from Amazon or Fly By Jing for $15.

Promising review: "I love this steamer. I work full time and have recently joined Weight Watchers. I can make a meal in 15–20 minutes. It’s easy to use and easy to clean." —Marissa D.

Promising review: "It works great so far. I just tried it to cook some fresh broccoli, carrots, and snow peas. It cooked them in less than four minutes. They turned out great!" —Camilla Rogers

Like I said up there ^, I've tried all these varieties. My fave is the Mover & Shaker that's a mac 'n' cheese version of cacio e pepe (my fave kind of pasta). They're all super tasty and you can tell that they're more elevated than your standard boxed stuff. When it comes to pasta, normally I'm of the opinion that the cheesier, the better. And these pass that standard! Like, if I'm gonna eat a meal that's supposed to taste like cheese, it needs to taste like cheese. And these do — probably because these are made with *actual* cheese. That is unless you're trying out the vegan option that's made with cashew nut milk. 

Get a four pack from Amazon for $21.99. Not that you can also score them for a bit cheaper than this variety pack by the box from Target for $2.99—$3.99 each: Shella Good (aged white cheddar and shells), Cheddy Mac (creamy cheddar and macaroni), Twist My Parm (asiago and parmesan with spirals), Mover & Shaker (cacio e pepe-inspired), and Vegan is Believin' (plant-based white cheddar with spirals).

Promising review: "It is big — so it will fit large frying pans, etc. Yet it works on pans smaller than it diameter as well. It did a good job of lessening grease/fat splatters. It was placed in the dishwasher and came out clean and intact. Nothing high tech here — but he silicone does clean up nicely." —G.H.

Promising review: "Works exactly as it says it does. I have small hands and trouble gripping things. This makes opening jars extremely easy and it opens in seconds just by twisting the jar counterclockwise. I'm so glad I ordered two so I can give 1 to a family member who has trouble with opening jars as well. I would definitely buy this again!" —H.T.

FYI, you can use these for brownies, blondies, and bread, too. This is also great for making several kinds of lasagna at once if you and other fam members have different preferences!

Promising review: "I loved everything about this pan. It's versatile, I can put three different cake mixes in each well, or meat loaves, etc. I really love this pan! A very happy customer." —Lisa F.

Promising review: "Couldn't be easier to use really. I tested it with ice water and boiling water and it seems to be pretty accurate. I've already cooked some steaks using it and they came out perfect. Plan to use it a lot with my smoker and expect good results there too. I love that it has the magnets so I can stick on the fridge, the grill or the smoker and it's always handy. And you really can't beat the price at under $10!" —FCC

Promising review: "I got this because my mother has dementia and she kept putting away dirty dishes. 🤦🏽‍♀️ And believe it or not, she has actually been using it and it definitely has been working! So I highly suggest buying this for parents or someone you know who has a similar problem!" —Raquel

Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in six styles).

Also check out a version that's completely silver without the red or green for $17.95.

Promising review: "Easy to cut to fit any door compartment, drawer or shelf. Nice thickness for absorption of any spills or drips. Nothing slides around when you open/close the door. Makes it easier to keep the fridge clean. Great value for the money." —Christine

Promising review: "Easy to use on many different-sized pans. Clip on and drain, then pop it in the dishwasher. Great little item, especially for draining ground beef. Love it!" —AustinLonghorn

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 12 colors). 

StoveShelf is a small business and these shelves are built to last a lifetime. 

Promising review: "This is an excellent buy. The shelf helped me declutter my cabinet and it is an awesome storage space for my more-often-used spices. It is sturdy, easily installed, and attractive. I recommend this shelf." —Pamella R. 

Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in six styles and three sizes).

The set comes with the following spice blends: Chicken Allrounder; Burger Allrounder; Vegetable Allrounder; Italian Allrounder; Potato Allrounder; Avocado Topping; Egg Topping; Pasta Allrounder.

You can also use it to chop nuts, fruits, and veggies!

Promising review: "This little guy does a REALLY great job of grinding/crushing a lot of garlic quickly! Besides being ridiculously cute, he's sturdy and easy to clean. He only faintly held on to the garlic smell after cleaning, but let's be honest, garlic is PUNGEANT, so no surprises there. I do think that using a small silicone spatula is helpful for getting the garlic bits out that get stuck in the grinding teeth I smile whenever I get to use him which is a lot because there's no such thing as too much garlic. I love that not only does it make food prep so much easier, but I just feel happy using it. This is a MUST GET!" —Lina

I've taste-tested many of the recipes and heard all about my friend's hard work she put into it! She also sourced all kinds of retro and vintage serving ware to really capture her fun personal style in a way that translates to a very accurate representation of who she is as a (lovely) person!

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ or Bookshop.org for $27.89.

Promising review: "If hard-boiled eggs are at all a part of your life, this device will change everything. Reclaim lost hours, catch up on missed TV, reconnect with old friends and family. Anything is possible with the free time you'll find at your disposal as you drop six eggs into this beast, press a button, and then walk away. What will you do? High-intensity exercise? Model building? Learn a second language? I hear your concern. 'What if I become so engrossed in my newfound love of taxonomy that I forget about my eggs?' Fear not, efficient chef. Like the horn of Gabriel himself, the unmistakable tone of this technological marvel could rouse the dead and bring you running to your fresh-and-ready ova's side. The Dash Go Rapid Egg Cooker is what mankind has been working toward since the first roundish stone was shaped into a wheel. Witness the apex of human innovation! Did not love the poaching tray." —J. Mercer Crenshaw

Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in eight colors). Also check out the double-decker version.

Promising review: "I use these mats many times a day. They make cleanup super easy, which is really important in my hectic life. They wipe off easily with just water." —Tasia Lung

Lots of people use this service to do ALL of their groceries, while others use it to take care of a lot of their weekly grocery haul. Food options vary week by week but you can expect the likes of Banza pasta, a rainbow veggie mix, an ancient grain pancake mix, cauliflower linguine, the Beyond Burger, spinach feta turkey patties, a lemon artichoke quinoa cup, and more. I've tried out a shipment of it and really dug the almond chickpea cookie dough, spicy refried red beans, hot smoked roasted salmon, and superfood salad.

Check out pricing and take a quiz for a delivery suggestion at Hungryroot here.

Each weekly meal kit includes pre-portioned ingredients that make 3–4 meals of your choice that can each serve 2–4 people. OR 6–10 pre-prepared, single-serve meals that can be heated up in the microwave. Like with other meal delivery kits, you can skip a shipment or cancel whenever. 

I've ordered kits from Purple Carrot several times and have always been satisfied with the result/the recipes have given me ideas for meals that are completely my own. Most recently, I've been OBSESSED with the New England Lobstah Rolls recipe (shown) in my most recent kit. 

Get it from Purple Carrot starting at $13+/serving. 

Dan-O's Seasoning is a small business established in 2017 that gained popularity after taking to TikTok during the pandemic, where the company now has over 4 million followers with plenty of droolworthy food content.

Promising review: "I became interested in this product while watching TikToks. I have been adding it to so many things. I use it in spaghetti, on fish, and one of my favorites is to add it to popcorn. My husband had to ask why my popcorn smelled like steak. I love the fact that it is low sodium as well. I am not a fan of extra salt, and most foods already have plenty of salt but need some seasoning. This should be your go to seasoning." —Heartcri

Get a pack of two (one original, one spicy) from Amazon for $13.99.

Check out a TikTok of the multicooker in action. 

Promising review: "I normally don’t write reviews. However, if I could give this pressure cooker a 10 out of 5 stars, I would. So far I’ve cooked a whole chicken, beans and rice, working on baby rack ribs, and a few other things. The best feature is all dishes I’ve cooked have taken no more than one hour. I have yet to try vegetables, but parsnips are in the near future as are beats. Only criticism would be to invest in some kind of trivet to keep the meat you’re cooking out of the liquid. Planning on some lamb shanks in the very near future." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $200 (available in four colors). 

Promising review: "Surprisingly easy to use! The most convenient juicing appliance I have ever had. Now when I'm lazy in the morning and don't wanna wash the juicer, I just blend some veggies and fruit in the cup and take it to work." —Jessie Cui

Get it from Amazon for $23.64+ (available in five colors).

Check out a TikTok of the whisk in action. 

Promising review: "This is one of the coolest gizmos I’ve purchased! And it works like a charm, especially for scrambled eggs. I’ve always struggled with getting the egg white and yoke blended well together. This tool does the trick. I found it most effective with liquids. Any kind of sauce or salad dressing can be well blended with this tool too." —Austin

Promising review: "The best! TikTok made me buy it. The squeeze power is unique, this product wastes no juice, and the way the seeds stay inside is just a great feature. This is the best, look no further!" —MJ Zuniga

Get it from Amazon for $16.93 (available in three colors). 

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Elizabeth Lilly is a deputy editorial director with more than a decade of lifestyle journalism spanning a range of subjects under her (tool) belt that includes four and a half years at a home improvement magazine. 

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.