Affordable kitchen tools under $50 on Amazon, highly recommended by professional cooks
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Home cooking doesn't have to be complicated. In reality, most pro chefs rely on a handful of reliable tools to whip up mouthwatering dishes. You don't need a heap of high-end equipment either. Uncover the industry's best-kept secrets with these top-notch kitchen tools under $50 on Amazon, as endorsed by our favorite chefs.
From amateurs to experts, these tools are a blast to use. Add these essential items to your collection, whether you're tackling veggies with a peeler or blending smoothies with a blender.
Kizen Instant-Read Meat Thermometer
CLASSIC MEAT THERMOMETER FOR APARTMENT CHEFS
Upgrade your kitchen game with this instant-read meat thermometer. With a swift read on internal temperatures for meat, fish, and even cakes, you'll know when your food's ready to chow down.
Check it out here
Kona BBQ Grill Brush
A CONVENIENT BRUSH FOR YOUR GRILL CLEANINGS
Cleaning your grill has never been more straightforward. This Kona grill brush is the perfect tool for cleaning grates without worrying about leaving bristles behind.
Read our review Check it out here
Mestek Infrared Thermometer Gun
A HANDY DEVICE FOR UNDERSTANDING HEAT IN YOUR COOKER
Read temperatures on all sorts of heat sources with this efficient infrared thermometer gun. Great for ovens, stovetops, grills, and even bread dough during mixing and proofing stages.
"This is a fantastic tool for understanding heat in the kitchen,” said Josh Archibald, executive chef of culinary development at Tillamook County Creamery Association. "It lets you get precise temperature readings on ovens, skillets, grills, smokers, and even bread dough as it's being mixed and during proofing stages."
Get it here
Chef'n Mortar & Pestle
YOUR NEW FAVORITE KITCHEN GADGET
"One of my favorite kitchen tools is a mortar and pestle," said Ashley Lonsdale, the chef-in-residence at ButcherBox. "I fell in love with it during my days as a line cook—grinding spices for a creamy, distinctive sauce, and it's a blast to use. I also use it to make guacamole, pesto, or even salsa verde."
Use this handy manual spice grinder to create unique, creamy sauces or grind toasted spices for your marinades. The no-slip silicone base ensures it won't slide around your countertop while you work, and clean-up is a breeze!
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Kuhn Rikon Original Swiss Peeler, 3-Pack
MAKE VEGETABLE PEELING A BREEZE
Peeling vegetables is a time-consuming task. But, with Y-shaped peelers like these, it's a breeze! Pinching and swiping them up and down vegetables makes the job simple and quick.
Check it out here
Oxo Good Grips Chef's Squeeze Bottle, 2-Pack
FORGET JUGGLING OIL BOTTLES—USE SQUEEZE BOTTLES INSTEAD
Professional kitchens opt for practical squeeze bottles over fancy oil cruets. We adore these handy bottles for oils, condiments, and sauces. They're perfect for dressing your salad, marinating meat, or laying a base oils in a frying pan.
Get it here
Misen Precision Paring Knife
A SHARP-BLADED KNIFE FOR FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PREP
Every chef favors their own preferred chef's knife, but nearly all appreciate serrated paring knives for easy fruit and veggie prep. This one from Misen sports a sturdy blade and comfortable handle for precision cuts.
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Winco Windsor Flat Extra-Heavy Serving Spoon
YOUR ALL-PURPOSE SERVING SPOON
Serving spoons are great for more than just serving your entrée. Chefs use them for tasting dishes, plating, and achieving an attractive presentation. This durable stainless steel option sports a flat edge that makes spooning sauces with control a cinch!
Check it out here
Zeppoli Classic Dish Towels
A MUST-HAVE TOOL FOR CHEFS
If you've peeked behind the scenes in a restaurant kitchen, you've likely spotted chefs with one of these towels tucked into their aprons. These high-quality towels are favored for tasks like carrying hot trays, cleaning up messes, and sopping up spills. Plus, they can be thrown in the washing machine and reused!
Get them here
Jaccard Meat Tenderizer
TENDERIZE LEAN CUTS OF MEAT
"I love the Jaccard meat tenderizer because it helps me achieve the perfect texture for dishes with meat," said Roger Martinez, executive chef at il Buco. "We use it to tenderize skirt steak, ensuring each bite is succulent and flavorful. Its ability to tenderize tough cuts of beef makes it indispensable in my kitchen."
Get it here
Mercer Culinary Offset Serrated Knife
A MUST-HAVE FOR SLICE-AND-DICE TASKS
Serrated knives are perfect for slicing crusty bread without squishing it. This knife sports a curved edge for easy slicing, and a convenient offset handle for comfortable use.
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OXO Good Grips Natural Pastry Brush
ADD EXTRA FLAVOR TO YOUR FOOD
This simple, affordable pastry brush is perfect for adding flavor to meats or veggies before grilling. The natural bristles make it easy to evenly coat your food, and the silicone grip ensures a secure hold.
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Turelar Handheld Immersion Blender
MAKE SMOOTH SALAD DRESSINGS AND SOUPS
Immersion blenders bring convenience to blending sauces, soups, and dips. This 5-in-1 version comes with attachments like a chopper, whisk, and milk frother. It's also compact and simple to use (and store)!
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Benriner Mandoline Slicer
PERFECT SLAY YOUR VEGETABLES FOR SALADS
"If you adore salad, a mandoline slicer is an unbeatable tool," Lonsdale said. "Thinly-sliced vegetables make a beautiful salad, and the slim slices soak up dressing perfectly. This Japanese-made slicer has a durable blade that can be adjusted for four different cutting styles: fine shredding, thick coarse slices, thin shavings, and medium julienne."
Get it here
Lodge Cast-Iron Burger Press
PRESS YOUR BURGERS FOR A TASTY SEAR
Lodge cast iron is beloved by many for its durability and quality. This cast-iron burger press helps achieve the perfect sear on your burgers, whether they're cooked on the stovetop or grill. The pre-seasoned cast iron makes cleanup a breeze.
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Microplane Professional Series Grater
GRATE WITH EASE FOR SHARP, FLAVORFUL RESULTS
"The Microplane Professional Series Cheese Grater is essential in my kitchen," said Martinez. "Its razor-sharp blades effortlessly convert blocks of cheese into delicate shavings, enhancing the texture and flavor of each dish. But these graters aren't limited to cheese—they're also ideal for grating garlic, lemons, and spices."
Get it here
Amazon Basics Multipurpose Stainless Steel Scraper
CLEAN YOUR COUNTERTOP EFFORTLESSLY
This handy tool is used by professional chefs and bakers to quickly remove stuck-on food from cutting boards or countertops. It also features measurement markings, making it perfect for precise cuts.
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Haawooky Kitchen Tweezers Tongs, Set of 2
PERFECT FOR GRIPPING AND DEPOSITING FOOD
This unique pair of kitchen tweezers is the perfect size and shape for accurate food placement and handling. Chefs also appreciate them for grabbing delicate ingredients with precision.
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Misen Heavy-Duty Kitchen Shears
MAKE LIGHT WORK OF CUTTING AND CUTTING
Heavy-duty kitchen shears are perfect for snipping herbs or spatchcocking chickens. The microserrated blades on this set offer clean cuts without slipping. We love that the blades can be disassembled for easy cleaning.
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Backcountry Cast-Iron Skillet
A KITCHEN STAPLE FOR STORAGE OR SAUTÉING
"This cast-iron skillet is crucial in my kitchen," said Camilla Marcus, chef and founder of west~bourne. "I love it because it lasts forever and always delivers even cooking. Also, unlike other cookware that degrades over time, this skillet only gets better with age; with proper care, it can become a treasured heirloom passed down through generations."
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Ateco Stainless Steel Cake Tester, Set of 3
END GUESSTIMATES AND GET ACEURATE TESTING
"The Ateco cake tester is an often overlooked staple," said Amelia Kirk, executive chef of il Buco Alimentari & Vineria. "As its name suggests, it's the perfect way to ensure cakes or brownies are baked through. But, I also frequently use them for testing proteins (like meat and fish) to accurately check doneness."
Get it here
FAQS
ANSWERS FROM OUR EXPERT CHEFS:
Q: What kitchen tools are must-haves for a home cook's kitchen?
A: The must-have kitchen tools recommended by our expert chefs vary depending on each chef. For Marcus, it's a cast-iron skillet for both stove-top and oven cooking. Bisiotis enjoys a heavy flat-head spoon that makes tasting, plating, and serving easy. Kirk usually uses kitchen tweezers, both for ease of handling a wide range of ingredients and for precision. There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, but these are some essential tools advised by our expert chefs.
MEET OUR EXPERTS
Tobias Leitner, a renowned chef and Michelin-star recipient, uses his expertise in French and Mexican cuisines to develop luxurious dishes at La Farfalla in Reno, Nevada.
Swayze Dempsey, a talented pie maker and restaurateur at Ember Bakery & Coffee Bar in Rochester, New York, ensures that every bite is flavorful and memorable.
Stephanie Heudebourg, a celebrated chef and founder of Maison Heudebourg, offers a plethora of unique and artistic experiences in her eclectic garden-style restaurant in Venice, California.
WHY TRUST CNN?
Our team of talented writers and editors at CNN are committed to providing comprehensive, accurate, and insightful information. We consult top experts when necessary, ensuring that our recommendations for kitchen tools are both informed and reliable. Our contributing writer, Laura Deny, utilized her experience as a former professional chef and extensive culinary knowledge to compile this list.
- The Kizen Instant-Read Meat Thermometer is a classic tool for apartment chefs to check internal temperatures of meat, fish, and cakes.
- The Kona BBQ Grill Brush is a convenient tool for grill cleanings, ensuring no bristles are left behind.
- The Mestek Infrared Thermometer Gun helps understand heat in your cooker by reading temperatures on ovens, stovetops, grills, and even bread dough.
- The Chef'n Mortar & Pestle is a favorite kitchen gadget among chefs for creating unique, creamy sauces or grinding toasted spices for marinades.
- Kuhn Rikon's Y-shaped peelers like the Swiss peeler make vegetable peeling a breeze.
- Squeeze bottles, like the Oxo Good Grips Chef's Squeeze Bottle, are preferred by professional kitchens for oils, condiments, and sauces.
- Misen's Precision Paring Knife is a sharp-bladed knife that chefs favor for easy fruit and vegetable prep.
- The Winco Windsor Flat Extra-Heavy Serving Spoon is an all-purpose tool for serving, tasting dishes, and achieving attractive presentations.
- Zeppoli Classic Dish Towels are a must-have tool for chefs, favored for tasks like carrying hot trays, cleaning messes, and sopping up spills.
- The Jaccard Meat Tenderizer helps achieve the perfect texture for dishes with meat, making it indispensable in kitchens.
- The Mercer Culinary Offset Serrated Knife is perfect for slicing crusty bread without squishing it, with a curved edge and comfortable offset handle.
- The OXO Good Grips Natural Pastry Brush is affordable and perfect for adding flavor to meats or veggies before grilling.
- The Turelar Handheld Immersion Blender brings convenience to blending sauces, soups, and dips with various attachments.
- The Benriner Mandoline Slicer is Japanese-made and perfect for thinly-slicing vegetables for salads, with a durable blade that can be adjusted for four different cutting styles.
- The Lodge Cast-Iron Burger Press helps achieve the perfect sear on burgers, whether they're cooked on the stovetop or grill.
- The Microplane Professional Series Grater is essential for graters, effortlessly converting blocks of cheese into delicate shavings, enhancing texture and flavor.
- The Amazon Basics Multipurpose Stainless Steel Scraper is used by professional chefs to quickly remove stuck-on food from cutting boards or countertops.
- The Haawooky Kitchen Tweezers Tongs are perfect for gripping and depositing food, with precision and accuracy.
- Misen's Heavy-Duty Kitchen Shears make light work of cutting and cutting, including spatchcocking chickens.
- The Backcountry Cast-Iron Skillet is a kitchen staple for both storage and sautéing, lasting forever and delivering even cooking.
- The Ateco Stainless Steel Cake Tester is the perfect way to ensure cakes or brownies are baked through, but also useful for testing proteins.
