Filling your kitchen with chef-approved tools may seem like a daunting task, but it's not. In fact, most professional chefs use just a few tried-and-true tools rather than an entire expensive kit. And they don't have to be fancy either. In fact, you can stock your cabinet with efficient, affordable tools without having to buy pricey brand-name equipment. To find the best kitchen tools under $50 on Amazon, we asked some of our favorite chefs what tools they use in their kitchens.
Whether you're a professional chef, an advanced home cook, or a total beginner, these tools are affordable and easy to use. From vegetable peelers to blenders, we share industry secrets shared by professional chefs.
This efficient thermometer is perfect for reading the temperature of any kind of heat source, the digital display is easy to read and comes with a convenient carrying case for storage.
“This is a great tool to help you understand heat in your kitchen,” says Josh Archibald, executive chef for culinary development at the Tillamook County Creamery Association. “It can help you accurately measure the temperature of your oven, a pan heating on the stove, your grill, your smoker, and even bread dough when it's finished mixing or while it's rising,” he adds.
“One of my favourite kitchen tools is a mortar and pestle,” says ButcherBox Resident Chef Ashley Lonsdale. “I fell in love with the mortar and pestle when I was crushing rehydrated peppers and fresh garlic in olive oil in my first job as a chef. It creates such unique, creamy and distinctive sauces and is so much fun to use,” she adds. “I also use it to grind toasted spices before adding them to marinades – super handy if you love making curries!”
As Lonsdale suggests, this manual spice grinder is super versatile. You can use it to make guacamole, pesto, and even salsa verde. The non-slip silicone base ensures it stays in place (no sliding around on your countertop). It's also easy to clean; just wipe it down with a damp cloth or paper towel.
Peeling vegetables can be a time-consuming task. Peeling cucumbers, zucchinis, carrots and potatoes can be a tedious task that can be made much easier with the help of an efficient vegetable peeler. A Y-shaped peeler makes the peeling process much faster as you can simply pinch the base and move the vegetable up and down to peel quickly and efficiently.
You won't find fancy olive oil shakers in professional restaurant kitchens. Most chefs use practical, easy-to-grab squeeze bottles instead. We love these simple, refillable bottles for oils, condiments and sauces because they let you work quickly without having to pause to remove the lid. Whether you're dressing a salad, marinating meat or applying base oil to a frying pan, the squeeze bottle makes dispensing sauces much faster, cleaner and more efficient.
When it comes to chef's knives, every chef has different preferences, but the paring knife is a favorite tool that makes preparing fruits and vegetables so much easier. We love this knife because of its sharp blade and long, sturdy handle. The high carbon steel blade stays sharp for a long time and is stain-resistant, making it perfect for cutting slippery, acidic fruits and vegetables like lemons and tomatoes.
A serving spoon has many more uses than its name suggests. Although they're useful for scooping entrees onto plates, chefs often use serving spoons to give beautiful plates the presentation they deserve. This stainless steel spoon has a flat edge that makes it easy to scoop up sauces and gently spoon them onto plates. “I use it for everything,” says chef Christos Bisiotis of The CB Concepts. “I use it for tasting, finishing dishes, and of course, serving delicious ravioli.”
If you've ever taken a peek into a restaurant kitchen to see the chefs behind the scenes, you've probably seen them tuck one of these towels into their aprons. This isn't a luxury hand towel, it's a durable, versatile, industry-certified kitchen towel. Chefs use it in place of oven mitts to carry hot trays, but it's also used to wipe up stains and soak up spills. The best part is, it's machine washable and can be used over and over again.
“I love the Jacquard Meat Tenderizer because it helps me achieve the perfect texture for my meat dishes,” says Roger Martinez, Executive Chef at Il Buco. “At Il Buco, I use it to tenderize our skirt steaks, resulting in juicy, flavorful taste in every bite. It's an essential tool in my kitchen because it can tenderize tough beef.”
We all know that cutting through hard bread can be tough, so a serrated knife is an essential tool for food prep. We love this razor-sharp knife from Mercer, especially because it's comfortable to hold. The offset handle is ergonomic, allowing you to apply great pressure without straining your wrist.
This simple, affordable tool is handy for adding flavor to grilled meats and vegetables. The natural bristles stick to sauces so you can apply them evenly and evenly to your food. The non-slip grip makes it easy to hold, even when wet or with slippery condiments like butter or oil. Plus, the entire tool is dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean.
A hand blender is a quick and easy way to blend soups, sauces and dips. This 5-in-1 version comes with a variety of accessories, including a chopper, whisk and milk frother. It's also very compact and easy to use (and store).
“For me, it's a must-have, especially if you have a small kitchen,” says Archibald. “I can quickly make aiolis, marinades, soups, vinaigrettes, and more.” He recommends opting for a hand blender that comes with a variety of attachments (like this one) to take advantage of the machine's versatility. “It's convenient, easy to clean, and the attachments are dishwasher safe,” he adds. Check out our list of the best hand blenders for more recommendations.
“If you love salads, a slicer is the ultimate tool,” says Lonsdale. “Paper-thin veggies are beautiful and soak up the flavor of the dressing so well.” This option is made with Japanese-made stainless steel blades that are super sharp and durable. The four interchangeable blades allow for four different cuts: thin, shredded, medium-shredded, and thick. The blades are easily adjustable, so varying thicknesses is quick and easy. “I love using it for fennel, apple, red onion, and celery salads, but the possibilities are endless!” adds Lonsdale. “It's also great for making cabbage slaw, a summer staple.”
Lodge is known for its durable cast iron products, and their high-quality equipment is loved by professional and home cooks alike. This cast iron burger press cooks burgers to perfection while removing excess fat, whether you're using it on the stove or grill. The pre-seasoned cast iron releases easily and is non-stick.
“The Microplane Professional Series Cheese Grater is a staple in my kitchen; it's practically an extension of my hand,” says Martinez. “Its sharp blade effortlessly transforms chunks of cheese into delicate shavings, enhancing the texture and flavor of each dish.” But this ultra-sharp grater can be used for so much more than cheese; it's also perfect for grating garlic, lemons, and tough spices like nutmeg and cinnamon sticks.
Bench scrapers are a favorite of professional chefs and bakers. After chopping veggies or herbs, this handy tool lets them slide off the cutting board with ease (using a knife will dull the blade) and right into your pot or pan. This affordable option also has a measuring feature for more precise cuts.
These tiny tools work like a cross between tweezers and tongs, with tapered tips that allow you to grab, move, and manipulate ingredients with precision and accuracy. “Kitchen tweezers are my go-to tool at home and at work,” says Amelia Kirk, Executive Chef at Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria. “They allow me to easily handle a wide range of ingredients with impeccable precision.”
Whether you're chopping herbs or spatchcocking a chicken, sturdy kitchen scissors are a must-have. These sharp, durable kitchen scissors make a variety of tasks easier and more efficient. And the micro-serrated blades in this set cut cleanly without slipping. We love that the blades are easy to remove and wash.
“This cast iron skillet is a staple in my kitchen,” says Camilla Marcus, chef and founder of west~bourne. “I love it because it's long-lasting and always cooks evenly.” Marcus also explains that the pan's durability is unmatched. “Unlike other cookware that wears out over time, this pan only gets better with age. With the right care, it can become a treasured heirloom that can be passed down for generations,” she adds.
“The Ateco Cake Tester is an often overlooked essential,” says Kirk. “As the name suggests, it's a great way to check the doneness of cakes and brownies, but I also rely on it all the time to check the temperature of meat and fish.” Kirk explains that the cake tester takes the guesswork out of whether your protein is cooked to your liking: It can be inserted into the center of a steak or burger, so you can check doneness without having to cut the entire meat in half.
A good cookbook is essential for any home kitchen. This book is a valuable resource that provides clear, easy-to-follow instructions for chefs of all experience levels. With guidance on ingredients, techniques, and processes, it's sure to increase the efficiency and confidence of any home cook.
“This James Beard Award-winning book introduces more than 20 kitchen techniques and 100 recipes,” says Archibald. “Ruhlman presents the information most expertly, making the content valuable, approachable, and fun. More than any other book, I gift this one more often to aspiring chefs, young and old.”
