10 Editor-Loved Kitchen Gadgets That Made Meal Prep a Breeze in 2023
I don’t know about you, but one of my New Year’s resolutions is to eat healthier, and one way to do that is by prepping meals in advance. While I’ve dabbled in meal prepping, I’ve found myself succumbing to the convenience of the trusty box of mac and cheese more times than I’d like to admit (it’s just too good). Yet, the beauty of preparing meals in advance lies in the fact that once it’s done, your week is set, and with the right tools, it doesn’t have to be the daunting task it might seem to be.
Here at The Kitchn, our team of editors is always testing new tools on the market with the goal of making meal prep as seamless as possible. Whether it’s containers designed for efficient storage or cutting-edge choppers that save you valuable time, we’ve curated a collection of our top essentials of 2023 — each one a true embodiment of meal prep goals — that will allow you to start 2024 off strong.
KT: Best Meal Prep Finds 2023
Life's too short for boring sheet pans. Thank goodness for the Holy Sheet! It’s been all over Instagram for a reason: It’s really that good. “I got one and have been using it nearly every day ever since, roasting all kinds of roots and crucifers, making sheet pan dinners, and baking cookies, scones, and biscuits,” says contributor Danielle's review. “The fact that the Holy Sheet can go head-to-head with these high-quality commercial sheets — and bring the bright, bold, super-fun color to boot — means it’s become my absolute favorite.”
Believe it or not, all cutting boards aren't created equal. If you’re an Always Pan loyalist, you’ll love the Our Place Daily Board. It’s large without being heavy, it’s constructed from 100-percent recycled plastic, and it stays in place thanks to non-slip plastic strips. “Long story short, I’m totally obsessed,” says contributor Stella in her review. “The simple kitchen essential is really so important to any and every meal, from snack to multi-course dinner. Since I’ve had the Daily Board at the ready, I’ve found all my culinary tasks so much easier.”
Set up a new kitchen collection of pots and pans with this Instagram-famous set. Available in a variety of beautiful colors, this Caraway Cookware Set doesn’t just look good, it performs beautifully, too. The ceramic-coated interior provides a nonstick surface that is free of PTFEs, it’s oven-safe, and it’s surprisingly lightweight.
Mandoline slicers are undeniably useful, but they can take up a lot of counter and drawer space. It's a good thing, then, that contributor Nic found this handheld version by Joseph Joseph. "Whereas traditional mandolines include a hard plastic piece that you have to stab into food in order to secure it while slicing, this one uses a more versatile silicone accessory that lets you comfortably grip ingredients no matter their shape or size," he says in his review. "You can hold it like pincers to grip small or long ingredients such as radishes and carrots, or press it flat against larger items (think: eggplants) to move them against the blade while keeping your fingers safe." Of course, when you purchase this product, you're not just getting a mandoline: The set comes with a grater, as well, for optimal dual functionality.
If anyone were to reinvent the reusable plastic bag, it only makes sense that Ziploc would do it. This 4-cup container, part of the aptly named Endurables line, is actually reusable in every sense of the word. You can microwave it, heat it in the oven up to 425°F, store it in the freezer, and clean it in the dishwasher afterward. Nic says his Endurables have stood the test of time. "I filled the Large Pouch with chopped root vegetables that I’ll cook later in the week and used the Medium Container to cook a salmon fillet that tasted great — and, as a bonus — didn’t leave me with any pans to clean," he says in his review. The downsides of this product? We failed to find any.
Add a splash of color to your kitchen with these two- and four-cup glass measuring cups from Great Jones. Both have printed measurements in ounces, cups, and milliliters on the outside, which means no more mental math when baking. The durable glass cups serve double duty for both meal prep and displaying table-ready sauces. "These measuring cups have helped fill in the gaps in my culinary arsenal," says senior commerce editor Ian in his review. "Whenever I need a vessel to measure ingredients, transport water, or even use as a coffee mug when all the others are dirty, the Beyond Measure is there."
Serving and storing will have never been easier once you add Our Place's Better Bowls to your collection. You'll get mixing bowls, transparent lids, a grater, a juicer, and a salad spinner in one set. Plus, with the nine pieces’ ability to stack with each other, you’ll also save tons of space in your cabinets. Once you’ve finished your prep, you can even serve your food straight out of the bowls. When it’s time to pack your food up, the tight-fitting lids make it so they’ll stay fresh in the fridge longer.
Once you own this Mason jar grater set for yourself, you will question how you ever lived without it. Why, you ask? It grates ingredients like cheeses, radishes, zucchini, lemons, and more directly into your mason jar (instead of all over the counter) for storage. The set comes with a ribbon blade and a fine blade; both used for soft and hard fruits and veggies. "My Mason jars were already in heavy rotation, and now, these graters make them even more useful," says executive lifestyle director Lisa Freedman, who tested them herself.
Sure, to the average reader, these might look like run-of-the-mill condiment containers, but to SEO commerce editor Sarah Vazquez, these are the best condiment containers out there. "With these now in my arsenal, I always have a way to transport my dressings, sauces, and dips, I never have to worry about spills, and I can finally pack more than a teaspoon’s worth of whichever condiment I want," she says in her review. Holding up to two ounces of dressing, sauce, dips, and more, these roomy containers feature a wide design, a twist-on lid that ensures leakproof transportation, and a dishwasher-safe construction that makes them a breeze to clean.
Not only is this egg slicer convenient for cutting eggs, but it's also useful for soft delights like strawberries, bananas, and cheese. Its stainless-steel construction guarantees a sharp, precise cut every time, promising a hassle-free experience when turning your favorite foods into perfect slices. It's no wonder it has so many five-star reviews on Amazon!
Like most Our Place products, this easy-to-use multicooker can tackle a range of tasks, saving you time, space, and money. "After trying out several recipes in the Dream Cooker, I came to love how much it streamlined the entire cooking process," says executive commerce director Mark in his review. "I also really appreciated that the pan was so easy to clean because nothing sticks to it. Even melted marshmallow was no match for that nonstick coating!" The Dream Cooker can pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, or sear, and it can keep your food warm for up to 12 hours. You can make up to six quarts of food at once, and there’s no risk of it sticking to the inside, since it’s made from the brand’s signature toxin-free nonstick coating.
Knife skills are great. But have you ever owned a vegetable chopper? This handy multifunctional tool can chop, spiralize, slice, dice, julienne, and more. It comes with four easily interchangeable stainless-steel blades. Each is razor-sharp and easy to swap in and out. “The best part is that no matter what blade you’re using, the 1.2-liter container neatly catches everything, so you won’t even have to dirty a bowl,” says contributor Erin. Not only does this veggie chopper cut down on prep time, but it also eliminates cleanup.
Whether it's hard or soft-boiled eggs, we've all encountered a cooking mishap at least once in our lives. Some of us may have even contemplated giving up altogether. However, with this ingenious rapid egg cooker, achieving perfect soft or hard-boiled eggs is as simple as pushing a button. Capable of cooking up to four eggs at a time, it utilizes a small amount of boiling water for optimal results. The Kitchn contributor Nic Dobija-Nootens attests to its reliability, stating, "I’ve always had trouble boiling eggs in a saucepan, and I appreciate that this machine consistently gets it right and even sounds an alarm to let me know I need to retrieve my eggs before they become too firm for my liking."
If you love making soup at home but hate the hassle of storing the leftovers, consider these YouCopia food block makers. The 6-cup containers hold liquids that you want to freeze, preventing Ziploc bags from bursting open before their contents have the chance to solidify. All in all, they're an easy, fuss-free way to prevent food spoilage. "I don’t know how I ever managed without this!” reads one Amazon shopper's review. “It’s easy to use, and my freezer is so organized now with these neat ‘blocks’ of chicken stock, mushroom barley soup, arroz con pollo, etc.”
