47 of the Very Best Kitchen Gifts
You won’t be surprised to learn that at The Kitchn, our favorite gifts to give and receive are the ones that help us out in the best room in any house: the kitchen, duh! That’s why we rounded up some of the best cooking gifts for you to peruse for any occasion and any person in your life. Ahead, you’ll find amazing gifts for cooks including a handy cast-iron pan that produces a perfect sear, a powerful food processor that cuts down on prep time, or a high-quality wooden cutting board for all your slicing and carving needs. Plus, so many of these kitchen gift ideas also happen to be editor-favorite picks!
Whether you’re looking for gifts for beginner cooks or picking out something that will impress a cooking pro, we’ve selected appliances, cookware, tools, and kitchen accessories that will suit anyone on your list. And, because many of these kitchen gifts are also super practical, you can guarantee that anyone who loves cooking will actually put them to good use — trust us!
2021 K Gift Guide: Kitchen Gifts - Cookware
Buying for a breakfast-loving household? Get them a killer griddle pan to help make weekend brunches that much more enjoyable. This design from Hexclad delivers just that, with a completely flat 12-inch surface that will make quick work of fluffy pancakes, crisp bacon, and cheesy eggs (no sticking here!). Come dinnertime, it's great for kebobs, grilled sandwiches, and more.
Not only does this baking tray add a fun pop of color to sheet pan dinners and baked cookies, it’s also super functional. We love the Holy Sheet from Great Jones so much that it even made it onto our The Kitchn Essentials list. It's available in all four of the brand's signature colors —blueberry, broccoli, mustard, and raspberry — so there’s a bright color to match any mood (or meal).
You can never, ever go wrong with direct-to-consumer cookware brand Caraway — just ask our editors. That's why the beloved Cookware Set deserves a spot on this Hall of Fame gift list. The non-toxic, nonstick, ceramic-coated set will be your go-to workhorse for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. It includes a storage organizer, a 10.5-inch frying pan, a 4.5-quart sauté pan, a 3-quart saucepan, and a 6.5-quart Dutch oven, and you can choose from six gorgeous colorways. We especially love the brand's popular Cream option, which will brighten up your kitchen instantly.
Some people are lucky enough to have heirloom cast-iron pans passed down to them from older generations. The rest of us can hope that someone buys us a high-quality pan that we can season and love enough to pass down to someone else one day. This Lodge skillet is that pan: classic, sturdy, and just the right size.
Perfect for the beginner home cook or anyone who is short on kitchen space, the do-it-all Always Pan 2.0 is an internet (and The Kitchn editor) sensation for good reason. It was created to handle an impressive 10 different cooking tasks, including frying, sautéing, steaming (courtesy of the included steamer basket), searing, braising, boiling, and more. And, it doesn’t hurt that it’s gorgeous enough to bring from stove to table.
Anyone who already bakes bread in a Le Creuset Dutch oven will want the next best thing: a Le Creuset bread oven! We tested it and can report that it works beautifully thanks to the flat bottom (that doubles as a grill pan) and domed lid. The top traps and circulates steam, resulting in a crispy crust, whether they're making sourdough, whole wheat, rye, or more.
Speaking of our Best Lists, this skillet won the top spot on our nonstick skillet Best List! It's incredibly light, cooks like a dream, and has a comfortable handle that stays cool throughout cooking.
Carbon-steel pans offer a surface that provides optimum heat distribution and is naturally nonstick. They’re a staple in many restaurant kitchens because chefs know they're going to deliver a superior sear, and they’re nearly indestructible. This roasting pan is sized just right for a small, 12-pound bird, so it won’t take up too much space in the cabinet. But, it's bound to spend much more time in use than in storage, anyway.
Most of the people we know would be thrilled to get anything from this beloved brand that is still making handcrafted cookware in France after all these years. And while many home cooks already have a classic Dutch oven, they might not have a braiser in their collection yet. Mostly used to sear and cook meats to perfection, this model also boasts handles that are 45 percent larger so they’re easy to grab — even with bulky oven mitts.
Give the gift of sauce-free stovetops and counters! This soup pot is overflowing with smart features including a steel core for even heat distribution, a tight-fitting lid, a dripless pouring rim, and a beautiful ceramic finish that resists chips and stains.
This stoneware casserole dish came out late last year, and The Kitchn editors were quick to fall for it. It results in an even bake, cleans up incredibly easily, and has the best (read: easiest to grab) handles of any casserole dish we've ever tested. Plus, it's super cute!
This looker of a saucepan has a ton of hidden extras — such as laser-etched measurements, a small spout for drip-free pouring, a feel-good ergonomic handle, and more.
Most Dutch ovens look pretty similar, but this one has a little something special. Maybe it’s the sleek color, the slightly straighter-than-usual lines, or the eye-catching gold-toned knob — or all three? It looks (and works) great, and it's s a lot less expensive than other options out there.
This slender cast-iron pan fits over a single burner on a stovetop and churns out food that'll rival anything that an actual grill can cook. (The extra-high ridges ensure good-looking grill marks and elevate food above drippings.) We love the oversized handles, which make it easy to grip, even with oven mitts on.
Crafted to last a lifetime, this is the gift that will keep on giving. Traditionally used for slow-cooking meat, fish, or vegetables, this cocotte has a matte black enamel coating inside that helps ensure a great sear to lock in flavor. Fun fact: It tied for the honor of top Dutch oven in our official Best List testing.
2021 K Gift Guide: Kitchen Gifts - Small Appliances
Have someone in your life who's always on the go? Get them this handy personal blender from Hamilton Beach that they can use to streamline their mornings a crush delicious smoothies and shakes wherever they are. Plus, it's an editor-favorite item!
If you know someone who's been talking about trying to sous vide, help them get started with this sleek device from Instant Brands. Powerful yet quiet, it can help deliver everything from perfectly cooked meat and veggies to dessert. The LED touchscreen makes it easy to "set it and forget it," so the device can do its thing while your loved one preps the rest of the meal.
This versatile countertop appliance shows up on wedding registries time and time again, and for good reason. It’s a classic workhorse that's simple to use and would be appreciated in any kitchen. It has a generous 14-cup capacity and there are only two buttons — On and Off/Pulse — so there’s no learning curve when using it for the first time. It also beat out every other food processor during our Best List testing.
If your giftee doesn't yet have a KitchenAid stand mixer, you will score major, ahem, brownie points with this one. It features 10 mixing speeds, and the 4.5-quart bowl is big enough for dozens of cookies, multiple loads of bread, lots of mashed potatoes... the list goes on. It's also compatible with more than 10 attachments to make everything from spinach fettuccini to chocolate ice cream, so they'll use it all the time.
The tea or coffee lover in your life will appreciate this style-forward kettle from Fellow, which also happens to be our favorite gooseneck kettle. It’s ideal for anyone who makes pour-over coffee because it’s designed to let you pour at a slow, even pace. You can also keep track of the temperature with the built-in thermometer. Plus, it’ll look gorgeous on any counter, making it totally giftable.
Many consider Vitamix to be the GOAT when it comes to blenders, and we have to agree. This model is one of the most intuitive to use, with 10 speeds and a pulse button. It has a 48-ounce container as well as a powerful motor that's beloved by home cooks and pro chefs everywhere.
No one enjoys transferring hot soup from the stovetop to the blender to make it smooth and creamy. With this immersion blender, home cooks can skip that step and puree the butternut squash soup that dreams are made of right there in the pot. It's also great for making smoothies, pesto, batter, or a quick bowl of fresh whipped cream.
Want to help someone save food, time, and money? This vacuum starter set has everything needed to seal food up and lock in freshness and flavor — and keep it that way for up to five times longer than conventional methods. It comes with two plastic containers and four reusable baggies. Plus, of course, the vacuum sealer.
A hand mixer comes in handy — pardon the pun — so much more often than you'd think. It's also a great gift for someone who just moved into their first apartment, or the baker in your life. Just think of all the cookie dough and meringues they'll be whipping up with this bad boy!
This splurgy coffee maker is a huge hit with our editors, thanks to OXO's famous high-quality construction and the fact that you can make either a single cup or an entire pot of coffee at a time. Plus, it looks so sleek on your counter!
2021 K Gift Guide: Kitchen Gifts - Accessories
Tea towels are the perfect small gift if you’re not quite sure what exactly your giftee needs in their kitchen. Even though they’re meant to dry dishes, when they're draped on a hook or a towel bar, they can make a seriously stylish statement. This option from Rough Linen is one of our favorites: The antimicrobial linen dries quickly, looks luxe, and comes in 11 chic colorways. If you want to go a step further, you can even gift them a set of seven, which is 15 percent off right now!
A food-safe, nonstick silicone sheet is a must-have for anyone who spends time baking. This option from Silpat is a do-it-all workhorse, whether your giftee uses it for baking cookies, roasting veggies, or broiling proteins. It's safe to use in the oven, microwave, and freezer, and no matter how ooey-gooey a mess may be, it cleans effortlessly with a little soap and hot water. Read our in-depth review of it here.
From flipping scallops one by one in a skillet and grabbing a hot piece of toast from the oven, to pinching out a few capers from a skinny jar, these tweezer tongs come to the rescue in the kitchen in so many ways. Once your giftee starts to use it, they'll wonder how they ever cooked without it. Learn more in our full review here.
The Kitchn contributor and private chef Meredith swears by this universal lid that can fit on all of her pots and pans. It's ideal for making sunny-side-up eggs, keeping dishes warm, or just speeding up cooking by trapping steam under the lid. Since it can replace so many other lids, it'll even help your loved one clear the clutter from their cabinets. Read Meredith's in-depth review here.
This extra-large serving bowl from Fiesta is an elegant, cheerful way to adorn a tabletop. It measures a little over 10 inches across and 3 inches deep. It’s the perfect size for serving main dishes (meat, pasta, or salads), and it can work equally well for popcorn, chips, and even muffins. Your giftee will get endless use out of this one.
A good stainless-steel mixing bowl set is a kitchen MVP — and for good reason. They're about as versatile as it gets, with the ability to help you create a mise en place, hold food scraps while prepping, or serve up a dinner with lots of components (taco bar, anyone?). This nesting set from Cuisinart also comes with silicone lids so you can turn them into food storage containers whenever you need to.
This stunning two-piece cruet set from Le Creuset is crafted specifically for oils and vinegars, with stainless-steel pouring nozzles, easy-to-clean glazed interiors, and high-quality stoneware that protects the contents from light and heat. The glaze — which is available in nearly a dozen eye-catching colors — is resistant to chipping and cracking, and it’s even dishwasher-safe.
Know a coffee-lover who wants to step up their morning cup? Gift them this Chemex Pour Over Coffeemaker, which is our favorite because of its classic shape and durable design. It’s also easy to use: Put the coffee grounds up top, then pour hot water over them slowly. The result is a delicious cup of coffee made without a bulky machine on your counter.
If your loved one values form just as much as function, then Stojo’s range of reusable bottles, bowls, and boxes is the perfect place to look for a gift. Try this Box Bundle that includes three collapsible silicone containers each capable of holding up to 24 ounces. It's a great pick for someone who is trying to cut down on plastic in their kitchen or who would appreciate some stylish on-the-go lunch boxes.
If there's one item that every home chef needs, it's a really good chef's knife. Beloved by home cooks and pros alike, Zwilling is the go-to brand for quality cutlery, and the Four Star 8-inch Chef's Knife is ergonomically designed to deliver proper balance, safe slicing, and greater blade strength. It's entirely dishwasher-safe for easy prep and cleanup.
Help your lunch buddy ditch plastic for good with this reusable food wrap. Made from cotton, beeswax, plant oils, and tree resin, these wraps are an all-natural way to store and transport food. They're pretty cute, too.
As you might suspect from the name, this thermometer gives an (almost) unbelievably fast reading in just one second. It’s lightweight and easy to use, making it a favorite in our editors' kitchens. If the price tag is a little more than you want to spend, check out the brand’s more budget-friendly option.
This maple cutting board is groovy. As in, it’s got a nice deep well carved into one side that helps hold a roast or bird steady as it’s being carved. (It also features a juice groove around the edge.) A flat surface on the reverse side is ideal for serving and slicing.
Standing in a kitchen for long periods of time, whether that’s in front of the sink or at the stove, can be a real pain in the... back. But one of these standing mats, which look more like fancy rugs, can help.
Turns out, the best wooden spoon isn't a spoon at all. This handmade set includes a spreader (think: frosting and peanut butter), a scraper for cast-iron cooking, and two flat sauté tools, which we think are better than actual spoons. Get this set for your friend who isn't afraid to stir things up! (And check out our review here to see them in action.)
No offense to traditional plastic containers, but most of them could look a lot better, don’t ya think? These nesting bowls have all the features a busy cook desires: They’re lightweight; dishwasher-, microwave-, and freezer-safe; and boast a leak-proof seal. And, of course, they’re easy on the eyes.
Manufacturing kitchenware results in a great deal of plastic waste, but Material cleverly figured out how to repurpose it into durable, colorful cutting boards. The Kitchn editors have been using these boards for years and report that they're still looking as good as new.
If it’s good enough for Ina Garten, it should be good enough for your loved one, right? All kidding aside, this pepper mill is pretty great. It’s easy to load and has a ceramic grinder that won’t rust. The best part? The clear cup at the bottom catches stray grounds so that they don’t make a mess on the counter or table.
Give someone you love something to flip over — or flip with, more accurately. This silicone turner is sturdy yet flexible, making it ideal for scraping, turning, folding, and, of course, flipping whatever is in the pan. It often sells out (because it's that amazing!), so buy it while you can.
If you know someone who has been trying to stay away from plastic baggies, give them these reusable, resealable food storage bags. This set comes with eight shapes and sizes made to withstand extreme temperatures in the freezer, microwave, and dishwasher. We're obsessed with them because they stand up on their own, which makes them incredibly easy to fill.
While they're undeniably useful, old-school Fench mandolins can be bulky and expensive. The Benriner is a more streamlined design from Japan, and it comes with a price tag that’s a lot more reasonable. This one includes four stainless-steel blades to make wide slices, chunky cuts, extra-narrow julienne strips, and more.
Give your loved one a hand in the kitchen in the form of this durable oven mitt from Williams Sonoma. It's made from double-layer cotton, lined with poly fleece, and dipped in textured silicone that resists heat up to 650 degrees Fahrenheit. When it's dirty, your giftee can toss it into the washing machine.
