Between testing kitchen gear, developing new recipes, and cooking for our families, Allrecipes editors dedicate significant time to the kitchen. That’s why, when we find a product we like, we tend to buy multiples. It’s not only the pricey Le Creuset Dutch ovens and Ninja air fryers we fall in love with, but also the smaller, time-saving gadgets and cooking essentials that surprise us. Earlier this week, I spoke with my fellow editors about their favorite kitchen tools and equipment under $15—here’s what they said.
Editor-Loved Kitchen Tools Under $15
Ateco Ultra Offset Spatula
Amazon
An offset spatula is designed to spread frosting and batter easily, but it also works well for flipping pancakes and lifting baked treats from a brownie pan. This $8 model is one of the most used tools in Senior Editor Courtney Kassel’s kitchen. “I use it for everything—spreading and smoothing batter or frosting, flipping pancakes, lifting cookies off sheet pans, unsticking fish on a pan—it’s a do-it-all and the kind of thing I can’t live without in the kitchen,” she says.
GIR Get It Right Silicone Kitchen Spatula
Amazon
“This spatula is such a must-have for me that I brought it with me going home for the holidays,” says Courtney. “It’s the dream spatula—durable yet flexible, and great for getting every last crumb and bit of batter. It has ruined me for all other silicone spatulas.” With several colors and sizes available, you can easily add two or more of these $13 silicone spatulas to your kitchen. (Courtney’s hosts loved the spatula so much that she left it behind as a gift and bought a second one for herself.)
Shappy 4-Piece Silicone Cooking Spoons Set
Amazon
This 4-piece silicone cooking utensil set is a favorite of News Editor Bailey Fink—and her mom. “It’s the perfect everything spoon, whether mixing, serving, or sautéing,” she says. “Plus, the silicone makes it so easy to clean—no nooks and crannies, and nothing sticks to it!” The set includes four 10.6-inch silicone cooking spoons and is available in bright, black, or pastel color combinations.
Maxracy Silicone Garlic Peeler, 2-Pack
Amazon
Senior Editor Corey Williams stocks her kitchen with these silicone garlic peelers, priced at $3.50 apiece and available in packs of two or three. The peelers work in seconds; simply place a couple of garlic cloves inside the tube and roll back and forth to peel. Shake the tube to remove the peel, and your garlic is ready to use. “This hasn’t completely eliminated my garlic hands, but it has helped more than anything else,” she says.
Yarramate 16-Ounce Glass Olive Oil Sprayer
Amazon
Over 10,000 Amazon shoppers purchased this olive oil sprayer this month alone, and Senior Editorial Director Diana Moutsopoulos was one of them. “I just bought this oil spray bottle and wondered why I didn’t buy it sooner,” she says. “I fill it with my go-to extra-virgin olive oil, and it’s much more economical than buying olive oil cooking spray at the store.” The clever gadget also includes a pouring spout to dispense a larger amount of oil into a pan for sautéing or a mixing bowl for baking.
Jofuyu Herb Scissors
Amazon
This $10 pair of herb scissors cuts through rosemary, cilantro, chives, and other herbs using five stainless steel blades connected by three sturdy rivets. The technique saves significant time in the kitchen, and you can use the scissors to cut herbs directly over your food. “They’re great for when you need to get through a lot of herbs quickly,” says Corey. She especially appreciates the included blade-cleaning comb, and there’s also a handy protective cover that keeps the scissors safe in your drawer.
Rubbermaid Meat Thermometer
Amazon
I’ve tested a range of meat thermometers, including professional-style Bluetooth models and instant-read versions. Still, this simple $10 Rubbermaid thermometer has remained in my drawer for years. It works surprisingly fast for its small size, and the accuracy is spot on. There’s a flat edge to prevent it from rolling off the counter, and the thermometer itself is dishwasher-safe. Best of all, it is very lightweight and takes up less than 5 x 1.5 inches of drawer space.
Microplane Classic Zester Grater
Amazon
If you’re one of the many home cooks who recently learned you should be replacing your grater every few years, opt for Ina Garten’s (and my) favorite brand. Microplane’s version is the one tool I find myself reaching for more often than expected—not just for tasks like zesting lemons, but also adding chocolate shavings to desserts, creating fluffy mounds of Parmesan cheese, and grating garlic or ginger for marinades, sauces, and curries.
