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In The Words Of Auguste Gusteau, Anyone Can Cook, And These 27 Items Will Get You Started

Your food delivery driver is going to miss you.

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by Courtney Hayes BuzzFeed Contributor

Courtney Hayes is a freelancer who has been writing for BuzzFeed Shopping since 2019, covering a wide range of topics including home decor, fashion, beauty and skincare, gift guides, pet products, and more.

1. A nonstick cookware setto use every single day. Whether you're making scrambled eggs or a batch of soup, you'll have the right pot or pan for the job. Since they're nonstick, they'll clean up easily.

Amazon

The set includes three pots with lids and two pans.

Promising review: "These pans are great and very inexpensive. They clean like a breeze. Drippy cheesy messes slide off. Very good buy for the money. We like it better than Teflon." —Barbara

Get it from Amazon for $51.76 (also available in five other sets).

2. An olive oil sprayer and dispenser, because just about every recipe calls for it. Pour or spritz olive oil as needed to make perfectly flavored food or salad dressing. Plus, you can measure the right amount straight from the dispenser instead of dirtying up a measuring cup. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "The oil sprayer is very practical and easy to use. It sprays the oil evenly, helping you cook with less oil and avoid excess use. It has a nice design, good quality, and works perfectly for salads, air fryers, and everyday cooking. Highly recommended." —Susett09

Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in 10 colors and pairs).

3. A meat thermometer to ensure your chicken breast is the right temperature before pulling it out of the oven. Figuring out if your meat is cooked through and safe to eat can be tricky, but this little gadget can help. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "They say you should 'cook to temperature, not for time.' For food safety as well as cooking consistency, a thermometer is a must-have tool. This one is simple to use, has a super-fast response, and has big digits that are easy to read. Plus, it feels sturdy, and uses AAA batteries, which are longer-lasting and easier to find than the smaller button type. Definitely a recommended buy!" —Uncle Duck

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in six colors).

4. Some parchment paper sheets to line your baking sheets and ensure your culinary creations don't get stuck to the pan. They can also be folded up to make steaming pockets for fish and veggies. 

www.amazon.com

Each pack includes 200 sheets.

Promising review: "I use this parchment paper every time I bake — it’s a total game changer. It significantly reduces mess and makes cleanup a breeze. My bakeware stays clean and stain free, and nothing sticks. I love it so much that I’m considering getting a set in every size to match all my bakeware. Truly an essential in any kitchen!" —Liz

Get it from Amazon for $14.98+ (available in two sizes).

5. A 13-piece knife setbecause they'll make prep work go by quickly. Put the butter knife down and use these to chop onions! The set also comes with kitchen shears, which are super handy for cutting up herbs.

www.amazon.com

The set includes an 8-inch chef knife, an 8-inch slicing knife, a 7-inch Santoku knife, an 8-inch serrated bread knife, a 5-inch utility knife, a 3.5-inch paring knife, kitchen shears, and six blade guards.

Promising review: "These knives are such good quality, they are very cute, the colors are gorgeous. They cut everything like butter. Definitely my favorite knife set. I've had no problems with rust for about a month so far. One hundred percent worth the price. You won’t regret it!! The caps for each knife also make it safe for drawers, but the knives are extremely sharp, keep in mind when cleaning." —Myeangel

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+(available in three colors).

6. Or a vegetable chopper and spiralizer to get uniform chops every single time. It'll dice or spiral your veggies so nicely that dinner guests might think they accidentally stumbled into a Michelin-star restaurant. 

www.amazon.com

It comes with two dicing plates and two spiral plates. To dice, put your produce on the chopping plate and close the arm. To spiral, twist your produce through the spiral plate.

Promising review: "I honestly didn’t think a vegetable chopper could make this big of a difference in my life, but here we are. This thing has completely changed the way I cook. Chopping onions used to feel like a punishment, and now I’m out here dicing vegetables like I’m hosting a cooking show.

"It saves so much time, keeps everything neat in the container, and makes meal prep ridiculously easy. The blades are super sharp, so vegetables come out evenly chopped in seconds. I’ve used it for onions, peppers, cucumbers, potatoes, and even making spiralized veggies. Cleanup is much easier than expected, too.

"If you cook even a few times a week, this is one of those kitchen gadgets you’ll wonder how you ever lived without. My only regret is not buying it sooner." —MoD

Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in four colors; also available in four other sets).

7. A pair of apronsfor you and your sous chef. Protect your cute outfits from food and oil stains while you're playing Top Chef. It's got two pockets and is water-resistant, so you're covered when you inevitably get splashed while doing the dishes. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Just a nice, plain black apron that does exactly what it's supposed to do. It feels sturdy, keeps the grease and oil off your clothes, and the pockets are actually big enough to hold a phone or some tools while you work. No loud logos or annoying patterns, just a clean, solid apron. Getting two in a pack is a great deal." —Johnathon

Get two from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in 12 colors). 

8. A nonstick baking pan and wire rack so you can make the crispiest bacon or crustiest pizza possible. The wire rack helps drain excess grease when you're baking, so you won't end up with a mushy mess or undercooked spots.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "All in all, this is a good set. I bought it for the shape of the rack. I cook and smoke a lot of meat and chicken, especially wings. The racks I was using with the small squares were/are an absolute pain to clean. These fit perfectly on my smoker and grill racks, and the way they're shaped, they are comparatively a breeze to clean." —Eddie B.

Get it from Amazon for $11.49.

9. Some stainless-steel mixing bowlsfor stirring and serving. I have this set and use it to hold popcorn for movie nights, create and serve salads, marinate stuff, and store leftovers. One of the bowls comes with attachments so you can slice, shred, or shave things directly into it. Unlike glass mixing bowls, these are lightweight and super easy to clean. Also, these won't slide all over the counter, thanks to the silicone-covered bottom.

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

It comes with five bowls and lids and three attachments. 

Promising review: "Love these bowls. Mixing bowls/storage containers? Love that! The different sizes are amazing to use, especially when cooking different things. The material is really good, I love that the lids are air-tight." —Hannah Nicole

Get it from Amazon for $31.99 (available in three colors). 

10. A punny dish towel because you can never have too many towels, which come in handy for so many things, including drying dishes. Just picture it: you whipping up a gourmet meal with this cotton towel tossed over your shoulder to wipe your fingers on. Or hang it from your stove to serve as decor. 

BinnieandBopper/Etsy

Binnie and Bopper Designs is based in New Hampshire and makes punny gifts, drinkware, shirts, and more. 

Promising review: "Very nice print quality and high quality towel!" —Lindsay

Get it from Binnie and Bopper Designs on Etsy for $11.

11. A silicone utensil set for anybody starting from scratch in their kitchen. This has just about any tool you could ever need, plus a holder to keep them organized. It has 1,800+ 5-star reviews! 

www.amazon.com, Amazon

The set includes a flexible spatula, soup ladle, serving spoons, pasta server, spatula turner, tongs, measuring cup and spoons, 10 hooks, a silicone mat, and more.

Promising review: "Great set of cooking utensils that won’t scratch my ceramic cookware. Was afraid they might be flimsy like others seen on store shelves. Pleasantly surprised and thrilled to find these to be sturdy and therefore heat-resistant. These non-stick utensils work for everything I cook and/bake. And the variety of options to use makes these a must in the kitchen." —VKehr

Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in eight colors).

12. A kitchen strainerthat'll extend to fit the width of your sink. It's the choose-your-own-adventure of kitchen tools. Wash produce with ease or drain your pasta before adding a fiscally irresponsible amount of parm. Many reviewers also say it makes a greatdrying rack! 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Love it! I think this would work best in a large farmhouse sink rather than a dual sink setup. It is fully adjustable, so I can't imagine it not fitting all sizes. It is dishwasher safe. It cleans and rinses well. I use it for a few dish drying items or as a colander. The plastic is sturdy enough to hold many items to dry." —Debra

Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in six colors).

13. An electric can opener, so opening a can of black beans won't be such a chore next time you want a quesadilla. Simply attach this to the can's lid, press start, and let it work its magic. 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I absolutely love the Kitchen Mama Auto Electric Can Opener! It makes opening cans effortless and safe, with no sharp edges left behind. It's easy to use, works great every time, and has become one of my favorite kitchen gadgets. Highly recommended!" —Mitchel Agee

Get it from Amazon for $29.99(available in four colors).

14. A set of reversible bamboo cutting boards to protect your counters when slicing and dicing the contents of your weekly produce box. One side has juice grooves to prevent a sticky mess when chopping, and the other side is ideal for serving.

www.amazon.com

It comes with three boards and a storage stand.

Promising review: "This cutting board set looks beautiful and feels very sturdy. The different sizes are perfect for everyday kitchen use, and the juice grooves help keep the counter clean. Excellent quality and a great value for the money." —Mohammad Zuhoor Qurishi

Get it from Amazon for $24.99.

15. A set of four clear stackable storage drawers because they're perfect for sorting pantry items. Cooking is so much easier when you can find the ingredient you're looking for!

www.amazon.com, www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I absolutely LOVE these storage drawers! They fit PERFECTLY in my pantry space and help me to keep lunch snacks and other pantry items perfectly organized. They are crystal clear, so I can see what’s inside and know exactly what we have or what needs to be restocked. They are also so easy to assemble, and the set comes with clear silicone 'feet' to keep them from sliding around, plus extras just in case (though I haven’t had to replace any). I love them so much, I’m about to purchase my third set!" —Eleni

Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in four quantities and four colors).

16. A Rifle Paper Co. porcelain serving platterthat'll make the most ordinary recipes feel — and look — extra special. Or keep it on the counter as decor. You can't go wrong with a piece this precious! 

Rifle Paper Co.

Get it from Rifle Paper Co. for $68 (also available in three other styles and check out the rest of the collection). 

17. A set of Caraway Home airtight glass containers for storing everything in its own container, and letting you see when you're running low on flour or sugar. 

www.amazon.com

 This dry food container storage set includes five glass containers with lids, a stainless-steel scoop, a ¼ measuring cup, and a magnetic organizer. 

Promising review: "Love the quality and color. Pantry organization staple!" —Leslie Meyers

Get them from Amazon for $275+ (available in six colors and a larger set). 

18. A vegetable peeler to get the skin off your fruits and veggies before you munch. It can also be used to create perfectly thin, shaved slices for your salad or other culinary needs. Anybody who's ever tried to peel a potato with a knife knows how much easier it is to use one of these! 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Easiest peeler I’ve ever used in my life. It removes a thin layer of skin and does not gouge whatever you’re peeling." —Nashfunpicks

Get it from Amazon for $9.97+ (available in 17 colors).

19. A set of bistro-inspired measuring cups so you can add the actual suggested amount of any ingredient instead of eyeballing it and ruining your dish.

Anthropologie

It comes with four cups.

Promising review: "Got these as a gift for a friend and she loves them. Cute and functional!" —Caseyboedasey

Get it from Anthropologie for $34.

20. A press and peel set so your hands won't smell like garlic next time you cook with it. Roll garlic cloves in the peeler to remove the skin, then use the presser to mince them. Not a garlic fan? It works on ginger, nuts, and seeds, too! 

www.amazon.com

It comes with a peeler, press, and brush.

Promising review: "The best garlic press ever. I did try several garlic presses, but they always break or can’t press properly. I decided to try this brand. OMG!!! It’s a wonder. Easy to use, to clean, and safe. And the silicone handle is perfect. Worth the money. I recommend it 100%." —Wonderful dress. Worth the money

Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in four colors).

21. Some stainless steel tongswith silicone tips so you can flip, turn, and grab hot things without burning your fingers or scratching your nonstick pans. Tongs are my most-used kitchen item. They're handy for everything from serving salads to grabbing pizzas from the oven to turning veggies over so they cook evenly. Your spatula could never.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "Very handy tongs. Easy to use. Love the slide opener. I find myself using these almost every time I cook." —William

Get two from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in 28 colors and sets of three). 

22. A pair of kitchen scissors so you can ~cut~ chopping herbs from your to-do list. Use these to cut cilantro for your famous guacamole instead of chopping with a knife, which usually ends in a big mess.

www.amazon.com

Promising reviews: "Excellent kitchen shears! Very sharp and comfortable to hold. They cut through meat, vegetables, and packaging with ease. The protective sheath is a nice bonus for safe storage. Highly recommended!” —zhan kuang

"Kitchen scissors are honestly my number one tool in the kitchen, so I’m always on the lookout for a good pair. I needed a new set and immediately fell in love with this color.

"I use kitchen scissors strictly for food, cutting up my daughter’s meals, prepping my own food, and making quick cuts without having to grab a cutting board and knife every time. It just makes everything faster and easier."These are sharp, comfortable to hold, and perfect for everyday kitchen use. If you cook often or have kids, a good pair of kitchen scissors is a must, and these are a great addition to your kitchen!" —Paige

Get it from Amazon for $7.59+(available in seven colors and larger quantities).

23. A cookbook for when you run out of dinner ideas. These recipes are easy to follow, use ingredients you may already have, and can help you get a drool-worthy meal on the table in as little as 15 minutes. 

www.amazon.com, Courtney Hayes/BuzzFeed

My favorite recipe from this book is the shrimp, cheddar, and charred pineapple tacos. They're sooooo easy and rival any I've tried in a restaurant. The best part is I only have to dirty up one dish to make them. See above for evidence! 

Promising review: "Full of easy, great-tasting recipes. easy to find ingredients. My fave cookbook. I rarely leave cookbook reviews, as I am rarely impressed, but wow, this book is just full of winners. It has a great variety of menus that are fresh and easy to make. The author does not have exotic or hard-to-find ingredients or preparations that are time-consuming or difficult. I liked the book so much, I even got one for both my married daughters, and they have made several meals from it and love the ease and taste of the food. The Lemon Pancakes are exquisite, making the Coconut Curry Ramen and Veggie Noodle soup again tonight. The author gives options for substitutions, so I don't have to think too hard. Great book!" —Jadecat

Get it from Amazon for $19.44.

24. A veggie wash because dirt's not on the dinner menu. It'll get rid of wax, soil, pesticides, and general gunk that might be lurking. Food with no dirt > food with dirt.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "It's amazing how much hidden dirt, wax, and residue this washes away compared to just using water alone. I love that it’s made from natural ingredients and completely rinses clean — no soapy residue or weird aftertaste left behind on the produce. A must-have for keeping fruits and veggies actually clean!" —S.Cox

Get it from Amazon for $10.39+ (available in three sizes and packs of two).

25. A dual timer because different foods have different cooking times. Don't burn your side dish because your main needs a few more minutes! 

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "I would highly recommend these timers. The magnet on the back holds them firmly in place. I use one in the kitchen and one in my office area. They are easy to set, and the numbers are large enough to read with ease. When not being used as a timer, you can use them as a clock. There are two timer settings on each, so you can set two timers at a time. You can also adjust the volume of the beeper, which is an added plus." —ChasingSerenity

Get it from Amazon for $13.98.

26. A pair of oven mitts to safely remove your dish from the oven and handle hot handles. Unlike bulkier options, these are easy to pull out quickly and keep from going from browned to burned.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "These KitchenAid gingham mini oven mitts are both cute and practical! The classic checkered pattern gives my kitchen such a cozy farmhouse feel, and the smaller size makes them so much easier to use than bulky oven mitts. They’re thick enough to protect your hands from hot pans but still flexible and comfortable to grab baking dishes and trays. I also love the silicone grip because it helps keep things from slipping. Super easy to clean, and the quality feels great. Definitely a kitchen staple I reach for daily!" —mo

Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in five colors).

27. A pack of Swedish dish towels to clean leaks and crumbs off your counter while you're cooking instead of letting onion remnants get in your dessert... no, thank you.

www.amazon.com

Promising review: "These things are magic! They work great, wring out easily, wash and dry to like new, have no smell, and, bonus, are super cute and cheerful! Very helpful in my quest to use fewer disposable towels, and I'm surprised at how strong they are and how well they work to scrub pans while also being soft enough to gently wipe more delicate items. I’ve already purchased more!" —shoe junkie

Get five from Amazon for $9.99 (available in eight colors and a six-pack).

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