Gifts for Home Cooks

People who cook every night already own a knife, a pan and a cutting board. They have strong opinions about all three. The best gifts are the upgrade to the tool they use most, a good pantry treat they would not buy for themselves, or a cookbook that teaches technique instead of just recipes.

Under $25 7 ideas

  1. Microplane Premium Classic Zester Grater

    Turns citrus peel, Parmesan, garlic, ginger and nutmeg into fluff in seconds. Cooks who have one reach for it constantly; cooks who do not have no idea what they are missing.

    MicroplaneStocking stuffer

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  2. Kuhn Rikon Original Swiss Peeler, 3 Pack

    A cheap Y-shaped peeler that is sharper than most expensive ones and makes short work of potatoes and squash. Three in a pack means one for them and two to keep.

    Kuhn RikonStocking stuffer

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  3. Maldon Sea Salt Flakes

    Pyramid-shaped flakes for finishing a steak, a salad or a chocolate chip cookie. It is the salt chefs keep in a dish by the stove, and a box lasts months.

    MaldonGets used upStocking stuffer

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  4. Mike's Hot Honey

    Honey infused with chili peppers, made famous on pizza and just as good on fried chicken, roasted carrots or cheese. An easy add-on that gets used up.

    Mike's Hot HoneyGets used upStocking stuffer

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  5. Fly By Jing Sichuan Chili Crisp

    Crunchy, numbing, savory chili oil that cooks end up spooning onto eggs, noodles and rice. More complex than the supermarket jar it is usually compared to.

    Fly By JingGets used upStocking stuffer

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  6. KitchenAid All Purpose Kitchen Shears

    Sturdy enough to spatchcock a chicken and fine enough to snip herbs. Most kitchens have a pair of dull scissors doing this job badly.

    KitchenAid

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  7. Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Skillet

    Gives a better sear than nonstick, goes in the oven and will outlive everyone. Made in Tennessee and pre-seasoned, so it is ready to use out of the box.

    Lodge

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Under $50 8 ideas

  1. Cole & Mason Derwent Pepper Grinder

    A clear acrylic mill with a carbon steel mechanism and a dial that sets the grind from fine to coarse. A real upgrade from a supermarket disposable grinder.

    Cole & MasonFor display

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  2. ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2

    Reads in a few seconds and has a rotating display. It ends guesswork on chicken, pork and roasts for cooks who still cut things open to check.

    ThermoWorksStocking stuffer

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  3. Victorinox Fibrox Pro 8 Inch Chef's Knife

    The knife culinary schools hand out and reviewers keep recommending: sharp, light and with a grip that does not slip when wet. A big step up from a block-set knife.

    Victorinox

    See it on Amazon

  4. Benriner Japanese Mandoline Slicer

    Paper-thin cucumbers, even potato slices for gratin and julienne carrots in seconds. Restaurant cooks use this plastic model, not the bulky ones. Use the guard; it is very sharp.

    Benriner

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  5. OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner

    Pump the top and greens come out dry enough for dressing to stick. Also great for washing herbs and berries.

    OXO

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  6. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat

    Teaches the four ideas behind good cooking, so they can fix a dish without a recipe. The illustrated, friendly book that turns recipe-followers into cooks.

    Simon & SchusterBook

    See it on Amazon

  7. The Food Lab by J. Kenji López-Alt

    A thousand pages of tested answers to questions like why steaks should rest and how to make a burger juicier. For the cook who wants to know why, not just how.

    W. W. NortonBook

    See it on Amazon

  8. Ottolenghi Simple: A Cookbook

    Vegetable-forward recipes full of big flavors, each marked by how quick or easy it is. A good book for cooks who are bored of their usual dinners.

    Ten Speed PressBook

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Under $100 2 ideas

  1. John Boos Block R02 Maple Reversible Cutting Board

    A heavy maple board that stays put on the counter, is easy on knives and lasts for decades with a little oil. Big enough to carve a roast.

    John BoosFor display

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  2. Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 6 Quart

    Pressure cooks beans without soaking, makes stock in an hour and turns tough cuts tender on a weeknight. Check they do not already have one; many people do.

    Instant Pot

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$100 and up 3 ideas

  1. Shun Classic 8 Inch Chef's Knife

    Thin, very sharp Japanese steel with a layered blade that looks as good as it cuts. For the cook who already knows how to look after a good knife.

    ShunFor display

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  2. Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven, 5.5 Quart

    The pot that braises, bakes bread and makes soup for six, and gets handed down to the next generation. The colors are part of the appeal, so pick one that suits their kitchen.

    Le CreusetFor display

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  3. Anova Precision Cooker Nano 3.0

    Sous vide cooking holds food at an exact temperature, so steak comes out evenly pink edge to edge and chicken never dries out. A new technique for the cook who has tried everything else.

    Anova CulinaryAn experience

    See it on Amazon