10 Kitchen Essentials Under $25

Outfitting your kitchen with all the necessary tools can be overwhelming and expensive, but there are plenty of tools that make a big impact without costing hundreds of dollars.

Whether you’re just finding your way around the kitchen or you’re a seasoned pro. For under $25, these kitchen tools are must-haves to elevate your cooking and make life in the kitchen a lot easier.

1. Microplane - $15

A Microplane zester is a multi-purpose tool and it is recommended for grating garlic, ginger, citrus, fresh nutmeg, and parmesan cheese. Zest from citrus fruits adds more depth in flavor versus their juices alone.

2. Instant Read Thermometer - $20-$38

Every cook should have a reliable thermometer for food safety and better results. Instant read thermometers can display when dishes have reached safe internal temperatures and optimal doneness, without being cut open and losing juices.

3. Silicone Spatula - $8

Silicone utensils are user-friendly when dealing with non-stick surfaces. They are non-porous so they don’t retain odors or colors when you using with tomato-based food products. And they don't support microbial growth making it safe for contact with food. Plus, you can use it to scrape clean cake batter or pesto out of a food processor.

4. Citrus Juicer - $14

A handheld twist reamer is ideal for quickly juicing a single lemon or other small citrus fruits. It even looks good on your bar or bar cart when not in use.

5. Bench Scraper - $10

Use it to portion pizza dough, transfer chopped vegetables into a skillet, or give your cutting board a quick clean after chopping vegetables.

6. Silicone Pot Holders - $6

Silicone can withstand oven temperatures up to 500 degrees. However, if left in the oven the holders become too hot. The handle cover works best when removing the cast-iron skillet from the oven, or preventing guests from burning their themselves when serving.

7. Mandoline - $15

A kitchen tool no one should be without. It allows you to create incredibly thin and consistent slices. The main benefits of using a mandoline are speed and uniformity in slicing. Cut your prep time when making gratins, slaws, and french fries.

8. Kitchen Shears - $15

Kitchen shears can be used for many jobs which would otherwise require hauling out both a knife and a cutting board. A couple of clips and your chives are ready for garnish.

9. Bar Keepers Friend - $2

This ultra-affordable cleaning solution is the key to clean pans and just about any kitchen surface you can imagine. You can even use it to clean other hard to clean areas of the house.

10. Wooden Spoons - $8-12

Wooden spoons are generally preferred for cooking because of their versatility. Some cooks prefer to use wooden spoons when preparing risotto because they do not transfer heat as much as metal spoons. Unlike metal spoons, they can also be safely used without scratching non-stick pans.