The 50 Finest Kitchen Presents Below $50

Sure, it’s almost that time of yr once more, however gift-giving is just not unique to the vacation season. There are birthdays, particular events, just-because surprises, and dinner events the place you like to not present up empty-handed. And since you shouldn’t should empty your checking account in pursuit of a considerate gesture, we’re happy to current the newest model of our most budget-friendly present information, up to date for 2024. [Insert “dramatic flourish” sounds here.]

Listed below are 50 presents below $50 on your favourite meals (and drink) fans, sourced from our completely examined critiques and workers faves—and almost all of them are appropriate for year-round gift-giving. Bookmark this present information for all of your stocking stuffer, grand gesture, and “thanks for feeding my cat final week” wants.

Kitchen Necessities

We topped the Mercer Genesis as among the finest Western-style chef’s knives below $50 in our chef’s knife overview—and, simply saying, we examined 34 knives to make our choices. A great chef’s knife is a staple of any kitchen and makes for an impressively sharp present. This one from  Mercer has a grippy deal with that conjures up instant confidence.

A digital scale might not appear very thrilling, however anyone who makes use of one can vouch for a way a lot simpler the measuring course of is. No want for cups and spoons: Simply pour flour (or oil, or diced onion, or no matter else) instantly into your bowl and transfer on along with your recipe. It’s a way more correct means of baking, too. The Escali Primo is our favourite finances scale for its easy use and accuracy.

Weight and quantity aren’t the one measurable issues in the case of cooking—temperature can also be typically a key issue. The ThermoPop is a longtime Severe Eats favourite because of its massive, easy-to-read face and dependable efficiency. It additionally is available in plenty of totally different colours, so you possibly can have enjoyable being the one who brings a vibrant orange thermometer to your workplace’s white elephant present alternate this yr.

Whether or not for dinner leftovers or afternoon snacks, meals storage containers are a family should. Reusable luggage are a enjoyable—and sensible—different to the standard container, and Re(zip) ticks all of the packing containers for multipurpose portability. It stands up by itself, has no hard-to-clean grooves or tight corners, and the seal is leak-tight. Present a few these to your outdoorsy good friend who’s all the time packing a day’s price of snacks for an extended hike.

A wok could make a terrific present—and it doesn’t should be costly to be nice. This carbon metal one from Joyce Chen aced our wok testing, and the flat backside means it’ll work on any cooktop with out fuss. You possibly can do tons with a wok, so it’s a type of presents that retains giving.

Okay, so possibly a two-pack of plastic reducing boards isn’t as luxurious a present as a picket carving board, however we’re aiming for inexpensive performance right here. Plus, we’re followers of OXO’s sturdiness. These reducing boards are mild on knives, simple to scrub, and thoughtfully designed with rubber strips that maintain them in place. A wonderfully wise present.

We’ve lengthy been followers of Lodge forged iron pans. They’re inexpensive, they appear good, and so they final without end. A pre-seasoned skillet makes an ideal present, particularly in case your recipient is new to the pleasures of cooking with forged iron.

Present for Bakers

A beautiful present for the bread baker in your life, Breadtopia’s lame is one among our prime picks. The easy design makes scoring dough a snap. As a result of it comes with a petite storage field, it’ll keep sharp in your drawer when not in use.

Proofing baskets present construction for dough because it ferments and rises, which provides it form and typically a enjoyable sample. This one, with its flat backside and moisture-absorbing wooden pulp development, is our very favourite.

Bundt pans assist create head-turning desserts, and this one from Nordic Ware—which took the highest spot in our current assessments, btw—has a deliciously dramatic kind. Enjoyable reality: Nordic Ware invented the Bundt pan! Its Anniversary pan baked our check desserts evenly and so they launched from the pan with out sticking.

Half-sheet baking trays are so sensible for each use. Why pull out an unwieldy full-size baking sheet simply to roast a handful of greens when you would use a half-sheet and nonetheless have room in your countertop to cut all of it up? (Full-size sheets don’t even slot in most dwelling ovens!) That is a type of gadgets individuals don’t understand they want till they’ve it. Our favourite half-sheets from Nordic Ware refuse to warp, regardless of how a lot you place them by means of their paces.

Good for bread bakers, Danish dough whisks make stirring flour and water a pleasure as an alternative of a sticky chore. There’s plenty of area for the dough to maneuver by means of, which implies it’s additionally nice for mixing batters—we’re considering pancakes, muffins, desserts—and even folding in egg whites.

Talking of muffins, we like this tin from USA Pan. It bakes every muffin evenly and so they pop proper out with no sticking, which implies the pan can also be tremendous simple to scrub. Give it as a present and make a enjoyable little joke about the way you’ll be completely happy to pattern the fruits of your recipient’s labor.

Tart pans are nice for picture-perfect desserts because of their detachable bottoms and fluted sides. Crusts—even press-in ones with no rolling wanted—conform willingly and emerge trying like what you’re doing. Our commerce editor Rochelle Bilow swears her pan helped heal her pie crust anxiousness.

For Espresso & Tea Lovers

To impress a tea aficionado, you’ll need to select unfastened leaf over pre-bagged. This tin of warming masala chai tastes as fairly because it appears. Gifting to a black tea or natural lover? We now have tons extra picks right here.

You most likely know tons of people that drink espresso on the each day, so why not shake up somebody’s morning brew with a present subscription? Crema’s subscription packing containers will be ordered with a “set and overlook” auto-option, or à la carte. Begin by taking a enjoyable quiz about your giftee’s espresso preferences, together with mild, medium, or darkish roast and floor or complete beans, and also you’re off.

Fancy espresso store drinks at dwelling are nearer than you suppose. A drizzle of completely candy vanilla syrup turns a daily cuppa into an expertise, and this bottle is luxe. Our commerce affiliate editorial director Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm likes Sonoma Syrup Co. as a result of it has flecks of actual vanilla bean. There are different enjoyable flavors to select from, together with lavender and peppermint.

Give the present of recent espresso with a correct vessel for storing beans or grounds. We like this vacuum-sealed one from Fellow Atmos, each as a result of it appears cool and really retains espresso more energizing for longer than leaving it within the bag.

We’re massive followers of this French press—a lot so we named it our greatest finances decide in our  French presses overview. Its layered chrome steel development retains espresso good and toasty whereas the twin filter retains grit to a minimal. Not for nothing: The little gator brand is cute.

The AeroPress is a fab present for the hiker, camper, or traveler in your life. It really works effectively to brew a single serving of espresso on the go that tastes wonderful. It’s light-weight, so it’s extremely transportable, and it offers “I take my espresso significantly” vibes. (We’ve recognized and been individuals who pop their Aeropress in a suitcase for a weekend getaway.)

Enjoyable Devices and Goodies

It appears like a reducing board, nevertheless it’s a cookbook stand. For as many nice recipes as there are throughout the interwebs, typically it’s good to crack open a cookbook and never should faff with know-how. This picket stand holds your web page in place as you cook dinner.

Don’t be fooled by the diminutive proportions of this meals processor—it holds its personal towards the massive boys and might slice, cube, chop, and blitz with one of the best of ‘em. Scorching take: It’s a lot extra helpful than these meals choppers getting plenty of love on social media. This mini meals professional is nice on your salad-obsessed bestie.

We will be vital of unitasker instruments—kitchen area is restricted, in spite of everything—however a dependable garlic press is price retaining round for these weeknights the place chopping 40 cloves of garlic sounds about as enjoyable as consuming all of them uncooked.

You wouldn’t suppose ice cubes could possibly be thrilling, however once we examined ice dice trays, this one from PHINOX was described as “a thrill to make use of.” Eradicating the cubes is like popping bubble wrap, besides you’re left with helpful ice as an alternative of disappointment. The PHINOX tray features a storage bin, so you can also make a great deal of ice without delay.

Vacuum sealers are useful for retaining meals recent and sous vide cooking, however a few of them—like chamber sealers—are huge and expensive. Not so this palm-sized gadget from Anova, which not solely works rather well however is sufficiently small to be stowed away in a drawer between makes use of. A singular and sensible present.

A mortar and pestle is a type of wonderful kitchen gadgets that manages to be useful whereas nonetheless trying cool on the counter. They are often fairly giant, nonetheless—which is why a mini one makes such an ideal present. Everybody loves receiving a weighty present (with heft comes promise), and what higher approach to alleviate vacation stress than by smashing some spices? This petite set may be very fairly priced and it aced our assessments.

Yeti makes a great deal of totally different mugs and tumblers so be at liberty to deviate from this handle-and-straw contraption, however there’s no denying that insulated beverage vessels are having a second. So long as you don’t select a coloration your recipient hates, you possibly can’t go fallacious by giving one as a present.

Single-use plastic luggage are lower than ideally suited, and paper ones tear simply or accumulate in a cupboard someplace till we’ve forgotten what else is in there. This reusable grocery bag is enjoyable as a result of it appears like a traditional paper bag however is definitely product of beeswaxed natural cotton. Sneaky!

Bar & Tableware

Assuming somebody’s decor tastes effectively sufficient to really feel snug giving them an merchandise meant to be on show, a pleasant wine rack could make a stunning present. This one has a nifty hexagonal sample and holds 11 bottles—and politely maxes out our under-$50 finances.

Nice-looking rocks glasses (with a beneficiant 13-ounce capability) from one of many main names within the drinkware sport? Sufficient stated.

For the cocktail fanatic in your life, a bar spoon that doubles as a muddler is nothing lower than considerate and sensible. This one is about $15 and appears incredible on a bar cart.

A really perfect merchandise to pair with the aforementioned bar spoon, a cocktail shaker is a should for any dwelling bar. This cobbler shaker from OXO seals tightly and might maintain two cocktails. We predict it strikes the proper steadiness between good-looking and inexpensive.

Preserve it on the desk, maintain it on the counter, maintain it on the bar cart—wherever you place this convenient little salt cellar, it’s going to look nice, and guarantee your flaky salt is all the time on the prepared. This salt cellar has a 16-ounce capability and is available in a bunch of good colours.

Gifting water glasses doesn’t sound very thrilling, however we loved these ones from Duralex a lot, we would like everybody to have a set. From the flared rim to the elegantly grippy sides, they’re a pleasure to make use of. They’re additionally resilient towards drops and aggressive dishwasher-loading.

When you’ve been looking for a present that offers you cause to say “rise and grind” as your fortunate giftee unwraps their loot, effectively, right here you go. A pleasant pepper mill will deliver a stage of sophistication to your terrific jokes.

Gourmand Treats

A literal bucket of Maldon salt has graced many a Severe Eats present information. It’s the proper present—everybody wants salt, however not everybody goes to spring for the flamboyant stuff. Go massive or go dwelling with a three-plus-pound tub.

Savory, spicy, salty, and crunchy, Fly By Jing’s assortment of Sichuan sauces is the one among greatest methods to boost any pantry. This trio consists of the model’s traditional Sichuan Chili Crisp, Zhong Sauce, and Chengdu Crunch—however purchaser beware as a result of this set of sauces is only a gateway to extra Fly By Jing (which additionally makes noodles).

We included this orange-flavored olive oil in our overview of additional virgin olive oils , and it belongs right here too as a result of good olive oil makes a terrific present. The Partanna oil is made utilizing the agrumato technique of infusion, during which the oranges are crushed with the olives. It makes for additional flavorful oil that’s wonderful on the whole lot—even yogurt and fruit

Like olive oil, maple syrup creates an fascinating and memorable present alternative. While you purchase the good things—like this one from Barred Woods, nestled in a nook of northern Vermont. You possibly can select from lighter Amber Wealthy or deeper, extra intense Darkish Strong. They’re each incredible.

Craft chocolate appears to be in all places nowadays, so we examined oodles of packing containers to seek out one of the best. (You’re welcome.) This 12-piece field is attractive inside and outside, and we swooned over the distinctive flavors, like rosemary-infused caramel with mushroom salt.

Nut butter fanatics (they exist!) will admire this really luxurious jar. It’s candy and salty on the similar time and tastes freshly floor. The jar is fairly sufficient to pop in a stocking unwrapped. These items is wonderful in espresso smoothies.

La Tourangelle makes plenty of specialty oils, so select one as you please—our former pastry editor is a fan of the pistachio oil. A pleasant nutty oil can elevate a salad, lend a fragile taste to meats, or simply add a bit aptitude alongside the pre-dinner bread basket. It’s a fab present for a cocktail party host—or your self.

For Cookbook Collectors

Simply in time for the vacations, Sift, by pastry chef Nicola Lamb, releases in November 2024. It’s a complete e book all in regards to the hows and whys of baking, which makes it a fab present on your favourite baker. Severe Eats’ resident pastry knowledgeable Genevieve Yam extremely recommends it.

Our commerce editor Grace Kelly lately waxed poetic about this four-decade-old cookbook, citing its stellar pancake recipe, comforting casseroles, and quirky Squiggled Eggs as only a few causes to like it. For the cookbook collector who has the whole lot, effectively, there’s a stable likelihood they may not have L.L. Bean’s.

Written by journalist and Severe Eats contributor Clarissa Wei with Ivy Chen, Made in Taiwan is greater than only a recipe e book. It paperwork Taiwan’s necessary historical past and tradition, tying the whole lot collectively by means of meals. It’s additionally gorgeously photographed and makes a stunning, transportive present. It made our record of really important cookbooks.

This title graced our roundup of 2023’s greatest cookbooks. It’s half cookbook, half ecological deep dive, and half espresso desk e book that may be a nice seize on your brunch good friend who’s all the time making an attempt to order oysters “for the desk” and eats most themselves. (Or anybody who’s into nature and studying extra about the place their meals comes from. Or anybody who simply likes fascinating books.)

This one made our record of greatest baking cookbooks and is an actual favourite amongst sourdough bakers. Whether or not somebody is simply getting began in sourdough or has been baking bread for years, there’s all the time one thing to be taught from Tartine Bread.

Making pasta from scratch appears far more daunting than it really is, and this e book is one among our present favorites to achieve for once we get a hankering for recent fettuccine. Present it to anybody who loves a cooking challenge and doesn’t thoughts giving their palms a exercise.

FAQs

What are one of the best low cost presents for cooks?

In relation to budget-friendly presents for individuals who like to cook dinner, it’s laborious to go fallacious with an edible present. Fancy salt or a pleasant ending oil each tick the “considerate” field with out contributing to kitchen litter. Teas and coffees are additionally simple wins.

Why We’re the Consultants

• Summer time Rylander is a contract author who’s been contributing to Severe Eats since 2022. She has additionally written about kitchen gear for the likes of Meals & Wine, Allrecipes, and The Kitchn, and she or he’s lengthy been a fan of giving and receiving food-centric presents. 
• The gadgets on this overview have been examined, used, and endorsed by Severe Eats editors.