14 Great Stocking Stuffers for Home Cooks
We’re adding avocado tools, meat thermometers, and more to our shopping list.
During Christmas, stocking stuffer gifts are typically small—bars of chocolate, packs of chapstick, the occasional mini liquor bottle or two. In this guide, we’re honing in on little gifts that would be perfectly suited for cooks. They’re the kind of essential tools that every kitchen needs, from meat thermometers and spatulas to garlic presses and vegetable peelers. (We’ve even included an avocado tool, too.) Read on for all of our recommendations.
OXO Good Grips 3-in-1 Avocado Slicer
After we had professional chef Karen Akunowicz test 13 different avocado tools, she identified this one as the best. It comes outfitted with a knife, pit remover, and slicer, allowing you to halve, de-pit, and cut up your avocado with just one item.
OXO Good Grips 3-in-1 Avocado Slicer, $10 at amazon.com
Rolling Pin
In our test of the best rolling pins, we found this J.K. Adams rolling dowel our favorite. Gift it to avid bakers or save it for your next cookie-making session.
J.K. Adams Dowel Rolling Pin, $30 at amazon.com
Vegetable Peelers
According to Ina Garten, you should be replacing your vegetable peelers every year—and our food editors recommended this Kuhn Rikon set of three, available for under $20 on Amazon. The blades are made of carbon steel, and you can hand-wash the peelers after use.
Kuhn Rikon Original Swiss Peeler 3-Pack, $14 at amazon.com
Truff Hot Sauce Pack
For the hot sauce enthusiast, pick up this two-pack from Truff, which includes the brand’s signature black truffle-infused hot sauce as well as the “Hotter Sauce,” which rings in at 4,500–5,000 on the Scoville scale (as compared to 2,300–3,000 for the black truffle hot sauce).
Bundle Pack (two-pack), $34 at truff.com
Corkscrew
For just $8, you can pick up what we found to be the best corkscrew around. It comes in tons of different colors (price varies depending on which one you pick), with a serrated knife for removing the foil and a bottle opener for beer, too.
Pulltap's Double-Hinged Waiters Corkscrew, $8 (was $8.49) at amazon.com
Stasher Bags
If you know someone that’s trying to cut down on waste, Stasher bags are a great option for food storage. They’re made from platinum silicone and reusable—you can use them for sous vide cooking and pop them in the oven (up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit), or use them in the microwave and freezer as well. Plus, they’re dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
Stasher Reusable Sandwich Bag, $12 at williams-sonoma.com; Stasher Reusable Half Gallon Bag, $20 at williams-sonoma.com; Stasher Reusable Snack Bag, $10 at williams-sonoma.com
Meat Thermometer
According to thousands of reviews, this meat thermometer is the best on Amazon. A backlit LCD display makes it easy to read, and it’s accurate within 0.9 degrees Fahrenheit—it can also read temperatures within three to five seconds, so you’ll know right away if your meat is ready or needs more time.
ThermoPro TP03 Digital Instant Read Thermometer, $14 (list price $30) at amazon.com
Burlap & Barrel Weeknight Dinner Collection
Every kitchen needs a great set of spices, and this Weeknight Dinner Collection from Burlap & Barrel includes three: Black Urfa Chili, Cured Sumac, and Smoked Pimentón Paprika. Or, upgrade to the set of six, which also includes Wild Mountain Cumin, Royal Cinnamon, and New Harvest Turmeric.
Weeknight Dinner Collection (Set of 3), 25 (was $27) at burlapandbarrel.com
Microplane Grater-Zester
Microplanes can be used for zesting citrus, grating spices like nutmeg, and more. This one rings in under $20, and it would easily fit in a stocking.
Microplane Grater-Zester, $15 at crateandbarrel.com
Whisk
Oxo’s balloon whisk is another well-rated Amazon pick, with a 4.8-star rating from thousands of reviews. The best part? It’s just $10.
OXO 11-Inch Balloon Whisk, $10 at amazon.com and oxo.com
Measuring Cup and Spoon Set
This gorgeous gold set of measuring cups and measuring spoons also includes metric measurements—make sure to hand-wash them.
Maison Plus Heavyweight Gold Measuring Cups & Spoons Set, $55 at food52.com
Wooden Spoon
Pick up this simple wooden spoon, made of natural olivewood, on its own, or make it a larger set with a pasta spoon and saute paddle.
Olivewood Spoon, $13 at crateandbarrel.com
Spatulas
It’s always helpful to have a few spatulas on hand, and this set includes four: a spatula and mini spatula, as well as a “spoonula” and mini spoonula, too. The silicone heads are heat-resistant up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, and once you’re done using the spatulas, you can pop them in the dishwasher. Pick from navy, red, or white.
Stainless-Steel Ultimate Silicone Spatula Set, $50 at williams-sonoma.com
Garlic Press
You can certainly mince your garlic by hand with a knife, but sometimes, garlic presses can also come in handy. Kuhn Rikon’s Epicurean Garlic Press scored well on Amazon, earning 4.5 out of five stars from 2,789 ratings.
Kuhn Rikon Epicurean Garlic Press, $36 (list price $65) at amazon.com