20 Essential Kitchen Accessories Under $20

A classic kitchen tool that gives you thinly sliced vegetables and fruit—the tool you need to help you start eating more vegetables. $15 at crateandbarrel.com or amazon.com

A pastry brush changed my life in the kitchen: Now, coating vegetables with olive oil before roasting and brushing egg yolk onto pie crust is effortless and doesn’t make a mess. $7 at amazon.com

An elevated cup of coffee is as simple as this easy-to-use French Press. This is the perfect serving for a weekday mornings. $17 on amazon.com

Small enough that it won’t get in the way or take up too much space in your kitchen, this tool gives you vegetable ribbons. $10 at amazon.com or williams-sonoma.com

The very first thing you need to buy if you want to learn how to cook. This one in particular is invaluable classic. $10 at macys.com or amazon.com

Use it for brownies, casserole, potatoes au gratin—any large dishes you’re dreaming up for a big dinner party or a simple weeknight meal with family. $14 at macys.com or amazon.com

I am not exaggerating when I say that a silicone spatula is probably one of the most under-appreciated but most useful kitchen tools money can buy. Use a spatula when you’re baking, cooking eggs, sautéing tofu, melting butter—the list goes on and on. $14 at amazon.com

For fans of a strong coffee, this minimalist white porcelain pour over that fits right over your cup is a must-have. Just add a filter and your favorite grounds for a quick and reliably tasty cup of coffee. $16 at amazon.com

Another absolute essential for any home cook, the versatile cast iron pan lasts forever and will prove itself to be the superstar among your cookware. $16 at williams-sonoma.com or amazon.com

One of the hallmarks of a well-put together kitchen is that the flour and sugar have homes inside pretty jars, instead of languishing in the messy, torn cardboard boxes and bags in the back corner of a cabinet. $8 on worldmarket.com

Add a little character to your kitchen with a fun plate, even if the rest of your kitchen is still a work in progress. An animal print like this one is always a crowd-pleaser. $10 on westelm.com

I now have three of these in my refrigerator. I keep one by my bed at night, and fill up the other two to use at the dinner table when I’m alone and when I have friends over. $6 on worldmarket.com or amazon.com

This is nifty little tool makes it easy to make a “purse” out of your dumpling dough. $13 at amazon.com

Throw out those cheap plastic ice trays once and for all and replace them with this more durable silicone version. $19 at amazon.com

Stop pouring hot water straight from the pot into your mug. A teapot is a minimalistic, but classy addition to your kitchen and this one even includes an infuser so you can finally try loose leaf tea, as I’m sure you have meaning to do for, like, years, now. $15 at amazon.com

Most people keep their olive oil in it’s original bottle, but if you, like me, buy the generic brand from the grocery store, that bottle starts to look a little drab sitting on your counter, with the plastic top and label peeling off. This sleek container will make even the cheapest olive oil look stylish. $13 on williams-sonoma.com

This scrubber, which gives your vegetables a thorough wash before they end up on your plate, can also be used to clean tile (just buy two). $6 at amazon.com

Store leftovers, bring your lunch to work, and make more room in your crowded refrigerator with these sturdy Pyrex storage containers. $17 on amazon.com

This slim, light grater gives you tiny shreds of lime, lemon, ginger, and even cheese, without the hassle of using the box shredder to get a small amount of zest. $8 on amazon.com

Steam vegetables and salmon at the same time in this convenient appliance, which should eliminate any excuse you’ve been using to not eat healthy. $19 on amazon.com