Avid home cooks tend to be particular about their kitchen gear, so buying a gift for them can be a daunting task. Perhaps they make nearly every meal in their perfectly seasoned cast-iron pan, or they’re already married to a particular brand of salt. Maybe you think that their pantry is so well stocked, they couldn’t possibly need anything else, or that they bake so much, they have every cake and pie pan they could want. But in our years of talking to both amateur and professional cooks, we’ve heard about countless tools and ingredients that are guaranteed to please, whether they’re an upgrade to an old standby or a totally new discovery that will become an integral part of their kitchen. Here, we’ve gathered 47 gifts for every type of home cook, curated from both past and recent stories, so you can find something for the expert host, the budding pastry chef, the dedicated cookbook user, and so many more.
For the home cook who regularly hosts
When you’re constantly having people over, you can never have enough coasters. These felt ones from Graf Lantz are a Strategist favorite, because they’re made from highly absorbent merino wool (instead of a material that will just collect water at the bottom) and they hold up beautifully.
For the messy home cook
Former Strategist senior manager of audience engagement Mia Leimkuhler was resistant to aprons until she found this breezy and affordable cross-back version. She says it makes her feel “less ‘dutiful housewife’ and more ‘cool ceramics teacher.’” The smock’s shape offers full coverage from splatter and spills, and to clean it, you simply throw it in the wash.
For the home cook who serves wine with every meal
If you want to bring them something a bit more interesting than a bottle of wine, consider this decanter recommended by Marissa Copeland, head sommelier at Junoon. It looks nearly identical to the much more expensive Riedel O.
For the home cook who starts with bubbles
A more fun (and approachable) take on a traditional Champagne glass — or, as one expert puts it, “better than a stereotypical flute.”
For the home cook who likes beer
For the home cook who prefers a cocktail
Gin or whiskey? Easy-drinking or boozy? This cocktail book has a comprehensive flowchart to help them figure out exactly what they want to drink and how to make it.
For the home cook who prefers a cocktail (but doesn’t need any help with recipes)
A mixing glass doesn’t come with most basic bar-tool sets, so adding one to their collection is a good bet. Krissy Harris, beverage director and owner of Jungle Bird in New York, likes this well-priced option from Hiware that “doesn’t have a seam, so it’s stronger and very attractive.”
For the home cook who loves bold flavors
Chef and writer Lauren Joseph told us about this preserved-lemon paste that she swirls into yogurt, turns into a refreshing drink, mixes into cake, and more. “Finely dicing a whole lemon to add to, say, salsa verde is nice in theory,” she says, “but so is taking a break from dicing on my days off. This lemon, thankfully, doesn’t need to be cut at all — in fact, the creators wanted to make a more intuitive version, so they blended two to three plump citrus fruits into each jar.”
For the home cook who always sets out a snack board
Anne Saxelby, the late founder of Saxelby Cheesemongers, published this book a couple of years ago — and a few experts note that it would make a great gift for any fan of fromage. “I so admire Anne’s relaxed, relatable approach to understanding and appreciating cheese,” says Susan Axelrod, editor of Culture Cheese Magazine.
For the home cook who goes above and beyond with their snack board
Give them something unexpected to add to their next charcuterie spread — like these pickled peppers that will provide a nice counterpart to fattier meats and cheeses. Laila Gohar, food artist and founder of Gohar World, introduced us to them and says they’ll add a nice bite to cooked dishes.
For the home cook who always uses fresh herbs
This indoor smart garden was originally recommended by George Pisegna, deputy director and chief of horticulture at the Horticultural Society of New York, then tested by Strategist writer Erin Schwartz, who appreciated the compact size that still “produces a prodigious quantity of herbs.”
For the home cook who has other greenery in their kitchen
If their kitchen is filled with plants, consider gifting this sophisticated-looking plant mister. Most of the models we recommend are more utilitarian in their aesthetics, but Strategist writer Erin Schwartz says this stylish one “disperses mist as well as the other plunger misters [on that list].”
For the home cook who has had the same pair of kitchen shears since college
Material Kitchen makes a lot of our favorite cookware, and these kitchen shears are no exception. They’re super stylish and work like a charm — sharp as can be and comfortable to hold. They’re easy to clean because they come apart, but not so loose that the hinge becomes undone while you’re working.
For the sustainably minded home cook
According to Strategist contributor Ashlea Halpern, a self-described compulsive cleaner who “could plough through half a roll” of paper towels “in one cleaning session,” these Swedish dishcloths are a game changer. They’re super-absorbent, come in more than two dozen charming prints, and look as good as new every time you give them a wash.
For the home cook who likes a colorful table
If they’re as into plating as they are about making the food, they probably care about everything they put out on a table. These salt and pepper grinders come from beloved brand Le Creuset (yep, they make more than everyone’s favorite Dutch oven), and there are tons of color options to choose from.
For the home cook who likes a classic table
These cloth napkins, recommended by interior designer Elaine Griffin, are just the right amount of understated. They “have hemstitching and Swiss dot embroidery, two of the most elegant details for linens known to mankind,” she says.
For the home cook who knows how to set the mood
Another suggestion for the dining-table obsessive: these pure-beeswax candles, which come in a variety of heights and colors. They were recommended to us by cookbook author and recipe developer Anna Stockwell, who buys them in bulk and always has them on hand. Browse through the different colors.
For the home cook who relies on ground spices
Help them up their game with this small but mighty spice grinder recommended by Bill Clark, culinary managing director of Catskill’s Scribner’s Lodge and Fellow Mountain Café. Pulverizing your spices right before you cook with them is one of the easiest ways to improve the flavor of any and every dish you make.
For the home cook who enjoys decorating their fridge
Strategist senior writer Liza Corsillo first discovered this magnet tape via her husband, who is a teacher. “I hate the look of a cluttered fridge with tons of mismatched clunky magnets,” she says, “but with this, I just press a few centimeters of the tape to the back of photos or cards and plonk it onto the fridge for a neater, floating effect.”
For the home cook who’s trying to be a morning person
If they love coffee but are still looking for ways to improve their morning routine, consider this super-stylish blender. Former Strategist associate editor Louis Cheslaw (and Halle Berry) are fans.
For the home cook who actually only needs coffee
Fellow makes a bunch of Strategist-approved coffee accessories, but perhaps our favorite is this electric pour-over kettle, which has precise temperature control and a gooseneck spout for perfect pouring and is attractive enough to proudly leave on the counter.
For the home cook who actually needs only tea
A true aficionado will pause to admire the color of their tea, which is why this transparent glass teapot, recommended by tea consultant Sara Shacket, would make a thoughtful gift. Plus all the parts can go into the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
For the home cook who takes their coffee on the go
If they’re always running errands or commuting with coffee in hand, an extra (or better) travel mug is a sweet idea. This one is the preferred vessel of multiple pros — including Jerad Morrison, co-founder and co-CEO of Sightglass Coffee in San Francisco, who explains that its great temperature retention comes thanks to the double-walled interior, which means it’s never too hot or cold to the touch.
For the home cook who has already perfected their pancake game
Take them (a little) out of their comfort zone by gifting this affordable waffle-maker, which we named our best overall pick. “It’s light, compact, and always reliable,” says food stylist Sue Li. “It heats up quickly, and the cleanup is a snap.”
For the home cook who is getting into baking
If they love to bake but don’t own a digital scale, it’s time. We named this Escali the best overall model, because it’s lightweight, affordable, nice-looking, and reliable. “Escali is tried and true from my culinary-school days, and I have yet to find a reason to replace it,” says Food52 food editor Emily Ziemski. It comes in a bunch of different colors, so you can pick the one best suited for your recipient.
For the home cook who already has all the baking tools
Nordic Ware makes the most stunning decorative Bundt pans in so many different designs. They’re a favorite of chef Vallery Lomas, who loves them not only for their look but because they “are so well-constructed and reliable.”
For the home cook who already has all the baking tools (and prefers pie over cake)
These sweet pie pans come in multiple striking colors, but they’re not about form over function. Cookbook author Erin Jeanne McDowell says she loves ceramic “for its ability to get the bottom crust nice and crisp.”
For the home cook who hasn’t cleaned out their spice drawer in years
PSA: Spices do go bad. Technically, most should be used or replaced six months after you open them. And although you’ll be totally fine letting them linger a while longer, after a couple of years, it’s really time. Enter Burlap & Barrel, one of our favorite fair-trade spice companies. Its selection is extensive with deeply flavorful jars of all the usual suspects as well as some you probably haven’t heard of.
For the home cook who wants to make sauerkraut and kimchee
Chefs heartily endorse this incredibly affordable and effective container as a go-to fermentation vessel. “It’s really useful, because it has an insert that essentially creates a vacuum to press down your ferments,” chef Dave Park of Jeong in Chicago told us. “It has an inner ring where you can either burp your ferments or keep it airtight. It’s definitely one of the most useful containers I’ve found.”
For the home cook who takes pride in their popcorn-seasoning technique
W&P — the brand behind our favorite ice-cube trays — makes this microwavable popcorn bowl. It holds up to four cups, and the lid doubles as a measuring device.
For the home cook who needs help with their popcorn-seasoning technique
Sprinkling cheese powder on top of popcorn is one of the best decisions you can make — but if they don’t use up the whole jar that way, they can add it to mac and cheese, make homemade cheese crackers, and use it as a seasoning on roasted vegetables.
For the home cook trying to serve more greens
Michael Cox, founder of foley&cox, loves this iconic salad bowl, which is perfect for anyone in your life who likes to have fun with their serveware. “This classic cabbage design has practically reached icon status among cooks, design enthusiasts, and entertaining aficionados. We love the universal and charming appeal it offers,” he says.
For the home cook who likes to serve food straight from the oven
These nesting baking dishes from Staub are true workhorses. They’re durable and easy to clean for casual weeknight cooking, but they also look right at home on a dressed-up table. The larger size can hold baked pastas and braised meats, while the smaller size is perfect for side dishes and meals for two.
For the home cook who makes their own salad dressing
Good home cooks know that quality vinegar matters — and that you can never have too many varieties on hand. This one is loved by recipe developer and cookbook author Andy Baraghani, who says, “There’s some residual sugar, so when you taste it, you’re not getting a sensation so intense that your cheeks tingle. It has an almost honeylike quality that makes it very well rounded.”
For the home cook who can’t get enough Maldon
If they finish nearly every dish with Maldon, consider gifting this giant bucket of the flaky salt. The size makes it dramatic, but it’s practical too — they won’t have to replace it nearly as much as they would the smaller box.
For the home cook who already has the Maldon bucket
Maldon user (and lover) Hannah Howard, a former restaurant cook, says she cheated on the staple with this Icelandic smoked salt. “While some brands smoke their salt over hickory, and Maldon makes a salt smoked over oak, and some lesser producers just add liquid smoke flavor, Saltverk is dried over birch smoke according to an ancient tradition that is specific to Iceland,” she writes. “As for the texture, it’s crunchy and slightly chunkier than Maldon’s paper-thin flakes, which was a nice departure.”
For the home cook who always adds extra garlic
Strategist writer Ambar Pardilla regularly chops “close to a full head when I only need three cloves — always going for something indulgently garlicky and enough to make Count Dracula queasy,” she says. This was a time-consuming venture until she got her hands on this extremely efficient chopper, which the garlic lover in your life will surely appreciate.
For the home cook who is protective of their knives
Cutting boards wear out over time, so any serious home cook will appreciate a brand-new, nice-looking cutting block that’ll protect their sharpened blades. Boos makes the best wooden cutting boards on the market according to many pros, and this one is a personal favorite of Michelin-star chef Missy Robbins.
For the home cook who needs new knives
It’s no secret that a chef’s knife can make or break your cooking. A bad one means you’ll be fighting to cut your food, and a good one — like this incredibly affordable Japanese-style blade recommended by cookbook author and editor Matt Rodbard — will have you slicing and dicing your way to perfection. It’s lightweight for a chef’s knife, but Rodbard says the feel in your hand is still excellent.
For the home cook who needs new knives (and you have a little bit more to spend)
So many pros love Global’s chef’s knife that we named it our best overall pick. It has an exceptionally sharp edge, the grip of the handle is comfortable, and while it’s a bit heavier than the one above, the weight allows for an even more controlled feel.
For the home cook who keeps accidentally slicing their fingers
Chef Gabriel Kreuther likes this Japanese mandoline, which comes with an assortment of blades and its own plastic safety covering to prevent slipping fingers from getting julienned, diced, or chopped.
For the home cook who loves to pack a picnic
For the home cook who’s getting into grilling
One way to make grilling for beginners a bit easier — and to feel impressive — is to use a carbon-steel skillet on top of the grates. The material is basically a lighter-weight version of cast iron that’s also hearty enough to sit directly on top of ripping-hot flames. The flat pan is also probably a more familiar cooking surface, and it allows you to cook smaller vegetables alongside burgers and hot dogs. We love this one from Lodge for its price and durability; just like their cast-iron skillet we can’t stop recommending, it will last a lifetime and then some.
For the home cook who’s already a live-fire aficionado
A high-quality headlamp is an accessory any seasoned griller will appreciate. Cook and recipe developer Lee Kalpakis says it’s incredibly useful when you start cooking in the daylight but it suddenly gets dark out and your food isn’t ready. “I have string lights up where I grill,” she says, “but being able to focus in and have that precision is really important.”
For the home cook who gets excited by a project
They’ll add “become expert at homemade tortillas” to their goals if you give them a package of cookbook author Rick Martínez’s favorite masa harina. The company sources heirloom corn from farmers in Oaxaca (“the heartland of Mexico’s heirloom corn production,” according to its website), dries and pulverizes it into masa harina, and sells it in the U.S. And if you really want to go above and beyond, throw in this gorgeous tortilla press.
For the aspiring home cook
These nylon knives are designed for little foodies who are at least 4 years old and help them to learn basic knife skills while minimizing risk.
For the home cook who has everything
If you’re truly stumped about what to get them, a nice olive oil will always be a win. This particular bottle works well for finishing, dipping, and making dressings. Chef Matt Hyland says, “It’s buttery and grassy at the same time, which is a combo you don’t usually get.” If you want to peruse some more, we have plenty other olive-oil recommendations.
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