The most cost-effective thing you can do is to eat healthily and at home. It’s cheaper and saves you from having to go to the doctor unnecessarily.

I personally do not enjoy cooking, HOWEVER, I enjoy knowing what’s in my food as well as it’s quality. These items, to me, are essential to my success in the kitchen. If you want more details on why they’re great before you take the plunge, click here.

DISCLOSURE: THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I GET A COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU.

• The OXO grater was an easy buying decision. Before I found it, it was so difficult to find a grater that would stand the test of time and had storage.
• Glass meal prep bowls can last forever. I’ve had mine for YEARS. They can be used in a microwave, oven, fridge, and freezer. 5-pack sets you up for the work week and the snap-lock makes it absolutely leak proof.
• OXO salad spinner is a huge time saver when prepping salads. It makes light of getting the water off of the veggies you prep. This means your food stays fresher longer so you’re set for the week. It’s size also makes it great to serve salads when you have guests over.
• If you need to save space, the Prepworks Collapsible Salad Spinner is the one for you. It folds down when not in use and takes up less room in the fridge if you’re using it for storage.
• Spatulas make it so no ingredient gets left behind so you don’t lose any flavor to the trash can. As a result, it also reduces waste. If you have fitness goals, you want to make sure you get the ENTIRE tbsp or cup or insert measure here. Makes you feel full longer. LOL.

• T-fal makes the best egg pan I’ve ever found. I went through pans that burned, scratched, or just plain old got ugly. This pan is a winner in my eyes and a great addition for meal prep eggs.
• Plastic cutting boards are great for light-duty meal prep when I don’t want to break out my big wooden cutting board. Just be safe and use different surfaces for meat than you would your veggies. These are color-coded for your convenience.
• When you have a big prep job, you want a cutting board that will go the distance with you. A wooden cutting board helps you tackle all your chopping needs in the kitchen. And the groove around the edge catches the mess and ensures your counter stays clean.
• The Ninja food chopper is a mini food processor and a great buy for less than $20. I have been using mine for 7 years with no evidence of slowing down.
• This Victorinix Chef knife is a good quality knife that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. I use this knife to cut all the meat in my kitchen, even to break down a turkey.

• Victorinix Santoku knife is a high-quality knife that I use to effortlessly cut all my veggies. I have had this for three years and it is just as effective today as when I bought it.
• The perfect paring knife for the little things or to cut our steak at the dinner table.
• An apple corer is better to have than any apple slicer I have ever found. Apple slicers always break eventually. This does the job magnificently and it lasts!
• The Instant Pot Duo: anyone who has one pretty much convinces all their friends to get one. It makes light work of time-consuming meal prep. Set and forget. There are other versions that come with other features and more tech but, honestly, this is all you need. I also use it to make bone broth, proof dough, and it makes PERFECT rice.
• The Ninja Foodi air fryer preheats so fast and it’s quiet. Having an air fryer also helps you get your food crispy without bathing your meal in fat.

• Cuisinart makes an easy to use and easy to clean ice cream maker. So worth the purchase.
• I’ve had this can opener since 2015! Still going strong. Creates a smooth edge so no cuts or nicks on your fingers. Easy storage as the handle folds flat. You shan’t regret this purchase.
• Heat up your food right at your desk and avoid the microwave. I’ve had this for years but started using it this year to avoid the temptations residing in the break room. I use it every single workday to heat up the food I’ve brought into work. The best thing, you can even heat up food in plastic bowls.
• This 12.5-inch cast iron skillet is light-weight and easy to handle. Creates great sears on your meat and great char on your veggies.
• I learned the value of kitchen shears when I saw my friend using them. You can use them to cut meat/fish or veggies (separate ones of course – safety first!). I use them with almost every single meal prep. You can use them to scale fish, break down a chicken, crack nuts, peel veggies, and you can even open bottles.

• Nothing says you’re about to have an amazing breakfast like a griddle. Something about the sizzle and the smells gets you excited before you even eat. Perfect for pancakes, eggs, sausage and/or bacon. If you’re more of a lunch person, make yourself a quesadilla! Or a grilled cheese sandwich. Easy to clean and dishwasher-safe once you unplug the heating element.
• Baking trays are a must in a home kitchen. Use it to roast veggies, cook pork chops or fish. I use it to make bacon without the fear of grease pops. You can also make a pizza or bake cookies. I’ve had mine since 2015 and it’s still going strong.
• You never have to worry about sticking when you have silicone mats. I use them every time I use my baking sheets and have never been disappointed. I have had mine since 2015 and they look almost as good as when I first bought them.

What are your favorite kitchen items? Share in the comments.