31 Best Kitchen Gifts for Anyone Who Loves to Cook
Find something for everyone on your list, from the home chefs to the bakers and mixologists.
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If you're looking for the best gift ideas — whether it's for a housewarming party, the holidays or just because — know you can never really go wrong with a kitchen gift. After all, the majority of us spend at least some time in the kitchen (no matter what our level of culinary expertise). We all gotta eat, right? That's why we asked the experts in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen and Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliance and Innovation Lab to share the best kitchen gifts to give (and receive!).
This list has something for all types of cooks — whether they're devoted bakers and experienced home chefs or beginners whose definition of cooking involves throwing a piece of bread in the toaster or opening up a bottle of wine. From cool kitchen gadgets to entertaining necessities, you will discover a lot of fun finds in a wide range of price points.
Our pros named these knives a Good Housekeeping 2024 Kitchen Gear Award Winner because we were impressed with how well they were able to cut steak and chops. Meanwhile, testers used these versatile knives for a variety of meals and were excited to put them out for guests.
If the home cook in your life also happens to be a fan of The Bear, they can match Carmine (Jeremy Allen White) in this timeless apron that our pros also love. "This is my favorite apron. I've been wearing it for years. I like the thickness of the apron and how it fits my body," said Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab director Nicole Papantoniou. It washed well in Lab tests and we liked the easy-access pockets.
While kitchen towels may have the same reputation as gifting socks, they are a kitchen must-have that some home cooks may put off buying themselves. These towels ranked second best in our absorbency tests and dried fast too. Testers liked the simple stripe and plaid patterns that will look nice in any kitchen.
Sophie Lou Jacobsen designed this style of cup, which features colorful borosilicate glass. The wavy glasses work for sipping water, cocktails and iced coffee or can be used as small vases. "They're a super fun addition to any glassware collection," says assistant food editor Joy Cho. "My friend got me a set of the pink ones that I love very much!"
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"This high-quality olive oil is a bit pricey for everyday use, so it makes such a special gift," says assistant food editor Samantha MacAvoy. "Plus, the bottle will look great on their counter!"
This was a first of many cloches that I have tested, but it's still my favorite to make homemade sourdough or even other yeasted breads," says kitchen reviews analyst and GH's resident bread baker Eva Bleyer. "If your loved one is serious about baking bread, it’s a gift that they will have for long time, thanks to it having the same durable material of your favorite Le Creuset dutch oven.
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"I got a cookbook stand as a gift once and I actually use it all the time! This one is cool since it also works for iPads," says MacAvoy.
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Nothing says adulting quite like owning a set of matching kitchen utensils, so this gift is great for anyone who just moved into a new place or is ready to ditch their mismatched set. You can't go wrong with GIR, made of high-quality seamless silicone and available in a range of stunning hues.
A spice blend easily ups the delish factor of whatever you're cooking, but picking just one jar to gift feels like a pretty big commitment. The solution: An assortment of Spiceology's fan-favorite and most popular mixes, so they can try 'em all.
Anyone who appreciates a good pre-dinner drink should have the right barware tools to shake up their own cocktails at home. This stunning set comes with a Boston shaker, Hawthorne strainer, jigger and wooden muddler.
This brand sells jars of individual spices — with pretty present-worthy packaging — on Amazon, if you're looking for a last-minute kitchen gift that will impress. On the Villa Jerada site, you will also find an assortment of Moroccan pantry kits. "These are beautiful and would work as a special food gift," says food producer and recipe developer Tina Martinez.
Chances are the cook in your life is dealing with quite a few kitchen messes. Give them the gift of a clean kitchen, courtesy of a handheld vacuum. "This is amazing for crumbs, coffee grounds, you name it," says Bleyer.
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Give them an alternative to storing food in plastic bags with these silicone bags that can be used over (and over!) and come in a host of fun colors and patterns. "I use these all the time — every size, every style," says Papantoniou.
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This best-selling kitchen appliance has gotten a lot of love on TikTok and for good reason: You can use it to make pints of ice cream and sorbets in minutes (especially if you gift them a few additional pints to keep in the freezer).
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A milk frother is a serious game changer for anyone who loves coffee and lattes (just think about the frothy milk!). This model received top scores during milk frother testing in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab. And it has four functions, so they can whip up foamy cappuccinos, steamed milk, and iced cold foam lattes like a real barista.
Salt is a traditional housewarming gift, including Jewish customs. Chief Food Director Kate Merker recommends pairing the salt with a pretty container to store it in, like this one.
Fresh herbs take a dish to the next level — whether it's basil in a pasta or mint muddled into a cocktail. But buying bunches of herbs from the store often means half will be thrown in the trash, wilted, a few days later. Lower the chances of that happening for them with an easy way to grow their own herbs at home.
Available in a range of sizes, these silicone freezer trays make it easy to store leftover sauces, stocks, stews and more in 2-tablespoon, 1/2-cup, 1-cup or 2-cup portions.
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If you know anyone who struggles to get through their morning cup of coffee or tea before it gets cold (cough, anyone with a small child), here is a gift they will appreciate. This mug has temperature control, so they can control the temp of their brew, and say goodbye to lukewarm coffee.
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There are a few places to find culinary inspiration. One of our favorites? Flipping through a cookbook and trying a new recipe (or two!). Give them a classic or a brand-new favorite to add to their shelf.
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Trish (she/her) is the deputy food editor at Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things food, from cooking trends and delicious recipes to top-tested kitchen products and grocery finds. She has more than a decade of experience writing about food for GH, Women’s Health, Prevention, Redbook, Woman’s Day, The Daily Meal and Food Network. When she’s not at the supermarket or trying out a new recipe, you can find her at the beach, in her backyard or on the couch — typically with a glass of wine in hand.
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