The Best Cooking Utensils Of 2023

Whether you're looking for a utensil to prep ingredients or a gadget to help you serve your culinary creations, it's important to remember that not all kitchen tools are created equal. As such, there are certain aspects to take into account before making your purchase. Firstly, all cooking tools should be functional and made from sturdy materials to ensure that they withstand the test of time. While not necessary, it helps if a product comes with a warranty. Aesthetics are another factor to think about. Is the product available in different colors? Is it going to fit your existing kitchen decor and does that matter to you?

To bring you a list of the best cooking utensils of 2023, we looked at the top brands and products within various categories. We also read hundreds of community and expert reviews because even the best-sounding products can turn out to be duds in the kitchen. Ready to overhaul your kitchen? Our roundup of the best cooking utensils of the year should help you separate the wheat from the chaff. All prices were accurate as of the publishing date of this article.

Made from stainless steel, the Cuisipro box grater features four different surfaces: fine for grating lemon zest, coarse for chocolate, ultra coarse for cheese, and a shaver for vegetables. Aside from its razor-sharp grooves, the grater features a comfortable grip and a non-slip base that doubles as a ginger grater. In addition, unlike standard graters, Cuisipro's grooves are produced by an intricate etching process rather than punching out holes. This ensures that it cuts through ingredients rather than shredding them apart.

Tim Heffernan, who reviewed the Cuisipro box grater for The New York Times Wirecutter, calls the gadget "sturdy, stainless, and wickedly sharp," adding that he's been using it around five times per week for the past five years without any signs of wear and tear. As such, it's little wonder that Don't Waste Your Money rates it 9.2 out of 10. The kitchen gadget has also received 4.8 out of 5 stars from Amazon shoppers, with 85% of reviewers awarding it 5 out of 5 stars. Commenting on its quality, one Amazon customer even warns home chefs to watch their fingers around the grater, adding, "this sucker is SHARP! It makes shredding and grating a breeze. Worth every penny. Highly recommended!"

Purchase the Cuisipro box grater from Amazon starting at $31.80.

Used for cutting poultry, veggies, herbs, and other ingredients, kitchen shears are chunkier and more heavy-duty than regular scissors (via Eco Family Life). If you're looking for a high-quality set to elevate your culinary endeavors, the OXO Good Grips multi-purpose kitchen scissors won't disappoint. Crafted from stainless steel, the scissors feature micro-serrated blades and an herb stripper. The handy kitchen utensil also comes with comfortable cushioned handles and blades that can be pulled apart for easy cleaning.

Ella Ceron, who praises OXO's kitchen scissors in a review for Apartment Therapy, uses the shears to cut veggies for salads. While Ceron notes that the OXO scissors aren't the most affordable option on the market, she claims that her investment paid off almost immediately since it got her to stop buying pre-made salads during lunch breaks.

The kitchen shears have also received outstanding community ratings, garnering 9.6 out of 10 stars on Best Views Reviews and 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Clearly impressed with the gadget, an Amazon shopper compliments the design, saying, "As scissors for the kitchen (or anything) they're solid. A little pricey perhaps [...] but the design is great. By simply opening them up all the way, you can easily separate the two sides for cleaning. No tools or effort needed."

Purchase the OXO Good Grips multi-purpose kitchen scissors from Amazon starting at $19.95.

Although peeling veggies isn't overly appealing, sometimes it's unavoidable. Thankfully, the right tool can make the job a whole lot easier and faster. Combining a die-cast zinc non-slip handle and a stainless steel blade, the OXO Good Grips pro swivel peeler is both effective and durable. Plus, it comes with an eye scoop, which is perfect for removing undesirable blemishes from potatoes. You'll love the fact that it's also dishwasher-safe for efficient cleaning.

The Produce Nerd notes that the peeler's only downside is its relatively high cost. Otherwise, the blog praises the vegetable peeler for its comfortable grip, the way it smoothly glides across vegetables (including an acorn squash), and the ease with which it gets rid of potato eyes. Amazon shoppers are also impressed with the kitchen tool, awarding it 4.8 out of 5 stars. 

One satisfied Amazon reviewer waxes lyrical about the peeler's capabilities, saying, "Makes quick work of any peelable fruit or vegetable with its sharp blade. The peeler has a good heft to it without being too heavy, and the rubber material used for the handle is very comfortable. Great value and highly recommended."

Purchase the OXO Good Grips pro swivel peeler from Amazon starting at $15.95.

Whether you're elderly, suffering from arthritis, or simply looking to simplify the cooking process, the Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch electric can opener delivers. Using the automatic device is as simple as lining it up with a can and pressing the built-in lever. Plus, the elegant black and chrome gadget cuts along the sides of can lids (rather than tops) to ensure no sharp edges.

The Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch electric can opener has received positive community and expert ratings. For instance, Don't Waste Your Money has awarded the kitchen gadget 8.9 out of 10 and Best Views Reviews has given it an outstanding 9.8 out of 10 stars. Meanwhile, over 70,000 Amazon reviewers have rated the can opener for an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars. 

Proclaiming that the gadget is worth every penny, one Amazon shopper lists what they like about it, saying, "Number one, no more razor edges to deal with and number two, [it] doesn't need to be cleaned as it never touches the contents of the can." The satisfied customer goes on to comment that they opened eight cans in the span of a minute with zero hand cramping.

Purchase the Hamilton Beach Smooth Touch electric can opener from Amazon starting at $32.96.

Perfect for those without the time to select their cooking tools one by one, the OXO Good Grips everyday kitchen tool set features 15 commonly-used kitchen utensils. Made from stainless steel and nylon, the set includes a potato masher, tongs, a peeler, a whisk, a spatula, a grater, a can opener, a meat tenderizer, an ice cream scoop, and a pizza wheel. It also comes with a range of turners and spoons to cover all your bases. All the pieces sit in a stylish stainless steel utensil holder with a removable drip tray. OXO's utensil set is heat resistant up to 400 F and can be used on non-stick cookware.

With over 1,700 Amazon ratings averaging 4.8 out of 5 stars, the OXO Good Grips kitchen utensil set is clearly a hit with home chefs. And while some reviewers mention that the container doesn't store the tools as well as it appears to in the picture, they agree that the set is still a worthwhile investment. One Amazon shopper is particularly impressed with the set's durability, saying, "This is a great set of utensils that have held up for 4 years (and counting) of frequent use, and are still going strong. Also, I strictly wash my dishes in the dishwasher, and these utensils have gone through countless dishwashes."

Purchase the OXO Good Grips everyday kitchen utensil set from Amazon starting at $139.95.

Sturdy and rust-proof, the ORBLUE stainless steel garlic press makes short work of crushing garlic. Simply squeeze the ergonomic handles together and watch as the mashed garlic oozes out of the basket, leaving the peel inside the device. According to the Creative Lifestyle blog, the press can even fit two garlic cloves at a time. This sleek press also comes with a garlic peeler and a handy cleaning brush. Best of all, the garlic crusher is backed by a lifetime guarantee so you can rest assured you're investing in a quality product.

Standing testament to its quality, the ORBLUE stainless steel garlic press has received a rating of 9.3 out of 10 on Don't Waste Your Money and an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars from more than 19,000 Amazon shoppers. While most reviewers compliment the gadget's sturdiness, some have noted that minced garlic sometimes gets stuck in the grate. Luckily, this is where the accompanying brush can help, and one Amazon reviewer advises, "Word of caution, don't lose the brush [...] or you'll be up a creek (in a canoe) without a paddle."

Purchase the ORBLUE stainless steel garlic press from Amazon starting at $15.97.

Equipped with sharp stainless steel blades, the Microplane manual spice mill makes pulverizing hard spices, such as nutmeg and cinnamon, a breeze. The spice grinder is also super easy to use — simply remove the plunger lid, place the spices in the airtight storage chamber, close the plunger, and gently push down while twisting clockwise. Since the mill is operated manually, you'll never need to worry about running out of batteries mid-grind.

Rating the Microplane manual spice mill with 4.5 out of 5 stars, Lydia Anderson from BBC Good Food appreciates its storage space, ease of use, and the minimal pressure required to get a fine grind. Nevertheless, she also points out that the mill isn't as versatile as some other grinders on the market since it's only designed for hard spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, long pepper peppercorns, tonka beans, and nuts.

Purchase the Microplane manual spice mill from Amazon starting at $20.99.

There are many ways to separate egg yolks from egg whites, most of them messy and tedious. This isn't the case for the Peleg Design egg separator. Made from BPA-free plastic, the handy tool comes in three ultra-cute designs — opt for the orange fish, green frog, or pink pig. Squeeze and release the dishwasher-safe gadget to swallow the yolk, and squeeze it again to release the yolk exactly where you want it.

Peleg Design's silicone egg separator rates a solid 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon, with shoppers noting that it sucks up yolks without damaging them. Recommending the product, one satisfied Amazon customer says that, unlike other similar tools, "This fish keeps my hands from touching any egg and gets all the egg white that usually likes to cling to the yolk. It's also mess-free and cleans very well."

Purchase the Peleg Design silicone egg separator from Amazon starting at $13.90.

Thanks to modern kitchen tools, the days of tenderizing meat by placing it between two pieces of plastic wrap and pounding it with a mallet are long gone. The OXO Good Grips bladed meat tenderizer is one of these new and efficient gadgets. Equipped with 50 blades, the stainless steel tenderizer doesn't just soften protein — it also punches holes in the meat for easy marinade absorption. Plus, the device is contoured to easily fit in the palm of the hand and can be taken apart for cleaning.

The OXO Good Grips bladed meat tenderizer has received outstanding community ratings of 9.4 out of 10 on OveReview and 4.6 out of 5 on Amazon. One Amazon reviewer calls the gadget simple and practical, adding that the holes guarantee it soaks up plenty of flavor from marinades, making it especially convenient for grilling. However, when it comes to cleaning the gadget, there is a lack of consensus among Amazon reviewers. Some say the tenderizer is "easy to keep clean," while others proclaim the exact opposite.

Purchase the OXO Good Grips bladed meat tenderizer from Amazon starting at $22.95.