29 Best Gifts for Home Cooks
Updated: Sep. 12, 2023
Have a home chef on your list? We're sharing all the best gifts for cooks that are unexpected, colorful and clever.
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Calling all home cooks and holiday gift givers! We rounded up the best gifts for cooks that simply make their lives easier, brighter and yummier. This guide spans gifts for chefs and home cooks of any skill level. And it includes everything from utensils to cookware—plus thoughtful gear that helps cooks focus on the joy of cooking. (And when in doubt, a food of the month club is always a good idea!)
Shopping for some pretty sweet home cooks? We have guides on gifts for bakers, pie enthusiasts and cookie lovers, too.
Chef’s Torch
Whether they’re concocting a new flavor of creme brulee or caramelizing veggies, a chef’s torch comes in handy in your favorite foodie’s kitchen. This handsome model is one of the best gifts for cooks. It features an adjustable jet flame that can reach temperatures of 2700°F and a child-resistant lock.
Dutch Oven
Perhaps one of the most dreamy gifts for cooks, a Le Creuset Dutch oven is a must for cooking soups, stews and roasts. Plus, it tops the list as one of our favorite Dutch ovens. Go with the brand’s latest hue, Rhone, for a custom look. Wrap this up as a gift for bread bakers, as well.
Food Huggers
What are food huggers, you ask? Basically one of the most handy food savers. For moments when home cooks need to save the leftover half of a lemon, onion or tomato, food huggers come to the rescue. Fruit or veggies pop easy into the hugger, which provide an airtight seal to keep them fresh for days.
Pinch Bowls
These bowls were made for pinching. Pinch bowls are a home cook’s best friend when slicing, dicing and prepping ingredients. Gift them some colorful bowls to brighten up their kitchen. They double as one of the best hostess gifts for serving snacks. And cake bakers like ’em for perfecting mise en place.
Taste of Home 30 Minute Cookbook
Give the gift of meal time inspiration with the Taste of Home 30 Minute Cookbook. This collection includes more than 300 recipes curated by Taste of Home editors. From snacks and appetizers to air-fryer meals and desserts, these recipes only take 30 minutes to cook! Your loved one will think of you every time they whip up one of these sensational dishes. Hello, rib shack loaded mashed potatoes!
Cookbook Stand
Every cook needs a stand to hold bunches of printed-out recipes or cookbooks. And why not add some decor to the kitchen at the same time? This cookbook stand has antique flair. Whether your friend has a farmhouse kitchen or a modern space, it’s the perfect fit.
Chef’s Apron
No matter what kind of chef you’re shopping for, they’re bound to love this pro kitchen apron. It looks like it’s straight from their favorite cooking show! The pockets are great for wooden spoons, a phone or meal plan journal. Just take it from Taste of Home Editor, Lisa Kaminski, who loves Hedley & Bennett aprons for their adjustable ties and plentiful pockets.
State Spoon Rest
Your giftee can show off their cooking chops and their state pride with this fun spoon rest. Each piece of pottery is hand-sculpted and finished with three food-safe glazes.
BBQ Gloves
Pulling a roast out of the oven can be a hot mess if hands aren’t protected. This bright pair of gloves lets everyone know who’s working with some hot cookin’! File it under best gifts for grillers and home cooks alike.
Salt Cellar
Keeping salt handy is a cook’s secret to upgrading food on the fly, even at the table. It could also be a way to show personality—whether it’s a carved wooden canister or marble salt cellar. It keeps the goods dry and concealed while doubling as a counter decoration.
Something Spicy
Leave it to New York’s iconic Momofuku to cook up one of the best food gifts for cooks. This chili crunch sauce set is the vibrant ingredient home cooks didn’t know they needed. Included in the set are regular chili crunch, black truffle chili crunch and extra spicy chili crunch for people who really like to bring on the heat. We already know it’ll be their new favorite secret ingredient!
Cast-Iron Skillet
We love cast-iron skillets because they’re durable, stay hot and even make food taste better. This Lodge cast-iron pan is pre-seasoned and boasts rave reviews from home cooks. It’s every home cook’s go-to for searing, braising, frying, sautéing and so. much. more.
Bamboo Cheese Board
What’s better than a regular cheese board? A bamboo cheese board complete with cheese knives and grooves for all the fixins’. Just take it from our Test Kitchen pros who love this cheese board for its thoughtful design (read our review for the full scoop). Pair it with these cheese board gift ideas.
Wüsthof Gourmet Starter Knives
They say that it’s a poor craftsman who blames his tools, but home chefs know the importance of a good set of knives. Wüsthof tops our Test Kitchen’s list for best Chef’s knife. Gift the home cook in your life the beloved Wüsthof Chef’s knife, plus a paring knife and bread knife, in this three-piece collection.
Ninja Blender
No better way to start the morning than with a fresh smoothie. This professional-grade Ninja blender transforms fruits and veggies into delicious drinks in seconds, along with whipping together sauces, dressings and even ice cream. For more, check out our list of the best ninja blenders.
Maldon Sea Salt
A sea salt beloved by professional chefs deserves a special spot in the kitchen. The flaky crystals help draw out flavors in all recipes, both savory and sweet. Home cooks need it for sprinkling it on salads and homemade chocolate chip cookies.
Bamboo Cooking Utensils
It seems like a person can never have too many cooking utensils. These bamboo beauties are sleek, sturdy and match any kitchen decor. Wooden spoons are an essential tool every cook needs, after all.
Instant Pot
Instant Pots are a cult favorite for a reason. They practically cook gourmet dishes on their own, from roasted chickens to warming soups, all with the press of a button. This Instant Pot appliance multitasks as an air fryer, electric pressure cooker, steamer and dehydrator (it has 11 functions!). It’s the all-in-one kitchen gadget for whipping up meals on the fly.
Mandoline
This mandoline is ideal for making thin carrot or potato slices (and it’s faster than breaking out a knife). The smart design keeps fingers away from the blades when slicing for total safety.
Storage Containers
Gift home cooks their ideal pantry organization solution. This set of OXO Good Grips storage containers boasts a range of sizes to accommodate all kinds of dry goods and seals for airtight freshness. They also stack, so cupboards and drawers will be easier to sort through.
Kitchen Shears
Whether your gift recipient grows herbs in the backyard or buys ’em at the grocery store, snipping fresh chives or basil is a breeze with these bright kitchen shears.
Garlic Press
Small but mighty, a good garlic press is a game-changer in the kitchen. It saves time and hassle, and makes it simple to add a pop of savory flavor.
Tortilla Press Kit
Help your cook best friend taco night to a new level. This cast-iron tortilla press makes it easy to craft fresh, homemade tortillas at home. Plus, you can feel good about gifting since each press is made in Mexico from recycled sewing machines and other irons.
Ice Cream Maker
Why gift home cooks regular ice cream when you can treat them to this ice cream maker? Our Test Kitchen pros named this Cuisinart model the best small ice cream maker. It’s easy to use and best of all, whips up ice cream in 20 minutes. Talk about ice cream on demand!
Vacuum Sealer
This vacuum sealer is a must for anyone who is serious about cooking. It seals food before sous vide cooking or safely stores in the freezer for months It also helps make meal prep even easier.
Kitchen Towels
For your friend who loves a good pun—and a clean kitchen. Featuring farmers market finds, these kitchen towels keeps things tidy and add a spot of color (and humor) to the decor. Plus, they’re tough enough to handle frequent laundry cycles.
Portable Pizza Oven
Really, every night should be pizza night. This pizza oven is sleek and powerful, creating restaurant-worthy pies in the backyard. It’s the perfect excuse to try out new pizza recipes, and it’s a wonderful family Christmas gift. Read our Ooni pizza oven review for the full scoop.
Herb Garden
What’s better than a gift that keeps on giving? A gift that keeps on growing. This herb garden grows up to six herbs at a time. Home cooks will always have fresh basil, dill and parsley at their ready thanks to this beauty.
Sous Vide Cooker
Sous vide, where food in a sealed bag is cooked in temperature-controlled water, means that overcooked meat is a thing of the past. It can also be healthier, using less oil and salt than other cooking methods. This precision cooker hooks up to Wi-Fi, so tech-savvy cooks can control the food through an app.
