If you’re anything like me, the words “meal prep” instantly make you break out in a cold sweat. I wish I was one of those people who liked to cook, or even just someone who just buckled down and did the meal prep routine on a regular basis without whining, lol.
But, sigh, that will never be me. The least amount of time I can spend in the kitchen, the better.
I like to eat, but my goal is to use whatever means necessary to make the job go by quicker and with as little mess as possible. Because the only thing worse than cooking is cleaning. Amiright?!?
Having the right tools is important for any activity, whether that’s in the gym or in the kitchen. Saving time and effort means that you’re more likely to actually do the task and be consistent with it over the long haul. And consistency = results.
13 super helpful kitchen gadgets that make meal prep soooo much easier:
1. OXO Good Grips Salad Chopper $28.95
Just throw handfuls of salad greens, shredded carrots, bell peppers, and whatever other veggies you like, and get to work chopping for an awesome, tasty BAS (big ass salad) that involves less chewing and chopping by hand. Win-win! (Check out my fave salad recipes HERE.)
2. Ninja Foodi XL 10-Quart Air Fryer $179.99
I procrastinated on buying an air fryer for years, thinking that it was just one more kitchen appliance that would take up space on my countertop and get used once a month at best. Now, a year later, I wonder why I waited so long. I use this thing several times a week with better results than using the oven or stovetop (and my husband agrees!). Pork chops and steaks come out juicy, frozen fries (or reheated fast food fries) come out crisp and perfectly textured. And best of all, the cooking process is hands-off, except for turning the food over halfway through if needed.
This particular air fryer features two separate baskets/cooking zones for cooking a large amount of the same food (like chicken wings) or two different foods. The 10-quart capacity fits a whole chicken + veggies or 4+ lbs. of wings, perfect for large families or those who like to entertain or cook up extra servings for leftovers. And it’s easy and quick to clean — just throw the trays into the dishwasher and hand wash the baskets (wipe off grease with paper towels first).
3. Digital Meat Thermometer $15.16
Unless you like food poisoning, a meat thermometer is essential. And this is a tool that worth spending a little bit of money to get something that works long-term. I’ve made the mistake of buying those cheap dial/analog thermometers that stop working after a few months.
This digital thermometer comes in 5 colors and it starts to read immediately after you unfold it and auto-switches off after 10 minutes. The thermometer supports both Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F) display from -58°F to 572°F (-50°C to 300°C). Here’s an article about the best meat thermometers if you want to check out other choices.
4. Instant Pot 6-Quart Duo Pressure Cooker $99.99
This 7-in-1 appliance is a pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan and food warmer. It uses up to 60% less energy than traditional electric ovens and is much faster, if you’re like me and forget to think about dinner until it’s right upon you.
5. Souper Cubes Silicone Freezing Tray $19.95
These handy dandy silicone trays allow you to freeze extra food in perfect portions, especially soups, broths, and meats without taking up too much space in your freezer. This photo shows the 1 cup XL silicone freezing tray with lid, although multiple sizes are available. The trays are BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and oven safe (except the lid).
6. Vitamix Blender $289+
Vitamix blenders are highly rated among both cooks and healthy-eating enthusiasts alike and are known for their sleek design, ease of use, and powerful motors. Choose from manual or touch screen versions and several different colors. I have the A3500 Ascent Series model in red, and I love it! It has five pre-programmed settings for smoothies, hot soups, dips and spreads, frozen desserts, and self-cleaning. A built-in digital timer and variable speed control streamline recipes to get the perfect texture every time in no time at all. (Check out a few of my favorite protein shake recipes HERE.)
7. Our Place Always Pan 2.0 $150
This ceramic non-stick pan (comes in 8 colors!) has a cult-following online, with a rating of 4.6/5 stars with over 33K reviews. Made with 100% post-consumer recycled aluminum and without potentially harmful toxins, the sky’s the limit — go crazy tackling your long-neglected recipe Pinterest board! Each pan comes with a modular, steam-release lid, a nesting beechwood spatula, and a steamer basket and colander.
This 10.5-inch pan is versatile — it braises, sears, steams, strains, sautes, fries, boils, bakes, serves, and stores…doing the job of ten pieces of traditional cookware.
Yes, this pan is pricy, but you can get 20% off your first order of $145+ when you sign up for their email list, plus 3.5% cash back through Rakuten. Mix and match a set of two Always Pans and save $50. You have 100 days to try the pan, and free returns if you’re not a fan. It also comes with a 1-year warranty.
8. Dash Rapid Egg Cooker $29.99
If you like hard boiled eggs, this egg cooker makes things easy-peasy. It comes in 8 colors and makes up to 6 eggs at a time in soft, medium, or hard boiled firmness, while saving time and water. Eggs come out consistently perfect with an easy-to-peel shell. It’s also compact and lightweight, weighing just 1 lb.
9. FullStar Vegetable Spiralizer $19.98
This 8-in-1 veggie spiralizer is space-saving — I have the original Spiralizer, which only has 3 different plates and takes up more space in my cabinet (still a great product though). This tool is dishwasher safe and is a juicer, food spiralizer, ribbon cutter, vegetable grater, vegetable shredder, and more, all-in-one. All you have to do is switch the inserts included in this set. The removable container catches all of your freshly sliced fruit and veg. Doesn’t get much easier than that!
10. Rubbermaid Glass Meal Prep Containers $26.95
Solid meal prep containers are EVERYTHING when it comes to meal prep. Don’t waste your money on cheap, crappy containers that crack and stain. This Rubbermaid set of five StainShield premium plastic containers are stain- and odor-resistant and are 100% leakproof and airtight. They feature two compartments for an entree and a side dish, with a total 2.85-cup capacity, measuring 4.5″L x 6.5″W x 2.5″H. They also have built-in vents for splatter-resistant microwaving. I love how durable and lightweight they are compared to glass.
11. Xigugo Overnight Oats Containers $13.97
Pinterest loves a good overnight oats recipe, and these high quality mason jar set is just the thing for taking your oats on the go. The 10 oz. jars are made of durable heat-resistant glass with a food grade plastic lid with silicone ring to keep food from spilling even if it’s upside down. It even comes with stainless steel spoons. Along with oats, you can also store grains, salads, jams, nuts, and fruit to keep food fresh at home or on the go.
12. OXO Good Grips Veggie Chopper $22.95
Every healthy recipe seems to require a ton of chopping, which just seems like a lot more work than I want to do (I frequently will buy pre-chopped produce, but that can get expensive). Cut down on the prep work (and save your fingers!) with this veggie chopper. It quickly and safely chops fruits, vegetables, and more in one easy motion (yes, please!).
The removable grid helps clean between chopper blades and snaps back into place after removal for easy storage. The lid designed to provide leverage for efficient chopping, and the stainless steel blade pattern and recessed cutting area keeps food in place. Its 2.5-cup capacity body collects the chopped food cleanly and the non-slip base provides stability while chopping. Boom!
13. Jenaluca Herb Scissors $16.24
To piggyback off of the chopper above, these herb scissors will save you so much time and effort. Coming in three colors, the scissor’s five blades cut herbs and salad greens with ease, safely.
