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For help cooking, baking, and standing in the kitchen eating a snack over the sink.
1. A mini waffle maker that'll make you say goodbye to the sad frozen ones and hello to comforting weekday brunches.
Target
There are seven colors to choose from, all with a nonstick interior so your cooked waffles will leggo of all the little grooves.
Price: $9.99 (available in two styles)
2. A set of leak proof, easily stackable Rubbermaid food storage containers to assist clumsy cooks and help you stay organized.
Target
I threw out all of my mismatched food storage containers last year and bought a full set of these dishwasher-and-microwave-safe containers that have locking latches on the lids. I've dropped one full of tomato sauce and it didn't open or spill, and it also didn't stain the interior red.
This set contains two 1.3-cup, two 3.2-cup, and one 9.6-cup container, plus lids, for separating all your leftovers in the fridge.
Price: $19.99
3. A rust-proof sheet pan you can use for a lifetime of meal prep... or many, many cookies. Or both!
Target
Finding a trusted sheet pan that is sturdy and won't warp, rust, or become unrecognizable from grease and buildup is hard to find. I have had three of these half-sheet trays (16.5 x 11.38 x 1 inches interior dimensions) for years and they still look almost brand new. Use them to roast trays of vegetables and chicken or salmon for meal prep, bake lots of cookies, cook crispy-bottomed pan pizza, or make batches of homemade granola.
Price: $10.99
4. A pan organizer to keep those sheet trays from getting all scuffed up.
Target
Promising review: "This thing is a game-changer! I’ve never had a cookie sheet organizer, and it creates so much more order in my cabinets! It fits lots of cutting boards and cookie sheets." —Target reviewer
Price: $14
5. A set of sleek (and chic) matte black metal measuring spoons that'll look far more expensive than they actually are.
Target
Many measuring spoons have the measurements written on the handles, and the text can wear off over time — especially if you use a dishwasher. These measuring spoons from Hearth & Hand with Magnolia have the amounts stamped into the metal handles so they should be visible forever, making all your measurements foolproof. Plus, they are stylish enough to hang on little hooks in your kitchen on display for easy access anytime the baking craving hits.
Price: $7.99
6. And a matching set of measuring cups to complete your Joanna Gaines-inspired kitchen.
Target
A matte-ching set that will make you feel like you belong in a Nancy Meyers movie's kitchen without breaking the bank.
Price: $8.99
7. A powerful Ninja blender that'll cost you less than $100 and be there for all your frozen margarita, smoothie, homemade nut butter, and blended soup needs.
Target
Crush those goals of eating more fruits and vegetables by making smoothies in seconds in this 1,000-watt, pro-series blender with an affordable price tag. Or add a little booze for a strawberry daiquiri to make your house feel like a beach-side paradise. Your choice.
Promising review: "I wanted a blender that could handle crushing ice, frozen fruit, making whole wheat blender pancakes, had a large capacity and did not cost $400. This blender delivers. Exactly what I wanted: better than the cheap blenders but not a $400 Vitamix." —Target reviewer
Price: $99.99
8. An OXO salad spinner to encourage you to eat more salads because your lettuce is so fresh and so green, green.
Target
The key to the freshest —and most refreshing —salad is making sure your lettuce isn't sad and soggy. Washing and then spinning them dry in a salad spinner will make sure that happens every time, and this one holds 6.7 quarts and can be operated with one hand while you whisk dressing with the other. It can also be used for herbs!
Price: $29.99
9. A set of three bamboo cutting boards for any size food-prep job: chopping produce, slicing cooked steak, or assembling a beautiful charcuterie and cheese platter.
Target
Goldilocks would approve of this small, medium, and large bamboo cutting board set that comes in an ombré of natural wood shades.
Promising review: "Really amazing set of cutting boards! The material is good and they aren’t heavy which make it easier." —Target reviewer
Price: $18
10. A Cravings by Chrissy Teigen non-stick everyday pan with high enough sides for wok-style stir fries, saucy pasta, soups, or even big portions of morning scrambled eggs.
Target / Via Target
This pan is oven-safe (up to 400 degrees) and non-stick for all your everyday cooking needs. Its 5-quart capacity can hold hearty meals for the whole family.
Promising review: "I cook dinner in this pan at least five times a week. It is incredible. It is worth the price. I hand wash (as I don’t have a dishwasher) and it washes and dried up easier than any other pan I’ve had. This pan gets me excited to cook. It's so good I want another." —Jess
Price: $29.99 (available in two styles)
11. A kitchen cabinet turntable to help you rotate new spices into your meals and remind you of the bottles and jars hiding in the back of your cupboards.
Target
Whether you stow it in a pantry to spin around for new flavors, keep on the counter for easy access to staples, or even pop in the fridge for a carousel of condiments, this turntable will help you up your cooking game and stay organized. It also has a nonslip surface and a rim to keep bottles from falling over.
Promising review: "Who knew something this inexpensive and simple could be so good. Cut down half my cabinet space." —MomMom
Price: $10 (available in two sizes)
12. A Cuisinart toaster oven-air fryer combo that'll help you cook or reheat food without heating up your house on steamy days.
Target
This multi-function convection toaster oven has seven functions — air fry, convection bake, convection broil, bake, broil, warm, and toast — for every meal. Start your day with crunchy toast (using the shade selector for your ideal toastiness), move onto fresh-or-frozen French fries that taste deep-fried but don't require a big pot of oil, reheat leftover pizza in minutes, and end with a few cookies at a time from your freezer stash of dough. (Oh, you don't have single servings of cookie dough on hand? You should do that ASAP!)
Promising review: "We use it for everything and no longer use our microwave as much. You can reheat food in about 10 minutes. Big basket in the air fryer to allow you to [cook] much more that other competitor air fryers." —Dana
Price: $199.99
13. A beautiful beverage dispenser – it looks like glass but is actually made of plastic so you won't accidentally shatter it in the middle of a party.
Target
At first glance, this 7.6 quart drink dispenser looks like fancy hand-blown glass with a gold metal spout. But it is entirely made of plastic, making it safer for keeping out at a party for batches of potent punch or on the top shelf of the fridge for storing copious amounts of iced tea or cold brew. It comes in three shades: rosy pink, ocean blue, and clear.
Price: $13 (available in three styles)
14. A 12-cup cold brew maker that'll steep while you sleep and will save you soooo much money on trips to the coffee shop.
Target
If you have a $5-a-day coffee habit, kick it this summer with this French press-style cold brew maker that steeps overnight and plunges the grounds away with one push.
Promising review: "Super inexpensive but it does the job! I've had it for over a year and find it pretty easy to use. I love that it comes with two lids - one to brew and one to press! How thoughtful." —Target reviewer
Price: $12.99
15. A chips-and-dip set for streaming Netflix by yourself on the couch or hosting a small socially-distanced shindig outside.
Target
Whether you're just trying to make sure your chips and queso is in order when you're watching Law & Order: SVU solo or you're hosting a small gathering for friends — now, safely with masks outside, or later for the holidays — this wooden bowl with inset stoneware dip bowl should be your new go-to.
Price: $25.99
16. A smaller and more affordable stand mixer alternative with extra attachments that comes in many fun bright colors.
Target
This smaller (4.7 quart, which can make up to 3.3 lbs of dough) eight-speed machine is praised for taking up less counter space and being quieter than its major stand mixer competitor — and working just as well. In addition to the standard beater, balloon whisk, and dough hook, it also comes with additional attachments as well: food grinder, sausage stuffer, and slicer and grater. There are many different bright shades to choose from, as well as more classic, muted colors like white, black, and gray.
Promising review: "I love this powerful and dependable mixer. I use it frequently without any issues." —Target reviewer
Price: $249.99 (available in five styles)
17. Or go for a classic KitchenAid hand mixer you can count on to do most baking jobs for a much lower price tag. And it'll still be much less of an arm workout than whipping cream by hand.
Target
I've had the same KitchenAid hand mixer since 2009, and my mom has had hers since she got married in the '80s. I typically use a hand mixer over a stand mixer for simple baking projects, like quickly made whipped cream, a batch of cookies, brownies, or a not-too-elaborate cake (one that doesn't require alternating liquid and dry ingredients, for instance). If you can't afford a stand mixer, this is a wonderful alternative that does the job well and comes in a variety colors at Target.
Price: $49.99 (available in six styles)
18. A spring-loaded OXO cookie scoop to make exactly the same size cookies, meatballs, and even mini cheese balls if that's something you want to try.
Target
There is something so soothing about seeing little balls of cookie dough lined up on a sheet tray that are exactly the same size. Ditto to meatballs before they get browned and simmered in sauce. Give yourself this comfort with a cookie scoop that is spring loaded and scrapes every last bit of batter out of the reservoir. Waste not, want more cookies.
Price: $14.99
19. An Instant Pot you'll probably want if you don't own one already, because it's pulled pork season and it's on sale!
Target
At the time of publishing, the 6-quart Instant Pot was on sale at Target for $20 off the original price of $99.99. There are many types of soups, stews, braises, roasts, and other food preparations you can do quickly in an electric pressure cooker, but my favorite is pulled pork (made from pork shoulder) in 90 minutes — or less, depending on the size of the meat — versus 8 to 10 hours in the oven or a slow cooker. Or you can finally make your own yogurt, if you're into that.
Price: $79.99 (on sale, regularly $99.99)
20. A four-pack of super affordable glass tumblers for any libation you're looking to sip — alcoholic or not.
Target
If it's happy hour or you just want to elevate your iced coffee experience, a four-pack of dishwasher-safe 12.5 oz glass tumblers will do you well for daily use. Grab two sets if you don't want to do dishes as often or if you like to entertain since the price is right.
Price: $8
21. A fully stackable, space-saving Calphalon non-stick cookware set of every size pot and pan you'll need to cook practically anything.
Target
I have a double-wide (but still cramped) cupboard that all of my pots and pans have to fit in. This nine-piece space saving set of pots and pans has also been sanity saving when attempting to stay organized and find everything I need to cook constantly. All of the non-stick, oven-and-dishwasher-safe skillets, saucepans, pots, and flat lids (no top handles!) stack together: a 5 qt. Dutch Oven with lid, 4.5 inch pan, 10 inch frying pan, 3 qt. sauté pan with lid, 2.5 qt. saucepan With lid, and 8 inch frying pan. They are durable and made of hard-anodized aluminum with stay-cool silicone grip handles.
Price: $249.99
22. A microwave cart for a simple and inexpensive solution to get more storage in your kitchen.
Target
Promising review: "Perfect size and height for the small kitchen we bought it for. Sturdy construction supports the weight of a microwave. Easy assembly!" —Target reviewer
Price: $59.99
23. A pair of kitchen shears to assist you in the most basic to advanced tasks, like snipping herbs, breaking down a chicken, or cutting up a quesadilla.
Target
There are so many tasks that can be done without dirtying a knife and cutting board when you use kitchen shears instead. These sharp, made-for-food scissors come apart for easy cleaning, too.
Price: $8.59
24. An affordable starter set of three knives for cooks on a budget that are sharp right out of the package.
Target
Set yourself up for success in the kitchen with a budget friendly, durable set of knives: an 8-inch chef's knife (for chopping and dicing), 5-inch serrated utility knife (for delicate bread and tomatoes), and 3-inch paring knife (for detailed cuts, like removing a lemon peel).
Promising review: "Good starter set for the college graduate or anyone starting out on their own. The set includes the some of the most-used knives in the kitchen." —Target reviewer
Price $32.95 (originally $61)
25. A set of sturdy glass prep bowls to make sure your mise is always en place.
Target
This six-piece nesting set of glass prep bowls (ranging from 0.5 qt. all the way up to 10 oz.) can help you set up your mise en place for making any type of meal. They are dishwasher-, microwave-, and freezer-safe and odor-resistant. I have owned two sets since college, and only one has broken in more than a decade.
Price: $10.99
26. A 16-piece glazed stone dinnerware set that'll last you a lifetime of meals.
Target
Promising review: "I LOVE this dish set. I bought my first set three years ago and got a second set two years ago after realizing I needed the extra settings. I use these every single day and have had no issues with them. I have quartz countertops and have accidentally banged them on the counters and have been pleased they haven't broken. I also only wash them in the dishwasher (both top and bottom shelf) and haven't had any issues with durability." —Target reviewer
Price: $69.99 (available in two styles)
27. But if you're just going to buy one piece at a time, a shallow bowl (made for pasta but also good for stews, soups, grain bowls, and much more) is a good thing to add to your cupboard.
Target
At only $5 and in white — a good base so you can add pops of color and personality with other dishes — this glass pasta bowl will be your workhorse for serving any meal.
Price: $5
28. A bar cart that'll allow you to make happy hour at an hour while appearing very classy and not at all like an afternoon lush.
Target
Day drinking, night drinking, anytime drinking can be more organized and proper with a bar cart. This one is a two-tiered wooden cart with wheels, a top handle, and a brass finish that gives a vintage vibe. If you're not into co*cktails, this could also be great as a coffee or tea station or a way to wheel around appetizers to share at a party. Options!
Price: $149.99
29. A no-frills spatula for flipping and turning burgers, pancakes, and eggs.
Target
At a fair price and a solid construction, this OXO silicone spatula is flexible enough to wriggle under an egg without breaking the yolk, yet sturdy enough to make sure burgers and fish fillets can turn over easily too. The nearly-4-inch-wide turner is nonstick, dishwasher-safe, and heat resistant up to 600 degrees so also great for the grill.
Price: $11.99
30. An over-cabinet-door paper towel holder to save precious counter space. Bonus: It also works to hang reusable kitchen towels!
Target
Promising review: "This was a great find! It fit perfectly and I love the multipurpose feature and that it frees up counter space which is limited for us." —Target reviewer
Price: $8
31. And a farm animal flour sack kitchen towel with an astounding amount of amazing reviews.
Target
I wish anyone loved me as much as 131 people love this kitchen towel with stacked farm animals on it.
Promising review: "It's just so cute. It's also well-made with good material so it doesn't stay as wrinkled as some cheaper kitchen towels." —Target reviewer
Price: $3.49
