Our Allstar Experts Know the Best Budget Kitchen Tools—Here Are Their Favorites

The Allrecipes Allstars are the ones we turn to when we want expert advice on the absolute best kitchen essentials. Our trusty team of home cooks knows what kitchen gadgets will help you get dinner on the table faster and which tools aren’t worth the effort. We polled them on their favorite inexpensive kitchen tools, and they shared information on the best silicone spatulas, a melon baller that will take your summer fruit salad to the next level, and which viral kitchen tool actually lives up to the social media hype. 

Our Allstar-Loved Favorite Budget Kitchen Tools

• Fullstar Vegetable Chopper and Spiralizer, $25 (was $50)
• OXO Good Grips Melon Baller Silver, $12
• Gorilla Grip Reusable Nonstick Silicone Baking Mat, $9
• HiramWare Garlic Press, $7
• GIR 3-Piece Silicone Utensil Set, $23 (was $24)

Fullstar Vegetable Chopper and Spiralizer

The Fullstar vegetable chopper is a social media superstar that’s Allstar-tested and approved. Both Maura Rawlette and Mackenzie Burgess recommend the 4-in-1 version, which features extra-sharp stainless steel blades and a 5-cup catch tray. “It is so nice to have everything chopped up so fast,” says Maura. “I can use it for making salads, salsa, or a quick stir fry.” Lucky for us, it’s also half-off for Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. Looking for something a little smaller? Allstar Christina Perri recommends this compact version. 

GIR 3-Piece Silicone Utensil Set

“I love GIR kitchen utensils,” says Allstar Jessica Vogl. “The Spoonulas (the Ultimate and the Skinny size) are the most-used item in my kitchen.” This 3-piece set includes the Ultimate Spoonula, which is perfect for getting into the curve of your skillet or scraping the bottom of the peanut butter jar. 

OXO Good Grips Melon Baller Silver

Allstars Aimee Broussard, Sheila Johnson, and Jenna Urben all recommend getting a melon baller, which happens to be an excellent tool for the upcoming warm weather. “I love the OXO melon baller,” says Aimee. “While it's helpful for coring fruits and scooping out seeds, it's also perfect for garnishing melon-inspired cocktails as well as beautifying summer salads.” The double-sided, stainless steel scooper is handy for removing seeds, measuring out cookie dough, and, of course, making the perfect melon balls for your fruit salad.

Aopigavi Chicken Shredder Tool

If shredded chicken tacos or enchiladas suizas are regulars in your kitchen, then you need this dishwasher-safe chicken shredder. You simply place your mead on the spikes and spin the lid a few times, a much easier and faster shredding method. “I just discovered this tool, and it's a very easy and fast way to shred chicken, pork, or any meat,” says Allstar Jenny Aleman. “It doesn't matter if the meat is hot or cold; this tool works perfectly either way and is dishwasher-safe.” If you don’t want so much pizzazz in your kitchen prep, Ashley Berger recommends this more basic version.

OXO Good Grips Salad Dressing Shaker

Speaking of quicker prep for your summer salads, Ashley has another fantastic budget item: this OXO salad dressing shaker. It’s so inexpensive that it can double as a hostess gift for your backyard parties and potlucks. “If I'm bringing a salad to someone, I leave them with the shaker!” says Ashley. You can pour all your ingredients into the 1.5-cup jar—with measurement markings to make this even easier—and shake to combine.

Gorilla Grip Reusable Nonstick Silicone Baking Mat

Allstar Kim Shupe wants you to stop lining your sheet pans with parchment paper. Instead, pick up this 2-pack of reusable silicone baking mats. “I like how easy these are to use compared to parchment paper,” says Kim. “I also don't have to worry about the mats leaving 'crease marks' on my baked goods the way that parchment paper can. Plus, I don't have to worry about running out like I would with the parchment!”

Mr. Bar B Q Jalapeno Cooker

If your summer cooking is centered around the grill, Allstar Mary Burns has the secret to the perfect grilled nibbles. She uses this nonstick holder to cook her grilled stuffed jalapeños, one of her favorite appetizers, above the flames of her backyard grill. The pepper-shaped tool fits up to 22 jalapeños and folds away for easy storage.

KitchenAid Stainless Steel Utility Tongs

Ashley also has a wonderful budget tool you need for the best grilling season. “A grilling kit is cool but totally unnecessary,” she says. “Plain stainless steel tongs work way better than the extra long ones that come in the kit.” This KitchenAid stainless steel pair is almost 12 inches long to keep your hands safely away from the flames, and since it’s almost all metal, you can toss it in the dishwasher with the rest of your dirty dishes.

Mercer Culinary Millennia Mini Turner/Spatula

If you regularly mash your brownies or bars by using a too-big spatula, Allstar Donna Michaels has the solution: a mini turner. “They have the ability to take small things out of pans without messing up the other things in the pan,” she says. “I have two of them and love them.” This high-quality version from Mercer Culinary features a 2.5-inch square spatula with a molded nonslip handle and can help you achieve baking success.

OXO Good Grips 2-in-1 Citrus Juicer

Juice squeezers are great for getting juice all over your counter and about two drops into your dish. Instead, pick up this OXO juicer that captures all the juice there is to squeeze and provides a convenient measuring cup, too. “It has an attached cup with measurements on it, which is all kinds of handier than my previous method,” says Allstar Robin Justice.

HiramWare Garlic Press

Garlic presses aren’t the most durable kitchen tool, even though they should be. Allstar Sarah Stone knows this all too well, but she’s found a dishwasher-safe press that can handle frequent use. “I’ve broken upwards of 8 garlic presses, and this hasn’t broken yet,” she says. This one is designed without the annoying “cage” found in many models now—you simply push the spiked edge into the garlic and move on to the next ingredient.

Dreamfarm Brizzle 3-In-1 Flexible Silicone Sit-Up Basting, Drizzle, Scooping Brush

Ashley Beger has another incredible tool for your backyard barbecue: the Dreamfarm Brizzle. This basting brush will help you slather your ribs on the grill and comes in handy for holiday dinners.  “This silicone brush holds a tablespoon of sauce that slowly comes through the bristles as you slather whatever you're grilling!” she says.

OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Silicone Spatula Set

“I have had [these] for a while now and use them for everything,” says Kim Shupe about OXO’s silicone spatulas. “I like that they are a singular solid piece—so you don't have to worry about food getting stuck into the head of the spatula like you would with regular 2-piece spatulas (where the head and handle are separate pieces).” We love that this colorful 3-piece set has two traditional spatulas and a spoon version.

Farberware Nylon Heat Resistant Masher

When it comes to essential kitchen gear, Allstar Amy Barnes turns to one of our best mashers: the Farberware 5-blade nylon meat and potato masher. “I love my meat stomper,” she says. “While the meat stomper makes my ground beef the perfect texture with less effort, I also love it in other applications. I use it to crush graham crackers, regular saltines, larger spices or peppers, mark the top of cookies like peanut butter, sugar or ginger cookies, or juice citrus in a pinch.” 

Silicone Garlic Peeler Easy Roller Tube

Digging your nails under layers upon layers of wispy white garlic skin is one of the more annoying food prep tasks. Enter a garlic roller like this one beloved by Allstar Pat Bernitt. “There are times when garlic cloves can be stubborn to peel, so I always use a garlic peeler,” she says. “It’s faster, simply easier, and keeps your hands odor-free.”

Want to know more about the Allrecipes Allstars? Learn about their favorite recipes, kitchen hacks, and product picks.