Skip the novelty junk: genius kitchen gadget gifts under $50 they’ll actually use

Kitchen gadgets can take the hassle and mess out of dinner, provided you choose the right ones.

<![CDATA[ <article> <p>Kitchen gadgets can take the hassle and mess out of dinner, provided you choose the right ones. Love cooking curries? An electric grinder will make preparing spice blends a breeze. Enjoy salads? A vegetable chopper will let you dice vegetables far more quickly than using a knife. Have a tiny kitchen? A mini food processor will fit in even the smallest corner.</p><p>Personally I'm a big fan of anything that keeps the smell of garlic off my hands, so a silicone garlic peeler and dishwasher-safe chopper are two of my favorites. I also love my coffee, and I always turn to my trusty AeroPress if I'm not in the mood to spend time making espresso. </p><p>The right gadget can be a game-changer, and makes a truly thoughtful Christmas gift when you know what kind of dishes your loved one enjoys preparing. Here I've rounded up a collection of top quality kitchen helpers that your friends and family will use daily — all under $50.</p><h2 class="article-body__section" id="section-kitchen-heroes-under-50"><span>Kitchen heroes under $50</span></h2> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="60d242b0-dead-11f1-8049-6f5b8b6bd0ff"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-SG-10-Electric-Spice-and-Nut-Grinder/dp/B001C2GWTI/ref=sr_1_1" data-model-name="Spice and Nut Grinder" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.38%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v2/t:101,l:75,cw:740,ch:987,q:80/NoVKfsA84xruMmcCKFiR25.jpg" alt="Spice and nut grinder" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Cuisinart</div> <div class="featured__title">Spice and Nut Grinder</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="60d24332-dead-11f1-a980-2dcf32a117c6"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Chefn-GarlicZoom-Stainless-top-rack-dishwasher/dp/B07DNPCZMZ/ref=sr_1_2" data-model-name="Garliczoom Garlic Chopper" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.21%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v2/t:287,l:170,cw:539,ch:718,q:80/5yAQAMaDJQDDx7k4VxH925.jpg" alt="Garlic chopper" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Chef'n</div> <div class="featured__title">Garliczoom Garlic Chopper</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="60d243a0-dead-11f1-af2f-692991fd719f"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Salter-Stainless-Steel-Kitchen-Scale/dp/B0DJFK6HB2/ref=sr_1_4" data-model-name="Stainless Steel Kitchen Scale" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.37%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LQMxbRhXDiGfCrwBSnxn25.jpg" alt="Kitchen scale" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Salter</div> <div class="featured__title">Stainless Steel Kitchen Scale</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="60d24422-dead-11f1-a77b-8784c2ab71d5"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/AeroPress-Pour-Over-Espresso-2-Minute-Bitterness/dp/B0CZ6KLS4S/ref=sr_1_4_sspa" data-model-name="Coffee Press" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.37%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/M8gLEfZS3heGzPzKaS4vw4.jpg" alt="Coffee press" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>AeroPress</div> <div class="featured__title">Coffee Press</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="60d244e0-dead-11f1-bb5f-27898801baf2"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-DLC-2ABC-Processor-Brushed-Chrome/dp/B0000645YM/ref=sr_1_2_sspa" data-model-name="Mini Food Processor" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.93%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E8sheCZXv65p9ZDTQj2Ny4.jpg" alt="Mini food processor" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Cuisinart</div> <div class="featured__title">Mini Food Processor</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="60d2458a-dead-11f1-9a3a-a96e165d24cb"> <a href="https://www.crateandbarrel.com/dual-citrus-squeezer/s258663" data-model-name="Dual Citrus Squeezer" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.37%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TDhAEiM25N2Ct9jWcmNBy4.jpg" alt="Citrus squeezer" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Crate &amp; Barrel</div> <div class="featured__title">Dual Citrus Squeezer</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="60d24602-dead-11f1-b525-eb0d4302a30d"> <a href="https://www.crateandbarrel.com/chefn-zipstrip-pro-herb-stripper/s462768" data-model-name="Zipstrip Pro Herb Stripper" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.42%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v2/t:63,l:139,cw:736,ch:982,q:80/urccFwiBhkxrAk4cCLDQu4.jpg" alt="Herb stripper" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Chef'n</div> <div class="featured__title">Zipstrip Pro Herb Stripper</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="60d24670-dead-11f1-8445-a92da9a05e0f"> <a href="https://www.crateandbarrel.com/oxo-potato-ricer/s293211" data-model-name="Potato Ricer" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.37%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JQZsLhQvaJomgdtxwREYs4.jpg" alt="Potato river" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>OXO</div> <div class="featured__title">Potato Ricer</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="60d246d4-dead-11f1-8fea-8f1a22948bb7"> <a href="https://www.crateandbarrel.com/oxo-twist-and-pour-salad-dressing-mixer/s207560" data-model-name="Twist &amp; Pour Salad Dressing Mixer" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.43%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v2/t:132,l:97,cw:694,ch:926,q:80/4Brg9jp9D4wz8vBEAGNmu4.jpg" alt="Salad dressing mixer" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>OXO</div> <div class="featured__title">Twist &amp; Pour Salad Dressing Mixer</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="60d24742-dead-11f1-8841-132a93d0f41d"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Silicone-Garlic-Stay-Clean-Storage/dp/B0002YTFV4/ref=sr_1_8" data-model-name="Good Grips Silicone Garlic Peeler" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.37%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wfu36LQwm3UUqGhRwteqv4.jpg" alt="Garlic peeler" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>OXO</div> <div class="featured__title">Good Grips Silicone Garlic Peeler</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="60d247b0-dead-11f1-9a28-4964636edf5a"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CCO-50BKN-Deluxe-Electric-Opener/dp/B001C2F5NW/ref=sr_1_7" data-model-name="Electric Automatic Can Opener" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.37%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iDtGaRTtMSYAYrgazDphr4.jpg" alt="Can opener" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Cuisinart</div> <div class="featured__title">Electric Automatic Can Opener</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="60d24814-dead-11f1-b9ad-3f13ebe05a42"> <a href="https://www.crateandbarrel.com/crate-and-barrel-egg-timer/s406205" data-model-name="Egg Timer" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.28%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v2/t:165,l:129,cw:652,ch:869,q:80/J27KhkcQEeyykGDUgFQYs4.jpg" alt="Egg timer" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Crate &amp; Barrel</div> <div class="featured__title">Egg Timer</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="60d24882-dead-11f1-bc90-fd58cf22c1cd"> <a href="https://www.crateandbarrel.com/5-blade-herb-scissors/s293044" data-model-name="5-Blade Herb Scissors" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.37%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wX4WAzLbroZwRcCSBGrHt4.jpg" alt="Herb scissors" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Crate &amp; Barrel</div> <div class="featured__title">5-Blade Herb Scissors</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="60d248e6-dead-11f1-b88f-efb5e195a874"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Thermometer-Precision-Digital-Instant/dp/B01HGLPVRW/ref=sr_1_1_sspa" data-model-name="Good Grips Digital Thermometer" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.29%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v2/t:110,l:83,cw:715,ch:953,q:80/deEVPL762LCxVYsa8PWeo4.jpg" alt="Digital thermometer" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>OXO</div> <div class="featured__title">Good Grips Digital Thermometer</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="60d24954-dead-11f1-956e-e19b4d57255d"> <a href="https://www.crateandbarrel.com/microplane-yellow-rasp-grater-zester/s244818" data-model-name="Rasp Grater/Zester" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.28%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v2/t:148,l:107,cw:664,ch:885,q:80/zoVmLM5Va58bi8HoUNqwo4.jpg" alt="Zester" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Microplane</div> <div class="featured__title">Rasp Grater/Zester</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="60d249b8-dead-11f1-81d9-c18648529bb7"> <a href="https://www.crateandbarrel.com/caraway-sage-mechanical-kitchen-timer/s162482" data-model-name="Caraway Mechanical Kitchen Timer" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.93%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aq2TmkM6cZLXFEzE7uZ9p4.jpg" alt="Kitchen timer" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Crate &amp; Barrel</div> <div class="featured__title">Caraway Mechanical Kitchen Timer</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="60d24a30-dead-11f1-8553-7d63060fef07"> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Vegetable-Easy-Grip-Easy-press-Container/dp/B09WFWN76D/ref=sxin_15_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa" data-model-name="Good Grips Vegetable Chopper" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.39%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v2/t:228,l:148,cw:599,ch:799,q:80/rwLh4qZ4WS824VxVeuR6o4.jpg" alt="Vegetable chopper" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>OXO</div> <div class="featured__title">Good Grips Vegetable Chopper</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="featured_product_block featured_block_hero" data-id="60d24fe4-dead-11f1-aabe-6366df8beb07"> <a href="https://www.crateandbarrel.com/chefn-corn-cob-stripper/s243309" data-model-name="Corn Cob Stripper" data-model-brand="" ><div class='product-image-widthsetter'><p class='vanilla-image-block' data-bordeaux-image-check="" style='padding-top:133.33%';><img style="width: 100%" class="featured_image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v2/t:51,l:87,cw:732,ch:976,q:80/igW2KywX46BCnDyy8BaFo4.jpg" alt="Corn Cob Stripper" /></p></div></a> <div class="featured_product_details_wrapper"> <div class="featured_product_title_wrapper"> <div class='featured__brand'>Chef'n</div> <div class="featured__title">Corn Cob Stripper</div> </div> <div class="subtitle__description"> <p></p> </div> </div> </div> </article> ]]>