10 Kitchen Tools Busy Moms Need Now
Busy moms need awesome kitchen tools to save time and make cooking and serving meals to our family efficient and enjoyable. I recently asked friends, family, and several readers what they felt the best kitchen tools busy moms must have.
Must Have Kitchen Essentials For Busy Moms: My Tried & True Favorites
Hey mama! If you’re anything like me, you’re in your kitchen multiple times a day trying to get meals on the table while juggling a million other things. Over the years, I’ve figured out exactly which tools actually make my life easier (and which ones just take up drawer space). These are the items I reach for constantly – the real MVPs of my kitchen!
The Game-Changing Appliances
Instant Pot RIO Wide Plus, 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
I have an older version, but this is the best thing ever! Instant Pot rocks! This newer model has a 35% larger cooking surface and a whisper-quiet steam release (yes, please!). It’s a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice maker, steamer, sauté pan, cake maker, and warmer all in one. When you’re short on time and counter space, this is absolutely essential.
Dutch Oven – Had for Two Decades!
When I tell you I’ve had mine for TWO DECADES, I mean it. This workhorse does everything from soups and stews to no-knead bread and Sunday roasts. The fact that it’s lasted this long tells you everything you need to know about quality. This pot last a LIFETIME!
The Tools I Use Every Single Day
Affordable Chef Knife That Works
You don’t need to spend hundreds on a knife that actually performs. This one gets the job done and makes chopping vegetables so much faster.
Paring Knife
Perfect for all those small jobs – peeling apples, hulling strawberries, trimming vegetables. I honestly use this just as much as my chef knife.
Seamless High Heat-Resistant Spatula Set
These are seamless, which means no food gets stuck in cracks (so much easier to clean!), and they can handle high heat. I use these for everything from scrambled eggs to sautéing.
OXO Tongs
I keep 2 pairs of each size in my kitchen drawers to prevent cross-contamination while cooking. One for raw meat, one for everything else. They’re sturdy, lock closed for storage, and just work.
The Time-Savers
Quiet Kitchen Timer – SO GOOD!
This timer is a lifesaver when you’re cooking multiple things at once. And it’s QUIET, which is a blessing when you’ve got kids running around or you’re on a phone call.
Favorite Salad Spinner
I used to skip this step and wonder why my salads were watery. Now I use this constantly – for lettuce, fresh herbs, even washing berries. It makes meal prep so much faster.
Favorite Can Opener
It seems simple, but a good can opener that actually works smoothly every time is worth its weight in gold. No more struggling with stuck lids!
The Smart Investment
ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2 — Best Value Instant Read Thermometer – Nautical Blue
https://amzn.to/4bSukrS
🥇 Rated #1 Instant-Read Thermometer by The New York Times / Wirecutter
The ThermoPop 2 is highly recommended by trusted sources like USA Today, Business Insider, and Bon Appétit for its outstanding performance and reliability.
Super-Fast & Accurate
Get precise temperature readings in just 2–3 seconds. With an accuracy of ±1°F (±0.5°C), the ThermoPop 2 helps you cook with confidence and get perfect results every time—no guessing, no overcooking.
Why These Items Made The List
Every single one of these tools has earned its place in my kitchen through years of real use. I’m not recommending anything I don’t personally reach for on a regular basis. As busy moms, we need items that are reliable, make cooking faster, and actually solve problems. These do exactly that!
Happy cooking, mama! Your kitchen (and your sanity) will thank you.
