Plus, more expert tips to streamline your cooking routine

I cook nearly all of my meals at home, and spend most Sundays prepping meals and snacks for the week to set my future self up for success — and avoid impulse food delivery when life inevitably gets busy. 

Between deciding what’s for dinner, grocery shopping, and actually cooking, precious hours of free time can quickly disappear, so I’m always looking for new ways to save time and effort. That’s why I tapped four private chefs to uncover the secrets behind stress-free and efficient meal prep and the non-negotiable kitchen tools that make it happen. 

Shop their top picks below, starting at just $7. Then keep scrolling to learn why these tools earn their cabinet space.

Private Chef-Recommended Kitchen Tools

Oxo Good Grips Medium Cookie Scoop $20 $17 at Amazon	Amazon Basics Multi-Purpose Bench Scraper $7 at Amazon
Vtopmart Glass Food Storage Containers, Set of 8 $29 $22 at Amazon	Nordic Ware Aluminum Sheet Pans, Set of 3 $41 $33 at Amazon
KitchenAid All-Purpose Kitchen Shears $9 $8 at Amazon	Vidalia Chop Wizard Vegetable and Fruit Chopper $25 at Amazon
Ball Half-Pint Mason Jars with Lids, Set of 2 $12 at Amazon	KitchenAid 3.5 Cup Food Processor $70 $55 at Amazon

Related: Martha Stewart Wants to ‘Enhance’ Your Kitchen with Her New Line of Practical Yet Pretty Appliances (Exclusive)

Common Meal Prep Mistakes to Avoid

• A clear plan of action is the key to staying organized, particularly when cooking multiple meals at once. Read the entire recipe before you jump in to avoid a “kitchen that looks like the Tasmanian Devil bounced through it,” per Chef Calum Ridley. 
• Prepping full meals rather than ingredients that can pull “double duty” is another common faux pas. Private Chef Jonathan Eizenshtein of Eizeneats recommends prepping versatile ingredients with “mix-and-match flexibility” to keep “the week interesting and reduce your upfront work.”

Oxo Good Grips Medium Cookie Scoop

$20 $17 at Amazon

“A cookie scoop can be used for cookies, yes, but also portioning out meatballs, filling muffin tins, or even scraping the seeds from winter squash. It's faster than using spoons, and you get more even, professional-looking results. Plus, it's kind of fun,” private chef and forthcoming cookbook author, Clare Langan shares. 

Nordic Ware Aluminum Sheet Pans, Set of 3

$41 $33 at Amazon

“A good set of rimmed sheet pans is one of the easiest ways to streamline meal prep because you can roast vegetables, bake proteins, toast nuts, and even prep full dinners all on one pan. I recommend having at least two so you can cook in batches without overcrowding,” Yumma Jawad, food content creator and author of The Feel Good Foodie, shared. 

Related: The 6 Best Slow Cookers We Tested for Entertaining and Easy Weeknight Meals

Amazon Basics Multi-Purpose Bench Scraper

$7 at Amazon

“Aside [from] a knife, this is the most used tool in any prep chef's toolkit,” private chef Calum Ridley shares. “This is my third hand around the kitchen, and it’s used for absolutely everything.” For Ridley it’s best for transferring food from the cutting board to the pan, cleaning work surfaces, and dividing dough. Chef Langan seconded the tool’s versatility, dubbing it a “food mover.” 

Pro Tips

• Line your oven-safe pans with parchment paper or aluminum foil when baking or roasting to cut down on cleanup.
• Taste as you go and adjust seasonings accordingly to prevent over-salted or bland dishes.
• Dry produce thoroughly after washing so it lasts longer in the fridge. 

Vtopmart Glass Food Storage Containers, Set of 8

$29 $22 at Amazon

“To keep food fresher [for longer], I recommend clear glass food storage containers with snap tops like these,” Langan notes, adding that “they create an airtight seal to make the most of meal prep or leftover storage.” She recommends glass containers over plastic, because they’re “easier to clean” and don’t “harbor odors or colors.” 

Vidalia Chop Wizard Vegetable and Fruit Chopper

$25 at Amazon

“A vegetable chopper can save so much time when you’re prepping onions, peppers, cucumbers, carrots, or salad toppings for the week. It’s especially helpful for anyone who wants to eat more fresh meals but doesn’t want to spend 30 minutes chopping,” Jawad adds.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Source link