19 Useful Kitchen Gadgets that Make Clean Eating Easy
19 Life-Changing Useful Kitchen Gadgets that Make Clean Eating Easy
Embarking on healthy lifestyle changes can be daunting! And while you can spend all day at the gym, if you do NOT clean up your eating, then you can forget about getting results! My biggest secret for losing weight and staying on track with your eating is to cook and eat foods that YOU prepare.
I know, I know…the drive-thru is tempting, but with these additions to your kitchen, you’ll be whipping up healthy meals in NO TIME!
There are a LOT of fancy kitchen gadgets out there, but I like to keep it SIMPLE - these are tried + true kitchen items that have made my life easier because they save me TIME + ENERGY in the kitchen.
Before we get started - download your FREE meal plan here:
This post is about useful kitchen gadgets that make clean eating easy.
Mandolin
A mandolin might look daunting, but it honestly makes meal prep soooo easy! Salads, stir fry, and roasted veggies take NO TIME when you use your mandolin. Plus it is super easy to clean. No knife skills needed - just make sure to follow the safety instructions, so you don’t lose a finger, lol! Keep scrolling for the protective gloves I use, which are so much easier than the clunky finger guards included with the mandolin. Keep it simple - you really don’t need any special blades or attachments, but I like this one because its so easy to use. If you want to get fancy, you just flip it around.
To be honest, when I received my mandolin as a birthday gift all those years ago, I wasn’t sure if I would use it, but it has a steady stream of work in my kitchen and I can’t imagine life without it!
2. Salad Dressing Shaker
The secret to looking forward to and enjoying your meals? Dressings, sauces, and marinades! I love to make my own and this shaker bottle is an essential part of your clean eating routine. Measure ingredients right in the bottle and the flip top lid keeps the bottle clean from drips. Tip: whip up some simple vinaigrette for your salad and then use it to marinate your chicken, steak or fish later in the week!
3. Rice Cooker
If you are serious about a healthy lifestyle - you NEED a rice cooker. Believe me. It will SAVE your sanity. Cook rice, quinoa, even oatmeal without worrying about boiling over and making a mess! Plus you can set it to cook and it will be warm and waiting for you when you get home. I have no idea how it works, but it magically lets you know your grains are ready. Again, no need to get fancy - one button does it all!
4. Defrosting Tray
Ahhh - the kitchen gadget you never knew you needed - a meat defroster for those nights when you forget to pull out the chicken ahead of time. Defrost it in a fraction of a time with this tray - LIFE.SAVER.
5. Citrus Juicer
I’ve had my share of citrus reamers over the years, but THIS one is the absolute BEST. perfect for lemons, limes or oranges. I keep a bowl of lemons and limes on my counter and am constantly adding lemon or lime juice to my water or cooking with it. If I had to choose just one thing to get from this list, this would be IT! You will probably end up using it 2-3 times/day like I do!
6. Egg timer
Hard=boiled eggs are probably one of the best and easiest ways to keep lean protein on hand - I make a batch every week and the whole family snacks on them. If you haven’t gotten on the instant pot bandwagon yet - this simple egg timer was my go-to method for YEARS! If you do have an instant-pot then checkout my fool-proof hard-boiled egg recipe here: Instant-Pot Hard-boiled eggs
7. Microplane
FLAVOR is everything when you’re cooking healthy and a microplane takes things to the next level. Finely zest citrus rind, grate garlic cloves and ginger. Or even use it for hard cheeses. You’ll wonder how you lived without it!
8. Ground Beef Masher
Annoyed by awkwardly breaking up ground beef or turkey with a spoon? This little gadget is all the rage and for good reason. Whether you’re making tacos, or some Low-Carb Shepherd’s Pie this masher just makes it easier!
9. Bacon Cooker
You might be surprised, but YES - bacon can totally be part of your weekly meals. We get our bacon from a local farm and I have been using this microwave bacon cooker for 20 years! Mine has a slight chip in it, but you’ll get perfect bacon (even turkey bacon) every time and cleanup is a breeze! Its dishwasher safe, too.
10. Santoku Knife
When it comes to stocking your kitchen with gadgets, I truly believe less is more and this is the knife I use for 90% of my daily chopping and cutting. Its the perfect size and weight and the Santoku blade is far superior to a regular kitchen knife. Worth EVERY penny - once its in your butcher block, you’ll reach for it EVERY time!
11. Cut Resistant Gloves
If you’re on the fence about getting a mandolin for safety reasons, I totally understand - but these gloves are awesome. Follow the instructions and be smart - but these offer great protection. Also a good idea if you are practicing your own knife skills! I am a self-taught cook and have definitely had my share of nicks and cuts along the way. I wish I’d had these when I first learned how to cook!
12. Griddle
A griddle is such a time saver! Most of the time, I use my built-in stove top griddle for steaks, burgers, sausage, and veggies - but if you don’t have a stovetop griddle, then I highly recommend investing in an electric one. You’ll save time by cooking larger quantities at once. We have this exact one and love it!
13. Wok
Oh my gosh - I am new to the world of wok cooking, but let me tell you, it is AMAZING! Cooking on high heat gives everything such awesome flavor. Your stir fry + fried rice comes out perfect every time, believe me once you start wok-ing, you will never look back! This particular wok is made for a gas stove, so if you have electric, you’ll need one with a flat bottom. This is exact one, I have and it is just as beautiful as it is useful. Be prepared that you do need to season it before you get started - so follow the exact instructions that are included.
14. Tongs
My personal motto is that you can NEVER have too many tongs. These are my favorite because of the silicone grip on the end. I’ve had them for years and they hold up to constant dishwashing and daily use without fail!
15. Blender
An essential part of my routine is my daily shake - but having a high-powered, high-quality blender is an absolute MUST. I love love love my Vitamix and Blendtec is also a fantastic brand. I have also owned a couple Ninja’s and have to say, they just do NOT hold-up the same way my Vitamix does. If you’re on a tight budget, and not ready to take the plunge with a high-end brand, then definitely start with the Ninja and see how much you use it.
16. Butter Crock
I know this may shock some people, but real butter is something I eat almost daily! We have ours delivered from a local farm and it is DIVINE! A butter crock is a great way to keep it soft and spreadable - so skip the chemical butter substitutes and get yourself a butter crock!
17. Glass Meal Prep Containers
I have an entire cabinet full of these - they are awesome and you need to get some! From storing leftovers, to meal prep or throwing together a lunch on-the-go, glass is just so much easier.
18. Mason Jars
If you haven’t started using mason jars for pretty much EVERYTHING in life, NOW is the time! Pack a healthy mason jar salad for lunch, store cut up veggies + fruit, hard-boiled eggs and so much more. Save your leftover soups or stews without hogging space in the fridge.
19. Re-usable Mason Jar Lids
If you’re ready to use mason jars, then make sure to grab a batch of these, as well. Easy to use and store - they are hassle-free compared to the 2-piece lids that come with the jars.
This post was about 19 useful kitchen gadgets that make clean eating easy.
This is the perfect side dish for all your favorite healthy breakfast recipes. Your seasoned potatoes will pair perfectly with eggs, fruit, toast, bacon, sausage and more! This is the perfect recipe idea for holiday brunch or Sunday breakfast. No matter when you serve them - these golden brown, crispy air fryer potatoes are sure to be a crowd-pleasing side dish.