10 Time-Saving Kitchen Staples for Home Cooks Who Are Short on Time (2026)

In today's fast-paced world, home cooks often find themselves pressed for time. That's why having the right kitchen staples can transform the cooking experience and save precious minutes. These ten time-saving kitchen essentials are perfect for anyone who loves to cook but is short on time. From meal prep to cooking efficiency, these products enhance the culinary experience while providing convenience. Whether you're shopping for yourself or looking for a perfect gift for someone passionate about cooking, these kitchen staples will elevate any kitchen and streamline home cooking. Discover how these essentials can help create delicious meals effortlessly!

Pre-measured Spice Blends
These spice blends come pre-measured and ready to use, saving time on measuring and boosting flavor in your dishes without any extra work.
Willow & Everett Salt and Pepper Shaker Set - Stainless Steel & Glass with Adjustable Pour Dial - Ideal for Pre-Ground Spices & Seasoning Blends
$8.98
Prodyne Spice-Bottle
$18.71
EDELHAUS® Square Spice Jars with Bamboo Wooden Lid (Pack of 24) Spice Jars with Shaker Insert and 240 Labels - Bamboo Lid Glass Container for Spice Organisation [11 cm x 4.3 cm]
$39.95
Prodyne A-845 Spice Rack, 20 Bottle, White
$40.00
Non-stick Baking Sheets
These baking sheets are perfect for roasting vegetables or baking cookies without the need for parchment paper, making cleanup a breeze and roasting more efficient.
Calphalon Premium Nonstick Baking Pans Set of 2, 12 x 17 inch, Silverware, Heavy Gauge Steel Core
$29.98
KitchenAid 9x13in Nonstick Aluminized Steel Baking Sheet, Contour Silver
$9.99
Rachael Ray Bakeware Nonstick Cookie Pan Set, 3-Piece, Gray with Agave Blue Grips
$34.99
NutriChef 3-Piece Non-Stick Cookie Sheets for Baking - Heavy Duty Steel Baking Sheet Pans for Toasters & Oven - Small, Medium, & Large Size Baking Trays - PFOS, PFOA, PTFE-Free Nonstick Coating
$31.71
Kitchen Timer
A reliable kitchen timer helps keep track of cooking times efficiently, allowing cooks to multitask without constantly checking on their meals.
West Bend Easy to Read Digital Magnetic Kitchen Timer Features Large Display and Electronic Alarm, White
$8.99
Taylor Dual Event Timer
$11.44
Taylor Digital Timer with Memory
$10.73
Time Timer TWIST 90-Minute Digital Countdown Clock — for Kids Classroom Learning, Homeschool Study Tool, Teachers Desk Clock, Exercise and Kitchen Timer (Lake Day Blue)
$19.95
High-Speed Blender
A powerful blender can prepare smoothies, soups, and sauces in seconds, making it an essential tool for any cook looking to save time while enjoying healthy options.
Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender with 1000-Watt Base and Total Crushing Technology for-Smoothies, Ice and Frozen Fruit, Black
$69.88
Ninja Blender, Mega Kitchen System, 1500W, 4 Functions for Smoothies, Processing, Dough, Drinks & More, with 72 Blender Pitcher, 64 Processor Bowl, 2 Nutri Cups + Lids, Black, BL770
$149.99
Ninja BN701 Professional Plus Blender, 1400 Peak Watts, 3 Functions for Smoothies, Frozen Drinks & Ice Cream with Auto IQ, 72-oz.* Total Crushing Pitcher & Lid, Dark Grey
$89.99
Ninja SS151 TWISTi Blender DUO, High-Speed 1600 WP Smoothie Maker & Nutrient Extractor* 5 Functions Smoothie, Spreads & More, smartTORQUE, 34-oz. Pitcher & (2) To-Go Cups, Gray
$119.95
Egg Poacher Set
An egg poacher set makes perfect poached eggs without the mess, saving time on breakfast preparation and making it easier to whip up a fancy brunch.
OXO Good Grips Silicone Egg Poachers (Set of 2),Yellow
$11.99
Demeyere Resto 18/10 Stainless Steel Stovetop Egg Poacher Set, 4 Removable Cups, Induction Compatible, Dishwasher Safe
$59.95
Egg Poacher - Eggssentials Poached Egg Maker, Stainless Steel Egg Poaching Pan, Poached Eggs Cooker Food Grade Safe PFOA Free with Spatula.
$39.97
Eggssentials Egg Poacher Insert Stainless Steel Poached Egg Cooker Eggs Poaching Cup PFOA Free Egg Poachers Nonstick, 7.25" Rack Compatible with Current Cookware, Skillets & Instant Pots
$21.99
Electric Food Chopper
Chopping vegetables can be time-consuming, but an electric food chopper simplifies the process, allowing you to prepare ingredients quickly and easily.
Food Processor 4 Cup, Electric Food Chopper, 【Small but Powerful】Meat Grinder with 2 Bowls, 2 Speed & 4 Blades for Vegetable, Meat, Nuts, Functions for Chopping, Dicing, Mixing and Puree
$39.99
KitchenAid KFC3516ER 3.5 Cup Food Chopper, Empire Red
$54.99
Hamilton Beach Electric Vegetable Chopper & Mini Food Processor, 3-Cup, 350 Watts, for Dicing, Mincing, and Puree, Black (72850)
$21.75
Cuisinart Food Processor, Mini-Prep 3 Cup, 24 oz, Brushed Chrome and Nickel, DLC-2ABC
$29.22
Slow Cooker Cookbook
A slow cooker cookbook provides simple and delicious recipes designed for slow cooking, allowing cooks to prepare meals in advance with minimal effort.
Fix-It and Forget-It Big Cookbook: 1400 Best Slow Cooker Recipes!
$15.42
The Complete Slow Cooker: From Appetizers to Desserts - 400 Must-Have Recipes That Cook While You Play (or Work) (The Complete ATK Cookbook Series)
$19.49
Crockpot Recipe Collection: More Than 350 Crockpot Slow Cooker Recipes from the Leader in Slow Cooking
$10.00
The Easy 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cookbook: 100 Delicious No-Fuss Meals for Busy People
$10.16
Microwave Rice Cooker
Cook perfect rice with ease using a microwave rice cooker. It's quick and prevents sticking, making meal prep easier for any busy home cook.
Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine Microwave Rice Cooker Steamer - Stone/Orange, 2 Liter
$17.91
Microwave Rice Cooker Steamer and Pasta Cooker with Strainer - Mess-Free Design, Dishwasher Safe, Cooks Up to 8 Cups
$29.95
Sistema Microwave Rice Cooker and Steamer Bowl for Vegetables with Steam Release Vent, Dishwasher Safe, Red
$19.99
Nordicware Microwave Rice Cooker Cup Cookware, 8.5, White
$25.29
Prepped-to-Cook Meal Kits
These meal kits come with prepped ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes, allowing busy cooks to whip up delicious meals with minimal effort and time.
ThinkFit Insulated Meal Prep Lunch Box with 6 BPA-Free, Reusable, Microwavable, Freezer Safe Food Portion-Control Containers, Shaker Cup, Pill Organizer, Lunch Bag with Storage Pocket - (Black)
$48.95
10 Packs 30 oz Glass Meal Prep Containers,Glass Food Storage Containers with Lids,Airtight Glass Lunch Bento Boxes,Microwave,Freezer and Dishwasher,Gray
$43.99
M MCIRCO 10-Pack,30 Oz Glass Meal Prep Containers 2 Compartments, Airtight Glass Lunch Bento Boxes with Lids, Glass Food Storage Containers, Microwave, Oven, Freezer and Dishwasher
$39.99
[10 Pack] Glass Meal Prep Containers, Food Storage Containers with Lids Airtight, Glass Lunch Boxes, Microwave, Oven, Freezer and Dishwasher Safe
$39.99
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
This versatile kitchen appliance combines seven functions in one, including pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, and more, dramatically reducing meal cooking times.
Instant
$171.94
Instant
$122.03
Instant
$101.90
Instant
$139.98

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I invest in time-saving kitchen staples?

Investing in time-saving kitchen staples helps streamline meal preparation and cooking, allowing you to enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals even on your busiest days.