12 Non-Toxic Kitchen Tools Recommended by Pro Chefs

Any home cook knows that the quality of a dish is only as good as the quality of its ingredients. While it’s undeniably important to pay attention to what goes into a recipe, you should also be aware of the materials that go into your kitchen tools and cookware: According to recent reports, black plastic utensils may contain hazardous chemicals, and microplastics could be lurking in your food containers. 

But don’t panic — there are plenty of healthier options out there. To help you find the best non-toxic cookware and cooking utensils for your kitchen, we asked professional chefs to share the items they swear by in their restaurants and homes. Below, shop chef-loved wooden cutting boards, silicone spatulas, stainless steel cookware, and more, from $9.

Chef-Recommended Non-Toxic Kitchen Tools

• Tovolo Wooden Spoonula Cooking Utensil, $9, originally $11
• Pyrex Freshlock Mixed Size Glass Food Storage Container Set, 4-Pack, $34
• Breville Bamboo Cutting Board, $45
• Bee’s Wrap Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps, $18
• GIR Ultimate Silicone Spatula, $13
• Staub Ceramic 4-Piece Mixed Baking Dish Set, $150, originally $220 
• Benriner No. 64 Japanese Mandoline Ivory Vegetable Slicer, $29, originally $35
• Microplane Premium Classic Series Rasp Zester Grater, $18
• Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set with Lids, $267, originally $283
• Staub 7-Quart Round Cocotte, $242
• Wüsthof Pull-Apart Shears, $25
• JB Prince Straight Tip Tweezer, 10-Inch, $21

Tovolo Wooden Spoonula Cooking Utensil

“When I was in Italy, I purchased a lot of olivewood kitchen tools. I love the look and feel of them,” says Ed Cotton, chef-partner of Leonetta and Jack & Charlie’s in New York City. “I love the olivewood spoons, especially when I make risottos at home or at the restaurant.” This gorgeous spoon and spatula hybrid from Tovolo has a shallow bowl that makes it perfect for scooping sauces, grains, and stews, while its squared edges are safe for use on delicate nonstick, porcelain, and glass cookware. Tough and durable, this olivewood “spoonula” is dishwasher-safe as well. 

Pyrex Freshlock Mixed Size Glass Food Storage Container Set, 4-Pack

Stop saving those plastic takeout containers — it’s time for a non-toxic upgrade. “Glass storage containers keep food fresh due to their tight seal, making them ideal for either kitchen prep or meal prep,” says Jay Kumar, chef/owner of Brooklyn, New York’s LORE restaurant, who is a big fan of Pyrex’s Freshlock containers. This Freshlock set includes two 2-cup rectangular glass storage containers, a 6-cup rectangular glass storage container, and an 8-cup rectangular glass storage container, all with locking BPA-free plastic lids. Kumar loves that the glass itself is oven- and dishwasher-safe, allowing for a seamless reheating and sanitation process. And, he says, “Glass containers also eliminate harmful microplastics seeping into our food due to the material,” which is a particular concern with black plastic containers.

Breville Bamboo Cutting Board

“Bamboo boards are my favorite cutting boards and a great alternative to plastic cutting boards, as you don’t need to be concerned about microplastics contaminating your food,” says Kumar. “They’re also free from glues and are biodegradable, which helps contribute to a greener, more eco-friendly kitchen,” he adds. 

Kumar recommends this 20- x 11- x 1.5-inch bamboo board from Breville, which has silicone feet on its base to keep it steady while you work. It’s also designed to sit on top of your Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro, saving you some counter space. Another benefit of the board? “Bamboo is also not as porous as other woods, so it has a natural antibacterial factor to it as well.”

Bee’s Wrap Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps

A sustainable, non-toxic alternative to plastic wrap, Bee’s Wrap helps reduce waste and keep food fresh. Made from organic cotton coated with beeswax, jojoba oil, and tree resin, the wraps are a go-to for storing bread, cheese, and sandwiches, as well as covering proofing dough. “It keeps bread and other baked goods fresh, naturally,” says Jonathan Davis, culinary innovation leader at La Brea Bakery. “Plus, it’s reusable for up to a year and fully compostable.”

To clean the wraps, handwash them with soap and cold water, let them air dry, and voilà they’re ready for another round. Bee’s Wax Reusable Food Wraps come in nine fun patterns, and each package contains one small, medium, and large wrap. Amazon shoppers enjoy using this wrap to keep butter fresh for longer, too.

GIR Ultimate Silicone Spatula

“This spatula is a multitasking kitchen essential,” Davis says of GIR’s Ultimate Spatula, which he uses for mixing dough, folding ingredients, scraping bowls, and cooking caramel. Made from medical-grade silicone, GIR’s pro-loved spatula is free of BPA, BPS, and phthalates, heat-resistant up to 425°F, won’t stain or absorb odors, and is dishwasher-safe. 

“Its seamless design prevents bacteria buildup, and it won’t scratch cookware or absorb odors,” says Davis. “It’s tough, flexible, and built to last.” GIR’s spatulas also come in skinny and mini versions that are great for scraping every last drop out of jars and containers.  

Staub Ceramic 4-Piece Mixed Baking Dish Set

“I’ve cherished my Staub Ceramic Baking Dishes for over a decade,” says Riley Huddleston, chef-partner at Lido House in Newport Beach, California. Made of durable stoneware with a glass porcelain enamel finish, this scratch-resistant set (which is available in eight colors) comes with a 7.5- x 6-inch rectangular baking dish, a 9-inch oval baking dish, and a 9- x 9-inch square baking dish with a lid.

Besides doubling as a stunning centerpiece on the dining table, Staub’s beautiful dishes — which are safe for the freezer, oven, broiler, microwave, and dishwasher — are a workhorse. They’re ideal for everything from casseroles to crumbles, and Huddleston has a hack for one particular piece: “I use Staub’s [lidded] ceramic baking dish as a Dutch oven because of its incredible versatility and ease — no seasoning required.”

Benriner No. 64 Japanese Mandoline Ivory Vegetable Slicer

Benriner’s iconic mandolines have been manufactured since the 1950s, and they’re beloved by chefs to this day. So, it’s no surprise that the brand’s Japanese mandoline is a kitchen staple at executive chef Emily Yuen’s Lingo restaurant in Brooklyn. “We use the jumbo, extra-wide version to get those perfect, even slices for our Potato Mille-Feuille,” she says of the gadget, which is constructed from sturdy, BPA-free plastic and includes three interchangeable stainless steel blades for ​​slicing, shredding, and julienning. “The adjustable blade helps us create those delicate layers, and the ergonomic design makes it easy and comfortable to use. It’s also non-slip, so it stays steady while we work, making it great for getting clean, precise vegetable slices.”

Microplane Premium Classic Series Rasp Zester Grater

Poke around any restaurant kitchen and you’ll likely find one of Microplane’s legendary rasp graters. In fact, Brandon Boudet, executive chef and co-owner at Little Dom’s in Los Angeles, California, has been using one for more than 25 years. “They’re compact, easy to use, and easy to clean,” he says of the 1.38- x 1.38- x 12.52-inch gadget, which has a stainless steel blade and non-toxic TPE plastic handle. 

“Plus, they’re versatile and can be used to mince, grate and zest. You can mince garlic cloves or ginger directly into salad dressings, zest citrus over the top of dishes to garnish, and grate hard cheeses to achieve a light, feathery appearance on top of pastas or salads. They’re also great for grating nutmeg into a recipe,” says Boudet.

Tramontina Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set with Lids

“I rely on high-quality stainless steel for its unparalleled durability and non-reactive nature,” says Leah Delyte Di Bernardo, culinary director of EAT Marketplace in Temecula, California. “I specifically seek out brands like Tramontina for their superior craftsmanship.” This 10-piece stainless steel cookware set — which is oven safe up to 500°F — includes 8- and 10-inch fry pans, 1.5- and 3-quart saucepans with lids, a 3-quart braiser with lid, and a 6-quart sauce pot with lid. Di Bernardo finds that sticking is never an issue with Tramontina’s pans and loves how the thicker-gauge stainless steel maintains heat distribution and longevity. “These pans transition seamlessly from stovetop to oven, handle any cooking method with ease, and clean up effortlessly,” she says. “No peeling, no worries, just pure, safe cooking.”

Staub 7-Quart Round Cocotte

Staub has been making premium-quality cast iron cookware since 1974, and Di Bernardo considers the 7-quart cocotte a true kitchen heirloom. “Staub Dutch ovens are a testament to the beauty and functionality of cast iron,” she says of the pot, which is oven-safe up to 500°F and comes in a range of sizes and colors. “Their enameled surface is non-reactive and improves with age, making them perfect for braising, baking, and stewing.” 

The cocotte’s even heat distribution and retention are exceptional at eliminating hot spots and ensuring consistent results, she adds. “These are investments that pay dividends in culinary performance and will be passed down for generations. Which, in my family, is a thing!”

Wüsthof Come-Apart Shears

“This is probably my No. 1 most-used tool,” says Suzanne Cupps, chef/owner at Lola’s in New York City, Wüsthof’s durable Come-Apart Shears. “I use it to cut open Cryovaced bags of beef, snip off dirty ends of shiitake mushrooms, and even trim delicate herbs.” The versatile stainless steel kitchen shears feature a non-toxic polypropylene handle that won’t slip from your grip, and they’re even designed with a bottle opener in the center. But the best part? “These scissors come apart easily for thorough cleaning, which helps prevent cross-contamination between tasks,” says Cupps.

JB Prince Straight Tip Tweezer, 10-Inch

You might associate kitchen tweezers with fancy dishes garnished with tiny, pretty flowers, but they’re so much more practical than that. “I use long tweezers for everything!” says Cupps. “Tweezers aren’t just for fussy plating — they’re ideal for gently lowering tempura vegetables into hot oil, turning shrimp on the grill, or flipping bacon in a pan.” This stainless steel tool is especially good for removing fish bones and handling foods that need a little extra TLC. “Unlike bulky tongs, they’re more delicate and won’t crush your food,” says Cupps.