9 Culinary Expert-Approved Kitchen Staples on Sale

I graduated from culinary school in 2010, and in the 14 years since, I’ve tested just about every kitchen tool, gadget, and gizmo you can imagine. In my opinion, some of the best names and brands are tremendously overrated, while some of the most affordable, lesser-known products are the ones I reach for over and over. Then again, some name-brand cookware pieces are fully worth the investment. 

Happily, many pieces that have been staples in my kitchen for years (or even decades) are not only worth your money but are on sale right now, including favorites from All-Clad, Ninja, and Le Creuset. Keep reading to save up to 50% on the nine pieces of cooking gear I turn to every day, no matter what’s on the menu. 

9 Must-Have Kitchen Tools On Sale:

• All-Clad 13-Inch Curated Stainless Steel Universal Pan, $150 (originally $195) at surlatable.com
• Williams Sonoma Heritage Bar Tools Set, $50 (originally $125) at williams-sonoma.com
• Ninja Professional Plus Blender Duo, $110 (originally $150) at target.com
• Williams Sonoma Matte Coupe Dinner Plates, $30 (originally $50) at williams-sonoma.com
• Le Creuset Round Wide Dutch Oven, $280 (originally $430) at surlatable.com
• Vuohoeg Wooden Cooking Utensil Set, $30 (originally $41) at walmart.com
• Black and Decker Family-Sized Electric Griddle, $15 (originally $26) at target.com
• White Rhino 1-Gallon Plastic Measuring Pitcher, $15 (originally $24) at walmart.com
• 10-Piece Takashi Knife Block Set, $600 (originally $1,200) at surlatable.com

All-Clad 13-Inch Curated Stainless Steel Universal Pan

No matter how many brands of pots and pans I research and test, I always come back to All-Clad, which I find to be unmatched in quality, durability, performance, and timeless design. Right now, you can get a 13-inch stainless steel pan for nearly $50 off. This perfectly sized pan can sear, sauté, simmer, bake, and roast just about anything you want to cook, and it looks great doing it. 

Williams Sonoma Heritage Bar Tools Set

In my opinion, no kitchen is complete without a well-stocked bar: For every meal, there is an equally delicious cocktail to be had. You can make your drinks in style with Williams Sonoma’s Heritage Bar Tools Set, which is an impressive $75 off. Made from stainless steel, the set includes a bottle opener, ice tongs, a muddler, a Hawthorne strainer, and a jigger so you can mix up everything from martinis to Manhattans. 

Ninja Professional Plus Blender Duo

There are plenty of luxurious blenders on the market, but sometimes you don’t want all those bells and whistles.  I rely on the Ninja Professional Plus to get the job done: It easily blends, chops, or liquifies with the touch of a button, and its powerful motor doesn’t shy away from tough ingredients like ice. Personally, I love the additional stacked blade for morning smoothies and evening margaritas.

Williams Sonoma Matte Coupe Dinner Plates

I inherited a weakness for pretty china from my mother, but I’ll admit that my gorgeous plates, glasses, saucers, and bowls tend to sit in the cabinet unused. Instead, I usually reach for my matte dinner plates from Williams Sonoma. Simple, classic, and sturdy, these stoneware plates have a demi-matte glaze and look beautiful presenting anything you’re eating. A set of four is on sale for $30 right now.

Le Creuset Round Wide Dutch Oven

If there’s a brand I love as much as All-Clad, it’s Le Creuset. This timeless cookware brand is well worth the investment, but it’s even better when you can get it on sale. And currently, Le Creuset’s 6.75-quart Round Wide Dutch Oven is marked down by $150 at Sur La Table. 

Available in 16 gorgeous colors, this lightweight, premium cast iron Dutch oven is an absolute must for all of your favorite braises, stews, and roasts.

Vuohoeg Wooden Cooking Utensil Set

While silicone cooking tools seem to be all the rage, I can’t seem to tear myself from my favorite set of wooden cooking utensils for everyday stirring, scooping, frying, and flipping. This nine-piece wooden utensil set from Walmart is heat-resistant, sleekly designed, and safe on all cooking surfaces. It even comes with a utensil caddy and spoon rest, making each piece in the set just around $3. 

Black and Decker Family-Sized Electric Griddle

I have two breakfast-loving kids, so on Saturday mornings, I pull out this family-sized electric griddle from Black and Decker to cook pancakes, bacon, and eggs on one large, easy-to-clean surface. I’ve had this griddle for years, and though my family has beaten it up, it performs like it’s brand-new every single time. I appreciate its generous size, even heat distribution, non-stick surface, and removable drip tray for easy cleanup. In fact, I love it so much that I just ordered another one so I have a spare on hand (though I don’t anticipate it breaking).

WhiteRhino 1-Gallon Plastic Measuring Pitcher

When I received this gallon-sized measuring pitcher as a gift, I chuckled to myself, thinking I’d never need a measuring vessel so large. As it turns out, the joke was on me, as I now turn to this tool frequently. Made from food-safe plastic, this pitcher is perfect for making brines, measuring cocktail recipes, and preparing large batches of batters, marinades, and sauces. It’s a remarkably simple yet useful kitchen tool that can be yours right now for just $15. 

Global 10-Piece Takashi Knife Block Set

No kitchen is complete without a fantastic set of knives. This Global Knife Set is just about as fantastic as they come, and it’s on sale right now for 50% off. Each sleek blade in the 10-piece set is crafted from single pieces of stainless steel and has a lightweight, ergonomic design to give you full control. The set includes a 3-inch peeler, 4-inch paring knife, 4.25-inch utility knife, 5.5-inch vegetable knife, 6.2-inch flexible boning knife, 8-inch chef’s knife, 8.5-inch bread knife, 8.25-inch kitchen shears, and a ceramic sharpener, all displayed in a gorgeous wooden knife block.