30 Kitchen Gadgets That Save Time and Money

Fall is around the corner, and I can’t wait to dig into comfort foods like macaroni and cheese and hearty stews. But, if I’m honest, I’m not looking forward to the prep work involved — not to mention the cleanup afterwards. Thankfully, Target has plenty of kitchen essentials that can cut meal-prep time in half and also make sure that food doesn’t go to waste. And best of all, just about everything is on sale, with prices as low as $3 and discounts as deep as 60% off. 

Among some of my favorite finds are a versatile Staub pan that’s super easy to clean, a Ninja Foodi air fryer and toaster oven that cooks faster than a traditional oven, and a NutriBullet food processor that can mince, chop, and dice in seconds.

Best Time-Saving Fall Kitchen Gadgets at Target 

• GreenPan Rio 8-Inch Ceramic Nonstick Fry Pan with Spatula, $13, originally $20
• Staub Cast Iron Perfect Pan, $200, originally $500
• Cuisinart Classic 8-Quart Stainless Steel Stockpot with Cover, $60, originally $70
• Crock-Pot 4.4-Quart Slow Cooker, $25, originally $30
• Ninja Single-Serve Pods & Grounds Specialty Coffee Maker, $100, originally $130
• NutriBullet Triple Prep System Blender and Food Processor, $180, originally $215
• Room Essentials Stainless Steel Kitchen Shears, $3
• ThermoPro Instant Read Thermometer, $15, originally $20
• Henckels Solutions 3-Piece Starter Knife Set, $40, originally $74
• Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage Containers, $31, originally $40

Simple tools like a digital scale and an instant-read thermometer help to ensure your recipes are perfectly edible, while food storage solutions like Rubbermaid Brilliance containers will keep pantry ingredients and leftovers fresh so much longer. There are even a few organizers to keep spices and other ingredients easily visible so you don’t lose time searching for them mid-recipe. Check out all of the time- and money-saving Target finds we’re falling for right now.

Best Time-Saving Cookware and Bakeware at Target

It’s no secret that the right cookware and bakeware can make a big difference in your kitchen. But certain pieces can actually save you some effort and a little bit of cash as well, like nonstick pans and baking dishes from Staub and Greenpan that heat evenly and clean quickly, and a Cuisinart stockpot that lets you batch-prep soups or sauces and zap them in the microwave after a long day at work. 

• GreenPan Rio 8-Inch Ceramic Nonstick Fry Pan with Spatula, $13, originally $20

• Staub Cast Iron Perfect Pan, $200, originally $500

• USA Pan 12.75- x 17.75-Inch Baking Sheet, $36, originally $48

• Cuisinart Classic 8-Quart Stainless Steel Stockpot with Cover, $60, originally $70

• Staub 2-Piece Ceramic Baking Dish Set, $60, originally $150

• Silpat Nonstick Baking Mat, $25, originally $33

GreenPan Rio 8-Inch Ceramic Nonstick Fry Pan with Spatula

GreenPan makes really nice nonstick cookware, including this 8-inch fry pan that’s free of PFAS and PFOAS and comes in a pretty blush color. Perfect for smaller jobs, the pan has a slick nonstick ceramic coating so that that eggs, pancakes, or whatever food you’re frying lifts easily out of the pan with no bits left behind. This is one of the prettiest pieces of non-toxic cookware we’ve seen, and it also comes with a silicone spatula so no harmful chemicals leach into your food. 

Staub Cast Iron Perfect Pan

Staub Dutch ovens are iconic, but its Perfect Pan shouldn’t be overlooked — especially when it’s on sale. Made from enameled cast iron, this versatile pan replaces several pieces of cookware. It can sear steak, stir-fry, steam vegetables, and deep-fry chicken. It includes an interior rack for cooling or draining food, plus a lid to lock in moisture. Oven-safe up to 500°F, the Perfect Pan heats quickly and evenly, and Staub’s signature nonstick interior makes cleanup a breeze.

Best Time-Saving Small Appliances at Target

The right small appliances, like a stand mixer and NutriBullet’s blender and food processor, can act as an extra set of hands in the kitchen and save a lot of prep time. The Ninja Foodi XL Air Fryer actually cuts cooking time in half, while the Crock-Pot multicooker lets you set it and forget it so you can go about your day while it does all the cooking. There’s even a Ninja coffee maker that can save you money by making your favorite coffee shop drinks at home.

• Crock-Pot 4.4-Quart Slow Cooker, $25, originally $30
• KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, $400
• Ninja Single-Serve Pods and Grounds Specialty Coffee Maker, $100, originally $130
• NutriBullet Triple Prep System Blender and Food Processor, $180, originally $215
• Cuisinart Smart Stick Two-Speed Hand Blender, $60, originally $110
• Ninja Foodi XL Pro 8-in-1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven, $180, originally $250

Crock-Pot 4.4-Quart Slow Cooker

The great thing about a Crock-Pot is that you can make a multitude of delicious dishes, including macaroni and cheese, pulled pork, chili, and pot roast, without hovering over a stove. Just adjust the setting to low, medium, or high, add the lid, and the slow cooker does the rest. Best of all, the interior stoneware crock can be removed from the base for quick cleaning by hand or in the dishwasher.

Ninja Single-Serve Pods and Grounds Specialty Coffee Maker

This Ninja coffee maker is like having a personal barista at home. It lets you use pods or your favorite grounds to quickly brew four different types of coffee — classic, rich, over ice, and specialty — in seven different sizes. It also has a built-in frother on the side for creating fancy beverages like cappuccinos and lattes. The Ninja coffee machine will make you break up with your local coffee shop and save you so much money in the long run.

Best Time-Saving Tools and Gadgets at Target

A set of sharp Henckels knives is just the first step to making meal prep quicker and safer. Gadgets like a handheld chopper, Kuhn Rikon’s top-notch vegetable peelers, and an electric jar opener can also speed things along.   

• Room Essentials Stainless Steel Kitchen Shears, $3

• ThermoPro Instant Read Thermometer, $15, originally $20

• Nutrichopper Handheld Vegetable & Fruit Chopper, $30, originally $60

• Henckels Solutions 3-Piece Starter Knife Set, $40, originally $74

• Taylor Digital Kitchen Bamboo Food Scale, $15, originally $22

• Kuhn Rikon Essential Swiss Peeler Set, $17, originally $19

• RoboTwist Electric Jar Opener, $20, originally $40

• Kuhn Rikon 3-in-1 Avocado Knife with Nonstick Coating, $15, originally $19

• Cheer Collection Snap-On Silicone Pot Strainer, $20, originally $36

Room Essentials Stainless Steel Kitchen Shears

You’ll be surprised at how often you’ll reach for these affordable kitchen shears, which can snip herbs, open tricky packaging, slice pizza, and even cut up a chicken. Keep them on hand, and you won’t waste time searching through drawers or crocks for other utensils to get the job done. The kitchen shears have earned raves from customers for their sharpness, durability, and comfortable grip. “The quality is there and the handle is very comfortable,” said a shopper. “An amazing addition to my kitchen toolbox.”

ThermoPro Instant Read Thermometer

ThermoPro’s Instant Read Thermometer can probe the temperature of meat, candy, oil, and bread, providing an accurate read in seconds. This inexpensive gadget, which has an easy-to-read backlight, takes the guesswork out of meal prep, so you don’t have to stand watch over an oven or a pan to make sure food cooks evenly and dinner isn’t ruined.

Storage & Organization 

Groceries are expensive, so you want to make them last. Non-toxic food storage solutions like glass containers, Ziploc reusable silicone bags, and an airtight bread box with a wooden lid are a few ways to prolong the life of your purchases. Some storage options, like Youcopia’s spice organizer and cabinet organizer, keep pantry items visible so you’re not rifling through cabinets trying to find ingredients.

• Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage Containers, $31, originally $40
• Ziploc Endurables Medium Reusable Silicone Pouch, $9, originally $12
• Bee’s Wrap Compostable Beeswax Lunch Wraps, Set of 3, $18, originally $22
• Rubbermaid Brilliance 10-Piece Food Storage Containers, $48, originally $60
• Youcopia Spice Stack Bottle Organizer, $40, originally $45
• Zicoto Bread Box with Wooden Lid, $35, originally $40
• Movssou Food Vacuum Sealer, $45, originally $90
• Oceanstar Stackable Metal Wire Baskets, Set of 2, $40, originally $93
• YouCopia UpSpace Cabinet Organizer, $21, originally $25

Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage Containers

Rubbermaid Brilliance glass food containers are some of the best that we’ve tested because they’re durable, stackable, and have BPA-free plastic lids to provide an airtight seal that keeps food fresh longer in the fridge or the freezer. This set includes one 2-cup and two 3.2-cup containers, which are both oven-safe up to 450°F without lids and can be used to prep side dishes and small casseroles. 

​​Oceanstar Stackable Metal Wire Baskets, Set of 2

It’s important to store groceries correctly so food doesn’t spoil. If you’re wondering how to store potatoes to keep them from sprouting, try this set of wire baskets. Potatoes need air circulation to stay fresh, and the open design of these baskets allows them to breathe. To help your potatoes thrive, keep the baskets in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cellar.