11 Kitchen Gifts That Can Make a Confident Cook Out of Anyone

When you look like you know your way around the kitchen, you feel like you do. A gorgeous linen apron ($84) will help any home cook feel less like an amateur and more like their favorite cookbook author.

Cooking meat can be particularly nerve-wracking: You don't want to ruin wild-caught salmon or an expensive steak by over- or under-cooking it. That's where the Yummly Smart Thermometer ($90) comes in handy: This bluetooth-enabled thermometer allows you to monitor your dish from up to 150 feet away, ensuring your dinner always comes out at the ideal temperature.

A quality Dutch oven ($155) is one of those kitchen tools they'll use over and over again for everything from pasta with Sunday sauce to homemade bread. Choose a color that matches their aesthetic, like this bright mustard for a pop of color or charcoal grey for those who favor neutrals.

Upgrade their cutting board to this option made from recycled plastic ($35) to make chopping, mincing, and julienning easier. Plus, it's dishwasher-safe and comes in lovely colors.

If they haven't yet invested in a full set of knives, get them started with a mid-size chef's knife ($100). The six-inch blade is large enough to handle just about any cutting job, but not so big that it's intimidating to wield.

This book by Mark Bittman ($26) is the go-to resource for cooking newbies, with page after page of easy-to-follow recipes for salads, soups, desserts, proteins, and more. Pair it with a sleek cookbook stand ($18) so it's easy to keep track of the page while cooking.

For recipes that require precise, uniform slicing, a mandoline ($42) is a lifesaver. This handy tool can effortlessly slice just about anything. Try making homemade potato chips — it's the ultimate flex.

Slow cookers are an easy way to build up your culinary confidence. For most recipes, you simply add the ingredients, set the time and temperature, and wait. The Instant Pot ($100) combines the humble slow cooker with a super-fast pressure cooker, giving new cooks two tools in one.

A cast iron skillet ($60) creates a gorgeous crust on everything from steaks to roasted vegetables to brownies. It's a multi-functional must-have for any kitchen — and choosing a pre-seasoned model means even less work for the cook.

Making homemade pesto, garlic aioli, or peanut sauce can really make you feel like a chef. The easiest way to do that? Blitzing all the ingredients in a food processor ($40).

Kitchen novices might be surprised at the difference in flavor when you cook with high-quality spices. Since top-notch options can be a bit pricier than what you'll find in the grocery store, a set of 18 essential herbs and spices ($90) makes a lovely gift.