If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.
When buying gifts for foodie family members and foodie friends, you have to be careful. Chances are they’re more discerning than your average home cook, so you don’t want to give them a present that’s below their standards (here’s looking at you, cursed glass cutting boards). So, how can you choose the perfect gift for people who like to cook? Look to Ina Garten, of course!
The Barefoot Contessa has shared many of her favorite ingredients and cooking tools on her website, and with her seal of approval, we’re certain that the gifts below will be up to snuff for even the most accomplished home cooks. And they don’t all break the budget. From cookware that will last a lifetime to high-quality sea salt that will improve any dish, these are some of the best Ina Garten-approved holiday gifts.
A version of this article was originally published November 2020.
OXO Good Grips Large Salad Spinner
A salad spinner is something every home cook should have, because they can make a big difference in how fresh and crisp your salads are. Without one, lettuce leaves can wilt and dressings get watered down. But with one, they stay crunchy and cool. Garten recommends Oxo’s model.
Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
Ina Garten has been adamant about this for years: you should be using “good” vanilla. To Garten, good doesn’t get better than Nielsen-Massey and their extracts, like this Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract.
Tate’s Bake Shop Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ina Garten is known for her baking recipes, but when she wants a cookie without having to make something from scratch, she grabs a bag of Tate’s Bake Shop crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Fini Modena Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
Balsamic vinegar is a staple, sure, but for the holidays you can get the cooks in your family a nicer balsamic than what they might buy for every day cooking, like Garten’s favorite Fini brand.
Apilco Ramekin Crème Brulee
Garten recommends this Crème Brulee ramekin on her website. Exclusive to Williams-Sonoma, this wide, shallow ramekin will help you make perfect custard every time.
Tellicherry Peppercorns
Sometimes upgrading the simplest, most often-used ingredients in your pantry can make a big difference in your finished dishes. Ina Garten recommends using whole Tellicherry peppercorns for the best fresh black pepper flavor. Pair it with a pepper mill for the perfect holiday gift.
PepperMate Traditional Pepper Mill Grinder
Freshly cracked black peppercorns will always have better flavor and aroma than the pre-ground stuff, which means any serious cook should have a quality pepper mill grinder, like this one recommended by Garten.
Salter Aquatronic Electronic Glass Kitchen Scale
A kitchen scale can help anyone really up their game in the kitchen, especially when it comes to baking. This sleek, modern kitchen scale from Salter is recommended on Ina Garten’s website.
Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
Garten famously loves cooking with her Lodge cast iron skillet. From searing steaks to making epic skillet chocolate chip cookies, this pan is a total workhorse in the kitchen. And taking care of cast iron is easier than you might think!
KitchenAid Stand Mixer
With all of the baking she does, it’s no wonder that Garten loves her KitchenAid stand mixer. They’re a little pricey, but have a powerful motor that will last most cooks a lifetime of dough kneading, cream whipping, and batter mixing.
Rectangular Roaster
A quality roaster is a classic piece of cookware that should be in everyone’s kitchen. This roaster is one of the most versatile pieces of cookware you can buy. You can roast meats and veggies in it or even use it for dessert bars or brownies. It’s also microwave, oven, broiler and dishwasher safe.
Le Creuset Cast Iron Dutch Oven
A dream to cook with and a piece pretty enough to display in the kitchen, a Le Creuset cast iron Dutch oven is a must for any serious cook. It can be used to bake artisan bread, make long-cooked braises and stews, simmer hearty soups, and more.
OXO Good Grips Wooden Citrus Reamer
Fresh citrus juice can add a huge amount of flavor to your favorite recipes, and Garten recommends this OXO citrus reamer on her website. It takes up less space than a lot of citrus juicers, and its pointed, ridged top makes quick work of the job.
Rao’s Sauce
Making marinara sauce from scratch is something every Barefoot Contessa fan has probably done, but for those nights when you have no time for dinner, opt for Garten’s favorite jarred sauce from Rao’s.
All-Clad Saute Pan
A stainless steel 12-inch frying pan with lid from All-Clad can be used for a variety of common kitchen tasks, from browning meat and sauteing veggies to simmering sauces and more. It’s also oven safe up to 600 degrees, has triple-ply construction, is made in America, and has a lifetime warranty. It’s easy to see why Garten uses All-Clad.
Fluted French Tart Pan
Even the most humble of tarts looks fancy when made in this fluted French tart pan from Williams Sonoma. Regular pie is so last year.
Le Saunier De Camargue Fleur De Sel
Chefs always talk about finishing their dishes with flaky sea salt, and it turns out that Garten’s favorite French fleur de sel is surprisingly affordable.
Kuhn Rikon Straight Peeler
Vegetable peelers are a mainstay of every kitchen, but according to Garten, they need to be replaced every year. Who knew! Gift your favorite foodie a couple of these classic Kuhn Rikon straight peelers so they can swap out their old, dull ones.
Plastic Containers
OK, plastic containers might not seem like the most glamorous gift, but they are definitely the most practical and something any true Ina fan would be thrilled to receive. These are the same containers Ina herself uses and they’re great for leftover soup, broth, sauce and so much more. They’re also freezer, microwave and dishwasher safe!
‘Modern Comfort Food’
To cook like Garten, you’ll need to equip yourself with all her best recipes — many of which can be found in Garten’s cozy cookbooks, like Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.
WÜSTHOF Classic Seven Piece Knife Block Set
Garten loves this particular knife set so much, she once told Williams Sonoma that it’s one of the three pieces of cooking equipment she’d bring with her to a deserted island.
“I can make lots of perfectly delicious meals,” she said.
Leave a Comment