Kitchen Tools That Simplify Your Holiday Cooking—All $25 and Under

This mini electric can opener from Kitchen Mama not only makes opening cans easier but takes up less space than a full-sized can opener, making storage simple. To use, place the opener on top of the can, align it with the rim, and press the button. Hands-free can openers are a staple in the Kitchen Appliances Lab because they save time and effort compared to manual models.

RELATED: Best Electric Can Openers

Kitchen shears can be used to cut herbs or bacon, or remove the backbone from a turkey for a spatchcocked bird. This stainless steel pair from Henckels is dishwasher-safe and can be taken apart for easy cleaning.

This peeler is another favorite of Kitchen Appliance analysts for its easy-to-use and time-saving design. The OXO peeler swivels back and forth, peeling in both directions, which cuts down on time and effort.

This nonstick, inch-deep sheet pan from GoodCook lets you cook two dishes separately on one pan. The Kitchen Awards winner is ideal for roasting a variety of vegetables or cooking different types of meat simultaneously.

RELATED: Good Housekeeping Kitchen Awards

Homemade gravy and stocks are delicious, but removing the fat can be a pain, which is where fat separators come in handy. This model from OXO comes in 4-cup and 2-cup versions and features a strainer at the top to catch food bits. It also has a raised shield that helps prevent splatter when adding liquids to the separator. Once the fat separates from the broth and juices, the spout allows you to pour the fat-strained liquids.

This set from Stasher is a GH Kitchen Award winner and a favorite among analysts who use these stretch lids in the Lab and at home. The reusable lids are made of silicone and stretch over bowls and dishes you already have, turning them into food storage containers. The four-pack comes with 9-inch, 6.5-inch, 4.5-inch, and 2.5-inch stretch lids.

While seasonings and marinades enhance flavor, a meat thermometer is key to perfectly cooked meals. Since meats like poultry and beef can dry out quickly, using a thermometer removes the guesswork by ensuring the ideal internal temperature.

This ThermoPro model folds down, making it compact and occupying minimal storage space. The digital display screen is large and backlit, making it ideal for checking temperatures in low light. It also features an auto-wake-and-sleep function that is motion-activated when opening and closing the thermometer.

RELATED: Best Meat Thermometers

Victorinox has won multiple Kitchen Awards over the years for its 4-inch paring knife. It's easy to use and versatile; you can use it on everything from fruits to meat and bread. This set from the brand includes a straight-edge and wavy-edge paring knife along with a tomato knife.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances Lab, we use these durable plastic cutting boards from OXO daily. They are easy to clean; we just throw them in the dishwasher at the end of the day. The boards have silicone corners to help keep them in place when cutting and chopping. They also have deep grooves that catch drippings and juices, stopping them from spilling all over your countertop.

Slow cookers are essential when cooking large meals, especially for the holidays. They allow you to get a head start on dishes that take longer to cook. They also have a keep-warm feature that keeps your food warm until the rest of the meal is ready. Normally, this 6-quart cooker retails for around $30, but before the holiday, it's on sale for $22.

Spices from Burlap & Barrel are a staple in Kitchen Appliances Lab analyst Eva Bleyer's home, with the Vietnamese Royal Cinnamon among her many favorites. The brand works directly with small farmers to source fresh, fragrant herbs and spices from all over the world.

Sprinkling flaky salt on your dishes not only makes you look like a fancy chef but also brings flavors to the forefront. Herbs and spices are great for adding depth to your meals, but sometimes, after all that, you just need salt. While we love various brands of flaky sea salt, Kitchen Appliances analysts agree that you can't go wrong with Maldon; it's a classic.