Cooking vegan meals doesn’t need to be complicated or time-consuming. With the right gadgets and tools, you can save time, make food prep easier, and enjoy delicious plant-based meals every day.
Since going vegan, we’ve tested so many gadgets and now know what’s worth keeping in your kitchen — and what’s not! Below you’ll find our list of handy gadgets and time-savers that make vegan cooking smoother, fun, and stress-free.
This article is part of our 3-part Vegan Kitchen Essentials series, so don’t forget to also check out our guides to appliances and utensils & tools.
Zester
A small but mighty gadget. A zester is perfect for adding lemon zest, grating frozen ginger, garlic, or even sprinkling vegan parmesan. It takes up almost no space and is easier to clean than a box grater.
Lime Squeezer
Quick, easy, and mess-free. A lime or lemon squeezer is one of those tools you’ll use constantly, whether for fresh juices, salad dressings, or cocktails.
Nut Milk Bag
Perfect for straining homemade soy, almond, or oat milk. You can also use it for juicing blended fruits. It’s simple, reusable, and cuts down on waste.
Garlic Press
A total must-have in our vegan kitchen. If you don’t have the patience to mince garlic by hand, this little press is a lifesaver. Look for one with a built-in cleaner to make washing up easier.
Salad Spinner
Not essential, but useful if you eat a lot of greens. It dries leafy veg quickly and saves time compared to dabbing them with towels.
Olive Oil Sprayer
A handy eco-friendly swap for aerosol sprays. Great for air-frying or adding just a light mist of oil to crisp up veggies.
Tofu Press
If you cook tofu often, this tool helps drain water quickly and evenly. Sure, you can press tofu with heavy books and a towel, but this makes it effortless — or even a thoughtful vegan gift.
Spiraliser
Fun for making veggie noodles like zucchini spaghetti (“zoodles”). If you love raw meals, this is great, though it may end up under-used if you’re not a zoodle fan.
Pestle & Mortar
Ideal for grinding spices, making curry paste, or even pressing tofu. Versatile and long-lasting, this one earns a spot in our kitchen.
Compost Bin
A countertop compost bin with filters keeps smells away and fruit flies out. Or, freeze scraps in a sealed container for an easy, mess-free option.
Mandoline
If you love perfectly sliced veggies, this tool saves time. Great for scalloped potatoes, sauerkraut prep, or onion slices.
Ice Cream Scoop
Stronger than a regular spoon and useful beyond desserts — it’s perfect for serving mashed potatoes too.
Coconut Opener
For the brave coconut lovers! Makes opening coconuts much safer and easier than using a cleaver.
Pastry Cutter
Essential if you make pastry from scratch. Keeps vegan butter cold while mixing with flour. Also works for chopping nuts or mashing fruit.
Olive / Cherry Pitter
Only necessary if you want to keep fruit intact. Otherwise, you can skip it.
Pastry Brush
Avoid bristle brushes (many are made with pig hair). A silicone pastry brush is durable, easy to wash, and 100% vegan.
Wine Opener
If you open wine often, a “rabbit” style opener makes it quick and effortless.
Coffee Maker – Manual
We love the Aeropress. It makes excellent coffee, travels well, and is less fragile than many machines. Perfect for solo coffee drinkers.
Milk Frother
Transforms non-dairy milk into silky froth with the push of a button. A simple upgrade that makes mornings so much better!
Teapot & Tea Strainer
For tea lovers, a glass teapot with built-in strainer is perfect. When you want just one cup, a small tea strainer does the job.
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Let’s Discuss!
What are your favorite time-saving gadgets in the kitchen? Did we miss one you can’t live without? Share your thoughts in the comments — we’d love to hear from you!
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