Gift Guide for Soup Lovers 2023

Winter is just around the corner, and it’s time to get serious about soup-making. For the cooks in your life — and you! — I have the ultimate Gift Guide for Soup Lovers, curated from my years of cooking soup and being super picky about the items that get a permanent spot in my kitchen. These are my very favorite tools, small appliances, and cookware! Updated for 2023.

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Note that this post contains affiliate links to tools, appliances, and cookware that I have purchased myself, used in my own kitchen, and endorse with a full heart. I’ve identified all links so that you know where you’re going before you click them.

Small Appliances

Choosing the right small appliance can be a little stressful because not only are they higher ticker items, but they’ll occupy valuable storage space. Here are a few of the appliances that have earned permanent spots in my kitchen.

Nutribullet (Amazon)

I never in a minute expected to become as fond of the NutriBullet as I am — “as seen on TV” products are not my thang. But, I use the NutriBullet all the time, and not just for smoothies. I use it for salad dressings, pureeing soups, smoothing out sauces — anything that’s appropriate for a regular blender.

Best of all, it’s super easy to clean. This model comes in multiple colors now to match the kitchen decor. I really just love this thing.

Vitamix A2300 Ascent Series Smart Blender (Amazon)

It took me a long time to cave (and save!) to buy a Vitamix. I reached the tipping point when I began making dairy-free cashew cream on the reg: It’s asking the NutriBullet a lot to grind nuts to a silky smooth consistency.

I also was growing tired of my juicer, which had served me well for many years, but whose cleaning regime was more than I was willing to commit to in a typical day. This is the model that fits underneath my cabinets, so it sits out on the counter at all times. Its power truly is impressive!

One word of caution, however: the model I own (above) has a “low-profile” jar (so that it fits beneath cabinets) with a wide base. One of the drawbacks of this jar is that it really can’t handle small quantities of anything: whipping up just 1 cup of cashew cream just isn’t something this blender is going to do.

The wide base means that more of the ingredients fit and spin below the blades. The true power of a high-speed blender comes from its ability to whirl the ingredients up and around the jar. Small quantities of nuts, smoothies, dressings, etc. tend to just sit at the bottom and not hit the blades often enough to shred them.

For family/couple quantity use – e.g., morning smoothies for 2; a week’s worth of cashew cream – this is not an issue. But for single servings of things, you might want to compare the low-profile model with the original-style upright (Amazon) to determine which model would be better suited.

Cuisinart 9-Cup Food Processor (Amazon)

I don’t think I have to do a hard-sell on a food processor. 😉 I go through stages when I think I can get rid of it, in favor of other appliances that might handle the work, but then, thankfully, a recipe will come along and remind me of the usefulness of the machine, and so it stays put.

In addition to chopping, grating, and slicing, it makes great dough. In fact, I rarely use my KitchenAid mixer anymore for that purpose (so much so that I do not have a KA on this list, either).

Instant Pot 10-in-1 Multi-Functional Pressure Cooker, 6 Qt. and more (Amazon)

I remember oh-so-well the pressure cookers from my childhood. Big, stove-top things that spit water and hissed and chugged like a lawn sprinkler. My mom was far braver than I to use such a thing, I can tell you that! Nothing cleared the kitchen of children faster than that pressure cooker.

But today’s pressure cookers, are much, much safer, and far less intimidating. This is a great size for meals for a family of 4, or meals for 2 with leftovers. (See it in action in my Instant Pot Chili Mac recipe.

I also own a 3 Qt, which was an impulse buy on Prime Day. But it’s become an appliance that sits on my counter all the time. I use the 6 Qt model for meals (soups, etc.) and the 3 Qt for ingredient prep and side dishes, such as beans from dried (so good!), rice, hard-boiled eggs (the things you’ve heard about easy peeling are absolutely true), “baked” sweet potatoes.

It might seem ridiculous to have two pressure cookers, but I use both all of the time, so, it’s worth the storage space. (See the 3 qt in action in my Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce recipe.)

Electric Coffee Grinder (for spices) (Amazon)

The best way to buy, store, and use spices is to purchase them in their whole form whenver you can, and then grind them fresh as you need them. Coriander, cumin, star anise, fennel seeds, allspice berries, mustard seeds — these and more are spices that store very well whole, but, once ground, lose their zing pretty quickly.

I keep this grinder on my counter, I use it that much. It’s also perfect for grinding up dried chili peppers for homemade chili powder or curry spice blends.

I have a beautiful mortar and pestle that also sits on my counter … unused. As a serious cook, I know I’m supposed to prefer the mortar and pestle, but I just can’t argue with the efficiency of the electric grinder. I recently upgraded to this model from the old reliable Krups that I had for years. The Krups model is great … except that you can’t rinse it with water, making clean-up a two- or three-step process.

This model has a removable cup that’s washable and quite roomy. Now I find myself mixing up all kinds of spice blends, like ranch seasoning and home-smoked chili powder. A really great purchase!

KitchenAid Pro Line Hand Blender (Amazon)

Probably my most used small appliance in the kitchen. Super effective for blending soup right in the pot, whipping up salad dressings and marinades in the 4-cup Pyrex cup mentioned below, and smoothing out sauces.

Blenders are great, but so often I just don’t want to drag out that big ole thang (or clean it up later). This unit has the power to do the job, and clean-up is barely more than rinsing. (See it in action in my Creamy Pumpkin Soup recipe.)

Tools & Gadgets

They’re small, with a small price tag, but over the years I’ve probably spent more money trying to find just the right tools. Most of the list below, I’ve had for years and years and they consistently perform.

Cuisipro Silver Measuring Spoon Set (Amazon)

I’m not sure if you can actually fall in love with a set of measuring spoons, but if not, this is pretty dang close. Glancing through the first couple of pages of spoons on Amazon, I think I’ve used most of them, lol. But this set from Cuisipro is an absolute keeper.

Not only are they sleek, elegant, and display-worthy, but they have these features: all but the tablespoon fit in retail spice jars (and the tablespoon does fit my adorable spice jars (Amazon)). They sit flat on the counter, so you can pre-fill them with spices or liquids and set them down without spilling. They’re stainless steel so they clean up beautifully.

Cuisipro Odd Size Measuring Spoons (Amazon)

The companion set to standard measuring spoons above, it features measurements like 2 teaspoons and a “pinch.” The set comes in extra handy for baking and dividing recipes in half.

Smithcraft Stainless Steel Measuring Cup Set (Amazon)

Like my measuring spoons, I’m completely smitten with this set of measuring cups, which I’ve had for a long time. In addition to being beautiful, they are, above all else, accurate — and accuracy is surprisingly absent from so many measuring cups.

Another really important feature that you don’t notice until it’s too late: each cup and handle surface is perfectly flat, so when you go to level off that measure of flour, you can do it in one smooth swipe.

Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls Set of 6 (Amazon)

These nested bowls are the workhorses of my kitchen. Every cook should have mixing bowls in their kitchen. Stainless steel is practically indestructible and can withstand whisking, mixing, and things like shredding chicken with forks or chopping through a salad’s worth of lettuce with kitchen shears. Easy to clean by hand, but also dishwasher safe.

I frequently prepare soup ingredients ahead of time, and they get stashed in these bowls and stored in the fridge. They’re multi-purpose and I don’t think I could stand cooking without them!

Victorinox Swiss Classic 3.1-inch Straight Edge Paring Knife (Amazon)

Seven years ago, I would’ve unhesitatingly counseled every new cook to save up their pennies for a fancy, high-end knife, like my gorgeous Shun chef’s knife (Amazon). I love my Shun knives, and I certainly have gotten my money’s worth out of them … but … I no longer tell people go for high-end knives. Not as long as Victorinox keeps putting out these miracle blades.

I’ve used my share of cheap, junk knives that were returned or donated within a month of purchasing. But these are not cheap, junk knives. They’re inexpensive, yes, but they’ve become my most used knives in the kitchen.

They have fabulous thin blades that retain an insanely sharp edge, and are cheaply shaped up with a no-frills, hand-held knife sharpener (Amazon). I cannot recommend the Victorinox line more highly. Seriously, these knives rock.

Victorinox 10-inch Chef’s Knife (Amazon)

Ditto to everything I said above about the paring knife. The paring knife and this chef’s knife are my food prep assistants. My Shun knives, while heart-achingly beautiful in craftsmanship and design, remain sheathed more often than not. Plus, again, these are very affordable, and perfect for gifting someone’s first kitchen.

Pyrex 4 Cup Measuring Cup (Amazon)

The XL version of the classic 1-cup glass measuring cup comes in handy for whisking up salad dressings and marinades, as well as measuring out broths and stocks for your soup. And because it’s glass, it’s microwaveable, too.

Microplane Zester/Grater (Amazon)

One of the few truly indispensable tools in the kitchen, this grater makes quick work of zesting citrus, grating fresh nutmeg, ginger, and garlic, and creating fine shreds of Parm. Easy to use, easy to clean.

Asian Mesh Strainer/Spider (Amazon)

I use this tool all the time to transfer cooked pasta, noodles, and tortellini from their cooking water into my soups. It has more uses than that, of course, but its use for soup means that it’s one of the half dozen or so tools that sit next to my stove at all times.

Digital Kitchen Stainless Steel Scale (Amazon)

Although more commonly used for baking, a kitchen scale comes in handy on a number of fronts (including US/metric measurement conversions). In fact, if more folks had a scale in their kitchen, I would do all of my soup recipes in weights, rather than using vague ingredient measures like “1 small onion.”

Schmidt Brothers Acacia Downtown Magnetic Knife Block (Amazon)

I’ve struggled a lot with knife blocks. Because I don’t have a matching knife set, my choices are limited to universal blocks with flexible storage.

For a long time, I had a slotless model filled with rubber bristles. It worked for many years, but the bristles eventually began stiffening and breaking down, making it nearly impossible to insert knives.

While I like the idea of a magnetic knife display, I have pets who love being in the kitchen with me. I’m also a chronic worrier with a vivid imagination of knives being knocked to the floor below. No way. This sleek, double-sided magnetic knife block both holds knives securely and provides a plastic safety shield to prevent knives from being knocked off the block.

Tofudee Tofu Press (Amazon)

The key to really tasty, meat-substituting tofu dishes is to squeeze the ever-lovin’ heckins out of a block of extra firm tofu to remove the excess packing liquid. Which is not as easy as it sounds. Tofu is a mighty sponge, and the very quality that makes it so well-suited to absorbing marinades is the reason it’s so difficult to displace the water it comes packaged with.

If you or your loved one prepare a lot of tofu, you’ll immensely appreciate having a device that will remove all of that liquid for you, quickly, without the awkward mess of piling heavy objects on top of the tofu to drain it into a wasteful wad of paper towels.

Rubbermaid Brilliance Storage Containers (Amazon)

I’ve struggled mightily with dry goods storage solutions. It’s an investment, no doubt about it, and when you head down the wrong path, it hits you in the wallet.

I’ve tried everything from glass Mason jars (reliable, but heavy and non-stackable) to metal tins (just … no).

But eventually, I stumbled upon the Brilliance line of plastic storage containers from Rubbermaid. Eureka.

Sturdy and clear containers with a solid seal, these beauties were the answer to everything, and now, three years later, they’re still the stars of my kitchen pantry.

A few details I really love about this brand:

• clear lids.
• although there are many sizes in the collection, there are just a few “shapes,” so, all of the matching shapes have interchangeable lids.
• they’re perfectly and very securely stackable (take that Mason jars!)
• they have a solid seal that keeps even flour fresh.

They’re not the most frugal solution, granted, but they’ll make great gifts for the new cook! I’ve found a few select sizes at Target, but this link will take you to the search results on Amazon, where you can browse all of the sizes and pre-packaged sets, to get a good idea of what might work for you.

Cookware

I’m very picky about my cookware. I don’t willy-nilly buy the latest fad in pots and pans (looking at you, Hexclad), but rather stalk around purchases for weeks before pulling out the old credit card. I’m also not inclined to buy full sets because so many come with pieces that I’ll just never use. Below are the pieces that are stars of my kitchen, most of which you’ll see in photos throughout this blog.

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Sauteuse Oven, 3.5 qt (Amazon)

I hadn’t owned a Le Creuset Dutch Oven in many years. I scorched the interior of one during a jam-making session and was so disgusted that I banished it to the garage, where I’ve since lost track of it (it’ll turn up eventually!).

After that incident, I became a die-hard Staub girl, falling in love with its roughly-textured, black interior. However, I’ve been really wanting a white-on-white soup pot in a fairly small size. I write almost all of my soup recipes configured for 4 cups of liquid — a 3-quart pot is too small, while a 5 quart is ridiculously too large.

I saw this pot in a William-Sonoma email some years ago and became immediately smitten. I vastly prefer wider, low-walled cooking vessels, and knew that the 3 1/2 Qt would be the perfect size. This pot is just gorgeous, and you’ll see it in almost all of my soup photos since 2019.

Also, there is a sparkly Midnight Blue color that I’m absolutely swooning over, and if I ever come up with a reasonable justification for another Dutch oven, I’m going to jump on it immediately.

T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized Scratch-Resistant Titanium Nonstick Fry Pan (Amazon)

I don’t know what my problem is sometimes, lol, but for many years, I had very snobby feelings about this line of cookware. And then I bought one pan.

It’s probably my most-used skillet right now, as I’ve caved to the convenience of the oven-safe, PFOA-free non-stickery. I even pan-fried a steak last the other night in it (using just a very brief bout of medium-high heat to get things going, before patiently creating that crust over medium heat with lots of flipping). It’s a dream with eggs, and just an all-around reliable, everyday pan.

Calphalon Classic Nonstick All Purpose Pan with Cover (Amazon)

I do try to avoid nonstick cookware as much as possible, but this pan is one exception. Smallish and low-walled, I turn to this pan often for things like stir fries, creamy pasta dishes, frying eggs, meatball making, and, during the winter when I’m not too eager to stand in front of the grill, hamburgers. Love this pan! (See it in action in my Pizza Chicken recipe.)

Anolon Advanced Hard Anodized Nonstick Saute Fry Pan (Amazon)

This is one of my favorite everyday cooking pans. I use it for everything, from preparing spaghetti, to frying eggs and veggie burgers, to toasting buns slathered in butter, to cooking saucy pasta dishes.

Its non-stick surface is a dream, and the glass lid really comes in handy. I love the wide, roomy surface, which accommodates burgers, sliders, salmon fillets, etc., without overcrowding.

Anolon Advanced Hard Anodized Nonstick Sauce Pan/Saucepan with Straining Lid, 2 Qt (Amazon)

I’m almost always impressed with the Anolon line of cookware, and I own many pieces. This pot is not large enough for a family serving of soup, but I use it for so many other things, such as preparing mac and cheese, rice, or cooking pasta, gnocchi, ravioli. Or a quick miso mushroom soup for myself for lunch.

The feature I love most, however, is the straining lid. While the colander I list below is awesome, sometimes I’m just very grateful for one less thing to wash after dinner. The straining lid works great.

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Iron Handle Skillet, 11.75″ (Amazon)

This is probably my favorite skillet. I use it often and even made a skillet pecan pie in it the other week. It has a dark interior and that famous Le Creuset “Flame” exterior and goes from stovetop to oven without a hitch. Being enameled cast iron, its non-stick quality and stove-top-to-oven ease is perfect for dishes such as homemade pizza and pasta frittatas. (See it in action in my Cajun Mac and Cheese recipe.)

Lodge Cast Iron Skillet (Amazon)

For sheer utility and economics, you cannot beat Lodge. If you’re new to cast iron cooking, go with the Lodge skillet. You’ll never have to — or want to — buy another cast iron skillet for the rest of your cooking life.

Staub Cast Iron Essential Oven 3.75 Qt. (Amazon)

In the ongoing wars between Le Creuset and Staub, I do come down on the side of Staub, despite my crushes on the pans above. I *love* their cookware. Their black interiors and ever-so-slightly rough surfaces are perfect for browning meat. And they don’t stain (or, if they do, you can’t see it – hello, inky-black goodness).

I actually own three Staub Dutch ovens, and they’re all just fabulous. (See it in action in my General Tso’s Chicken Soup recipe.)

18/8 Stainless Steel Micro-Perforated Colander (Amazon)

For the longest time, I had an old-fashioned colander: mostly solid with largish holes poked in a designy pattern. I tried lots of other strainers, including collapsible silicone, and all sorts of basically novelty items that didn’t make the cut after the first use.

Each time, I went back to my old-fashion colander. Until this micro-perforated wunderkind. A sturdy mesh of fine holes ensures rapid and thorough draining, while restraining the contents within the basket. Good stuff.

Bar Keeper’s Friend (Amazon)

A cook’s kitchen isn’t complete without Bar Keepers Friend, because, let’s face it, burning happens. This very night, salmon marinade escaped its parchment paper and burned all over the baking sheet upon which it was roasting. Mess! A short soaking with Bar Keepers Friend, and the hard soot came right up. There’s not a pot cleaning challenge this product hasn’t lived up to, and it’s stainless steel’s BFF.

Note that I’ve linked to it here on Amazon, but it should be readily available at most grocery stores and Walmart, Target. There’s also a powdered version, but I prefer the liquid.

Starter Kits

For new cooks — or first-time households — a collection of cooking essentials makes a thoughtful and lovely gift. I really like the idea of a “kit” because while many kitchen tools are must-have’s, they’re not exactly glamorous gifts individually.

But pick a few things from this list, plus any of the lists above, and tuck them alongside a nice Dutch oven, and you have Christmas all wrapped up!

Kitchen Towels (Amazon)

A nice stack of kitchen towels is one of those things that new cooks are often loathe to spend money on when there are so many other fun items to devote those dollars to. (I’m still the same way tbh). This style comes in many different colors to match any kitchen.

Large Soup Mugs (Amazon)

Households with kids are no doubt different, but for one or two adults, there’s just nothing cozier than curling up on the couch with a big mug of soup to binge-watch the latest thing. I have a frightfully large collection of soup mugs, and they all end up getting used during the week.

Custom Soup Spoons (Etsy)

Soup connoisseurs are often souper picky about their soup spoons. The bowl has to be just so. The handle has to be comfortable and long enough not to get lost in the soup bowl (or mug!).

These stamped spoons are just adorable and will bring a smile to your soup chef’s face. They’re also unique Secret Santa gifts for the office. This artisan also takes custom requests. Who wouldn’t love a No Soup for You spoon!

Box Grater (Amazon)

A box grater is a basic but very handy kitchen item, especially if a food processor with grating disks is out of the question. They’re deceptively tricky, though. You need rubber footing so the box doesn’t slip. Sharp blades that stay sharp. And a wide handle to comfortably accommodate a variety of hand sizes.

Clip-on Strainer (Amazon)

While some pots come with lid strainers (like one of mine above), many don’t and for smaller batches of beans or pasta or rice, I love this clip-on strainer, versus pulling out the big stand-alone strainer. The strainer attaches to the side of your pot, making fast work of draining out liquid. Easy clean-up, too.

Cooking Utensils Set (Amazon)

I’m generally not a big fan of big sets of miscellaneous gadgets, but this might be the exception. Having a collection of various shaped utensils comes in very handy, as the cook figures out their favorites. They’ll no doubt whittle down the set to a subset of workhorse tools, but that’s okay. Giving this as a gift saves a lot of legwork on their part.

Floor mat (Amazon)

Young feet and backs might argue otherwise, but in my kitchen, a cushioned floor mat is a requirement! It not only protects the floor around the prep area from heavy or sharp things falling to the floor (it happens!), but it also eases pressure points on the body. I think it’s a must-have for people who love to cook.

Apron (Amazon)

I’ll admit that I have trouble following my own advice on this one lol, but an apron is definitely a nice thing to have in the soup lover’s kitchen. At this point in my cooking life, I really don’t make splattery messes on my clothing anymore, but one thing that cooking soup does unavoidably produce is cooking aromas. That end up saturating whatever shirt I’m wearing.

They’re also very convenient for grilling season, where you’re bringing various tools with you out to the grill. And for anyone who has a habit of wiping their hands on their pants, an apron will save some laundry.

Kitchen Shears (Amazon)

I honestly can’t believe that I hadn’t added kitchen shears to the Tools & Gadgets category above long ago. My own pair are in the running for the most used tool in the kitchen. I use them for everything from trimming meat to chopping salad greens — load them up in a mixing bowl and snip through them vertically.

This heavy-duty pair handles breaking down a whole chicken and snipping delicate herbs with equal ease.

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I hope you’ve found this list interesting and useful, and, please, if you have a cook’s tool that you love, do share below! I’m always on the lookout for something fabulous. 😉