The Best Gifts for Foodies in 2019

The unique flavor of this sweet finishing vinegar will add a dash of excitement to your foodie’s meals. From cheese to salads and even vanilla ice cream, this cask-aged balsamic can enhance any dish with its balanced flavor of sweet figs and tart elderberries.

To buy: $18; mouth.com.

Time to upgrade your foodie’s Dutch oven game with fan favorite brand Le Creuset. The enameled cast iron kitchen tool is durable and perfect for slow-cooking, braising, and roasting, and is sure to become a staple in the recipient's kitchen. Choose from multiple sizes and colors, or you can even opt for a round shape instead of oval.

To buy: From $150; lecreuset.com.

RELATED: Cleaning and Seasoning a Cast Iron Skillet

Sous vide devices seem to be the latest "it" cooking tool, beloved for their ability to cook foods evenly because of the low temperatures and long cooking times. ChefStep’s Joule sous vide is one of Amazon’s best sellers, racking up nearly 1,500 five star reviews, and is Bluetooth and WiFi compatible for easy use and syncing up with the accompanying app.

To buy: $199; amazon.com.

For foodies with a busy life, finding the time to cook just isn’t always in the cards. Help them meal prep with a subscription service that pre-portions ingredients for up to 26 customizable recipes each week. The easy meals will be a weeknight game changer, having them cooking again and getting dinner on the table in 30 minutes.

To buy: From $8; homechef.com.

Kick up your foodie’s Instant Pot capabilities with a comprehensive set of accessories, including basics like parchment papers and kitchen tongs to cooking hacks like an eggs bite mold and recipe cheat sheets. Who knows? Maybe the set will encourage some creativity and they’ll discover completely new things to make in their Instant Pots they never knew about before.

To buy: $36; amazon.com.

If there’s no good Asian market near your foodie, he or she probably has a hard time locating high-quality mochi. Give a dual gift of an at-home activity and delicious dessert with this easy-to-use kit, which includes everything needed to make the Japanese treat using any ice cream flavor already in the freezer.

To buy: $30; uncommongoods.com.

Are your little ones (or you) tired of the same ol' snack options? They’ll flip for this fun take on ice pops that combines their love of monsters, dessert, and a DIY activity. Fill the flexible silicone “sleeves” with juice or ice cream, insert each into the included tray, and freeze for about three hours to create a creepy-looking frozen treat. The kit is compact (the tray fits in the freezer door) and cleanup is a cinch (it’s all stackable for easy storage).

To buy: $15; amazon.com.

The latest chocolate bark from Nashville's Bang Candy Co. is as decadent as it is colorful, made of Belgian white and dark chocolate and topped with popping candies and rainbow sprinkles. You can’t go wrong gifting foodies something that will captivate their taste buds with this many flavors and textures.

To buy: $25; mouth.com.

This hefty tome from famed food writer and recipe developer Julia Turshen is an inspiring addition to any kitchen bookshelf, whether the foodie you know is a cooking novice or a full-fledged chef. It’s chock-full of ideas for quick, easy, full-flavored dishes for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and desserts. Some of our favorites include newfangled creations like sour cream pancakes with roasted blueberries and peach and bourbon milkshakes to oldies but goodies like the ultimate, no-fail chicken soup (a Turshen family favorite). Poignant anecdotes and stunning photographs are woven in along with the expert instruction, making this cookbook—with forward by The Food Network’s Ina Garten—a definite keeper.

To buy: $23; amazon.com.

Foodies love few things more than to be able to add home-grown touches to their recipes. One of these shiitake mushroom logs won’t just be a conversation starter sitting prominently out in the kitchen but an excuse to whip up some tasty, mushroom-laden dishes and invite guests over for delicious home-cooked dinners.

To buy: $30; uncommongoods.com.

Looking for a gift that is a latte fun to use during the holidays and year-round? We’ve found a cute companion that coffee lovers would be happy to add to their kitchen collections. Fill this little device with cinnamon, coffee grounds, or cocoa and start drawing designs on your hot drinks in an instant. Looking to take your Saturday morning pancakes to the next level? This easy-to-operate device can help you add funny faces, phrases, or decorative swirls. If you're planning to serve eggnog at your holiday party, garnish the glasses with a cinnamon design to impress your guests.

To buy: $25; cinnibird.com.

Crafted in small batches according to European tradition, these pesto sauces pair deliciously with classic olive oil for dipping fresh bread. The trio includes a Tuscan Fresh Basil Pesto, an Olivada Olive Pesto with a hint of lemon, and Sun-Dried Tomato using vine-ripened California tomatoes. Pair the gift with a delicious loaf of ciabatta bread and you'll be the favorite gift-giver for sure.

To buy: $40; food52.com.

Food lovers hate wasting food (as they should), so make sure their pantries are equipped with top-of-the-line storage options. Ruibbermaid’s FreshWorks Produce Savers are beloved by Amazon shoppers, many of whom call the three-piece set “amazing” for how long the containers keep fruit and veggies fresh—giving you crisp lettuce, firm tomatoes, and tasty blackberries for way longer than you’d expect to be able to store them.

To buy: $27; amazon.com.

Sometimes recipes call for a specific amount of certain spices, and this spice rack not only includes those spices but also allows for precise measuring with the built-in dial tool. While the entire rack rotates so a home chef can easily spot what's needed, each of the 12 compartments is also detachable for even easier access to the necessary ingredients. These spice carousels can be mounted under a cabinet or a shelf, or you can stack multiple on top of each other for even more spice storage. Although they're made of plastic, the champagne finish looks similar to stainless steel and will match with the kitchen appliances your giftee already owns.

To buy: $35; amazon.com.

No matter who the recipient is—a party host, a mother-in-law, a close pal—it is hard to go wrong with this savory gourmet selection. The three-part, three-pound cheese pairing (including sheep’s milk, goat’s milk, and bleu cheddar) comes with crackers and cured fig preserves with the option to add cured salami for $10 more. If you’re bringing this gift to a holiday get-together, amp it up with a bottle of wine or incorporate it into a beautiful cheese board, adding a mix of fruit (grapes, strawberries, apples, or cherries) and a variety of nuts.

To buy: From $65; curedboulder.com.

These mixing bowls functional, of course, but also pretty enough to serve in and leave out as countertop decor. The faux marble glazing gives them a more sophisticated look than more common glass mixing bowls without detracting from their effectiveness and stackability for compact storage.

To buy: $40; cb2.com.

Foodies probably have a lot of different knives of all shapes and sizes, and the good thing about a knife block like this is the flexibility it provides. Without particular slots carved into the wood, this block allows your foodie friend to store knives up to eight inches long between flexible, rod-shaped pins that won’t dull or chip the blades.

To buy: $30; amazon.com.

If the foodie in your life is not cooking with ghee already, he or she should be. This dairy- and lactose-free compound butter is versatile and can handle the heat because it doesn't burn at high temperatures like regular butter. Use it to infuse intense flavor into veggies and meats or even just as a spread on a piece of toast for an afternoon snack. It is available in eight delicious flavors, including chocolate varieties, that will please any and all palates.

To buy: From $13; fourthandheart.com.

If your foodie’s counter space is a bit cramped or the idea of adding another cooking gadget to the mix is too much ,this pressure cooker lid will get them a makeshift air fryer using a device they already own. With this handy gadget, your foodie can air fry, broil, and crisp right in the stainless steel pot of an electric pressure cooker.

To buy: $60; amazon.com.

There’s no better gift than one you wouldn’t necessarily buy for yourself. Take this gorgeous bottle of olive oil: We know we’re supposed to buy and use the good stuff, but it can be a financial strain for those of us who cook every night—which makes this bottle an ideal holiday gift for food-lovers and culinary enthusiasts. Not only do you get a liter of some of Italy’s finest extra virgin olive oil but the gorgeous jar it comes in, too. Re-use it to hold future olive oils—opaque bottles like this help prevent light damage, which can decrease antioxidants.

To buy: $50 for 16 ounces, williams-sonoma.com.

Cheese on its own is a delight, but dressing it up with the proper serving instruments adds a definite air of sophistication. These three stainless steel pieces are topped with natural amethyst stones, which also means each set will be a little different, making for a unique gift only the recipient could have.

To buy: $78; shopterrain.com.

Scotch and tequila lovers alike will fall head over heels for this smoky but unbelievably smooth mezcal. Made from the agave called Espadín, the genetic parent of blue agave (which is used to make regular tequila), this beverage is gently smoked so it tastes like mesquite and charred fruit. The smoky flavor is milder than other mezcals on the market, making it a fantastic pick for someone who doesn’t have a ton of experience drinking the liquor. It’s best enjoyed chilled with a fresh orange wedge in a glass rimmed with salt.

To buy: $52; reservebar.com.

If your foodie could have one knife and one knife only, it would be this santoku from Japanese brand Shun Cutlery. The handcrafted, fine knife is as beautiful as it is sharp, and the all-purpose tool slices, dices, and minces with swift precision so home chefs can feel like the pros. The hand-hammered finish is also more than just a pretty touch, helping prevent food from sticking to the blade.

To buy: $200; amazon.com.

RELATED: These Are the Three Knives Every Home Cook Needs

Fermenting produce or making kimchi and sauerkraut requires a bunch of materials. This kit covers that, with three easy lids featuring waterproof airlock technology and an extractor pump. The lids are compatible with wide-mouth mason jars and the set even comes with a lifetime subscription to the brand’s Fermenting Club online community.

To buy: $27; amazon.com.

Made in Brooklyn, this bottle of spicy-sweet goodness makes a welcome addition to just about any dish. Use it to balance a mustardy salad dressing, drizzle it over fried chicken, o, do like they do in the borough and squeeze it over a pepperoni pizza (trust us—it works). Stuff a bottle of the hot honey sauce into a Christmas stocking or use it as part of a homemade chili-lovers gift basket by wrapping it with a variety of your favorite artisanal hot sauces or chili oil. But don’t worry, Mike’s Hot Honey is just a little bit spicy so it’s appropriate for all ages.

To buy: $9; amazon.com.

One of the biggest issues for coffee geeks is the freshness of their beans—did you know that coffee only stays fresh for three days after roasting? That means drinking A LOT of coffee if you want a fresh cup at home. Enter the elegant Zenroast, an easy, elegant way to roast your own coffee beans at home, making the gorgeous ceramic coffee bean roaster a must-have for true coffee obsessives. Each roaster is fired in one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns at a temperature of 1472 degrees. It can be used to roast tea leaves and sesame seeds, too, and it works on gas and electric stovetops.

To buy: $55; zenroast.co.

A dash of citrus works on many meals, but it’s always such a shame to waste the rest of the lemon or let it go bad with lackluster storage options. Gift your foodie this clever little kitchen tool so he or she can keep cut lemon wedges fresh and fragrant for days. The dishwasher-safe storage container is a cute way to spot lemons in the fridge, too, standing out on a crowded shelf with its bright, lemon shape.

To buy: $5; amazon.com.

Now you can enjoy the one-of-a-kind flavor of Baba & Pops Pulled-Pork Pierogis anywhere in the US because our friends at Goldbelly.com have made sure that these pork-stuffed Polish dumplings can be delivered right to your door. Handmade in a food truck in Denver, Colorado, these pillows of Polish tradition are filled with 18-hour dry-rubbed, slow-roasted pork shoulder. The original pierogi recipe comes from the owner's grandparents: Baba and Pops. Check out the Baba & Pops website for great ideas on how to eat these little nuggets. According to the experts, you can bake them, broil them, steam them, fry them, or do whatever else floats your boat.

To buy: From $59 for a dozen; goldbelly.com.

Little Belgians' Speculoos S’mores Kit provides a dessert just like the classic—cookie, marshmallow, chocolate—but so much better. The brand swapped the standard graham crackers for warmly spiced, intricately printed speculoos cookies with vanilla marshmallows and rich dark chocolate. There’s no need to wait until summer to enjoy these sophisticated sandwiches; enjoy them in front of the fireplace with a mug of hot cocoa or invite guests to assemble their own at your next dinner party. To make indoors, build sandwiches in the classic style, wrap in foil, and bake in the oven (or nestle in the embers of your fireplace) until the marshmallows are soft and the chocolate is melted.

To buy: $21 for a set of six; littlebelgians.com.

Professional bakers and chocolate makers love marble work surfaces because the stone remains cool to the touch. Marble rolling pins, like this one from Crate and Barrel, make easy work of rolling dough because it too stays cool, so your buttery pie dough won’t melt before you get it into the pie plate. Cold doughs yield under its healthy weight, so no need to go back and forth in the fridge while you’re cutting out cookie shapes. Each rolling pin is one of a kind due to the natural variance in the marble and comes with its own rubberwood stand so it can rest right at home on the counter.

To buy: $25; crateandbarrel.com.

These handy stoneware bottles will make your foodie’s kitchen look a little more like a quaint, whimsical restaurant, with classic font printed over a crisp white finish and adorned with cork bottle stoppers. Gift your foodies a delicious oil and vinegar set to go with the bottles so their new dispensers are full and ready for use right from the start, or add on the spice dipping set below so they can infuse whatever oil they already have.

To buy: $21 (was $29); westelm.com.

With an oil dipping kit like this, your foodie can turn any olive oil already in the kitchen into an herb-infused delicacy. The kit includes 15 herbs and spices from all over the world, letting your giftee experience the tastes of diverse cuisines by just adding a dash of this or that to olive oil.

To buy: $38; uncommongoods.com.

In an ideal world, all of our kitchen equipment would be as functional as it is beautiful. Enter Emile Henry's Ruffled Pie Dish from Sur La Table. Say "goodbye" to flimsy aluminum bakeware in favor of this sturdy Burgundy clay pan. The scratch-resistant glaze is virtually nonstick so you won't have to worry about your dismount again. Instead of juggling a removable bottom while crossing fingers that your tender dough walls stay intact, bring this lovely dish right to the table. Use it for open-faced quiches and tarts so you can show off those seasonal fillings.
 

To buy: $30 (was $50); surlatable.com.

A solid wood cutting board is a kitchen must-have, but one personalized with your foodies’ names carved in will make theirs stand out from what they might buy themselves. With the added customization, the cutting board can double as a serving platter or decorative cheese board after all the slicing and dicing is complete.

To buy: From $159; uncommongoods.com.

No one really wants to be on dish duty, but at least these festive kitchen towels bring some holiday cheer to the chore. With this set, you'll have the choice between using three towels, two animal themed and one in classic plaid They’re made of 100 percent cotton and can be tossed in the washing machine then tumbled dry when clean-up is done.

To buy: $32 (was $39); westelm.com.

More pieces that go effortlessly from kitchen prep to table, these melamine bowls work just as well for tossing salads as they do for mixing cakes. Each bowl has a convenient pouring spout that makes it ideal for transferring brownie batter to baking dishes, and the non-stick bottoms keeps them from tipping over in the hectic kitchen. You can give these lovely bowls a rinse and toss them right in the dishwasher, or pop on the lids to store the leftovers in your fridge. Choose from three colors based on your foodie's kitchen color scheme.

To buy: $40; crateandbarrel.com.

One of the most important culinary lessons you’ll learn is to season every layer while you’re cooking. Nothing makes that easier than keeping your favorite salt right on the counter next to the stove in a great-looking container. This olivewood box holds eight ounces of salt and has a swiveling lid with a magnetic latch so your salt stays protected and secure. A great gift for enthusiastic home cooks, this salt keeper can also be monogrammed for a personalized touch.

To buy: $35 (was $50); williams-sonoma.com.

If your foodie likes hosting, these decorative and edible flowers are a great and unique gift. Sprinkle these colorful botanicals on everything from stews to baked goods for an artistic touch or even leave them floating atop of teas and cocktails. When hosting dinner parties, the colorful accoutrements can dress up a cheese board or even give store-bought dishes a personalized touch.

To buy: $36; amazon.com.

What’s better than a four-pint pack of unique, small-batch ice cream sent right to you door? Boozy small batch ice cream sent right to your door. Tipsy Scoop continues a long family tradition of making artisanal ice cream but ups the ante by spiking each batch with your favorite cocktail flavors. With combinations like Tequila Mexican Hot Chocolate, Raspberry Limoncello Sorbet, and Cake Batter Vodka Martini, you’re sure to find a new favorite scoop. Give a quartet of these ice creams along with a four-pack of Guinness for the ultimate ice-cream float. Sorry, kids, this one’s just for the grownups.

To buy: $99 for four pints; goldbelly.com.

The days of plastic baggies are out, with reusable systems replacing them both for their superiority in keeping food fresh and reducing waste. Gift your foodie a set of these airtight, resealable bags so their kids' snacks stay crisp and sandwiches don't get soggy. Plus, you won't have to worry about smelly and wet leaks with the double zipper sealing design, making them great for transporting road trip and airplane snacks when you're on the go. Hand washing is recommended, and each baggie is estimated to replace up to 300 of the disposable versions.

To buy: $18; amazon.com.

Bring your friends some holiday spirit with this homemade gin kit. In just 36 hours, plain vodka becomes small-batch gin—a libation that’s so much more celebratory than the usual bottle of wine. The process is easy enough—the budding mixologist just needs to infuse vodka with the pre-measured tins of juniper berries and botanical mix (which includes coriander, rosemary, lavender, rose hips, allspice, fennel seed, lemon peel, greens cardamom, Tellicherry black pepper, and bay leaf.) Each kit makes two 375-milliliter glass bottles of the spirit, so there’ll be plenty to go around on New Year’s Eve. Our food editors suggest serving it with a splash of tonic and a wedge of lime.

To buy: From $50; food52.com.