This time last year, the food world was reeling from new studies linking black plastic cooking tools and Teflon cookware to high levels of harmful chemicals. Many home cooks responded by tossing their old plastic utensils and nonstick pans and opting instead for plastic-free kitchen tools and non-toxic cookware.
With the holidays approaching yet again, it’s the perfect time to replace well-worn tools or continue building your plastic-free kitchen with high-quality gear that will last a lifetime. To help you keep microplastics out of your Thanksgiving dinner, we’re sharing our favorite non-toxic pans and kitchen tools to shop ahead of the holiday season. Prices start at $9, with some discounted up to 40 percent.
Best Non-Toxic Cookware and Cooking Utensils for the Holidays
Earlywood 13-Inch Handmade Flat Wooden Spatula
Amazon
I’ll sing the praises of this handmade wooden tool to anyone who’ll listen. It’s the perfect sidekick to my trusty wooden spoon and comes in handy for jobs like stirring, serving, scraping, and even breaking up ground beef in a cast iron skillet. The flat design is easy to store, plus the natural wood looks great in the kitchen.
All-Clad Stainless Steel 5-Piece Utensil Set with Holder
Amazon
Is this 5-piece utensil set pricey? Yes. Will it last for decades with the proper care? Also yes. These pieces are made of durable, polished 18/10 stainless steel—the same quality I look for in flatware sets—and come with a matching crock to keep everything organized. They’re also dishwasher-safe and pair beautifully with any stainless steel cookware you may already own.
Lodge 10.25-Inch Cast Iron Skillet
Amazon
Cast iron has long been the classic choice for non-toxic cookware, since it lasts forever and can be used for practically any recipe. Lodge goes a step further with low-maintenance, pre-seasoned options that come ready to use. I’ve had mine for almost a decade now, and it’s showing no sign of slowing down.
Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Cookware Set
Amazon
We’ve tested trendy Caraway cookware for years and are consistently impressed by its nonstick performance and heat retention. The brand prides itself on creating healthier alternatives to traditional nonstick cookware made with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), commonly known as Teflon. Instead, the pots and pans are made with a lightweight ceramic-coated aluminum body that’s naturally nonstick and easy to clean.
OXO Good Grips Wooden Corner Spoon & Scraper
Amazon
If you’re concerned about microplastics in your food, look no further than a wooden spoon (the original non-toxic cooking utensil). This one from OXO is made of solid beechwood with a large, comfortable handle and a deep bowl for serving. The spoon shape features a straight corner to help access hard-to-reach parts of your pots and pans.
GreenPan Rio Ceramic Nonstick 12-Inch Frying Pan
Amazon
If you’re curious about ceramic cookware but don’t want to splurge on an entire set, start with a single frying pan first. GreenPan uses a diamond-reinforced ceramic coating that’s nonstick, dishwasher-safe, and super strong. The Rio line also offers matching saucepans and sauté pans, so you can build your collection if you fall in love with the frying pan, as many shoppers already have.
Amazon Basics Ceramic Nonstick Baking Sheet & Cooling Rack Set
Amazon
This chef-approved non-toxic baking sheet features a sturdy carbon-steel core and ceramic coating, making it lightweight, nonstick, and excellent at distributing heat. The baking sheet includes a matching rack that’s ideal for resting baked goods or roasting meat in the oven, and both are free of PFOA and PTFE.
OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel 4-Piece Kitchen Gadget Set
Amazon
This set of kitchen gadgets is made from stainless steel and silicone, so they keep microplastics out of your food while remaining comfortable to use for extended periods. The set includes a whisk, a pair of tongs, a potato masher, and a vegetable peeler—everything you need to prep essential Thanksgiving recipes.
Cuisinart 12-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set
Amazon
Like cast iron, stainless steel is a timeless cookware material that will last for generations if cared for correctly. It’s slightly more high-maintenance than traditional nonstick, but once you’ve gotten the hang of cooking with stainless steel, you’ll never want to go back to your old cookware again. Always wash your stainless steel pots and pans by hand and dry them immediately to avoid water spots.
Bee’s Wrap Beeswax Wraps
Amazon
Beeswax wraps are one of the more popular sustainable kitchen swaps, and I absolutely swear by them for storing leftover bread and cheese. This Bee’s Wrap set includes three sizes to cover bowls, protect produce, and wrap sandwiches. They’re made using organic cotton, ethically sourced beeswax, plant oils, and natural tree resin, so they’re compostable at the end of their lives (though I’ve gotten years of use out of a single wrap).
Rubbermaid Brilliance 8-Cup Glass Food Storage Container Set
Amazon
Don’t risk running out of food storage containers when it’s time to pack up Thanksgiving leftovers at the end of the night. These glass food storage containers are some of the best I’ve tested, with a stackable design and completely airtight lids. Keep in mind that these soda lime glass containers are more susceptible to sudden temperature changes than borosilicate glass.
Mooues 9-Piece Natural Teak Wooden Kitchen Utensil Set
Amazon
Teak is a popular wood for utensils because of its beautiful natural grain pattern and greater durability than bamboo, despite similar price points. This 9-piece set includes seven different utensils, a matching wood spoon rest, and a utensil holder, all for under $30.
Epicurean All-in-One Cutting Board
Amazon
Plastic cutting boards certainly have their advantages, but research shows that wooden cutting boards can be just as sanitary (if not more so). Epicurean cutting boards split the difference with a paper composite material that’s also dishwasher-safe. If you’re looking for a high-quality, non-toxic cutting board for meat or larger tasks, opt for another one of our tested favorites from John Boos.
Pyrex Essentials Glass Mixing Bowls Set
Amazon
These Pyrex glass mixing bowls are in constant rotation in my kitchen, whether I’m cooking something savory for dinner or preparing a batch of cupcakes. The 3-piece set nests together for storage and will only set you back $18. The smooth tempered glass is easy to clean by hand, but the bowls are also dishwasher-safe for those extra-busy days.
