A kitchen timer may not be the trendiest culinary tool, but this little gadget is invaluable for established chefs and home cooks alike—and it shouldn't be overlooked. Though most ovens and phones have built-in timers these days, having a separate one devoted to other various kitchen tasks will ensure flawless food every time. There are plenty of terrific options out there, each offering different features and styles, so we researched the top-rated items to help you narrow down the right one for your home.

We all wish we had the kind of time that goes into making a homemade soup from scratch, which often involves simmering for hours on the stove to let the flavors marry and allow the consistency to thicken to perfection. Realistically, though, there seem to never be enough hours in the day, especially workdays, to make your own soup. Luckily, there are plenty of tasty canned soup options from which to choose, and while canned foods may not have the most glamorous reputation, these soups can rival homemade and give you valuable time back.

The concept of meal prepping is simple: Cook a bunch of food or prep loads of ingredients early in the week all at once to minimize the time you'll need to spend in the kitchen later. It can even be a helpful strategy in reducing food waste and sticking to your budget—but like many things in life, it’s easier said than done. Meal prepping takes planning; this is not the time for improv cooking. Fortunately, there is no shortage of cookbooks to help guide newbies and seasoned meal preppers to ensure they’re getting the most out of their meal prep efforts.

Thanks to an explosion of new meat substitute products, now is a great time to experiment with vegetarianism and veganism. These companies have been able to achieve what we thought was impossible: products that taste, feel, and cook like meat, minus any actual meat from animals.