So, you’ve got a foodie on your holiday shopping list and you don’t know what to get them? While the most obvious answer is something they can eat, some of the best gifts for foodies aren’t edible. Chef-worthy pots and pans, pretty dining ware, and elegant hosting staples all make perfect presents, too, guaranteed to put a smile on your favorite foodie’s face. And while you’re probably thinking these will cost you a pretty penny, think again. Turns out, you don’t have to drain your savings to get them the aforementioned cookware and entertaining essentials.
There are plenty of thoughtful, high-quality gifts for foodies that are well under $50 that’ll leave them glowing. Whether they’re a pro chef trying to up their game, an at-home barista who spends more time on coffee than cooking, or a social butterfly who’s seemingly always hosting, here are the best, budget-friendly gifts for the foodie in your life.
30 Best gifts for foodies that are all $50 or less
Cooking gifts:
When it comes to tried-and-true kitchen brands, Cuisinart is hard to beat (get it?). High on our list is this powerful hand mixer that makes blending mashed potatoes, whipped cream, and cookie dough a piece of cake. Other suggestions? This Deluxe Electric Can Opener that’ll put manual openers to shame, or this Digital Temperature Fork ($33) that comes with an LED light so you can see what you’re doing. All under $50, might we add.
These pretty, quilted terry oven mitts from Design Imports add a pop of color to any cooking space while protecting hands from hot baking trays and roasting pans. They have hanging loops sewed into the sleeves for easy storage and have an inner Silverstone lining for heat protection.
A great film and a delicious meal go hand in hand. This cookbook, created by Andrew Rea of the internet-famous Binging With Babish video series, features recipes of some of the most iconic film dishes ever
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For the friend who won’t shut up about their Always Pan (rightfully so, I mean, it’s awesome), get ’em a matching grill press. The enameled cast iron accessory is perfect for getting a restaurant-quality sear right at home. And it’s available in the same candy colors as the pan, so you can get matchy-matchy with it.
Plot twist: You don’t have to drop $$$ on professional grade cookware. This hardy, carbon steel wok is a dream for stir-frying and sautéing, heating meat and veggies evenly without ever getting them stuck to the pan. It’s safe for all stove types, too, but the real star of the show is the price tag.
Simple. Chic. Sophisticated. That’s what these gold measuring cups are. And they come in a cute cotton bag, so you don’t even have to wrap them. Just pop ’em in your favorite baker’s stocking or under the tree as a sweet treat.
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If your foodie is just now getting into cooking or is in desperate need of an equipment upgrade, this 10-piece utensil set from Pioneer Woman is a stellar gift option. Made with high-temperature silicone and natural acacia wood handles, this stylish set has everything you’d ever need to create a culinary spread, including a whisk, a spaghetti server, and even a spoonula (spoon mixed with a spatula, FYI).
Drink gifts:
For the at-home mixologist who’s always seems to know your signature drink, these art deco-inspired ice cube trays are a must. Each cube rounds out at a whopping 2.5-inches, turning any cocktail into a work of art without watering it down. We’ll cheers to that.
If they’re less bartender and more barista, this pink milk frother will bring their brew routine some comfort and joy. The rechargeable frother foam-ifies drinks in seconds via two detachable whisks that make clean-up easy breezy. Their caffeine habit will thank you.
No beverage cart should go without these mouth-watering simple syrups from Daysie. Made with organic wildflower honey and cane sugar, they’re seriously the sweetest way to glow-up coffee, tea, and mocktails. This nifty trio includes three of the brand’s best-selling flavors—including Madagascar Vanilla, Coconut Almond, and Salted Caramel—that taste good in everything. Even sweeter, 2.1 percent of the brand’s profits go supporting women entrepreneurs, making it a gift that keeps on giving.
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Clevr Blends’ superlattes are so dang good, it’s no wonder they’ve landed on Oprah’s Favorite Things list two years in a row now. The brand just launched its version of a London Fog complete with Earl Grey tea, Indonesian vanilla, and Italian bergamot oil. Simply scoop the powder into your favorite mug of hot water, give it a stir (or a froth—it includes a frother) and enjoy.
‘Tis the season for cozy, holiday-themed drinks! This 2-pack of organic coffee grounds from Chicago French Press features two flavors of medium-roast java: Winter Wonderland, flavored with vanilla creme, hazelnut, and white chocolate, and Snickerdoodle, flavored with cinnamon, brown sugar, and cocoa.
This resealable duo ships out on 12/4, ensuring freshness for your giftee.
A bottle of wine is a go-to gift, so this year switch it up with a wine cooler, like this one from Crate & Barrel. The luxe marble column looks good on any counter top and doubles as an elegant vase when it’s not being used. When it is chilling wine, however, expect perfectly cooled pour after pour.
Edible gifts:
Soup season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with a soup-y gift. Friends and family will love curling up with a bowl of tangy Red Pepper Pomodoro, slightly sweet Butternut Squash Pear, or decadent Asparagus Shiitake. All are plant-based, gluten-free, and ready to eat in minutes—the perfect winter present that’ll warm their hearts and their bellies.
Restaurant-quality meals start with a restaurant-quality cooking oil, which is exactly what come in this gift box. There’s an oil for finishing, and oil for frying, and even an oil for blending—all of which are clearly labelled so they’ll know exactly when to use them. They taste scrumptious, too, and come packed in the neatest white box so you don’t have to worry about wrapping.
Add a little bit of *spice* to your foodie’s life with this vibrant trio of spices, all sourced ethically from 150 different farms across Sri Lanka and India. These spices—Aranya Black Pepper, Sirārakhong Hāthei Chilli Powder, and Pragati Turmeric—can add depth, smokiness, and bright flavor to any dish, Indian-based or not. All three come in beautifully-decorated metal tins that are just begging for counter time.
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The Momofuku restaurant empire—first created in 2004 by world-renowned chef David Chang—has forever changed the way we eat and enjoy Asian cuisine. Now, the restaurant collection has its own line of pantry staples you can cook and enjoy at home, including this variety pack of perfectly-seasoned ramen noodles.
When it comes to cooking ingredients, quality oil is something you definitely *don’t* want to skimp on. A well-made cooking oil—like West~Bourne’s avocado oil—can take a dish’s flavor profile to the next level.
This set of Extra Virgin Organic Avocado Oil and Refined Avocado Oil was created with avocados that were grown and pressed in Mexico. Perfect for searing, baking, and finishing, these oils are about to be your foodie’s secret weapon.
Two culinary worlds collide in this special edition gift box from Sfoglini. The pasta brand, known for only organic, American-grown grains, has partnered up with ethically-sourced Indian spice company Diaspora Co. to create a pasta and spice set perfect for the adventurous foodie in your life.
The gift set includes two boxes Sfoglini’s Turmeric Reginetti pasta, a jar of Diaspora Co. Nandini Coriander, a jar of Diaspora Co. Aranya Black Pepper, a jar of Diaspora Co. Sirārakhong Hāthei Chilli, a flour sack kitchen towel, and two recipes featuring all of the set’s ingredients, created from Sfoglini Chefs.
Hosting gifts:
They’ll be the life of the party when they break out this dazzling cake cutting kit from Anthropologie. Each adorned with a piece of amethyst agate, they’re equal parts pretty and functional, bound to get some “ooohs” and “ahhhs” at your next celebration.
From dinner with friends to everyday use, these drinking glasses can do it all—and will look good doing it. Made from recycled hand-blown glass, they’re a dainty upgrade from the pint glasses your loved one has been collecting since college. Available in clear, blue, olive, and amber.
For the host who always, always, always starts a party with a charcuterie. It features two cheese knives and a serving fork that make slicing and spreading easy peasy. And they nest in the prettiest olivewood board that doubles as a cheese plate come party time.
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The world is literally their oyster with this playful platter by Coton Colors. It’s designed specifically for serving oysters (or clams!) on the half-shell, with room for a bowl of mignonette sauce or lemon wedges in the middle. It’s sea-riously good.
The colored glassware trend isn’t going anywhere: Tinted glass is beautiful, timeless, and adds an eccentric oomph to any kitchen. This duo of rose-colored cake stands is no exception. You can use them alone or stack them to create a two-level stand perfect for bite-sized appetizers and desserts.
Snacking stuffers:
Warning: Buying this chocolate as a gift comes with the risk of wanting to save it for yourself. This indulgent Belgian dark chocolate is the stuff of dreams, amplified with a smidge of spice from tangy raspberries and pink pepper. Your giftee will love it… if it makes it to them, of course.
ICYMI: Tinned fish is the new black. Like, seriously—it’s exploded, specifically Fishwife’s tinned fish, and for very good reason. It’s convenient, sustainably-sourced, female-founded, and really tasty, especially when spread on crackers or served with olives. This trio features three savory tins your giftee will be pleased to find in their stockings: Smoked Rainbow Trout, Smoked Atlantic Salmon, and Smoked Albacore Tuna.
Wandel is like if cake and biscotti hooked up and had a baby. It’s inspired by traditional, twice-baked Jewish mandel bread that’s kinda like a cookie but softer. And it’s freakin’ delicious. These chocolate chip/cinnamon sugar bites make the perfect stocking stuffer and an even more perfect snack for munching on the go. And if you want even more deliciousness, there’s flavors like lemon poppyseed, gingerbread, and dark chocolate/sea salt. SLURP.
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Be it drizzled over yogurt, poured into tea, or eaten by the spoonful, a jar of honey goes a long way. This one is sourced directly in the U.S. and is sweetened with a touch of lemon for a zesty bite. Target also sells raspberry and matcha flavorings, too, if that’s more your speed.
Drizzled over fresh mozzarella, crispy bread, and even decadent vanilla ice cream—EVOO tastes good on everything. This cold-pressed olive oil is made from Tuscan olives grown in volcanic soil, which are hand-picked while still unripe for their bolder flavors and higher antioxidant content. It’s delicious, and will make your giftee rethink their olive-oil game forever.