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This Is the Non-Toxic Kitchen Gear We Think You Should Be Cooking With in 2026

Including recommendations from Le Creuset, All-Clad, and Breville.

By
Ashlee Redger
Ashlee Redger
Ashlee Redger
Writer
Ashlee Redger is a writer for Serious Eats. She has been cooking, developing recipes, and writing about food professionally since 2016. 
Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process
Published December 29, 2025 03:00AM EST
The All-Clad Copper Core 10-Piece Cookware Set on a kitchen countertop

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As 2026 is lacing up its shoes and getting ready to bound into our lives, we’re taking this last week of the year to look back on our favorite kitchen products of 2025. One of the biggest trends we noticed: non-toxic cooking gear. Even our editors were into it, making thoughtful swaps in an attempt to reduce our use of PTFE-coated (aka Teflon) pans, plastics, and single-use waste that could potentially harm our health and environment. If you’re feeling that pressure too, don’t worry. We’ve got tested-and-recommended recommendations on cast iron pans, diamond-reinforced ceramic skillets, and wooden cutting boards to help you get your kitchen ready for a fresh new year. 

Non-Toxic Kitchen Gear for the New Year, at a Glance:

  • A Ceramic Nonstick Skillet Reinforced with Diamonds: OXO Ceramic Nonstick 12-Inch Frying Pan

    OXO Good Grips Pro 10" Frying Pan Skillet

    Amazon

    Nope, we’re not trying to pull a fast one on you by sneaking a PTFE-coated nonstick pan in with our non-toxic faves. This OXO non-toxic, nonstick skillet is PFAS-free (that’s the category of substances that Teflon belongs to) and is made using a ceramic-like gel that’s sprayed and hardened onto its exterior to create a slippery, smooth surface. The coating is reinforced with diamonds and didn’t scratch in our tests, even when we scraped it with metal tools.

    An omelette being cooked in the OXO Non-Stick Pro 10-Inch Frypan

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  • The Best Non-Toxic Air Fryer Toaster Oven: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

    Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

    Amazon

    Not only did the Breville Smart Oven ace our tests by making crackling chicken wings and crisp French fries in its uncoated, stainless steel air frying basket, but it’s also gained can’t-live-without status from several editors on our team. That’s because its functionality goes way beyond air frying; it can toast bread and bagels, bake pizzas, dehydrate, roast vegetables, and more, all with the turn of a few dials.

    A person placing fries into the Breville the Smart Oven Air Fryer

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  • Ditch Your Plastic Food Storage Containers: Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage Containers

    Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Storage Set of 9 Food Containers with Lids

    Amazon

    At one point or another, we’ve all faced down a chaotic cabinet of stained plastic storage containers, half of which don’t even have lids anymore (where do they all go?), and sworn to find a better way. This set is the solution. Its capacities range from 1.3 to 8 cups, so you’ll always have the right size of container on hand. The modularity allows them to stack neatly, and the bases are made from glass, so you can heat leftovers directly inside without worrying about them staining (or retaining odors, yuck!). 

    A mixture of oil and turmeric being painted onto a food storage container
    Leak-proof lids matter when you're transporting food that can stain.

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  • A Warp-Resistant Pair of Sheet Pans: Nordic Ware Naturals Baker's Half Sheets, Set of 2

    Nordic Ware Naturals Baker's Half Sheet

    Amazon

    Whereas nonstick-coated sheet pans have a habit of getting scratched and scraped within the first couple of uses, these restaurant-quality aluminum trays will last you decades. You can use metal utensils on them and scrub them without fear, but don’t be upset if a patina develops—a darkened surface actually helps promote browning and makes the surface more naturally nonstick.

    a closeup of a variety of pans and their different finishes: matte, shiny, and ridged.

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  • A Handsome Wooden Cutting Board Under $100: Ironwood Gourmet End-Grain Acacia Wood Cutting Board

    Ironwood Gourmet Large End Grain Prep Station Acacia Wood Cutting Board

    Amazon

    Did you know wooden cutting boards, especially end-grain options, have antibacterial properties that make them less likely to foster and transfer microbes than plastic boards? It’s true! This board, made from gorgeous, dark acacia wood, has remained our budget favorite after several rounds of testing, and we’ve found it holds up well over time given the proper upkeep (which is mostly just giving it an occasional wipe-down with mineral oil to keep it hydrated). Check the coupon box on the product page to get it for even less.

    ironwood acacia board on a countertop with a chef's knife

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  • A Fancy Stainless Steel Vegetable Peeler: Rösle Stainless Steel Wide Crosswise Swivel Peeler

    Rösle Stainless Steel Wide Crosswise Swivel Peeler

    Amazon

    Utensils often get forgotten in all the non-toxic cookware hype, but good smallware can have a big impact on your day-to-day routines. This stainless steel Y peeler from Rösle has a pleasant, hefty feel that we loved when we tested it, and it raced through our potato peeling tests with notable efficiency.

    A stainless steel peeler on a grey surface

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  • The Best Kitchen Tongs Are Under $20: OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Tongs

    OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Tongs

    Amazon

    One kitchen rule we live by: Don’t settle for bad kitchen tongs. These stainless steel-tipped tongs have impressed us for years with their sturdy arms that pick up whole roast chickens without bending and thin edges that can tweeze out single spaghetti strands. Many of our editors own them and have used them daily for years. 

    Hand picking up a whole chicken using the OXO Good Grips 12-Inch Tongs

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  • Reduce Paper Towel Waste With Reusable Swedish Dishcloths: Superscandi 10-Pack Swedish Dishcloths

    Swedish Dish Cloths

    Amazon

    Paper towels are a convenience, but ripping off a new one every time you want to wipe down a countertop or clean a little spill gets wasteful (and expensive) fast. A pack of these Swedish dishcloths, on the other hand, costs about the same as a single bulk pack of the paper stuff, and the cloths can be washed and reused up to 50 times each—you can even toss ‘em in your dishwasher. Made from cotton and plant cellulose, the plastic-free dishcloths can also be composted if they get torn or stained after a few dozen uses.

    A grey Swedish dishcloth being dipped in a pan of water

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  • The Best Budget-Friendly Dutch Oven: Lodge 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

    Lodge EC6D33 6-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

    Amazon

    Dutch ovens are the ultimate team players. They’re always down to sear, stew, braise, and bake, and we couldn’t imagine our dinner routine without them. They can be pricey, though—but not this one. It's $80 with the coupon and comes in a rainbow of lovely colors. 

    lodge dutch oven with pulled pork inside

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  • Join Our Saucier Fan Club: Made In Stainless Clad Saucier

    Made In Stainless Clad Saucier

    Made In

    A saucier is like a saucepan, but better. The main thing that sets it apart is its curved bottom edges, which make a surprisingly significant impact on how easy it is to stir in and clean. This model is well-balanced with a stay-cool handle and rolled edges for clean pouring. Welcome to Team Saucier; we’re so happy to have you.

    A bird's eye view of the Made In Saucier
    Our favorite saucier from Made In.

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  • The Best Enameled Cast Iron Skillet: Le Creuset 10.25-Inch Signature Enameled Cast Iron Skillet

    Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Iron Handle Skillet 10.25 Rhone

    Amazon

    Enameled skillets bring all the perks of cast iron—even heating, high temperature thresholds, and moderately nonstick surfaces—without the need to worry about seasoning. This iconic pan from Le Creuset is our favorite one because of its tough enamel coating, spacious cooking surface, and rounded, easy-to-hold handle.

    two over easy eggs in an enameled cast iron skillet
    Enameled cast iron offers a slick surface without seasoning.

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  • A Durable Stainless Steel Skillet: All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel 12-Inch Fry Pan

    All-Clad D3 Stainless-Steel 12-Inch Fry Pan

    Amazon

    If you’re looking for a stainless steel pan built to last a lifetime, you’ve found it. All-Clad makes some of the highest-performance stainless steel cookware we’ve tested, and we love the D3 line for its heat responsiveness and balanced, maneuverable weight. 

    A person flips a piece of salmon on the All-Clad D3 Stainless-Steel 12-Inch Fry Pan

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  • An Elite Cast Iron Skillet That’s on Sale Now: Field Company No. 8 Cast Iron Skillet

    Field Company No. 8 Cast Iron Skillet

    Amazon

    There is nothing wrong with affordable cast iron. (In fact, our longtime favorite from Lodge is only $25.) That said, if you have the budget to spend a little more, you can get this agile, lightweight cast iron pan that’s worth the upgrade. Its smoothly polished surface released eggs and cornbread neatly in our tests—an impressive feat. During Field Company’s year-end sale, you can get it for a few bucks off.

    the field co skillet on a gray surface with cornbread on a wire rack in a sheet pan next to it.

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  • A Colorful Nonstick Ceramic Cookware Set: Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Cookware Set

    Caraway Ceramic Cookware Set

    Amazon

    If your dinged-up cookware collection needs a bigger update than a new pan or two can accomplish, get a fresh start with this 12-piece set from Caraway. It includes a 3-quart saucepan, 4.5-quart sauté pan, 6.5-quart pot, and 10.5-inch skillet. We like the stay-cool handles and the bright color options you can choose from, like the sophisticated sage green or cheery marigold yellow hue. 

    Two pots from the Caraway Cookware Set on a stove

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  • A Set of Award-Winning Reusable Bowl Covers: Stasher Stretch Lids

    Stasher Premium Reusable Silicone Stretch Lids Variety 4-Pack

    Amazon

    Trying to cover your bowls with single-use plastic wrap or aluminum foil that just won’t stay on is so last year. We loved these stretchy, silicone lids so much that we included them in our first-ever Gear Awards. The set starts with a 2.5-inch size that’s small enough to cover open cans and ranges up to a 9-inch lid that can seal big serving and mixing bowls. 

FAQs

What does “non-toxic” mean for cookware?

Unfortunately, non-toxic doesn’t have a standard (or legally enforceable) definition, but it’s generally considered to mean “not harmful” to our bodies and environment. You’ll often find it in reference to ceramic-coated and other Teflon-free pans. Because coating formulas are usually proprietary and there’s not enough human-based research around cookware in general, it’s hard to know for sure if any pot, pan, or tool is entirely free of potential harm. If modern, synthetically coated cookware gives you pause, consider time-tested materials like stainless steel, cast iron, carbon steel, and enamel.

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