25 Christmas Gifts for Foodies

TASTY TREATS AND TOOLS

Finding a holiday gift for the serious foodie who uses only the snazziest cookware and knows where to find the most authentic late-night ramen can be intimidating. But a frugal shopper can delight an epicure for $25 or less. A dash of budget-savvy imagination can lead holiday shoppers to gourmet ingredients and practical kitchen gear.

Related: 10 Gifts Under $25 for Wine Lovers (Besides Wine)

SPECIALTY SALT

This useful holiday gift adds a brilliant pop of flavor to gourmet and everyday dishes. Small-batch artisan salts from Chef Salt start at $10 each, or $25 for a decorative gift box of any two jars plus recipe cards. Volcanic and sea salts are blended with herbs and spices to create varieties such as Bamboo Curry and Holy Mole.

TELLICHERRY PEPPERCORNS

What's salt without pepper? Tellicherry black peppercorns deliver a deep, complex flavor with a bite. A full pound costs less than $14 on Amazon and should last about a year. Alternatively, divide the haul into four stocking stuffers. A little jar of peppercorns bedecked with a ribbon promises to spice up any meal.

MEAT CLAWS

Unleash the barbecue beast within and give the gift of Cave Tools Meat Claws ($13 on Amazon). Strong enough to shred slow-cooked, grilled, or smoked meat, the claws also can be used to pick up food and carve large pieces of meat without slippage. More than 400 reviewers award the claws an exceptional 4.8 stars.

TRUFFLE OIL

Truffle flavor is incorporated everywhere from pasta and pizza to fries and even high-end sushi. Truffle mushrooms are expensive, because they must be sniffed out by trained hogs or dogs, but truffle oil ($14 for 100 milliliters on Amazon) is a cheaper alternative. Choose black truffle oil for a stronger, more pungent flavor.

Photo credit: Courtesy of olioandolive.com

GUANCIALE

Bacon now enhances nearly every type of food, from cupcakes to beer. Cooks often use pancetta, pork belly, or the standard smoked variety, but guanciale -- cured meat from the jowl of a pig -- makes a singular Christmas gift for a pork-loving foodie. Popular in central Italy but little known on this side of the pond, guanciale is leaner and boasts a more pronounced flavor than bacon. Olio&Olive offers 4 ounces for $5 or 2 pounds for $26.

Photo credit: Courtesy of cheesemaking.com

CHEESE-MAKING KIT

Hands-on chefs will enjoy a cheese-making kit from New England Cheesemaking Supply Co. ($25) while stuck inside on a wintery day. This kit lets a home chef turn milk into mozzarella or ricotta in about half an hour.

ONION GOGGLES

Teary-eyed cooks will happily don RSVP International's onion goggles ($20 on Amazon). The handy accessory comes in different colors and has won hundreds of enthusiastic (and grateful) reviews online.

Photo credit: Courtesy of mrchocolate.com

GOURMET CHOCOLATE

Chocolate aficionados will delight in "bean-to-bar" artisanal chocolate. Jacques Torres' Wicked Hot Chocolate mix ($18 for 18 ounces) contains enough cinnamon, allspice, and chili to rouse the taste buds of the most jaded palate.

Related: 10 Gifts Under $25 for the Mixologist

HICKORY FARMS SAMPLER

A common sight at holiday gatherings and parties, Hickory Farms' Hickory Farmhouse Sampler (about $9 at Walmart) contains sample-size summer sausage, sea salt and olive oil crackers, Mission Jack blend cheese, and sweet hot mustard. It averages more than 4 stars from several dozen reviewers on multiple retail sites.

ELECTRIC WINE OPENER

Save loved ones from wrestling with stubborn wine corks. The Oster electric wine opener ($20 at Best Buy) has won over thousands of consumers who have posted reviews on retail sites. The opener is cordless and comes with a charging base. One charge opens up to 30 bottles.

Photo credit: Courtesy of crateandbarrel.com

JUMBO SILICONE ICE TRAY

Inexpensive silicone ice trays, like a jumbo cube version from Crate & Barrel ($8), make a thoughtful gift to enhance the quality of drinks all year round. Given the inexpensive price, consider giving a set of three.

Photo credit: Courtesy of bedbathandbeyond.com

BOWL SCRAPER

This simple and cheap tool for baking enthusiasts is one of the handiest gadgets in the kitchen. At $4 at Bed Bath & Beyond, a bowl scraper makes an easy stocking stuffer or part of a culinary-focused gift basket. This tool not only saves time but also reduces waste in the kitchen.

MINI GRATER AND SLICER

This two-in-one tool is a space saver and multitasker for cooks. The handheld device ($10 at Target) grates everything from cheese to citrus zest and also slices small fruits and veggies (similar to a mandoline but on a smaller scale). The flat design makes it easy to store or take along for gourmet picnics that call for freshly grated cheese.

RECIPE BINDER

Although most people keep their recipes in digital form these days, there's still something special about a handheld recipe book, like a personalized binder with a rustic design for $24 on Zazzle. It can inspire culinary-minded loved ones to start a tangible collection to be passed on for generations.

Photo credit: Courtesy of uncommongoods.com

MICROWAVE POPCORN MAKER

This stylish device makes a perfectly sized batch of popcorn in the microwave for a quick snack and easy cleanup. Available from Uncommon Goods for $15, this gift will be appreciated by lovers of DIY snacks.

SLATE CHEESE BOARD

This specialty item adds class and sophistication to any spread. Surprisingly inexpensive, the slate cheese board from Crate & Barrel is $10, cheap enough to give a set of two. Complete the gift with some chalk for labeling the cheese on the board.

CARAMEL SAMPLER

Good enough to eat with a spoon or inspire an entire menu of sweet treats, a sampler of six caramels is $20 at Uncommon Goods. This indulgent gift set works as a personalized token of affection for someone who loves caramel or a Secret Santa gift for someone you don't know very well.

FRUIT-INFUSION PITCHER

This gift is a surefire way to inspire a foodie to dream up an endless variety of thirst-quenching creations. In addition to inspiring creativity, a fruit infusion pitcher ($20 at Target) will encourage the recipient to drink plenty of water and save money (and the environment) by cutting down on plastic water bottles.

Photo credit: Courtesy of bespokepost.com

PURE MAPLE SYRUP

A bottle of pure maple syrup from the Catskill Mountains ($14 from Bespoke Post) makes a wonderful holiday gift. This can be used on pancakes and waffles, and foodies will appreciate the notes of coffee and dark chocolate.

HOLIDAY TEA SAMPLER

An inexpensive indulgence during the cold of winter, a tea gift set from Stash ($25) has a complete lineup of seasonal favorites like pumpkin spice and holiday chai to last through the holidays. A tea lover on your list will appreciate the variety of flavors and the superior quality of the brand.

AROMATIC BITTERS

Mostly known as a cocktail flavor enhancer in the United States, aromatic bitters are actually considered a food flavoring in most of the world. Recommended uses on the classic Angostura label include adding a few dashes to soups and sauces or morning coffee. A secret blend of botanicals gives it a unique flavor and, at $10 a bottle at BevMo, it makes a low-cost option for foodies.

SALT CELLAR

A wood and copper salt cellar ($16 from West Elm) is a chic countertop accent, with an elegance a standard salt shaker can't match. There are plenty of similarly priced options available online.

NINJABREAD MEN COOKIE CUTTERS

These cute cookie cutters are a twist on classic gingerbread men that will bring a smile to anyone who loves holiday baking (or eating). This gift by Fred & Friends (available for less than $9 on Amazon) is appropriate for cooking enthusiasts of all ages.

Photo credit: Courtesy of thingsremembered.com

PERSONALIZED CUTTING BOARD

A personalized bamboo cutting board in the shape of a beloved state ($20 from Things Remembered) can be made especially for a food-loving friend or family member in a distant part of the country. The option of adding a personal quote ensures a one-of-a-kind gift.

FUNKY OVEN MITT

A T-Rex oven mitt ($25 on Amazon) is all about having fun in the kitchen. The heat-resistant dino makes an affordable stocking stuffer for cooks young and old.

25 Delectable Gifts Under $25 for Foodies

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