Photo: Julia Bush

A mandoline is equally great at two things: making precise cuts thanks to its super-sharp blade, and, on a more gruesome note, severing fingertips. Although the latter should by no means deter you from adding this kitchen workhorse to your arsenal, any culinary expert will tell you: You must proceed with caution.

Take, for example, “cucumber guy.” His recipes for eating a whole cucumber in one fell swoop have taken over TikTok. But there’s something to be desired about his slicing technique.

We’ve asked some of Wirecutter’s experts—including the journalist behind 50 hours of researching and testing mandolines—about how to slice without subjecting yourself to a trip to the ER.

How to use a mandoline safely→

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›

Photo: Sarah Kobos

All that being said: Nothing streamlines daily cooking prep like a mandoline. After slicing through radishes, carrots, onions, lemons, tomatoes, and bell peppers—we found the best one. It has sharp, long-lasting, and replaceable blades and a safe, reliable hand guard that helps to keep your fingers out of harm’s way.

Our favorite mandoline is found in restaurant kitchens all over the world→

Our favorite olive oils The best all-around one is on exclusive sale right now→

Every Wirecutter pick we’ve spotted in ‘The Bear’ Carmy has good taste→

How to clean produce the right way We’ll walk you through it→

Sharpen your knives at home We’ve recommended this easy-to-use knife sharpener since 2016→

Photo: Michael Murtaugh

Mandolines are all over TikTok right now, yes, but so too are these manual veggie choppers—which supposedly cut down on food-prep time by replacing knife work with a forceful slam through a grated box.

After testing 16 of the most highly reviewed and recommended vegetable and garlic choppers, we can’t wholeheartedly recommend any of them. Instead, we have some suggestions for easier, more efficient, and more durable tools for chopping.

“There is no one-size-fits-all tool to save us from the Sisyphean task of meal prep”→

Plus: A gingery, garlicky cucumber salad recipe from NYT Cooking.

You can reach the Wirecutter Newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can’t always respond, but we do love to hear from you.

Was this email kindly forwarded to you? Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox.

Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The Recommendation from The New York Times. To stop receiving The Recommendation, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request.

Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app

Connect with us on:

Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices

The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018