Here's the list of essential tools for Thanksgiving dinner you need for stress-free cooking and baking. All the must-have tools to cook the perfect turkey and all the delicious sides.
To plan a stress-free holiday, use our Thanksgiving Countdown Planner and follow our Tips to Make Thanksgiving Easy.
17 Essential Tools for a Delicious Thanksgiving Dinner
Cooking Thanksgiving dinner and all the trimmings is a big task. Like huge. So, you may be wondering what kitchen tools you need for Thanksgiving. I have the answers! Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned pro, with the right tools, you can make things so much easier on yourself on Turkey Day.
Before you start planning your Thanksgiving menu, make sure you have all the kitchen tools and appliances you need on hand. We have a Thanksgiving countdown checklist and shopping list that's incredibly helpful.
From perfectly roasted turkey to scrumptious sides and delectable desserts, we've compiled a list of 17 essential tools that will help you conquer the kitchen this Thanksgiving.
Turkey Cooking Tools
With the right turkey cooking utensils, you're well on your way to a moist and delicious Thanksgiving bird! Besides a brining bag, baking twine, and a good vegetable peeler, here's what you need.
1/17
Roasting Pan and Rack
($93.52)
Amazon
The turkey is the star of your meal on Thanksgiving, so don’t forget to grab a good-quality roasting pan big enough to hold your turkey. This Cuisinart 16-inch rectangular roaster has a high-performance stainless steel exterior and riveted stainless steel handles. It will last forever. The steel rack is large enough to handle a big Thanksgiving turkey and perfect for slow-roasting vegetables. Make sure your pan has a sturdy rack to help the turkey roast evenly as it cooks.
2/17
Turkey Baster
($11.99)
When it comes to picking a turkey baster to get the job done, stainless steel is the way to go. Unlike plastic, it won't melt, and it's dishwasher safe. This model comes with a Stainless Steel Turkey Baster, 2 marinade injectors for flavor, and a cleaning brush.
3/17
Digital Thermometer
($29.99)
Amazon
You don’t want to serve your guests undercooked or overcooked meat at your festive dinner! Make sure your turkey is cooked correctly with a digital meat thermometer that gives you a reading within seconds. You can also use this thermometer for BBQing and baking. Bonus: It's water resistant. This model is the one we use and has over 55k positive reviews.
4/17
Knife Set
($129.95)
Amazon
Carving the Thanksgiving turkey, slicing your homemade bread, and finely chopping onions all require different types of knives. That means it’s a good idea to purchase a knife set with ultra-sharp blades so you have all the utensils you need on hand as you prep. Purchasing a German-engineered, high-quality set is an investment that will last for years. This set is easy to use and stays sharper longer.
Thanksgiving Baking Tools
Thanksgiving baking essentials are so important to have on hand. There's no way to bake that perfect pie crust or favorite casserole without them!
5/17
Casserole Dishes (set of 4)
($44.99)
Amazon
Preparing dishes ahead of time is a great way to save time while cooking on the big day. That means you'll need plenty of casserole dishes to hold all those scrumptious pre-made sides. This set of 4 porcelain bakeware set comes in 4 popular sizes and multiple colors.
6/17
Pie Plates (set of 2)
($29.99)
Amazon
It’s also a good idea to have a few ceramic pie plates in your kitchen so you have enough dishes to hold your different flavored pies at your Thanksgiving dinner. Hello, pumpkin pie! The wavy edge makes it easy to crimp down on the pie dough for a lovely crust. These pie plates are freezer, oven, and microwave-safe.
7/17
Rolling Pin
($9.98)
Amazon
Get your homemade Thanksgiving pie crusts perfect with the help of a solid wood French rolling pin this Thanksgiving. Don't forget a dough pastry scraper, so you're super efficient!
8/17
Stand Mixer
($429.00)
Amazon
Make blending desserts and other baked goods a breeze with a KitchenAid stand mixer this holiday season. This tilt-head, 5-quart version will last for years. There are over 20 colors available.
9/17
Kitchen Timer
($6.69)
Keep from burning your dishes as they cook with the help of a kitchen timer (or two) to help you keep track of the cook times of all your menu items. With multiple dishes cooking, having a backup digital timer is always a good idea.
Thanksgiving Dinner Prep Tools
10/17
Mandoline Slicer
($34.99)
Amazon
From slicing potatoes for your au gratin to creating precise cuts on veggies for your salad, having an adjustable mandoline slicer in your kitchen will make Thanksgiving dinner prep a breeze. PS—This high-quality little wonder has over 24,000 positive reviews.
11/17
Food Processor
($19.99)
Amazon
Cut down on your food prep time with the help of a compact food processor. This appliance is great for everything from blending pie dough to chopping veggies or nuts. You simply press the lid to chop and release to stop.
We use it for all those onions and celery!
12/17
Potato Ricer
($24.99)
Amazon
Make sure your mashed potatoes are smooth and creamy with the help of a stainless steel potato ricer for preparing this popular side dish. The easy-grip silicone handles are comfortable and easy to use. This potato masher comes in a variety of colors and is dishwasher safe.
13/17
Fine Mesh Strainer (set of 3)
($11.99)
Amazon
A stainless steel fine mesh strainer is a must on Thanksgiving to help you sift your powdered sugar or remove lumps from your gravy. Clean up is easy since it dishwasher safe.
14/17
Sauce Pans
($116.51)
Amazon
You’ll need a few saucepans on hand to help you prepare essential holiday dishes, like boiling potatoes or whipping up the gravy for the turkey and making your cranberry sauce. We love our All-Clad stainless steel sauces pans for optimal heat distribution and retention, and the fact they are oven and broiler safe. They come in multiple sizes.
Other Handy Thanksgiving Must-Haves on Your List
15/17
Slow Cooker
($69.99)
Amazon
Help cut down on the amount of time you spend cooking sides for Thanksgiving with the use of a slow cooker this year. It's also great for keeping things warm while you cook other dishes. This stainless steel version is programmable and you can cook and carry it.
16/17
Turkey Carving Board
($43.99)
Amazon
If you’re looking for a sturdy, long-lasting turkey cutting board that doubles as a meat serving platter on special occasions, look no further! This cutting board is so durable that it stands up to preparing, carving & presenting the largest turkeys and hams during the holidays. This bamboo board is lightweight, naturally organic, and catches any juices from your bird as you slice it.
17/17
Aluminum Foil
($11.99)
Amazon
Make clean-up a little easier after dinner is over with the help of aluminum foil for covering pans, protecting pie crust from burning, or covering the top of the turkey to keep it from over-browning.
Now it's time to grab your essential tools for Thanksgiving dinner and start making family memories in the kitchen.
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Scarlet says
Yes! I love these suggestions. I was just using my mandolin last night to make scalloped potatoes. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.
Erin Henry says
A mandolin is a perfect tool to get scalloped potatoes perfect! Thanksgiving is our favorite too!