Essential Kitchen Thanksgiving Tools
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, please visit my disclosure page.
Explore the must-have kitchen tools and appliances for a seamless Thanksgiving dinner. From roasting pans to mixers, ensure your holiday meal prep is a breeze with our list of Essential Kitchen Thanksgiving Tools.
Need turkey day recipes? Check out all of our Classic Thanksgiving Dishes, and some creative ones as well.
Having the right tools and appliances will help you prepare a Thanksgiving meal with ease and efficiency, whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned pro.
Make sure to plan your menu in advance and ensure you have all the necessary equipment and ingredients before the big day.
The better prepared you are leading up to Thanksgiving day, the better chance you will have to remain calm and stay relaxed throughout the day. That includes creating your guest list, planning your big feast menu, creating a shopping list and purchasing non-perishable items ahead of time.
Do not leave everything to the last minute! If you are limited on oven space, figure out which recipes can be made-ahead, cooked on the stove, or in a pressure cooker or crock pots.
Below you will find the tools and gadgets that are in my kitchen, that I use to create the recipes on this blog. You do not need to break the bank, or purchase everything item on this list – these are suggestions for essential tools to make things easier.
If you cannot afford the best roasting pan, a flimsy disposable pan from the grocery store will not ruin the big meal!
I once had to use a wine bottle to roll out pie crust when making Thanksgiving dinner in someone else’s kitchen. Stay calm and get creative if needed, your family will not know the difference!
Cookware and Bakeware:
affiliate/sponsored links
- Roasting pan: Sturdy and strong for roasting the turkey or other larger meats like roast beef, whole chicken, lamb, and prime rib.
- Casserole dishes: Various sizes for side dishes and casseroles like sausage apple and cranberry stuffing, chorizo cornbread stuffing, or quick dinner rolls.
- Baking sheet: For roasting spatchcocked turkey, roasted brussels sprouts and squash with dried cranberries, preventing drips and spills, and reheating leftovers.
- Pie dishes: For pumpkin pie, lattice-top apple pie, or chocolate cream pie.
- Dutch oven: Great for making creamy carrot and cauliflower soup, mashed potatoes, and mashed sweet potatoes.
- Large stockpot: For making homemade chicken stock or steaming broccoli.
- Saucepan: For making orange amaretto cranberry sauce and the perfect turkey gravy.
- Frying pans: One or more for sautéing zucchini and carrots, and bacon for the stuffing.
- Muffin tins: For stuffing muffins with dinner or bakery style blueberry muffins for breakfast.
- Cooking utensils: Including silicone spatulas, wooden spoon, and tongs.
Small Appliances:
- Instant Pot: For making butternut squash and apple soup, mashed potatoes,
- Blender or food processor: Useful for making soups, cranberry salsa, or sauces.
- Hand or stand mixer: For mixing batters, mashed potatoes, and whipping cream.
- Coffee maker or stainless steel kettle: For brewing coffee, tea, or hot water for beverages.
Kitchen Appliances:
- Oven: For roasting the turkey, baking, and broiling.
- Stovetop: For cooking potatoes, on the burners.
- Microwave: Handy for reheating, melting, or steaming.
- Refrigerator and freezer: To store ingredients and leftovers.
Cutlery and Prep Tools:
- Chef’s knife: For slicing, chopping, and dicing vegetables.
- Paring knife: For more delicate cutting tasks.
- Sharp carving knife and fork: To carve the turkey or roast.
- Large cutting board: For safe food preparation and to save your countertops.
- Vegetable peeler: For peeling potatoes, carrots, and other veggies.
- Can opener: For opening canned sweet potatoes or other canned ingredients.
- Kitchen shears: Useful for cutting herbs and kitchen twine.
- Poultry shears: Perfect for cutting poultry and removing the backbone.
- Measuring cups and measuring spoons: For precise ingredient measurements.
- Liquid measuring cup: For measuring stock and other liquids.
- Mixing bowls: Various sizes for mixing and prep.
- Wire whisk: To remove any lumps to create a smooth gravy.
Specialized Tools:
- Turkey baster: For moisture retention, flavor enhancement, and crispier skin.
- Instant-read thermometer: To ensure the turkey is cooked to the correct temperature (165°F.)
- Turkey lifting forks or large tongs: For handling the turkey without burning your arms.
- Carving Board: With a grid grip in the center, which will hold your turkey firmly in place, allowing you to cut perfect slices.
- Potato masher or potato ricer: For smooth, fluffy mashed potatoes.
- Electric knife: Designed to make smooth and precise cuts, which can be helpful when carving a large bird.
- Fat separator: To keep the flavor in and the fat out when making gravy.
- Gravy boat: For serving the perfect gravy with saucer to catch drips.
- Rolling pin: For rolling out pie dough.
- Pastry brush: For brushing on egg wash or butter.
- Aluminum foil and plastic wrap: For covering and wrapping leftovers.
- Corkscrew or bottle opener: For opening wine bottles and other beverages.
Storage Containers:
Food storage containers: For easy storage of leftovers and food prep, or Glad plastic containers for sending leftovers home with your guests.
Other:
- Roasting rack: To elevate the turkey or roast in the roasting pan – if your roasting pan did not come with one.
- Oven thermometer: To ensure that you are cooking accurately and efficiently.
- Trivet: To protect your table or countertop from hot dishes and pans.
- Napkins, tablecloth, silverware, and tableware: For setting the perfect Thanksgiving table. Double check to make sure that you have enough servings!
- Turkey Platter: A large oval platter to elegantly display the star of the meal.
- Dishwashing supplies: For cleaning up after the meal.
Enjoy!!
