Ace every dish with helpful tools, sturdy cookware, and functional servingware.
Hosting Thanksgiving is no small undertaking. Coordinating ingredients and cook times, adapting to dietary restrictions, and navigating family dynamics can be tricky to balance. While we can’t control everything about the day, we can prepare you with the right tools.
The right tools can significantly enhance your cooking, especially when hosting a large group or preparing a complicated dish. While you might think these tools aren’t worth it for just one Thanksgiving meal, I would argue that you are mistaken.
Beyond their massive helpfulness in the prep and cooking phases, the kitchen tools that make hosting Thanksgiving easier can be used throughout the year. In fact, there’s not a single product on this list of must-haves that can’t be used over and over again. Now that’s something to be thankful for!
For the bird
Do not — I repeat, do not — skimp on turkey tools when you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner.
Roasting pan with rack
Want a guaranteed great turkey? Get a roasting pan with a rack. Elevating your bird over the large pan allows air to circulate and helps create an even heat distribution. Remember to baste your turkey every 40 minutes or so to ensure it’s super juicy and tender when it’s time to eat.
Recipes to try: Herb Roasted Turkey Breast, Russ Parsons’ Dry-Brined Turkey (aka The Judy Bird)
A smart meat thermometer is a must-have for any home cook, especially on Thanksgiving.
Yummly Smart Thermometer
Anyone who enjoys eating meat should have a meat thermometer. Whether you’re checking your Thanksgiving turkey for doneness or making sure your steaks are cooked to your exact preference, the Yummly Smart Thermometer takes all the guesswork out. The Bluetooth-enabled digital thermometer links to your phone, so you’re always in control.
Heavy-duty carving board
A carving board differs from a cutting board because of one key feature: it has a groove around its border specifically for catching drippings that can be used in gravies and other sauces. This carving board has grooves and carved spikes to help secure large poultry, roasts, and larger vegetables. Seems ideal for Thanksgiving turkey if you ask me.
For the sides
There’s really no downside to a large food processor, and it comes in handy when you’re hosting.
14-cup food processor
When I got married, I registered for a 3.5-cup food processor, thinking it would be enough. It’s probably my biggest registry regret. I never use it because it’s too small for anything I need. When you’re making crust for four different pies or dicing up veggies for roasting, bigger is always better. Trust me when I say you will never regret buying a 14-cup food processor.
Save yourself time on Thanksgiving and let your Ninja blender do all the heavy mixing for you.
Ninja blender
The first time I saw a Ninja blender in action, it was being used to make soup. It literally created warm butternut squash soup out of whole squash in a matter of minutes. Since then, I’ve been forever changed. Whether you need to whip up a dip, make a soup, or even whipped cream, a Ninja professional-grade blender can do it all — Thanksgiving and any other day of the year.
Recipe to try: Butternut Squash Soup
OXO® Potato Ricer
Everyone loves mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving and any time. After all, what goes better with roasted turkey and gravy? It’s easy to make perfect mashed potatoes every time with one simple tool – a potato ricer! After you use it once, you will wonder why you didn’t get one sooner.
Stoneware baking dishes
Oven-safe bakeware that also doubles as servingware is always great to have on hand, and it’s even better when it looks nice on the table. This 5-piece set from Staub isn’t just functional; it offers a timeless appearance you’ll be proud to serve. From Thanksgiving sides to full-blown casseroles, stoneware baking dishes will always come in handy.
Recipes to try: Maple Roasted Acorn Squash, Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
KitchenAid Stand Mixer
If you’re wondering why you see a KitchenAid stand mixer in just about every registry- and cooking-related RegistryFinder.com blog, it’s because they are freaking amazing. Everyone in the world needs to have one of these. It’s a game-changer for mixing dough, making pie fillings, and shredding poultry. With over 80 attachments and accessories, there’s not much you can’t make with this classic kitchen appliance.
Recipe to try: Make ahead Whipped Cream
For serving
A buffet warmer can keep your Thanksgiving sides at the proper temperatures with the touch of a button.
Warming buffet server
When you’re feeding a large group, the last thing you want is for the food to be cold by the time everyone sits down to eat, let alone when they get up for seconds! A warming buffet server ensures that every bite is at the perfect temperature. This unit features three 1.5-quart trays with lids, stay-cool handles, and full heat control.
Set it and forget it, then bring it wherever your Thanksgiving dinner is served with a cook-and-carry Crock-Pot slow cooker.
Crock Pot slow cooker
I love a slow cooker for so many reasons. The “set it and forget it” directive is beyond accurate. It’s super easy to clean, and with this 7-quart cook-and-carry Crock Pot, it’s never been easier to transport a delicious, hot dish. The locking lid secures all the goods, whether you’re taking them from the kitchen to the table or across town.
Recipes to try: Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese, Slow Cooker Mulled Wine
Large serving platters and bowls
I’m a big fan of family-style hosting, whether Thanksgiving or a gathering of friends or family. Large serving platters and big bowls not only make it easy for everyone to grab what they want but also look nice. It really is that simple. And don’t forget your serving utensils, like salad servers, tongs, and pie slicers.
Thanksgiving should be as stress-free as possible. While having the right tools can’t solve every challenge (believe me, I wish they could), they can simplify your prep, cooking, and serving. They can even help you take some of your most famous dishes to a new level by giving you more time to experiment with new ingredients or techniques. Believe me, you’ll be thankful you leveled up your kitchen tools this holiday season and for years to come.
