You can’t start prepping too soon for Thanksgiving once November rolls around. One of the first questions you should ask yourself is what kitchen tools I need for Thanksgiving? Equipment is definitely something you can pick up well in advance.
The type of kitchen equipment you need will be solely dependent on your menu. You need the specific tools to cook the food you have chosen. Check out my article How To Plan A Thanksgiving Dinner for more tips on how to set your menu.
Once you have your menu set, you check to see if you have all the tools you’ll need on hand. Below I have listed some of the basic tools you will need for different tasks.
Tools For Turkey And Other Proteins
If roasted meat is going to be your main course, you will need a roasting pan. For a turkey, I recommend one with a roasting rack so the bird doesn’t sit in its juices. This Circulon nonstick roasting pan has everything you need and has a 4-and-a-half star rating on Amazon.
Once you have your roasting pan sorted, you’ll want some tools to aid with the actual cooking of the turkey. A meat thermometer will help you know when your turkey is done. An instant-read digital thermometer is simple to use and will make your life a lot easier. If you are worried about your bird drying out and want it out of the oven as soon as it’s done, you can look into a remote oven thermometer which gives you a constant temperature reading.
A turkey baster is another good investment. Larger turkeys can dry out on the outside before the inside is completely cooked, so good basting will help keep the meat moist. You can also use a baster to soak up that delicious turkey grease for use in gravy and other dishes.
You will need a good knife and cutting board for the turkey once it’s done. I typically use my trusty chef’s knife for this task. Removing the breast from the turkey while it is still on the rack is my preferred technique. By doing that I don’t need an extra large cutting board to handle the entire turkey at one time.
Kitchen Tools For Thanksgiving Sides
The key tools for thanksgiving sides are going to be pots and casserole dishes. My father always makes his dressing in a cast iron skillet. Amazon has a 12-inch cast iron skillet for around $25. Any casserole dish will do. I use my trusty Pyrex dishes for most applications, but I also break out our Temp-Tations for some special items.
There are several handheld tools that will help with Thanksgiving preparations. A good whisk will help with mashed potatoes and gravy. If you are making homemade mashed potatoes, a peeler will come in handy. You’ll want ladles for serving certain items. Alternatively, a good gravy boat is a great option for serving up that delicious turkey gravy.
If you are serving a lot of guests and your meal is going to run for a long time, then a buffet warmer might be a good investment. A buffet warmer will keep your food warm for the entirety of the meal. It ensures that everyone gets a hot Thanksgiving dinner. Check out my review of the Frigidaire Triple Slow Cooker and Buffet Warmer.
Kitchen Tools For Thanksgiving Dessert
Last but not least, let’s talk about dessert! Some of the tools that we mentioned earlier will also be needed for dessert, such as the whisk. A rolling pin will also be needed if you are making homemade pies.
You’ll need cake pans and pie dishes depending on what type of dessert you are making. Some desserts may even require a casserole dish.
A good pie cutter will be a tremendous help. I like the ones that double as a pie scoop. You can cut and serve cake or pie with a single utensil.
Finally, a good cake mixer will be of tremendous use. You can get a hand mixer, such as this unit from Hamilton Beach for around $20. However, if you plan on making a lot of cakes and baking is your passion, you might want to invest in a Kitchen Aid stand mixer. Kitchen Aid is one of the most popular and durable brands on the market.
Other Tools And Accessories For Thanksgiving Dinner
Those are some of the main kitchen tools you’ll need for Thanksgiving dinner, but there are many more that can be helpful. To impress your guess, you might want to have a special set of serving ware. I have certain plates and serving dishes I use for special occasions. I like plain white plates as they help put the focus on the actual food, but go with your favorites!
For serving dishes, I am a huge fan of the Temp-tations line of dishes. My mother still gets my wife and I new pieces almost every year around Christmas time. It’s never too late to start your own collection of special serving dishes!
Once you are done eating you have to deal with leftovers. Disposable or reusable containers are a big help here. You can find many options for plastic to-go containers on Amazon that will send all of your relatives home happy. For home storage of leftovers, I’m a big fan of the Lock N Lock brand of containers.
These items should give you a head start on your collection. Thanksgiving dinner is a matter of trial and error. Each year you’ll make little mistakes and figure out ways to do better next year. You’ll also figure out new tools you need. Just make sure you have a happy Thanksgiving and your guests do too!
