Between scrambling for the last turkey at the grocery store and decluttering the neglected spare bedroom, hosting Thanksgiving can be a pretty stressful experience. But there are steps you can take to make the day less exhausting, and it all starts long before you pop the turkey into the oven.
Stocking up on essential kitchenware ahead of time will facilitate an easier cooking process on the day of. Whether you already have some of these supplies lying around, or you’ve never hosted Thanksgiving before and are starting from scratch, here are seven kitchen tools that will help you prepare the perfect Thanksgiving feast.
Roasting Pan
A roasting pan is essential for big holiday gatherings, whether you’re whipping up a Thanksgiving turkey, a Christmas goose, or even an Easter ham. When it comes to material, stainless steel roasting pans are the way to go, as they provide durability while also being easy to clean. This Cuisinart 16-inch roasting pan is a reliable option, as it’s large enough to fit a substantial bird in the event you’re cooking for a crowd. The stainless steel provides even heat distribution, and the elevated metal rack allows fat to drain off the turkey into the pan below, which you can use to make a flavorful gravy.
Turkey Fryer
While roasted turkeys are a Thanksgiving staple, you may want to switch things up and prepare the bird a different way. We recommend deep frying your turkey and using this propane-powered turkey fryer from Char-Broil to do so. Deep frying the turkey offers a wide range of benefits that traditional roasting fails to provide. First and perhaps most notably, it’s quicker — you can cook an entire bird in less than an hour. The oil also produces crispy, crackling skin that’s absolutely delicious.
Deep frying the turkey comes with its fair share of safety concerns, so here are some tips to avoid disaster.
• Deep fry the turkey in a well-ventilated outdoor area, such as a driveway.
• Keep the fryer away from anything flammable, like a wooden deck or your home.
• Carefully lower the turkey into the fryer to avoid hot oil splashback.
• Don’t overfill the fryer with too much oil.
• Don’t use a frozen turkey, as it may explode.
• Have a fire extinguisher on hand in case of an emergency.
Pie Dish
Thanksgiving isn’t complete without a pie ( … or three or seven), so it’s important to stock up on plenty of pie dishes. This sleek glass pie plate from OXO is microwave-safe, oven-safe, and dishwasher-safe, and it can be transferred from the cool freezer to the hot oven without cracking. It also comes with a tight-fitting lid to protect your freshly baked pecan pie en route to Friendsgiving or keep it warm while you take a post-dinner, tryptophan-induced nap.
Meat Thermometer
Just because a turkey looks crisp and golden on the outside doesn’t mean that it’s heated all the way through. There’s arguably nothing worse than taking a turkey out of the oven and carving into it, only to realize that it’s completely raw. Rather than risk sending your guests home with salmonella poisoning, use a meat thermometer to guarantee the turkey has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees. This NutriChef meat thermometer not only gives accurate temperature readings but also features Bluetooth technology so you can check the temp from an app on your smartphone. Forget about opening the oven every few minutes to check — you can keep tabs on the turkey from the comfort of your couch.
Carving Board and Knife
When it’s finally time to carve the turkey, a standard cutting board and a dull knife simply won’t do. You’ll need tools that are sturdy enough to handle the job, like this extra-large bamboo carving board from Greener Chef. This durable carving board comes with built-in spikes that keep the turkey stationary as you cut it, as well as a reservoir and pour spout to catch any natural juices. As for the knife, this electric carving knife from Hamilton Beach features a 120-watt motor and a serrated, stainless steel blade to easily cut through turkey, bread, or even soft cheeses. It also comes with a carving fork for added stability, ensuring the turkey won’t go flying off the counter as you cut into it.
Casserole Dishes
Between the mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, stuffing, mac and cheese, and roasted vegetables — we could go on — making Thanksgiving dinner may require more dishes than you currently have in your cupboards. We recommend stocking up on basic casserole dishes, like this four-piece set from NutriChef. These glass, rectangular dishes are oven-safe and dishwasher-safe, making post-dinner cleanup a cinch. They come in a variety of sizes, ranging from 0.9 to 3.2 quarts, and boast BPA-free lids so you can easily store any leftovers.
Gravy Separator
Gravy is essential for any Thanksgiving dinner, but the fattier it is, the more likely it is to ruin an otherwise delicious plate of food. Enter the gravy separator — an incredible tool that removes excess fat from up to 4 cups of gravy. Just pour your gravy through the strainer to remove large chunks, then allow the fat to settle at the top. Once the fat has fully separated, use the bottom release function to pour your greaseless gravy into a serving bowl.
Once you have all of these tools at your disposal, preparing Thanksgiving dinner will be a breeze. Your guests will be delighted by how organized you seem and how delicious everything tastes. In fact, they’ll probably have such a wonderful time that they’ll ask you to host again next year — whether you were planning to or not.
