Thanksgiving dinner is a meal we look forward to all year. To pull off a feast of this magnitude, you’re going to need the right tools to get it done. From a chef-approved vegetable peeler to an all-purpose pan, these are the gadgets and equipment that we rely on year after year. Find our essential tools below!
Roasting Pan with Rack
Smoking, grilling, and deep-frying have certainly added variety to the turkey game, but there will always be a place for good old-fashioned oven-roasting. And for that, a quality roasting pan equipped with its own fitted rack is an absolute must to ensure that the star of the show turns out perfect! We like the All-Clad Stainless-Steel Roasting Pan with Rack from Williams Sonoma because the nonstick rack is ideal for airflow, meaning your entire turkey will crisp, even the bottom! The high sides prevent splashes, and the handles make it easy to grab from in and out of the oven. ($130 for large; $100 for small; thermometer optional)
Potato Ricer
For the silkiest mashed potatoes, a potato ricer is key. This clever device transforms cooked potatoes into light, airy threads that will dissolve into warm milk and melted butter. Overworking your potatoes with a masher or spoon can make them gluey and thick, but riced potatoes are light and pillowy. We like the Chef’n FreshForce Potato Ricer because the handles are comfortable to hold and the barrel is easier to clean. ($33)
Prep Bowls
When you’re prepping your stuffing, cranberry sauce, and green bean casserole, it’s helpful to have all of your ingredients chopped, organized, and at the ready in separate bowls. It also frees up your cutting board and makes it easier to work on multiple recipes simultaneously. We like this set from Duralex because the durable bowls last forever and stack up neatly for storage. ($39 for 9-piece set)
Y-Vegetable Peeler
If you haven’t tried using a Kuhn Rikon Swiss vegetable peeler, get ready to have your mind blown! These lightweight “Y” peelers have a dual rotating head so you can peel root vegetables like carrots and potatoes in both directions for maximum efficiency. Plus, they’re super lightweight and easy for kids to use. ($14 for set of 3)
Rimmed Baking Sheets
Rimmed baking sheets are the ultimate kitchen workhorse. While cooking our Thanksgiving meal, we use them for roasting vegetables, baking biscuits, organizing ingredients in the fridge, placing under bubbly casseroles in the oven, and even roasting a spatchcocked turkey (we suggest a rack insert for this as well). This set from Nordic Ware comes in three different sizes to fit whatever the job may be. Did we mention these sheet pans are made of durable aluminum and won’t warp in the oven? ($35 for 3-piece set)
Food Processor
After a couple Thanksgivings of hand-slicing potatoes for your gratin or chopping enough stuffing ingredients to feed 15 people, you’ll be thanking your lucky stars for a high-volume food processor. The varying blades and attachments condense hours of chopping and slicing into minutes. We like the Cuisinart Elemental 11-cup Food Processor because it’s well made (and will last you forever) and the increased capacity is ideal for prepping big meals for large crowds (i.e., Thanksgiving!). ($150)
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