The turkey roasters, potato mashers and more that make Thanksgiving cooking much less intimidating
Whether you’re cooking Thanksgiving dinner for the first time, or just want to improve your last hosting performance, we have you covered. We’ve rounded up the top-rated, most popular and best of the best Thanksgiving cooking tools that do exactly what they say they will.
Think silky gravy, perfectly shaped pies, and, of course, a very impressive turkey. And the best Thanksgiving cooking tools aren’t necessarily the most expensive or newest. These tried-and-true Thanksgiving essentials are your go-tos for making a memorable meal.
Best roasting pan for turkey
The star of the show deserves only the best. Cuisinart perfected turkey roasting with their 16 in. roasting pan and rack, keeping your turkey elevated and reserving juices for gravy (a must). The entire set is dishwasher safe, because the last thing you need to worry about is dishes after dinner.
Best turkey baster
Does a turkey baster make a difference? Only if you like your turkey juicy. The OXO turkey baster is angled, making it easy to draw drippings from the bottom of the pan and keeping your hands further away from the heat. It also has a built-in stand, so it won’t roll across your counter between uses.
Best meat thermometer for turkey
Roasting your turkey to the correct temperature is Thanksgiving Day 101. Your turkey needs to reach an internal temp of 165ºF before it’s safe to eat, so accurate monitoring matters. A lot. The Alpha Grillers digital meat thermometer reads the temperature in 2 seconds and displays it clearly, so you won’t have to second-guess it.
Best carving knife set
An ultra-sharp 9″ carving knife and 6″ carving fork set that keeps friction to a minimum, so you can safely slice your turkey into neat servings like a pro.
Best electric carving knife
If you want to simplify the whole Thanksgiving dinner process, an electric carving knife is an easy way to do it. This classic set from Hamilton Beach has over 19,000 Amazon reviews, making it a no-brainer for new and seasoned turkey carvers.
Best carving board for turkey
One of the best Thanksgiving cooking tools, and probably one of the most important, is a carving board for your turkey. If you’re concerned about keeping it steady as you carve, this non-slip mat from JosephJoseph solves that. The double-sided design features a meat grip texture on one side for extra stability, easy-pour corners and stainless steel handles.
Best gravy separator
Perfect gravy requires perfectly-separated drippings. This OXO separator has a strainer that catches bits from pan drippings, and the fine strainer removes the remaining solids for flavor without the fat. It also features raised strainer sides for less mess.
Best potato masher
Even with all the new cooking utensils coming out all the time, some things just can’t be beat. KitchenAid’s steel wire masher still leads the pack. Rust-resistant, dishwasher-safe and ergonomic for the easiest mashed potato prep.
Best pie dish for Thanksgiving
If you’re really only here for the pie, we’re not judging. Pie-making can be a little intimidating, but these ceramic pie dishes help the process run smoothly. They’re generously sized for large pies, easily fit store-bought premade pie crusts (totally valid, by the way) and feature fluted edges for a very professional edge.
Best rolling pin for pie
“Thanksgiving cooking” and “math” aren’t the ideal combination. Skip the headache with this adjustable rolling pin and silicone mat. Set the rings to the crust thickness you need and use the silicone mat to keep the size in order. Of course, you can use this set for more than just pie crust—pizza dough, biscuits and pastries are all fair game.
