These 13 Items Have Made Cooking Thanksgiving Much Easier

Oct 25, 2024

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I'll never go without these when hosting a holiday dinner.

Southern Living / Madison Woiten

For the past three years, my husband and I have hosted Thanksgiving dinner, which typically includes at least 10 friends and family members. And in those three years, I’ve mastered the art of keeping everyone entertained while I'm simultaneously running in and out of the kitchen, which also includes timing out cooking several dishes for multiple courses in the oven.

While much of our Thanksgiving hosting wisdom came from a lot of trial and error, it also would not have been possible without a handful of essential kitchen tools and gadgets that have streamlined our prep and cooking processes. Consider this a love letter to the 13 items I refuse to go a day without, much less prepare a holiday feast without.

Amazon

Last year, my husband wanted to test out a spatchcocked turkey, and these shears helped him effortlessly cut through our bird l. But I love the shears for almost everything else, too, including finely trimming fresh herbs and quickly cutting through complicated packaging. Despite countless uses, these have stayed super sharp, and they're an everyday must-have in my kitchen.

Amazon

Not only do these baking mats save me on cleanup time, but I also use them under our plastic cutting boards to keep them from sliding around—and they stay put. (No holiday trips to the emergency room!) We bought multiple sets, and they've kept so many delicate desserts and appetizers from sticking without needing oil.

Amazon

This is another everyday tool that I can't go without. It's nice to know when your meat is cooked through, but the thermometer also helps me with timing any pre-frozen dishes that require some TLC. The device is also magnetic, so we keep it in plain view above our kitchen stove.

Amazon

I have already made many meals in this baking dish, like casseroles and brownies. It conveniently comes with a secure lid, so I can cook my meals right in the glass container and easily store leftovers without having to swap dishes. It comes in two sizes, but the square 8-by-8-inch variation is the perfect size for my countertop oven, which is why I always have multiple of those in my cupboard.

Ninja

There aren't enough ways to describe how much I love this multicooker. Whether I'm air frying french fries, baking cookies, or broiling salmon, this little device does it all at once, and it looks pretty while doing so. I love the sleek silver-and-black design that matches the rest of my kitchen appliances, and you can use both the top and bottom compartments to cook two different meals at once.

Our Place

This nine-piece ecosystem comes in handy time and time again. I can use it to dry wet leafy greens, shred cheese or vegetables, and juice lemons for dressings and marinades. And then I can store it all in the same bowl, thanks to the fitted lids that also come with the set. Each lid has a window, too, so you can see precisely what foods are stored in each bowl. They're also freezer- and dishwasher-safe and can nest together for compact storage.

Amazon

With so many different pots simmering, vegetables sauteing, and grains warming up, things can get hectic very quickly. Every dish gets its own mixing or serving spoon, and this silicone rest helps me keep all my utensils organized without cluttering up my valuable counter space on the big day. Once dinner is over, toss it in the dishwasher, or give it a quick rinse in the sink.

Amazon

This food chopper has saved me so much time—and tears. No matter how early we start prepping for Thanksgiving dinner, there never seems to be enough time to cut, slice, grate, julienne, or dice all the veggies that go in the side dishes. This tool has 12 blade options that cut our hour-long prep times into minutes.

Amazon

Yes, this roasting pan is pricey, but it's so beautiful that I'll happily cook and serve my turkey in the same dish. It conveniently comes with a roasting rack, and the non-stick surface is so easy to clean. I don't have to spend any time hovering over the sink and scrubbing, even if some things end up getting a bit charred.

Target

I didn't know I could fall in love with a knife set until I got my hands on this starter kit from Henckels. My husband also bought me the knife sharpener to keep the blades extra ready for meal prep. I've tried so many other knife sets, but nothing compares to how comfortable the weight of these blades feel or how easily they slice through everything.

Amazon

I was convinced my husband wasted his money when he came home with this until last Thanksgiving came around. This little helper chopped up nuts and herbs, emulsified homemade dressing, and mixed the marinade and sauce we used for our turkey without a hitch. I'll never doubt it again.

World Market

My husband and I always make pumpkin and apple pie on Thanksgiving, and they would be incomplete without a gorgeous vessel to serve them in. I love how seasonally appropriate and outrageously adorable this pumpkin-shaped pie dish looks. The stoneware feels sturdy and is oven-safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Great Jones

The homemade salad dressing has to go somewhere, and I have yet to find a more beautiful and vibrant glass dispenser than this Great Jones Spout. I've gotten so many compliments not just on the stunning appearance of the Spout, but also on its ability to pour precisely. After Thanksgiving, it will sit pretty on my counter and hold the extra virgin olive oil I cook most of my recipes in.