10 Thanksgiving Kitchen Essentials
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For some people, planning a Thanksgiving dinner for friends and family can be stressful. The first step to combating that stress is to have the essential tools you need for prep in your kitchen. This guide for 10 Thanksgiving Kitchen Essentials will give you a list of the ten most important items for the job! Also, I tried to keep each item at a reasonable price, because although there are some pretty fancy items out there, you just need to right one to do the job – and the one thing you don’t need is equipment that is going to blow your budget.
The right pan.
When I first started cooking Thanksgiving dinner I didn’t have the right equipment, and that included the right roasting pan. In order for a turkey to roast correctly you need to be able to get heat all around the bird. That means you need a roasting rack inside of a roasting pan. This pan does the job. My friend Karen got it for my wedding shower and I haven’t had a bad bird since!
Calphalon Classic Hard-Anodized 16-Inch Roasting Pan with Nonstick Rack
One of the best parts of Thanksgiving dinner is the gravy! If you want to make great gravy (and this isn’t hard, I promise), you need a fat separator. This gem is one of my favorite Thanksgiving kitchen essentials. Not just for Thanksgiving, but for preparing meals for entertaining any time of year. This model is SO easy to use. You simply pull the lever and the good stuff comes out of the bottom of the separator! Can you believe that? Pick one up now. You won’t be sorry.
Cuisipro 4 Cup Fat Separator
Make homemade gravy!
The first Thanksgiving I spent with my husband before we were married was at his house. I was cooking for his family for the first time and I had thought I had everything covered. That was until I realized that he didn’t own a large cutting board! So off he went to find an open store where he could purchase one. Here’s a big hint when choosing yours – choose one with a juice well around it. That way your turkey juices don’t end up all over your kitchen counter and floor!
Extra Large Bamboo Cutting Board for Kitchen with Juice Groove
Have you ever tried to slice a turkey with a regular chef’s knife? I have, and the results aren’t pretty. It’s good to have at least a starter carving set on-hand, which is why I recommend this set. One, because of it’s price point, and two, because it includes the fork as well. Eventually you may want to upgrade, but this is a great place to start – and your meat won’t be a shredded mess! Also, it often lists for half off of the original price – so keep your eyes on it!
Top Chef by Master Cutlery, 2-Piece Carving Set
Kitchen twine is a must for Thanksgiving! You need to bring those legs together and tie them up. Make sure you use kitchen safe / food safe twine. Once you start using twine in the kitchen you’ll find it an essential tool that you’ll count on being there.
Mrs. Anderson’s Baking Cooking Twine, Made in America, All-Natural Cotton
You need a good vegetable peeler. Not just ANY vegetable peeler, but one that can go in both directions, making peeling faster, because if you’re like me – you have about 10 pounds of potatoes to peel! (and carrots). This is the vegetable peeler that I have had for a few years now and I love it. I honestly don’t know why I have a second in the drawer that ISN’T one of these. I need to take care of that right now.
Messermeister Pro Touch Fine Edge Swivel Peeler
In the past my next recommendation would have been a little pricey. I’ve been an avid watcher of America’s Test Kitchen for years. I used to dream of the time I could get the Thermopen they recommended, and one year it ended up under the Christmas tree. I was ecstatic! HOWEVER, that’s not an everyday price point for a kitchen utensil, so I decided to test out a less expensive brand. That’s when I found the ThermoPro. I ordered it and I can tell you with confidence that it’s really outstanding. It reads quickly, within a few seconds of the Thermopen, and gives the same temperature. Over 10,000 reviewers agree with me on Amazon. This is a purchase you won’t regret. Have I mentioned how important it is to get the turkey temp just right??
ThermoPro TP03 Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer
Let them eat pie!
Have you ever been caught in a situation where you had pie and only regular knives to cut it? No? Just me? Well, that was my situation one Thanksgiving, I picked up two of these, and it has never happened again!
Crock Pot Hook Up Connectable Entertaining System
Now that’s a good one, right??
This last one is a Thanksgiving kitchen essential for sure! I always look forward to taking out this beauty every year! How can you host Thanksgiving dinner without a turkey platter?? It’s a silly tradition, but I can’t help myself – and I hope I get you on the same kick!
Perhaps you already have some of these 10 Thanksgiving Kitchen Essentials – maybe you’re just starting out with hosting Thanksgiving. Either way, these essentials will get you on the right path to having everything you need to host a successful Thanksgiving at your place!
The gravy separator in your recent Thanksgiving Essentials post is the best I have ever owned! I’ve been cooking a long time and never has the task of separating juices from fat been easier. Every kitchen needs to have one of these. Great choice!