Essential Kitchen Tools for a Stress-Free Thanksgiving & Holiday Season

Discover my favorite tried-and-tested cooking tools that are absolutely indispensable for simplifying your Thanksgiving feast and making the entire holiday season effortlessly enjoyable.

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The most wonderful, yet often most chaotic, time of the year is officially upon us! Does it feel like the holiday season snuck up on you faster than ever this year? For me, it certainly did. This year holds a special significance as my partner, Connor, and I are thrilled to be hosting our very first Thanksgiving gathering in our Chicago home. We have family members traveling from all corners of the country, and the excitement (and a touch of nerves!) is palpable. We’re even investing in a large folding table to comfortably seat everyone, and our biggest hope is that our beloved dog, Marley, behaves himself and resists the irresistible allure of the Thanksgiving turkey!

As the primary chef in charge of crafting the entire menu, I’ve been diligently brainstorming ideas and perfecting recipes for several weeks now. A few tried-and-true favorites are definitely making their annual appearance, including this incredible Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Squash side dish. Be sure to check out the new recipe video for it! My ultimate goal for Thanksgiving Day is to minimize my time spent in the kitchen, allowing me to truly relax and enjoy the company of my loved ones. To achieve this, I’ve meticulously organized a massive grocery list and an intricate prep timeline. I find Evernote to be an invaluable tool for this process, as it allows me to create detailed checkbox lists that double as instant shopping lists. Plus, being able to access everything seamlessly across my computer and phone ensures I never misplace my crucial plans.

While the holidays can undoubtedly feel overwhelming with their endless tasks and expectations, my absolute best piece of advice is to plan and prepare as many dishes and components as you possibly can in the days or even nights leading up to the big event. You’d be astonished at just how many holiday staples can be assembled, cooked, or partially prepped in advance, dramatically reducing stress on the main day.

Consider making your gravy ahead of time and freezing it in batches. Prepare homemade pie dough several days in advance and keep it chilled or frozen. Dry brine your turkey well before cooking to ensure maximum flavor and moisture while avoiding any last-minute mess. Chop and prep as many ingredients as possible – think stuffing components, salad dressings, and all your various vegetables. You can even take the surprising step of cooking your mashed potatoes several days ahead and simply reheating them gently before serving. This forward-thinking approach transforms potential chaos into a smooth, enjoyable cooking experience.

Finally, and perhaps most crucially, before the holiday whirlwind truly begins, take a few dedicated minutes to thoroughly inventory your kitchen. Check your pantry, your equipment, and order any last-minute supplies you might need. To assist you in this vital preparation, I’ve compiled a list of 16 of my **absolute favorite tried-and-tested cooking tools**. These are the items that consistently make my life easier, guarantee excellent culinary results, and significantly reduce cooking stress throughout the entire holiday season. The best part? All of these essential kitchen items can arrive in time for your big holiday feast, ensuring you’re perfectly equipped.

• 1. Thermapen Thermometer – If you decide to invest in just one item from this entire list, let it be this one. A high-quality, instant-read thermometer is the single best way to ensure your Thanksgiving turkey (and every other roast) is cooked perfectly, safely, and never overdone. The Thermapen Mk4 provides incredibly accurate readings in a remarkable two to three seconds and is calibrated to the highest professional standards. I truly couldn’t imagine my kitchen without it. While I also adore the versatile ChefAlarm, if forced to choose, the Thermapen offers unparalleled versatility for quick checks.

• 2. Glass Pyrex Pie Pans – For consistent and delicious pie baking, I wholeheartedly recommend classic Pyrex glass pie pans. They are incredibly affordable, non-reactive, and are far superior heat conductors compared to ceramic, ensuring that your bottom crust cooks through beautifully every time. Say goodbye to dreaded soggy bottoms and hello to perfectly crisp, golden pie crusts.

• 3. Pastry Cloth + Rolling Pin Cover – This duo is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated, affordable, and incredibly helpful tools for anyone who loves making homemade pie dough. The specialized cloth (and accompanying rolling pin cover) provides a perfectly non-stick surface, preventing your delicate dough from clinging while rolling and minimizing the amount of excess dusting flour it picks up. This results in a tenderer, flakier crust.

• 4. Half Sheet Pans – Did you know that a standard half sheet pan can actually be better for roasting your Thanksgiving turkey (especially those 14 pounds and smaller) than those often expensive, specialized roasting pans? They cost a fraction of the price and are significantly sturdier than flimsy disposable foil pans. I personally own at least five of these workhorses and use them constantly for everything from roasting vegetables to baking cookies or organizing ingredients for mise en place.

• 5. BPA-Free Quart Deli Containers – These classic deli containers are freezer, dishwasher, and microwave-safe, making them absolutely perfect for storing virtually anything. From homemade stock and chopped vegetables to prepped gravy and all those delicious holiday leftovers, they keep everything fresh and organized. I simply label mine with basic masking tape and a Sharpie. These are the very same containers that professional restaurants rely on for prepping anything and everything, a testament to their utility.

• 6. Carving Set – Never underestimate the profound value of a good-quality carving knife and fork! There’s truly nothing worse (or more dangerous!) in the kitchen than struggling with a dull knife, especially when carving a hot, juicy turkey. This particular set offers fabulous quality and often goes on sale around the holidays. Even if you’re well-stocked in this department, make sure to sharpen your knives a few days before Thanksgiving for a smooth, impressive carving presentation.

• 7. Flat Whisk – While you can certainly achieve a decent gravy with a regular balloon whisk, a flat whisk will make the job much, much easier and considerably more comfortable. Its unique design allows it to reach into the corners of your pan, ensuring every last bit of fond is scraped up and incorporated, leading to a perfectly smooth, lump-free gravy.

• 8. Cooling Rack – I always keep several cooling racks on hand that fit perfectly within a standard half sheet pan. They are incredibly versatile, serving as the ideal rack for dry brining your turkey in the refrigerator, allowing for crucial air circulation. They also create a perfect elevated surface for roasting a spatchcocked turkey, promoting even cooking and crispy skin.

• 9. Glass Nesting Prep Bowls – Prep bowls are hands down one of my favorite kitchen essentials, especially during the often-hectic holiday season. They are absolutely essential for organizing ingredients in a proper “mise en place” setup, allowing me to stay incredibly organized and focused on the task at hand. I particularly love glass ones because they can safely go into the microwave if needed, and the larger ones can even double as a last-minute serving dish. I also highly recommend a set of cheap, nesting stainless steel bowls for maximum versatility.

• 10. Instant Pot – While I might suggest waiting until Cyber Monday to snag one of these fantastic devices (they tend to go on major sale!), the Instant Pot is an absolutely fabulous tool to have on hand for Thanksgiving meal prep. While slow cooker recipes abound, I much prefer the incredible versatility of an Instant Pot for holiday cooking. It allows you to prepare rich stocks or even perfectly creamy mashed potatoes in a matter of minutes, not hours, freeing up crucial stove and oven space.

• 11. Poultry Shears – Heavy-duty poultry shears are absolutely essential if you’re interested in spatchcocking your Thanksgiving turkey (we’re making this recipe next week!), a technique that ensures faster and more even cooking. Beyond turkey prep, they are remarkably useful for a million different kitchen tasks, from snipping herbs to trimming dough or cutting through tough bones.

• 12. Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt – This is the only type of cooking salt I consistently use in my kitchen, and it is unequivocally the best variety for dry brining and seasoning everything you cook. Its unique flake-like structure allows it to distribute incredibly evenly over food and dissolve quickly. As the least dense variety of kosher salt available, it grants you the most control over seasoning. You can read more about why I love this particular variety and brand of salt here. Salt, in general, is the single most essential ingredient to have perfectly stocked for Thanksgiving.

• 13. Ceramic Casserole Dish – I adore these beautiful ceramic dishes for preparing stuffing, green bean casserole, or other assembled side dishes. They are highly resistant to temperature shock, which means you can safely transfer them directly from the refrigerator into a hot oven without worry. Plus, their elegant design makes them pretty enough to go straight from the oven to your beautifully set holiday table. Many of these are often on sale during the holiday season!

• 14. Potato Ricer – While you can certainly live without this specific item, a potato ricer is a game-changer for achieving the lightest, fluffiest mashed potatoes imaginable. It works by pressing cooked potatoes very quickly through tiny holes, eliminating the amount of starch released by traditional mashing. This process ensures the smoothest, most ethereal mashed potatoes ever. As a bonus, use it later in the year to make exquisite homemade gnocchi!

• 15. French Rolling Pin – This is my absolute favorite style of rolling pin. Its tapered design makes it incredibly easy to use and provides significantly more control over your dough compared to traditional rolling pins with handles. It truly is a must-have tool for perfectly rolling out pie dough and other pastry crusts with precision and ease.

• 16. Oven Thermometer – Last, but certainly not least, I highly recommend investing in a cheap, reliable oven thermometer. It’s crucial for accounting for any variances in temperature within your home oven before you even begin cooking. Most built-in oven thermostats are not perfectly accurate, and having a separate thermometer ensures your recipes cook as intended. I always have one of these in my oven, as it’s an indispensable tool for accurate recipe testing and consistent baking results.

None of these items have been sponsored by their manufacturers. This post contains Amazon and RewardStyle affiliate links. This means that I will earn a very small commission (at no additional cost to you!) if you choose to purchase an item through my links. Your support helps me continue to provide valuable content, and I truly appreciate it! Have a wonderful and stress-free holiday season!