The Best Thanksgiving Tools of 2019
By Lindsay D. Mattison, September 24, 2018, Updated January 29, 2019The first time I hosted Thanksgiving dinner, I was a wreck. You would think that years of working in restaurant kitchens would have prepared me for the big day, but it really hadn’t. I didn’t have anything I needed and I resorted to barking out orders to my family members as if they were line cooks in my restaurant. Not exactly the way I wanted to spend my day off! After the chaos had dissipated, I reflected on the day to see what went wrong. It all came down to my cooking tools, and I didn't have what I needed to get the job done.
In addition to the intangible things (like making a to-do list, doing prep work in advance, and clearing out room in the refrigerator for all the turkey-day food), there are a few equipment necessities that will make your Thanksgiving Day go that much smoother. And, since we try not to recommend any unitasker tools that are only useful once a year, we tested 121 products (and researched countless more), to make sure you can put this stuff to good use all year long.
Here are the best Thanksgiving tools that we've tested here at Reviewed (many are our Editor's Choice winners!). I've also added a few of my personal favorites, too.
To Help with the Turkey
- Roasting Pan: Viking 3-Ply Roasting Pan w/ Non-Stick Rack
- Probe Thermometer: ThermoWorks ChefAlarm Probe Thermometer
- Digital Thermometer: ThermoWorks ThermoPop Digital Meat Thermometer
- Fat Separator: OXO Good Grips Good Gravy Fat Separator – 4 Cup
- Poultry Shears: J.A. Henckels International Henckels Poultry Shears
- Carving Knife: Mercer Culinary Renaissance Granton Edge Slicing Knife
- Electric Carving Knife: Black and Decker EK500B 9-Inch Electric Carving Knife
- Carving Board: Teakhaus Rectangle Carving Board With Hand Grips
To Make Great Side Dishes
- Potato Ricer: Chef'n FreshForce Potato Ricer
- Mixing Bowls: Cuisinart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls with Lids, Set of 3
- Glass Baking Dishes: Pyrex Basics Clear Glass Baking Dishes 3 Quart Oblong and 2 Quart Square
- Food Processor: Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY Food Processor
- Cast Iron Skillet: Lodge 12-Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet
General Cooking Must-Haves
- Cookware Set: Cuisinart MCP-12N Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set
- Knife Set: Zwilling J.A. Henckels Twin Gourmet Classic 18-pc Knife Block Set
- Baking Sheet: Nordic Ware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker's Half Sheet
- Baking Rack: Checkered Chef Cooling Rack Baking Rack
For Delicious Desserts
- Pie Pan: Emile Henry Modern Classics Pie Dish
- Rolling Pin: J.K. Adams Plain Maple Rolling Dowel
Don't Forget The Leftovers (and Cleanup)!
- Storage Containers: Glasslock Assorted Container Set
- Dish Towels: Williams Sonoma All-Purpose Pantry Towels
- Dish Rack: PremiumRacks Professional Dish Rack
Updated January 29, 2019
For the Turkey
Everyone knows the turkey is the star of the show, and these tools will help you prepare the perfect bird! From cooking it to carving it, we tested all the essential equipment you'll need to make this iconic Thanksgiving main dish.

To Make Great Side Dishes
Sometimes, I swear I like the side dishes more than the turkey itself. I know, I know, blasphemy! But these gadgets will help your mashed potatoes, vegetables, and casseroles turn out as delicious as the turkey!

General Cooking Must-Haves
Whether you're setting up your first kitchen or you're looking to make some upgrades, these cookware essentials will definitely come in handy on Thanksgiving Day. These staples can be used with multiple courses and make a great addition to your kitchen.

For Delicious Desserts
I'm not sure you can call it Thanksgiving if you don't finish the meal with pie! Whip up your favorite apple, pumpkin, or pecan pie with these essential dessert-making tools.

Don't Forget the Leftovers (and Cleanup)!
Every year, I forget about storing the leftovers! You can totally make it work with aluminum foil and plastic wrap, but this is a better option. And once you've tucked those away, we have a few suggestions for a better cleanup.
