Thanksgiving Kitchen Tools Checklist: What You Actually Need for Turkey Day

Every year, about a week before Thanksgiving, we see the same thing in the shop. Someone comes in holding a list, a little wide-eyed, and says, "I'm hosting this year and I just realized I don't own a roasting pan." If that's you, take a breath. You're in good company, and you have time.

We put together the checklist we wish every first-time (and fifth-time) host had. It's organized the way the day actually goes: the turkey, the temperature checks, the carving, the sides and gravy, and the pies. Everything here is something we carry at our shop on North Nevada in Colorado Springs, and nothing on the list is a gadget you'll use once and forget.

Jump to: Prepping and roasting the turkey · Getting the temperature right · Carving · Sides and gravy · Pies · FAQs

Quick picks

Prepping and roasting the turkey

The bird is the main event, and a good pan makes the whole thing calmer. You want something deep enough to catch the drippings (that's your gravy) and sturdy enough that it won't buckle when you pull 15 pounds out of a hot oven. A few prep tools help too, starting the night before.

Urban Accents Gourmet Brine Bag

Brining is one of the easiest ways to get juicy white meat. This heavy-duty, resealable bag has a gusseted bottom so it stands up while you fill it, and it fits turkeys from 17 to 24 pounds. It's BPA-free, and it saves you from trying to fit a stockpot in the fridge.

Wüsthof Poultry Shears

Sharp, slightly curved stainless blades with a spring between them, so your hand doesn't tire out. Use them to trim the bird, spatchcock it if you want a faster roast, or cut through thinner bones. They come in handy all year for chicken night too.

RSVP Butcher's String

Tying the legs together helps the turkey keep its shape and cook more evenly. This extra-thick string is 100% cotton, made in the USA with no dyes, and there's 185 feet of it, so you'll have plenty left for roasts and herb bundles.

USA Pan Roaster Pan

A friendly, budget-minded pick with tall 3-inch sides and an oversized rim that's easy to grab with oven mitts. The nonstick finish makes cleanup much easier. And it isn't just a once-a-year pan. Use it for ham at Christmas, a Sunday roast, or a big batch of lasagna.

Made In Stainless Steel Roasting Pan

If you'd like a roaster that lasts for years, this is the one we point people to. It's 3-ply stainless clad, so it heats evenly and browns beautifully, yet it's lighter than you'd expect, which matters when it's holding a big turkey (Made In says up to 24 pounds). It comes with a stainless steel rack that lifts the bird so heat can circulate and the drippings collect underneath for gravy.

Smithey Carbon Steel Oval Roaster

For the cook who loves beautiful, heirloom-style gear. This carbon steel roaster from Smithey works for a smaller turkey, a couple of roast chickens, or a big tray of root vegetables, and it looks gorgeous going straight to the table.

Turkey Lifters

This is the small tool people thank us for. These sturdy forks let you lift a whole turkey (up to about 20 pounds) from the roasting pan to the cutting board without it sliding or falling apart. They also help steady the bird while you carve.

Turkey Stuffing Bag

If your family insists on stuffing cooked inside the bird, this bag keeps it contained so you can pull it all out in one go. No more digging around with a spoon while everyone waits.

Getting the temperature right

If we could hand every host one thing, it would be a good thermometer. Pop-up timers and "until the juices run clear" leave too much to chance.

Our Colorado altitude tip: Here in Colorado Springs, at just over 6,000 feet, water boils at about 201°F instead of 212°F, and moisture evaporates faster in our dry mountain air. That means a turkey can dry out more easily, and cooking times don't always match the recipe. Brine the bird the night before, plan on a little extra time, and go by temperature instead of the clock: 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh and breast. Then let it rest 20 to 30 minutes before carving so the juices settle back in.

ThermoWorks ThermoPop 2

Fast, accurate to within a degree, and easy on the budget. The backlit screen rotates so you can read it from any angle, which helps when you're leaning into a hot oven. The 8-inch probe reaches deep into a big bird.

Thermapen ONE

The splurge thermometer, and a favorite in test kitchens. It gives a reading in about one second, so you're not standing there with the oven door open letting the heat out. If you cook a lot of meat, bread, or candy, you'll use it all year.

Large-Face Meat Thermometer

The old-school option. It stays in the bird while it roasts and has a big dial that's easy to read. Simple and inexpensive, and nice to have as a backup.

Carving

Here's the part everyone watches. A sharp knife and a board that catches the juices make it look easy, even if it's your first time.

Teak Haus Traditional Carving Board with Juice Canal

A big, heavy teak board (20 x 15 inches) with a groove around the edge that keeps juices off your counter. Its weight keeps it from sliding around while you carve. America's Test Kitchen and Cook's Illustrated have both recommended this board, and it's built to last for years of holidays.

Shun Classic 2-Piece Carving Set

A 9-inch hollow-ground slicing knife and a matching carving fork, in a gift box. The long, sharp blade gives you thin, even slices, and the set looks beautiful on the holiday table. It's the kind of thing that gets passed down to whoever inherits the carving job.

Messermeister Avanta Carving Set

A carving knife and a matching fork, forged from German stainless steel with pretty pakkawood handles. It's a great value for a real carving set, and it makes a lovely gift for whoever always ends up doing the carving.

Cuisinart Electric Knife

No shame in the electric knife. It slices turkey and bread quickly and evenly, and the 5-foot cord means you can carve right at the table if that's your family's tradition.

Sides and gravy

Let's be honest, a lot of people come for the sides. A few good tools make the mashed potatoes smoother and the gravy lump-free.

Le Creuset Signature 5.5 Qt Round Dutch Oven

Mashed potatoes, a big pot of stuffing, braised greens, or soup for the night before. Enameled cast iron holds heat well, so sides stay warm on the table longer. Choose from several colors to match your kitchen.

OXO 3-in-1 Adjustable Potato Ricer

If you want the fluffiest, smoothest mashed potatoes, a ricer is the secret. This one has three disks built right in, so there are no extra parts to hunt for, and a groove lets it rest on the edge of the pot while you work. It comes apart for easy cleaning.

OXO Nylon Potato Masher

Prefer your potatoes a little chunky? This comfortable masher is made of nylon, so it won't scratch nonstick pots. A quick tip for Colorado cooks: water boils at a lower temperature at altitude, so give your potatoes a few extra minutes and test with a fork before you drain.

Tovolo Better Batter Tool

Part whisk, part spatula. The silicone fins scrape the sides of the pan clean while you stir, which is exactly what you want for smooth gravy. It's heat resistant, so it's fine on the stovetop.

Le Creuset Pumpkin Gravy Boat with Lid

The cutest thing on the Thanksgiving table. It holds 14 ounces, has a pouring spout shaped to prevent drips, and the lid helps keep the gravy warm. We also love this ceramic Pumpkin Gravy Boat, and if you'd like something simpler, our classic white porcelain 8 oz gravy boat goes with everything.

Mud Pie Can-berry Dish Set

This one makes everybody smile. It's a ceramic dish with a vintage can texture and "Can-berry" stamped on it, sized just right for a can of cranberry sauce, plus a silver-plated server engraved "Slice 'n Serve." If your family is Team Canned Cranberry, this is your dish.

Stonewall Kitchen Hot Pepper Cranberry Jelly

Sweet cranberries with a little jalapeño and cayenne heat. It's great on crackers with cheese while the turkey roasts, but our favorite use is the next day: spread it on a leftover turkey sandwich. Trust us on this one.

ThermoWorks Silicone Hotpad and Trivet

When every burner and rack is full, you need somewhere to set hot dishes. These are heat resistant to 600°F, grip the counter, and go in the dishwasher. Grab two or three.

Pies

Pumpkin, apple, pecan, or all three. These are the tools that make pie day feel less like a project.

Emile Henry Evergreen Pie Dish

Made in France, this ceramic dish bakes evenly so your crust browns without drying out. The ruffled edge makes it easier to cut and lift out neat slices, and the deep Evergreen color is just beautiful on a fall or Christmas table.

Anchor Hocking Deep Glass Pie Plate

A classic 9.5-inch deep glass dish with a crimped rim. Glass lets you peek at the bottom crust to see if it's browned. A good, affordable second pie plate.

Stainless Steel Pastry Blender

For cutting cold butter into flour for a flaky crust. It's quicker than two forks and keeps the butter colder than using your fingers.

French Rolling Pin

The tapered ends let you pivot and roll an even circle of dough. Once bakers try a French pin, most don't go back.

OXO Flexible Pie Server

Thin, flexible, and serrated on both sides, so it works for righties and lefties and the first slice comes out in one piece.

Want more ideas?

Browse our Thanksgiving: A Table to Remember collection for serving pieces and table décor, or shop by category: Thermometers & Timers, Cutting Boards, Enameled Cast Iron, and Pie Dishes & Tart Plates. Heading to someone else's house instead? Our holiday hostess gifts are a lovely way to say thank you.

FAQs

What kitchen tools do I need to cook Thanksgiving dinner?

At minimum: a roasting pan with a rack, an instant-read thermometer, a carving knife and a board with a juice groove, a large pot for potatoes, a masher or ricer, a whisk for gravy, and a pie dish. Everything else is nice to have.

What size roasting pan do I need for a turkey?

A roaster around 16 inches long handles most turkeys up to about 20 pounds. Leave an inch or two of space around the bird so the heat can circulate. If you're cooking a smaller turkey or a turkey breast, a smaller roaster or a large skillet works well.

Do I really need a meat thermometer for turkey?

We'd say yes. It's the only reliable way to know the turkey has reached a safe 165°F without overcooking it. That matters even more at Colorado's altitude, where cooking times can run differently than recipes expect.

When should I buy my Thanksgiving cookware?

The sooner the better. Shopping a few weeks ahead gives you the best selection and time to do a practice run, like roasting a chicken in your new pan or testing your thermometer. Popular sizes and colors can run low as the holiday gets close.

Where can I shop these in Colorado Springs?

Visit us at Aspen Kitchens Home + Gift, 5020 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO, or give us a call at 719-264-9200. You can also shop everything online at shop.aspenkitchens.com.

Happy cooking, and happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Aspen Kitchens!