10 Editor-Favorite Kitchen Essentials for Hosting the Perfect Thanksgiving

"This will be our second Thanksgiving since my dad passed away. He was always the one in the charge of the turkey (he grilled it to perfection!). Last year, we were feeling a little lost, so we just got a bunch of rotisserie chickens from Costco. This year, we're gonna try to do it like my dad did, and I know to bring my Thermapen to help us track our progress. It's a favorite among chefs and won the top spot in our Best List. And I know my dad would have loved the nerdiness of it, too." — Lisa Freedman, Lifestyle Director

"With the holidays right around the corner, there’s one piece of dinnerware every home cook needs on their Thanksgiving table: this serving platter from Made In. Its 13-inch size and elongated oval shape makes it my go-to service platter whenever I’m cooking for the holidays. Everyone always comments on how perfectly sized this platter is. From serving roasted root veggie sides to sliced turkey, this platter makes virtually anything I cook absolutely shine." – Danielle St. Pierre, Senior Commerce Editor

"I'm pretty sure anyone who owns a Le Creuset Dutch oven just can't imagine cooking without it. My Dutch oven gets extra use during the holidays when I'm braising brisket, making toffee, or roasting carrots as a side. During the Thanksgiving cooking bonanza that goes on in my kitchen, my Le Creuset helps me cook one dish after another (I probably need another to be honest), from roasted Brussels sprouts to turkey. If I had to use one piece of cookware alone, this would be it. I really can't live without it when it comes to conducting heat evenly and perfectly while I make my roux and gravy." – Stella Totino, Commerce Intern

"This was my mom's secret to keeping staple dishes warm on Thanksgiving (I mean no one likes cold mashed potatoes, right?) It also allowed people to serve themselves and was a really fun setup. My mom used to make name cards for dishes and everything! It's also great because you can use the trays it comes with or your own." – Sarah M. Vazquez, Commerce Writer

"As a little kid, some of my most vivid Thanksgiving memories are of my grandfather whipping out his electric knife with great ceremony as he prepared to carve the bird. To be perfectly honest, I always thought it was overrated, but this is a classic case of 'don't knock it til' you try it.' Using an electric carving knife is quite literally game changing. This knife has two stainless steel blades that effortlessly slice through a roast, ham, turkey, or even bread. I love that it comes with a carving fork and a case that not only makes it easy to store but also the perfect carving bundle to grab if you're heading over to feast at someone else's house. Like almost everything else, turns out my grandpa wasn't wrong." – Stella Totino, Commerce Intern

"I love cookware that is pretty enough to double as a serving piece, and this Stella Falone cutting board does just that. Its durable ebony wood construction provides a solid foundation for dicing garlic and onions, chopping root veggies, and slicing turkey during meal prep, but I also use this cutting board as a rustic serving platter to serve appetizers, cheese, and charcuterie with a glass of bubbly before the big meal." – Danielle St. Pierre, Senior Commerce Editor

"For Thanksgiving, I find I need big mixing bowls. No, bigger. Seriously. (Have you ever tried to mix up stuffing in a too-small bowl?) I like this set because the biggest one is great for stuffing and the other two can be put to good use for veggies, batters, and other tasks." — Lisa Freedman, Lifestyle Director

"This one under-the-radar item my mom said was an absolute lifesaver and would have on the table every year became a Thanksgiving staple. 'It’s just as important as the roasting pan,' my mom told me. 'What’s Thanksgiving without gravy?' Keeping your gravy warm (without burning it) throughout the entire meal is essential. Think about it: You go for a second helping of mashed potatoes and turkey, which are now at room temperature. But simply pour a hefty serving of warm gravy on top, and voilà! Instantly more delicious." -Erin Cavoto, Commerce Writer

"My absolute favorite thing about my family's Thanksgiving? Popovers. My grandma made the best popovers, and it was something we only had once a year. After her passing, they've been sorely missed at our Turkey Day feast, but this year I'm up for the task. Grandma always used a muffin pan, so I'm going to try it out with a silicone version. This silicone muffin pan is easy to clean, dishwasher safe, withstands high temperatures, and (most importantly) ensures that those tasty, chewy, deliciously hot bundles can pop right out." – Stella Totino, Commerce Intern

"Mashed potatoes are one of my favorite Thanksgiving sides, and I turn to this easy-to-use hand blender from Smeg to achieve a perfectly creamy consistency for every batch. With a powerful 350-watt motor, an easy-to-use knob that controls speed, and an ergonomic, oversized handle, this thing is actually super fun to use. I also use this hand blender to puree root veggies like butternut squash, carrots, or turnips when I’m making hearty fall soups and bisques." – Danielle St. Pierre, Senior Commerce Editor