10 Kitchen Tools You Need For Thanksgiving

Whether this is your first time making a full Thanksgiving dinner, or you’re an experienced turkey-basting connoisseur, there are a few essentials your kitchen needs to make the perfect Thanksgiving dinner .

Make sure your kitchen is well-stocked for all of the best Thanksgiving recipes  well before dreams of food comas dance in your head. Here, we’ve pulled together 10 of the most necessary and practical kitchen tools you need to make a killer Thanksgiving meal. 

1. Mixer

Planning to make mashed potatoes, homemade pie crust or fresh whipped cream? Let a mixer take the arm work out of Thanksgiving dinner prep.

Related...

• The Mashed Potato Recipes You Want And Need 
• 19 Incredible Pumpkin Pie Recipes, Because One Is Never Enough

2. Dutch Oven

Dutch ovens are the secret to heart, cold-weather meals. (I.E., the best Thanksgiving sides). You can make practically anything in a dutch oven , from mashed potatoes and corn pudding to dressing.  

Related...

• 13 Delicious Recipes You Can Make In A Dutch Oven
• Turkey Breast Recipes That Make Thanksgiving So Much Easier

3. Crock Pot

The crock pot is a lifesaver when it comes to prepping Thanksgiving dinner ahead of time. Just toss in your ingredients, set to cook, and the hard work is done. Try cooking fresh apple cider, homemade butternut squash soup or even mashed potatoes in a crock pot this Thanksgiving . 

Related...

• Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Recipes Are The Answer
• How To Make An Entire Thanksgiving Dinner In A Crock Pot (Almost)

4. Cast Iron Skillet

If you’re intimidated by cast iron skillets, don’t be. They’re actually ridiculously easy to take care of, and there’s really no comparison when it comes to cripsy, flavorful dishes right out of the oven. This Thanksgiving, try making sides like dressing and green bean casserole in a cast iron skillet for a different twist on these holiday classics.

Related...

• It’s Time To Season Your Cast Iron Skillet. Here’s How.
• 10 Green Bean Casserole Recipes Just Perfect For Thanksgiving

5. Springform Pan

Who says you have to eat pie on Thanksgiving? Springform pans are the secret kitchen tool that makes creamy and dreamy cheesecakes at home a reality. 

Related...

• Stunning Thanksgiving Dessert Recipes That Aren’t Pie
• Cheesecake Recipes You’d Give Anything To Eat

6. Roasting Pan

Planning to make a turkey? Chances are you’ll need a sturdy, reliable and oversized roasting pan to get the job done. Don’t forget the rack and lifters, too . 

Related...

• The Best Turkey Recipes For Thanksgiving
• Sick Of Turkey? Try These Alternative Recipes For Thanksgiving

7. Jelly Roll Pan

While jelly roll recipes themselves have kind of fallen out of style, the specialty pans for them are a chef’s essential. The raised sides make it better than a cookie sheet for roasting and braising veggies, as well as heating last-minute sides like rolls. 

Related...

• How To Make The Best Roasted Vegetables You’ve Ever Eaten
• Thanksgiving Vegetable Recipes You Need On The Table

8. Meat Thermometer

Honestly, a meat thermometer is just an all-around good kitchen gadget to have around, but it’s especially important if you’re making a full Thanksgiving bird. 

Related...

• How Much Turkey To Buy Per Person For Thanksgiving
• How Long To Cook A Turkey Per Pound

9. Knife Set

A cook is only as good as his or her tools, right? And since basically every Thanksgiving dish will require some amount of chopping, peeling or dicing, it’s best to make sure you have the essentials before the food is ready to prep. Not to mention, you’ll need a start knife to carve your bird.

Related...

• How To Carve A Turkey
• You’ve Been Slicing, Dicing, Pitting And Peeling Your Produce Wrong. Until Now.

10. Pots

Obviously pots and pans are a “duh” kitchen essential for Thanksgiving dinner, but do you have all of the pots you’ll need ? Most importantly, you’ll want to make sure you have a large stock pot, a large nonstick skillet and an oversized sauce pan ready to use for all your main dishes. 

Related...

• Gravy Recipes That Tie The Whole Thanksgiving Meal Together
• Cranberry Sauce Recipes That Are Essential For Thanksgiving

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page.