Thanksgiving

Your Best Turkey Begins With These 10 Tools

Perfect your bird with the best roasting pan, carving set, serving platter, and more.

by:
September 27, 2023
Photo by Mikkel Vang

As part of our 52 Days of Thanksgiving, we’re giving you all the tools and tips to pull off the best Thanksgiving ever, from setting a stylish table to curating the ultimate menu. Sign up for emails here to unlock the secrets of planning the most memorable feast of the year.


You might think it’s a bit early to start talking about Thanksgiving, but we disagree. It’s never too soon to start drafting your holiday menu, sketching out your table setting, figuring out who to invite, or how you will prepare the holiday’s main character: turkey.

After scouring the virtual shelves of our Shop we've pulled together 10 of our top tools and accessories for perfecting and presenting your bird. From a ceramic baking dish perfect for stuffing to the best roasting pan and rack, these turkey essentials have got you covered.

1. Stainless Steel Turkey Baster with Infusing Tip, $40

Whether or not to baste your turkey sparks heated debate in our Test Kitchen. But if you're on team basting, you need a trusty tool. This turkey baster is made from stainless steel and silicone and even has an add-on needle to help with infusing the meat with butter, marinades, and more.

2. Five Two Essential Roasting Pan & Rack, $149

For a show-stopping roasting pan, there is nothing more beautiful than Mauviel’s copper roaster. But for a roasting pan and rack combo that you can count on come game day, our Five Two pan is a fantastic choice. It’s made from induction-friendly stainless steel and has a highly conductive aluminum core for even heating, meaning no spots. The best part? It comes with a multi-use flat rack that can be used to give your turkey a lift and doubles as cooling rack or trivet.

3. Yummly Smart Thermometer, $100

If you’re nervous about misreading the internal temperature of your turkey, try this smart thermometer. It’s exceptionally easy to use, making it an ideal sidekick for a day of multi-tasking in the kitchen. Just insert the thermometer into your turkey, open the app on your smartphone, specify that you’re cooking a turkey and how you’d like it done, and leave it in as it's cooking. The app will keep you up to speed on the internal temp and will even let you know when to take it out of the oven.

4. Five Two Silicone Oven Mitts (Set of 2), $30+ $25+

You obviously don't want to accidentally burn yourself while basting your turkey or pulling it out of the oven, so make sure you have a pair of oven mitts you can trust. These can withstand up to 650 degrees and have an extra-long design to help ensure you're fully protected from potential oven burns.

5. JK Adams Reversible Carving Board, $102

This carving board is smart for two reasons. One, its grooves hold up to half a cup of liquid. Two, the board’s indentation helps keep your turkey or roast chicken stable while you’re slicing.

6. ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Pro 8" Carving Knife and Fork Set, $200+

If you don't have a carving set, this knife and fork is a fantastic option to carry you through the holidays. With curved handles and a uniquely shaped either-inch knife blade, this matching set is a pro-level tool that anyone (even first-time carvers!) can comfortably use.

7. Chef's Choice 4643 Pronto Pro Manual Knife Sharpener, $60

Keep your carving knife sharp—and make it foolproof, too, with this manual sharpener that makes it easy to restore your dullest blades to their original precision.

8. Handmade Crinkle Edge Platter, $115+

Once your turkey is carved, plate it on a gorgeous serving platter like this hand-crafted one by the Montreal-based ceramics studio, Looks Like White. Made from durable stoneware, it's dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning afterward.

9. Handmade Ceramic Loop Gravy Boat, $72

Your gravy needs a beautiful vessel, too, and this handmade gravy boat by Brooklyn-based ceramicist Catalina Parra is a versatile, neutral pick for any table.

10. French Ceramic Oval Baking Dish, $33+

Since turkey and stuffing are an unbreakable duo, we couldn't forget to include a baking dish to hold your favorite stuffing. Even better? It'll work just as well for other Thanksgiving staples like yams, green bean casserole, and cornbread.


Thanksgiving Recipes to Rely On

More from Food52

52 Days of Thanksgiving
Check It Out
52 Days of Thanksgiving

Top-notch recipes, expert tips, and all the tools to pull off the year’s most memorable feast.

Check It Out

See what other Food52 readers are saying.

Food52

Written by: Food52

0 Comments