Kitchen Tools for Thanksgiving

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Preparing for Thanksgiving is easy when you have the right tools. Our guide shows you what you need.

Must Haves

Shallow Roasting Pan

A shallow roasting pan, like the one pictured here, is essential to roasting a turkey. If the pan's sides are too high, hot air cannot circulate and the bottom of the turkey will not cook properly.

Roasting Rack

Roasting racks increase air cirulation. This helps the bottom of the turkey cook evenly.

Instant-Read Thermometer

The best way to test if your turkey is cooked is to insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone. When the thermometer reads 165 degrees F, your turkey is ready to come out of the oven. (If you stuffed your turkey, the stuffing must also come to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.) Your turkey should rest, covered loosely with aluminum foil, for at least 20 minutes before carving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. The internal temperature of the meat will continue to rise during the resting period.

Carving Knife or Electric Knife

A sharp, slightly flexible carving knife or an electric knife makes cutting up your turkey easy. To carve, start by removing the leg and thigh. Separate the thigh from the leg and slice the meat off the thigh. Remove the breast by cutting down using the breast bone as a guide. Once removed, slice the breast horizontally against the grain of the meat. Place the carved meat on a warm serving platter. Repeat the steps for the other half of the turkey.

Ovenproof Serving Platter

A warm platter keeps the turkey from getting cold before you serve it to your guests and while it is sitting on the table.

Ovenproof Covered Serving Dishes

Keeping everything warm but not overcooked is a challenge at Thanksgiving, especially if your oven space is limited. Covered ovenproof serving dishes that go from the stove top or oven directly to the table are a great way to make sure that your side dishes stay warm for your guests.

Trivets

Don't ruin the furniture with hot serving dishes. Decorative metal or silicone trivets are an inexpensive solution for protecting your table.

Optional Items

Turkey Lifter

Turkeys are heavy, so getting them out of the pan can be hard. A rack with handles or a set of turkey lifters can save you from burnt hands and a floor full of dropped Thanksgiving turkey. Do not use forks or anything that will pierce the meat to remove the turkey from the pan before it has rested. Piercing or cutting the meat before it has rested will cause the juices to spray out, leaving the meat dry and potentially burning you.

Gravy Separator

Gravy or fat separators are a quick way to remove most of the fat from the drippings that collect in the bottom of the roasting pan. Once degreased, the juices make an excellent au jus or gravy.

Basting Syringe

A basting syringe is handy for sucking up juice and basting your turkey, but a serving spoon or small ladle works just as well.

 

Cooking Methods for the Perfect Thanksgiving Meal

Back to the Ultimate Kosher Thanksgiving Guide