Pro Chef-Approved Must-Have Thanksgiving Kitchen Tools

We’re less than two weeks away from the biggest meal of the year. You still have time to set your menu and browse our Thanksgiving hosting tips, but you are running out of time to get the tools you need for an easier Thanksgiving. I turned to several professional chefs—including Joe Sasto, author of the recently released cookbook “Breaking the Rules: A Fresh Take on Italian Classics” and creator of Tantos! Puffed Pasta Chips, and Zac Young, founder of the PieCaken Bakeshop—to see what kitchen tools they recommend having on hand for the best Thanksgiving yet. 

Pro Chef-Approved Kitchen Tools for Thanksgiving

• ThermoPro Instant‑Read Thermometer, $12 (was $17)
• Lavatools Javelin Instant Read Meat Thermometer, $23 (was $27)
• Taylor Digital Glass Top Kitchen Scale, $13
• Escali Primo Digital Food Scale, $25 (was $27)
• Ozeri Battery-Free Kitchen Scale, $18
• All-Clad Stainless Steel Pie Server, $25
• KitchenAid Variable Speed Corded Hand Blender, $53 (was $70)
• Rubbermaid Oven Thermometer, $18
• KitchenAid Classic Strainer, $12
• Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet, 2-Pack, $28 (was $30)
• Microplane Classic Zester Grater, $13

ThermoPro Instant‑Read Thermometer

You can rely on a piece of plastic to tell you when the turkey’s done, but chances are the meat will be a bit overcooked. Instead, quickly check the internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer to end up with a juicy bird. If you can’t remember what the temperature should get to, the ThermoPro has a temperature guide on the back. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) in the thickest part of the thigh.

“I will not send a turkey to the table without one,” says Sasto. “An instant-read thermometer takes the stress out of roasting, gives you perfect dark and white meat, and saves you from overcooking.” He recommends the easy-to-use ThermoPro, which features a flip-out probe that’ll accurately measure the temperature in less than four seconds. 

“[It’s] one of the single best investments for Thanksgiving,” he says. “Whether you’re roasting turkey, ham, or sides, this tool takes the guesswork out of doneness. No more overcooked breast meat or underdone thighs.” 

Lavatools Javelin Instant Read Meat Thermometer

Maggie Turansky of No Frills Kitchen agrees with Sasto that a thermometer is a Thanksgiving necessity, and she recommends the Lavatools Javelin model, which sports a larger display than the ThermoPro. 

“This is one of the most versatile items to have in your kitchen any time of year, but if you want to ensure your feast is cooked to perfection, it’s time to make the jump and get one this Thanksgiving,” says Turansky. “Not only can you be sure that your turkey is perfectly cooked, but using one is also an excellent way to check that the dishes you made in advance are thoroughly heated through and that your pumpkin pie is adequately baked.”

Both the ThermoPro and Javelin have long battery lives, are water-resistant for sanitizing, and can be fridge magnets when not in use.

Taylor Digital Glass Top Kitchen Scale

Using a kitchen scale instead of measuring cups is a secret for better meals and fewer dishes. “I use a scale for everything from gravy roux ratios to portioning sides and desserts,” says Sasto. “A compact digital scale is the fastest way to halve prep time and ensure recipes scale up cleanly.”

The Taylor digital scale allows you to weigh in a mixing bowl or saucepan, without obscuring the display or tare button. The glass is also easy to wipe clean, should your kitchen get a little messy during Thanksgiving preparation.

“This will help you scale recipes accurately, especially useful when you’re prepping sides, desserts, or even dividing dough or stuffing,” says Sasto. “Precise measurement = stress reduction.”

Escali Primo Digital Food Scale

Just like how having an instant-read thermometer on hand kept coming up, many of the professionals highly recommend having a scale as well. The scale on the Escali Primo is set back from the digital display so you can tare and measure smoothly. That display is also protected by a spill guard, making the whole scale easy to wipe down.

“I cannot live without my baking scale!” says Mallory Oniki, recipe developer, content creator, and author of the forthcoming cookbook “Cookie Club: 80 Creative Cookies to Make, Swap, and Share.” “For baking cookies or making pie crusts, my scale doesn’t leave my side. It’s the easiest way to make your baked goods turn out perfectly, every time-especially important for holidays when you are feeding lots of people like Thanksgiving and oven time and space is tight, no time for re-dos.” 

Ozeri Battery-Free Kitchen Scale

The unique design of the Ozeri battery-free scale is to prevent any interference during measuring. To power on and charge the scale, you simply twist the entire digital display, making this a great option for anyone who won’t be using theirs often. 

“A kitchen scale is a really handy tool to use at Thanksgiving,” says Susan Gravatt of Susan Brings Dessert and a contestant on the current season of the Hallmark Channel’s “Baked With Love: Holiday.” “Weighing flour, sugar, butter, and all your ingredients means your pie crusts, rolls, and gravy turn out as intended. Scales eliminate guesswork and give consistent results in the kitchen.” 

All-Clad Stainless Steel Pie Server

Once you have your instant-read thermometer and kitchen scale, the professionals have even more recommendations for a better Thanksgiving. This dishwasher-safe All-Clad pie server is sure to impress your guests, and it can be used during the main meal for serving sides before you use it for dessert.

“​​When dessert hits the table, your serving tools need to be as dependable as they are good-looking, which is exactly why I love this durable All-Clad pie server,” says Zac Young. “It’s great for all the Thanksgiving pies, cakes, and of course, PieCakens. The stainless steel helps cut through all the layers of my all-in-one Thanksgiving mashup. A bonus is that it will match a lot of your cookware, too.” 

KitchenAid Variable Speed Corded Hand Blender

We’re big fans of the underappreciated immersion blender—it’s one tool you’ll keep reaching for throughout the year. The KitchenAid immersion blender lets you control the speed while the blade guard protects your cookware. This set includes a 3-cup blending jar that’s ideal for single-serving smoothies and sauces, and the blending arm is dishwasher-safe.  

“Immersion blenders are the perfect versatile tool and a holiday must for me,” says Oniki. “The blender attachment is perfect for making creamy soups, sauces, or smoothing out chunky gravy or whipping up a quick salad dressing right in the jar or measuring cup.” 

Rubbermaid Oven Thermometer

The ambient oven temperature will definitely play a role in how well your turkey, sides, and pie cook. Ovens can need recalibration from time to time, but if you don’t want to add that to your to-do list this holiday season, pick up an inexpensive thermometer to place inside the oven so you don’t have to play a guessing game. 

“Hanging an in-oven thermometer keeps temperatures honest so pies don’t over-brown and rolls bake evenly,” says Gravatt. “A thermometer is an easy fix for an oven that seems like it runs too hot or cold.” 

The Rubbermaid thermometer can handle temperatures up to 580 degrees Fahrenheit, and is easy to hook onto the front of an oven rack. Should it get in the way while dishes are coming in and out of the oven, it can also stand off to the side of the oven.

KitchenAid Classic Strainer

Smooth sauces are a surefire way to elevate a dinner, and that means straining out any globs of flour or an errant thyme stem. Katie Vine of Dinners Done Quick recommends picking up the 7-inch-wide KitchenAid stainless steel strainer, which features a comfortable grip handle and a metal lip for a secure fit over a bowl or small saucepan.

“One of my favorite kitchen tools to make life easier for Thanksgiving is a fine mesh strainer,” says Vine. “Here’s why I love it: drain canned veggies for the casserole in seconds, strain your drippings to make a smooth and perfect gravy with ease, strain fresh cranberry puree to make a flawless cranberry tart or cocktail syrup, and you can even use it to add a professional looking dusting of powdered sugar or cocoa powder on drinks and desserts.”

Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet, 2-Pack

“A good half-sheet pan is how I roast vegetables, toast nuts, crisp breaded items, and hold components before plating,” says Sasto. “Buy at least two or three high-quality pans so you can run multiple trays without crowding.” And we agree—baking sheets are kitchen tools we reach for regularly when making dinner, freezing leftovers, or creating a workspace.

Sasto recommends the durable aluminum Nordic Ware half sheets, which conveniently come in a 2-pack. “[They’re] a versatile, heavy-duty workhorse,” he says. “You’ll roast veggies, hold cooked items, move trays in and out of the oven, toast nuts—all on one or two half-sheet pans.”

Microplane Classic Zester Grater

Once you have the perfectly roasted turkey, the gooiest mac and cheese, and the smoothest mashed potatoes, you just have to make the final presentation. After loading everything into its serving platter, a light garnish takes it all up a notch. The classic Microplane zester creates just the right amount of flavor without being overpowering.

“Use it for freshly grated Parmigiano, citrus zest, nutmeg, garlic snow, those little details that elevate dishes from everyday to memorable,” says Sasto. “A Microplane is cheap, lasts forever, and gives that fine texture you can’t replicate with a box grater.”