13 things you need to host Thanksgiving for the first time
From cookware to tabletop, and everything in between.
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Reviewed / Sol Cotti
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So you're hosting your first Thanksgiving—where to begin? As far as the food goes, our experts have tips for how to roast your first turkey, making the perfect pumpkin pie, along with how to avoid common Turkey Day fails. In terms of gear, you’re going to need a few key kitchen tools plus some basics for serving in order to pull this off. Here’s what you’ll need to make your first Thanksgiving a success.
1. A roasting pan
Make sure you buy a roasting pan with a rack—this is key to a tasty bird.
Yes, you do actually need a roasting pan if you plan to roast a turkey this year, and don’t forget the rack! This vessel has been perfected over the years and the rack has been engineered to ensure all turkey dripping goodness is collected for basting (and later, gravy). Our pick for your first roasting pan is the Circulon Nonstick Roasting Pan with Rack because it’s a good bang for your buck. If you’d like to invest a little extra, check out the best roasting pans we've tested.
2. A carving knife
Make turkey carving a bit easier with a tool meant for the task.
Speaking as someone who clumsily carved their first Thanksgiving turkey using a chef’s knife, I can confidently say you’ll want a good carving knife to streamline this process. A carving knife will yield lovely even slices.
And since you’ll likely use this once a year, maybe twice if you’re a Christmas ham kind of person, we recommend the 11-inch Mercer Culinary Renaissance Granton Edge Slicing Knife because it’s so sharp you may never have to sharpen it. If you’re looking for an electric option, check out our favorite electric carving knives.
3. A digital meat thermometer
For accurate readings, submerge at least a half-inch of the probe into the thickest part of the meat.
Since you’ll definitely want to make sure your meat is cooked through (hello, salmonella), make sure you order a digital meat thermometer before you cook your bird. This kitchen gadget can range from $20 to $100, and after we put our favorite digital meat thermometers to the test we found you don’t have to choose between cost and efficiency. The ThermoPop by ThermoWorks is great for your first Thanksgiving because it’s super accurate and will last for many years to come.
4. A pie dish
This Emile Henry pie dish comes in five colors—white, yellow, red, blue, and green.
Pumpkin pie is the best and most important part of Thanksgiving—there I said it! If you’re planning to bake your own, you’ll need a real pie dish and not a cake pan, loaf pan, or other vessel you think you can use to create pie perfection.
A good metal pie dish is a great way to achieve flaky crust and yummy pie, but they can be a bit fussy to maintain. When we tested our favorite pie dishes, the Emile Henry Modern Classics Pie Dish yielded crispy crust and easy cleanup. Bonus: It comes in five bright colors, and we absolutely encourage you to match your pie dish to your outfit.
5. A cast-iron skillet
Lodge makes reliable cast iron skillets that won't break the bank.
Consider this the MVP of your Thanksgiving dinner prep. A well-seasoned cast-iron skillet will produce beautifully flavored dishes, especially when it comes to veggie sides for your holiday meal. Of course, a cast iron skillet will also come in handy virtually any day of the year, so think of this as an investment in future deliciousness. The Lodge Chef Collection cast-iron skillet gets the job done for under $50.
6. A hand mixer
Whip up the perfect mashed potatoes using a hand mixer.
I love the consistency of mashed potatoes made with a hand mixer, probably because this is how my mom and dad always made them. You could go for the potato ricer method, loved by some of our editors, or you could select a kitchen tool with year-round uses like a traditional hand mixer and make your ‘taters the old-fashioned way.
Cuisinart makes a great hand mixer, but for something that will get the job done at a fraction of the price, we recommend the Black + Decker Easy Storage Hand Mixer.
7. Sturdy mixing bowls
All of Material's plastic products are made using recycled materials.
If you’re planning to mash potatoes, whip up a pie, or craft any number of Thanksgiving side dishes, you’ll need a few good mixing bowls. You probably already have at least one mixing bowl kicking around in your kitchen, but one simply will not do for this food-filled holiday.
We love Material's mixing bowls because they're lightweight, easy to clean, and they're made using recycled materials.
8. A cutting board
A sturdy wooden cutting board like the Teakhaus Carving Board provides a solid foundation for turkey carving.
Splurge on this Thanksgiving essential because you’ll get lots of use out of it. A sturdy wooden cutting board like the Teakhaus Rectangle Carving Board With Hand Grips (one of the best cutting boards we've tested) is great for carving your bird on Turkey Day because it’s moisture-resistant and remains stable while you chop. Post-holiday, this cutting board will make a superior base for a cheese or charcuterie board, and obviously for any and all future chopping needs.
9. Serving platters
Food52 has the answer to simple, modern serving platters in its Five Two dinnerware line.
Sure, some dishes can be served in the vessels they were cooked in (looking at you, corn casserole), but other Thanksgiving dishes really need a serving platter to make them shine. Food52 offers a serving platter and serving bowl as part of its Five Two line—we recently tested the Five Two pots and pans and loved them.
If you love the look of the Five Two Serving Platter and you’re feeling extra fancy, you could fill out your set with other items from the Five Two Stoneware Dinnerware collection.
10. The best apron we've tested
The Hedley & Bennett Crossback Apron is the best apron we tested.
If you’re like me then you love an excuse to dress up a bit for the holidays—but don't ruin your fancy outfit while you're cooking! Throw on this Hedley & Bennett apron, which happens to be the best apron we've tested, because it’s cute and means you won’t have to rush to remove stains whilst entertaining (but if you do need to do that, here’s how).
11. Cloth napkins
Parachute linen waffle napkins are the finishing touch on any table.
When I was growing up, we always saved our cloth napkins for special occasions and Thanksgiving was no exception. Cloth napkins are an easy way to elevate your dining experience, and they’re eco-friendly!
Parachute, known for its internet-famous bathrobe and bedding, offers a tabletop collection that conveniently comes in gorgeous autumnal shades: natural, sienna, and cabernet. The Linen Waffle Tabletop Collection includes a set of two of the softest waffle napkins I’ve ever felt—plus, they’re machine-washable, so cleaning is a breeze.
12. Candles
These pillar candles are a great statement piece for your Thanksgiving tablescape.
There’s truly no better way to set the mood than with candles. Coming Soon comes to the rescue with the perfect pillar candles to complete your Thanksgiving tablescape—the Totem Candles are made by fan-favorite Areaware design company. And because these are pillar candles and not taper candles, you can set them on top of a saucer or small plate you already have instead of having to buy special candle holders.
13. Dish towels
You can never have too many dish towels.
Regardless of the number of Thanksgiving guests in your home this year, I can guarantee there will be lots of dishes to be done once the meal is over. Do yourself (and the environment!) a favor and make sure you’re stocked up on this kitchen essential.
We’ve tested the best dish towels on the market and our favorite is the Williams Sonoma All Purpose Pantry Towel because it’s affordable and absorbent. But hey, if you’ve got some Thanksgiving-themed tea towels you’ve been waiting all year to use, we won’t judge.
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