Thanksgiving Food & Wine Equipment Essentials
“PEOPLE WHO LOVE TO EAT ARE ALWAYS THE BEST PEOPLE.”
Juicy, crispy-skinned turkey. Savory sausage stuffing studded with tart cranberries. Spicy, cherry-scented red wine to wash everything down. Once a year we all come together for this fabulous, food-focused holiday and while most of the dishes we serve are the same from year to year, pulling “The Thanksgiving Meal” together can be a challenge. That’s why having the right food and wine-related tools in your repertoire can truly make or break your hosting experience. Having been there many times myself, I’m thrilled to share my favorite, tried and true, “must have” Thanksgiving essentials with you!
First and foremost, pour yourself a nice glass of wine to enjoy while browsing this post - this will help with your planning process while also keeping the stress monster at bay! From the perfect roasting pan to easy to care for wine glasses, I have years of experience with all of these items and I personally stand behind every one. And while some are a bit of an investment, I promise you will use and rely on them for many years to come.
If you happen to be cutting it close time-wise, most items are available from Amazon Prime so you can receive them in plenty of time for the big day! And if you have questions about ANY of the items in this post, please feel free to e-mail me at Stephanie@theglamorousgourmet.com OR simply leave a Comment below and I’ll get right back to you. Otherwise, Steve and I would like to wish you and your family a very Happy & Delicious Thanksgiving.
(Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at NO additional cost to you.)
All-Clad 16"x13" Roasting Pan with Rack ($149)
A roasting pan is a MUST for your Thanksgiving turkey! It needs to be large enough to accommodate the entire bird + the rack allows the air to circulate around the bird, preventing the bottom from getting soggy. This is an important culinary investment you'll keep forever + rely on every year - I've had mine for 15 years + I don't know what I'd do without it!
And if you happen to be looking for a delicious Turkey recipe, please click here for two tempting options!
Digital Instant Read Meat Thermometer ($18)
This handy piece of equipment is essential for Thanksgiving or any holiday gathering where you're cooking an unusually large piece of meat. Just imagine you begin carving your bird in front of friends + family only to discover it's still pink inside! Or slicing up a pricey beef tenderloin only to find out it’s overcooked.
Save yourself the trouble with this small + relatively inexpensive piece of equipment that will ensure your meat is perfectly cooked every time!
Braun Immersion Hand Blender ($59)
While you definitely COULD puree that Butternut Squash Soup (click here for my favorite recipe) in your stand blender in batches + risk it exploding ALL over your kitchen (been there done that) - why on Earth WOULD you?!?
This super handy immersion blender will puree your soup to a silky consistency right in the pot you’re cooking it in. As if that weren’t enough, this amazing blender also comes with a handy whisk attachment too - SCORE!
Metaltex Potato Ricer ($25)
For the silkiest, fluffiest mashed potatoes EVER you simply must use a potato ricer. While there are varying schools of thought as to whether a food mill or a potato ricer is better, let me just put it to rest.
I've been using my potato ricer since Martha Stewart recommended it in the late 1990's + my mashed potatoes have been a major HIT every year since.
The One Wine Glasses - Set of 2 ($29)
If you're expecting a big group but don't have enough nice wine glasses to go around, these glasses are definitely for you!
Designed by my friend + Master Sommelier Andrea Immer Robinson, "The One" line of wine glasses features ONE glass for white wines + ONE glass for red wines. Period. End of story. No more purchasing a different glass for each grape variety + as an added bonus, they are dishwasher safe, break-resistant + reasonably priced. For help selecting wines for your holiday meal, check out these posts here and here.
Riedel Crystal Wine Decanter ($54)
If you plan on opening any special bottles during the holidays, it's a great idea to have a decanter on hand. Decanters are perfect for taming the tannins in younger red wines or removing sediment in older bottles - for more info on decanting, please click here.
You don't need to spend a ton of money on an elaborately shaped one either, just a simple crystal decanter in a practical shape like this one works beautifully.
Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator ($20)
I’m not a fan of many wine gadgets but I do highly recommend this one! For those nights when you don't want to drink an entire bottle of wine, you can decant a single glass with this handy tool that works like a dream.
The Vinturi infuses young tannic red wines with oxygen as you pour it through the funnel which instantly mellows its harshness. This handy device can also be set inside the mouth of a decanter to double the effect!
STAUB Cast Iron Pumpkin Cocotte 3.5 quart ($199)
I am absolutely SMITTEN with this gorgeous piece that makes a fabulous statement on your holiday table! Use this cast-iron serving piece in conjunction with the small ceramic pumpkin cocottes below for serving Fall soups + stews.
While a tad pricey, this is the perfect vessel for your delightful butternut squash or pumpkin soup (see my favorite recipe here) + you’ll enjoy using it for years to come!
STAUB Ceramic Petite Pumpkin Cocottes 5-inch ($29)
If you’re also smitten by these delightful, stylish cocottes they come in a petite size as well for individual servings. And whether you prefer burnt orange, matte black or rustic ivory there’s definitely a hue to suit your mood.
They are perfect for an elegant Thanksgiving gathering, I use them every year to serve my Butternut Squash Soup as a first course.
WS Heirloom Pumpkin Mats + Tablecloths ($12-179)
I am OBSESSED with this harvest-inspired collection of kitchen accessories + tablecloths from Williams-Sonoma! The Autumnal pattern features beautiful heirloom pumpkins + squashes, apples, acorns + oak leaves in warm, golden colors.
Printed + tailored exclusively for WS by a heritage European mill, the smooth, durable cotton brings a festive note to family meals throughout the Fall season.