These 25 cooking and baking tools for the holidays are essential to get you through the parties and gathering with the family. Here’s my list so you have plenty of time to organize yourself.
As you finalize your Thanksgiving or Christmas menu, you may notice that your kitchen is missing some essential equipment.
Maybe it is your first time hosting a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner in your house and you don’t know where to start.
Or maybe you are a pro by now, but you discover that you might need some few more items that would make your life easier in the kitchen.
Here’s my list so you have plenty of time to find these tools, buy them from the store, borrow them from neighbors, or steal them from family members.
In my opinion these cooking and baking tools are essential to get you through the holidays.
25 Cooking and Baking Tools For The Holidays
For the turkey you will need:
Roasting Pan with Rack
I use this pan as soon as the weather cools down. I make all kind of roasted meats in it, but the real reason I bought it is because it can hold a 25 pounds turkey. How awesome is that?
Carving Knife and Fork Set
Every respectable host needs a set like this one, a carving knife and a fork for the turkey is a must.
Poultry Lifters Turkey Claws
These huge forks might look scary but they are perfect for lifting the turkey and placing it on the carving board. You definitely need something like that. I love my set!
Fat Separator
The fat separator- this little tool helps you make that awesome gravy without the fat. It also has markings on it, so you know exactly how much liquid you need to use for your recipe.
Turkey Baster with Cleaning Brush
This intelligent tool is perfect for basting the turkey. It also comes with a brush, for easy cleaning.
Food Thermometer
If you want to become a pro in the kitchen, you need the proper tools. A thermometer is a must, as you can also use it for Outdoor Cooking, BBQ, roasted meats, candy, coffee, milk and more.
Carving Board
Roasted meats require a good carving board and this is a really nice one.
Turkey Platter
This is a fun platter to have for serving the turkey or any roasted meats you might prepare for the holidays.
Side Dish
For the side dishes and baking goods you will need a good food processor (here is a winter salad recipe to make using this tool).
A food processor is a life saver to have in the kitchen for chopping, mixing and preparing your ingredients for the dishes. OR, making a pie crust in no time!!
A mixer for making all your baking goods is a must have! I use this all the time for my cakes, cookies, bars and everything in between. You also need mixing bowls, measuring cups&spoons and baking sheets.
Food Processor
I love my food processor. I use it for so many jobs in the kitchen. As a food blogger, I really needed one to make my life easier, but you really don't need a blogging career in order to get one for your needs.
Stand Mixer
I know that this is an item that many wish they have in their kitchen. It is indeed a beautiful tool to have and extremely useful. If you can afford it, get it, you can thank me later.
Mixing Bowls
Mixing bowls with lids? Yes, please! Perfect for salads, doughs, batters and so much more.
Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoons Set
Measuring cups and spoons are a must if you like to bake. This set is one of my favorites out there and I use it all the time.
Nonstick Bakeware Set
This set is a minimum in my opinion to fulfill the needs in a kitchen. With this set you should be able to bake anything from cakes to cookies and breads and get ready for the holidays.
What other things you might need?
Are you making mashed potatoes? A potato masher is great to have around. What about a vegetable peeler? Do you have one?
Kitchen towels, or storage containers? These are great for leftovers! Oh, and a kitchen scale. If you don’t have one already, I really encourage you to go and get one.
It is nice to have a scale that measures ounces and grams.
There are too many beautiful recipes that we are afraid to make because the ingredients are measured in the metric system. With a scale that measures both styles, you are good to go.
Potato Masher
That awesome mashed potatoes recipe of yours cannot be made without this one!
Food Storage Containers
These food storage containers are a must when you have tons of leftovers. Get multiple size containers so you can accomodate the food.
Vegetable Peeler
This a great little tool to have in the kitchen all year round.
Digital Kitchen and Food Scale
A food scale is precious when you need to make these delicious European recipes that use grams for ingredients.
Best Easy Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes
The tools would be useless if you would not have great recipes to make for the holidays. Here is a collection of the best side dish recipes from around the web.
And don't forget...
What about a crockpot? You can use it to make Cheesy potatoes and save the oven space!
A cast iron skillet is great to sear, sauté, bake, broil, braise, fry or grill.
The Dutch ovens are awesome pots for making soups, stews, sautéing, braising, and they usually look pretty enough to even bring them directly to the table and serve the food from them.
I personally own 2 big ones. One is for cooking and the other one is for making bread.
Microwave/oven safe serving dishes are really helpful for reheating the food before the guests arrive.
Crock-Pot
Crock-Pots are a life saver when you have too many things to cook and so little space in the oven. Plus, you can use them all year round.
Cast Iron Skillet
Old fashion cooking in this beautiful skillet, what's not to love about?
Enameled Cast Iron Casserole
I have this exact cast iron casserole and use it for soups, stews, fried foods and even bread. It is a life saver and an awesome pot to have!
Bakeware Set
I have few baking dishes like these ones and I just love them. Stuffing, scalloped potatoes and other side dish items are perfect for this set.
What else is left?
Pie plates, serving spoons, maybe table linens, a serrated knife, plates and glasses, silverware?
Pyrex Glass Pie Plate
I like Pyrex baking items and for that reason I added it here. I also noticed that most people own one for pies.
Electric Wine Opener Set
And let’s not forget about a wine bottle opener! Probably one of the most important items on the list, especially if you deal with some annoying relatives that you cannot ignore! 🙂
AND if you want to see more or need some other things, here you have more ideas to make your Thanksgiving or the holidays easy and memorable!
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Terry Mack says
Absolutely loved this post, Gabriela.
These tools are very essential for everyday life. I’m going to share this post with my friends.
The Bossy Kitchen says
Thank you Terry!