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Thanksgiving Cooking Day Tools and Pantry Staples I Buy
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items Thanksgiving cooking goes smoother when the thermometers, knives and pantry basics are already on the counter, so I listed the tools and staples I rely on every year. Most are cheap, and a few are worth ordering early so you are not hunting for them ...
A leave-in probe thermometer with a timer and alarm, so you can walk away from the turkey and still know when it hits your target temperature. I like Kohl's for this one. I would grab it with Kohl's Cash to stretch the budget.
Food Network Meat Thermometers: Digital & Stainless Steel
For anyone checking the turkey, ham or gravy in seconds, an instant read thermometer is the most useful gadget on the list. This one is easy to read and sold at Kohl's. Add it to the cart along with a promo code.
KitchenAid Digital Instant Read Thermometer
Carving a big turkey is far easier with an electric knife, and this set comes with a fork and storage case. It is a once a year tool that stays cheap. I would buy it early so it is not out of stock.
Classic Chrome Electric Knife with Case - 74275R
A sturdy stainless masher for people who want fluffy mashed potatoes from scratch, with a comfortable handle that does not bend. It works in a big pot without scratching. I would pick it up while it is on sale.
KitchenAid Gourmet Stainless Steel Wire Masher
For silky, lump free mashed potatoes, a ricer is the secret, and this one has a handle that stays comfortable under pressure. It also works for gnocchi. I buy it once and keep it for years, so I wait for a sale.
OXO Good Grips Potato Ricer
A budget serrated knife that slices dinner rolls and crusty bread without crushing them, plus it tackles a cooked ham nicely. The handle grips well. It is cheap enough to buy now, before the holiday rush.
Millennia® Wavy Edge Wide Bread Knife 10" (25.4 cm)
The pinch friendly salt many home cooks swear by for brining and seasoning a turkey, and it dissolves easily. The flakes are light, so I measure by feel. I buy a big box early in November.
Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt – Full Flavor
A classic blend of sage, thyme and marjoram that makes stuffing and roasted turkey taste like the holidays. I use it in the dressing and rub it on the bird. It costs little, so I add it to the pantry order.
McCormick® Poultry Seasoning, 0.65 oz
A New England staple for stuffing, with sage and rosemary that gives dressing that old-school flavor. It suits anyone who wants a traditional Thanksgiving taste. I buy two boxes early because it can sell out.
Celebrating 150 Years | Bell's Seasoning & Foods
The canned pumpkin most pie recipes call for, with a smooth consistency and nothing added. It suits anyone making pumpkin pie, bread or soup. I stock up early because shelves empty out near Thanksgiving.
Libby's, 100% Pure Pumpkin, 15 oz Can, All Natural Gluten
The canned sauce with whole berries that people actually ask for at the table, and it needs zero cooking. It is perfect if you are short on stove burners. I buy a couple of cans early.
Ocean Spray Whole Cranberry Sauce, Canned
A reliable base for stuffing that turns out moist with a little broth and butter. It is the easy choice for anyone cooking for a crowd without fuss. I buy it before the shelves empty out.
Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Cubed Stuffing, 12 oz. Bag
The fast, no fuss side dish that is ready in minutes and fills in when your oven is full. I keep a couple boxes around as a backup or for guests who love it. It is a low cost add to the cart.
Stove Top Turkey Stuffing Mix 6 oz Box with Herbs
An aluminum ring that sits over the edge of your pie so the crust does not burn while the filling finishes. It suits anyone who bakes more than one pie. It is cheap and reusable, so I buy it now.
Mrs. Anderson's Baking Individual Pie Crust Shield, Set of 2
A hand mixer with five speeds and an eject button for whipping cream and mashing potatoes without a stand mixer. I use it for cream and meringue. It comes up on sale often, so I wait for a promotion.
Cuisinart Power Advantage 5-Speed Hand Mixer
A professional 9 inch pie pan that bakes a crisp bottom crust, ideal for anyone serious about pies. The anodized finish is easy to clean by hand. It is cheap enough to buy two for the holiday.
Fat Daddio's Anodized Aluminum Pie Pans
Food safe cotton twine for trussing the turkey so it cooks evenly and keeps a neat shape. A small spool lasts for many roasts and also ties herb bundles. It costs very little, so I buy it early.
Regency Wraps RW1620 Cotton Cooking Twine - Ivory
Stainless steel pins that close the turkey cavity so your stuffing stays inside while the bird roasts. They pair well with butcher twine. They cost almost nothing, so I add them to the cart with the roasting gear.
8 Piece Set Poultry Lacers - 843 - Norpro
The classic speckled roaster with a lid that bastes the bird for you, big enough for a 12 pound turkey. It is a lightweight way to roast without buying a full roasting rack set. I would buy it on a markdown.
Granite Ware, Covered Oval Roaster, 18", 15lb Capacity
A sturdy whisk for gravy, whipped cream and lump free sauces, with a handle that does not hurt your hand. The stainless wires clean easily. It is cheap and useful, so I add it with the baking supplies.
OXO Good Grips Balloon Kitchen Whisk
The shortcut base for green bean casserole that many families insist on at the holiday table. It stores for months in the pantry. I buy several cans early because recipes call for more than you expect.
Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
The crunchy topping that makes green bean casserole taste right, and it is good on salads and burgers too. It stores well in the pantry. I buy a couple of canisters early because they go fast.
French's Original Crispy Fried Onions, 24 oz
The can that pumpkin pie, pecan pie and fudge recipes often call for, which makes it a must on the Thanksgiving pantry list. It keeps for months. I buy several cans early because shelves empty fast.
Eagle Brand 14oz Sweetened Condensed Milk
The classic can for pumpkin pie filling and creamy mashed potatoes, great for bakers who want a smoother custard. It stores well in a pantry. I buy a few cans early so I am not hunting for it.
NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Canned Milk
A pantry staple for pecan pie and candy that keeps sugar from crystallizing, ideal for anyone baking from scratch. It pours easily and stores for months. I buy a bottle early since stores run low in November.
Karo Light Corn Syrup with Real Vanilla Extract, 16 oz.