Is your kitchen geared up for Thanksgiving? Here are our favorite tools to make delicious sides, turn pan drippings into gravy and carve a mean bird.

Tools for the Turkey

All-Clad Stainless-Steel Roasting Pan with Rack   Credit: courtesy of William-Sonoma.com

Roasting Pan with Rack

Even a small turkey is a big bird for the oven, and you’ll need a roasting pan that can hold it. Those made of heavy stainless-steel won’t warp while heating or risk a bird-on-the-loose disaster like a flimsy disposable pan might.

Buy It: All-Clad Stainless-Steel Roasting Pan with Rack, Williams Sonoma, $160-$200 depending on size

Ultimate Maple Cutting Board by John Boos   Credit: courtesy of amazon.com

Cutting Board with Reservoir

Two challenges when carving the turkey are to keep juices off the counter and the bird itself off the floor. The Ultimate Maple Cutting Board by John Boos has a drawer to collect drippings and a grippy pattern carved onto the cutting surface to hold the turkey in place.

ThermoPro Digital Instant Read Thermometer   Credit: courtesy of amazon.com

Instant-Read Thermometer

One could argue the success of Thanksgiving dinner rests squarely on an instant-read thermometer, which tells you when your turkey is done (and safe to eat). Pros, like chef Hugh Acheson, like the hyper-precise Thermapen ($85 and up), but a $15 model will do the job.

OXO Good Grips 4-Cup Fat Separator   Credit: courtesy of amazon.com

Fat Separator

You’ll want to defat drippings before you use them so your gravy isn’t greasy. This tool lets fat rise to the top, leaving the defatted liquid to pour out a spout at the base. OXO’s has a strainer for debris and a plug so liquids and fats don’t mix in the spout.

Buy It: OXO Good Grips 4-Cup Fat Separator, OXO, $16

a timer on a white background   Credit: OXO

Kitchen Timer

Multitasking is the name of the game when you prep for T-Day. You’ll want a timer that can keep tabs with several displays and is easy to set.

Buy It: OXO Good Grips Triple Timer, OXO, $25

Chef’s Knife

A great knife—sharp, well-balanced and ergonomic—will speed up holiday prep and be a pleasure to work with. With care, stainless- and carbon-steel knives can become lifelong kitchen companions.

Tools for Sides and Desserts

KitchenAid Stand Mixer   Credit: courtesy of amazon.com

Stand Mixer

Get the loftiest egg whites for meringues and marshmallow fluff with a stand mixer. It’s more powerful than a hand mixer and lets you walk away so you can multitask to finish your holiday meal.

Buy It: KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer, Williams Sonoma, $430

Silpat Silicone Baking Mat   Credit: courtesy of amazon.com

Silicone Baking Mat

Make any baking pan nonstick by slipping a reusable silicone baking mat onto it. Use it for gooey jobs like making cheese crisps or baking a batch of cookies. Otherwise, use Reynolds pre-cut parchment paper sheets.

a microplane next to a cutting board with vegetables   Credit: Williams Sonoma

Mandoline

For consistent, paper-thin slices of most fruits and vegetables, use a mandoline. Go for a simple style that’s easy to adjust.

Buy It: Microplane Adjustable V-Blade Mandoline Slicer, Williams Sonoma, $40

Casserole Dish

Keep the sides (they’re the best part, right?) warm and toasty by taking them from oven to table in a covered casserole dish.

Buy It: Heritage Rectangular Casserole, Le Creuset, $120

steamer basket   Credit: Courtesy of CrateAndBarrel.com

Steamer Basket

A basket makes steaming vegetables a snap. A model with a stay-cool, nonmetal handle makes lifting it out of the pot a cinch.

Buy It: Crate & Barrel Stainless-Steel Vegetable Steamer with Silicone Feet, Crate & Barrel, $17

cuisinart food processor   Credit: courtesy of William-Sonoma.com

Food Processor

Perhaps the most important tool for the Big Day, a food processor can chop up cranberry relish and make the silkiest purees. The Cuisinart Elite Collection 12-cup has a mini bowl, too, for small–volume jobs like salad dressing.

Buy It: Cuisinart Elite Collection 12-cup Food Processor, Williams Sonoma, $300

All-Clad Stainless-Steel Roasting Pan with Rack Credit: courtesy of William-Sonoma.com

All-Clad Stainless-Steel Roasting Pan with Rack

Credit: courtesy of William-Sonoma.com

Ultimate Maple Cutting Board by John Boos Credit: courtesy of amazon.com

Ultimate Maple Cutting Board by John Boos

Credit: courtesy of amazon.com

ThermoPro Digital Instant Read Thermometer Credit: courtesy of amazon.com

ThermoPro Digital Instant Read Thermometer

OXO Good Grips 4-Cup Fat Separator Credit: courtesy of amazon.com

OXO Good Grips 4-Cup Fat Separator

a timer on a white background Credit: OXO

a timer on a white background

Credit: OXO

Shun Classic Chef’s Knife

KitchenAid Stand Mixer Credit: courtesy of amazon.com

KitchenAid Stand Mixer

Silpat Silicone Baking Mat Credit: courtesy of amazon.com

Silpat Silicone Baking Mat

a microplane next to a cutting board with vegetables Credit: Williams Sonoma

a microplane next to a cutting board with vegetables

Credit: Williams Sonoma

Le Creuset brown casserole dish

steamer basket Credit: Courtesy of CrateAndBarrel.com

steamer basket

Credit: Courtesy of CrateAndBarrel.com

cuisinart food processor Credit: courtesy of William-Sonoma.com

cuisinart food processor