I'm going to nominate something extremely unglamorous: ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE.
I host Thanksgiving most years, and I cannot tell you how much less stressful cooking a turkey became once I stopped guessing whether it was done.
Before getting a proper instant-read thermometer, I'd either worry about undercooking the turkey or leave it in too long and end up with dry breast meat. Now I can check several spots quickly instead of constantly opening the oven and hoping for the best.
And unlike those ridiculous turkey-specific gadgets, I use the Thermapen all year for steaks, chicken, fish, basically everything.
I'm going to say OXO Good Grips Fat Separator, and I realize that's probably the least glamorous answer possible. It's one of those tools that solves a very specific annoying problem.
But if you're making turkey gravy from pan drippings, this thing is fantastic.
I used to stand there trying to skim the fat off with a spoon while everything else on the stove needed my attention. Now I just pour the drippings in, let the fat separate, and use the liquid underneath.
I also use it whenever I'm making stock or gravy throughout the year, so it's not exclusively a Thanksgiving purchase.
Thanksgiving Kitchen Tools That Earn Their Storage Space
Anyone hosting Thanksgiving or a big holiday dinner annually
open
Has to make cooking, serving, or cleanup genuinely easier
Not just once-a-year gadget
I'm going to nominate something extremely unglamorous: ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE.
I host Thanksgiving most years, and I cannot tell you how much less stressful cooking a turkey became once I stopped guessing whether it was done.
Before getting a proper instant-read thermometer, I'd either worry about undercooking the turkey or leave it in too long and end up with dry breast meat. Now I can check several spots quickly instead of constantly opening the oven and hoping for the best.
And unlike those ridiculous turkey-specific gadgets, I use the Thermapen all year for steaks, chicken, fish, basically everything.
I'm going to say OXO Good Grips Fat Separator, and I realize that's probably the least glamorous answer possible. It's one of those tools that solves a very specific annoying problem.
But if you're making turkey gravy from pan drippings, this thing is fantastic.
I used to stand there trying to skim the fat off with a spoon while everything else on the stove needed my attention. Now I just pour the drippings in, let the fat separate, and use the liquid underneath.
I also use it whenever I'm making stock or gravy throughout the year, so it's not exclusively a Thanksgiving purchase.