Wanna know my favorite products for an amazing Thanksgiving dinner? Keep on reading to learn what I use to have the best holiday meal!

I made my very first turkey in 2010 at the age of 40!!

Yup – you read that right – 40.

I had been going to my mom’s house in Wisconsin for Thanksgiving ever since I got married in 1993 and had never cooked a turkey before then.

So when we decided to stay home in San Diego for Thanksgiving in 2010 – I am not even exaggerating when I say I was PANICKED!

I am pretty sure I lost sleep for the entire month of November that year thinking – how on earth do you make a juicy turkey?

And to be quite honest – no one in my family even likes turkey!! So add that to my anxiety!

But not to toot my own horn – but I found a few secrets to making a delicious Thanksgiving meal – and easily I might add!

So now – eleven years later – I am finally blogging and sharing everything I have found to make the holiday season easier for you too!

I have also written a blog post with a Thanksgiving timeline to help you take the stress out of hosting this festive meal!

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In a rush?

Brining Thanksgiving Essentials

Dry Brine

This right here is the key to the perfect turkey!

And with dry brine it is easier than you are thinking!

I found dry brine right off the bat back in 2010 and honestly cannot live without it for my Thanksgiving meal prep now…

I promise you this should be the #1 item on your Thanksgiving essentials list ;)!

Brining Bags

And this would be #2…

Seriously could not imagine brining my turkey – dry or wet – without these reliable bags!!

Been buying both of these products for over a decade and they have never steered me wrong ;).

Turkey Herbs and Turkey Rub

Once I have cleaned all the brine off of my turkey on Thanksgiving morning – I rub an entire cube of butter onto my uncooked turkey with turkey herbs.

However, new to me this year is this turkey rub – so I am REALLY excited to try this product this coming holiday.

I am already tasting the deliciousness of the meal – how about you???

Oven Thanksgiving Essentials

Quality Roasting Pan

I have had the same roasting pan since 2010.

And cannot live without it.

I use it for every holiday and every large family gathering for a meal.

Do yourself a favor – invest in a quality roasting pan that you will come to depend on for decades like I do ;).

Bulb Baster

You 100% cannot make a turkey without a bulb baster.

While dry brining makes basting a turkey not as crucial as without the brine – I still love a crispy flavorful crust.

And so I baste the crap out of my turkey with MELTED BUTTER!

Well – and turkey juices of course.

Turkey Forks

Reliable Oven Thermometer

Side Dish Thanksgiving Essentials

Cranberry Relish

This cranberry sauce has also been a table favorite since 2010.

I make my mom’s incredible cranberry bread every year (recipe coming SOON I promise!) – and many people at my Thanksgiving table will put this cranberry sauce on that bread.

I am telling you – it is just as good as homemade cranberry sauce AND OBVIOUSLY EASIER!

I actually add a “little bit” of orange liqueur to this jar and heat it up a bit to mix the flavors and then VOILA – on the table it goes!

This new BOURBON flavored cranberry sauce was just released so you can bet your bottom dollar this will be on my Thanksgiving table this year!!

Stuffing Mix

Another item that makes prep for the meal 100 times easier.

My mom used to make homemade croutons from old bread for her stuffing.

WHICH I LOVED.

But when I started having my own Thanksgiving dinner – there was no way I was up for any more time consuming tasks like homemade croutons.

And then I found this mix.

Can I just say – OMG yup…

I buy two boxes for Thanksgiving and two boxes for Christmas and then crave it the rest of the year 😂.

Apple Cider

My youngest daughter has a favorite homemade apple cider recipe that we have been making for as long as I can remember for all of our holiday gatherings (another recipe coming soon I promise!).

However, if I am in a pinch and stressed for time – this mixer has been a great substitute!

And the large cinnamon sticks are honestly practically impossible to find anyplace else!

I just love the extra long size of them ;).

Baking Dishes

You kinda cannot host Thanksgiving dinner without baking dishes.

They are essential for all things holiday.

These have been my go-to’s for years as well!

I have two of them and use them for EVERYTHING!!

They would also be the PERFECT gift for the bakers in your life ;)>

Cookware

Once again – don’t even think about hosting Thanksgiving if you don’t have the right pots and pans.

You are just making a frustrating experience for yourself!

What’s that Boy Scout motto? Be prepared?

Yea – be that…

Serving Thanksgiving Essentials

DO NOT FORGET THE SERVING DISHES!

In fact – I usually use my plain white serving bowls and platters on the Thanksgiving table but I just came across this super cute set of all things pumpkin shaped.

And now I might need to add these to my shopping cart while I order the above food essentials 🤪.

Pumpkin Platter

Simple White Serving Bowls and Platters

I hope you found this post with my favorite products for an amazing Thanksgiving dinner helpful!

It truly is a beautiful time of year – with the decorations, the food, and most importantly – the people at your table!!

Speaking of tables – be sure to take a peek at my Thanksgiving tablescape post for inspiration on how to make your table festive ;).

I also have my favorite pumpkin cookie recipe for you in case you are like me and love pumpkin cookies but not pumpkin pie!

I know – weird. Don’t ask me for a reason… I have none.

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Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.

~ Unknown

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