ADVERTISEMENT

Turkey Day warriors, it's time to hang up your frayed aprons and embrace a new era of culinary genius. We've compiled 20 Thanksgiving cooking hacks that'll transform your kitchen from a stress zone into a haven of holiday magic. These aren't your grandmother's tips (though we bet she'd approve) - we're talking game-changing strategies that'll have you cooking with the confidence of a five-star chef.

From tricks to achieve the perfect golden-brown turkey to shortcuts that'll make your side dishes sing, these hacks are about to become your secret weapons in the battle against holiday cooking chaos. Imagine a world where your gravy is always lump-free, your pies are picture-perfect, and you actually have time to enjoy a glass of wine before the guests arrive. With these clever tips, that dream can become your delicious reality.

#1

According To Jamie Oliver, Apples, Cinnamon, And Sugar Improve The Taste Of Cranberry Sauce

 According To Jamie Oliver, Apples, Cinnamon, And Sugar Improve The Taste Of Cranberry Sauce

Review: "I just can't get enough whole cranberry sauce. It has to be the whole cranberry sauce, not the jelly kind. I put the whole cranberry on everything.... Did I mention that I can't get enough of it. Yeah I did" - Aloha Tay

amazon.com , Serenity... Report

Add photo comments
POST
Spam Spam
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Best life hack of all for Thanksgiving is go to a buffet.Don't cook it all

View more commentsArrow down menu
#2

The Best Cookies Come From Dough That Has Rested In The Fridge For A Day But Frozen Cookie Dough Is The Ultimate Lazy Hack

 The Best Cookies Come From Dough That Has Rested In The Fridge For A Day But Frozen Cookie Dough Is The Ultimate Lazy Hack

Review: "These are my absolute favorite. So way to bake. Already cut into the perfect size and ready to pop in the overZ super soft and yummy - not too sweet. Perfect with a glass of cold milk :)" - Madelyn Ruizdeporras

amazon.com , Love4TheKrew Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
#3

Follow Julia Child's Advise And Wrap A Buttery Cheesecloth Around Your Turkey To Keep It Basted

 Follow Julia Child's Advise And Wrap A Buttery Cheesecloth Around Your Turkey To Keep It Basted

Review: "Perfect to cook with turkey with while soaked in butter. Made the skin extra crispy! Never thought to cook the turkey with a cheese cloth before but it was the best decision!" - Leslie

amazon.com , Tawnni , Kirstie Report

#4

Level Up The Flavor In Your Gravy With Some Quality Soy Sauce

Level Up The Flavor In Your Gravy With Some Quality Soy Sauce

Review: "I like soy sauce occasionally. Even when i use low sodium, it just tastes like flavored salt. I read a review of this product and now every time I prepare something to eat I find a reason to add this. The flavor is amazing. Tonight it goes on a hamburger that has carmelized onions on top. I use it on any rice or noodle dish, every vegetable and even in soups. Try it once! You’ll be hooked." - Jane Garmon

amazon.com , Kort Report

Add photo comments
POST
Ace
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yuk. Soy sauce has its place, but gravy for a roast dinner is not one of them.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

 Get The Tablecloth And Settings Ready The Night Before. Your Nerves Will Thank You!

Review: "This tablecloth is so pretty, and the color is absolutely gorgeous! The photos don’t do it justice. I have been watching for it to come back in stock for a year now. So happy I was able to get it this year. It will look so beautiful on my Thanksgiving table!" - Shopper

amazon.com , Rayme G. Report

Add photo comments
POST
SF Angel
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grandma used to do it a week before, in her dining room. Then carefully set a clean sheet over the top of it all. Holiday morning just remove the sheet, add a centerpiece and ready to go!

ADVERTISEMENT

credit: pinterest.com

 A Small Piece Of Candied Ginger In Your Champagne Glass Keeps It Bubly For Longer And Gives It A Delicious Flavor

Review: "I purchased this ginger because of the great reviews. And they’re right. It’s wonderful. Well packaged and resealable. Ginger-y but not too hot. Perfect to use in recipes or just snack." - Aromasmom

amazon.com , Sanny , MK Report

Add photo comments
POST
Ace
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nonsense. Sugar in your champagne just makes the bubbles come, and go, more quickly.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#7

Boiling Your Potatoes In Heavy Cream Before Mashing Them Makes Them Heavenly! Anthony's Heavy Cream Powder Is An Easy Way To Save Costs While Diong This

Boiling Your Potatoes In Heavy Cream Before Mashing Them Makes Them Heavenly! Anthony's Heavy Cream Powder Is An Easy Way To Save Costs While Diong This

Review: "This is excellent for when you're replacing non-dairy powder with an all natural clean ingredient. Use the directions for sure in powder to water ratio. Has the good cream taste and keeps well!" - Vinita Robinson

amazon.com , Amazon Customer Report

ADVERTISEMENT

Feeling like a Thanksgiving superhero yet? Hold onto your basting brush, because we're just getting started. As we carve into more brilliant cooking tactics, you'll discover that pulling off the perfect feast doesn't require a culinary degree - just a few clever tricks up your sleeve. These next hacks are so effective, they might just have you volunteering to host every year (or at least feeling less panicked about it).

Spreading Butter Under Turkey Skin Makes It Super Crispy And Golden

Review: "I make a lot of puff pastry and biscuits and I always use Land Of Lakes unsalted Butter . What can I say it's always comes through for me . If you have never tried it you should . Great product !" - Sybol

amazon.com , Mia Falco Report

Add photo comments
POST
SF Angel
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's the ONLY way to do it! Crispy skin and basted meat, delish

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Always Make Stuffing With Toasted Bread

 Always Make Stuffing With Toasted Bread

Review: "There are so many choices that it can be challenging to choose a new toaster. Not only am I satisfied with this choice, but it makes me really happy. It's beautiful, well designed and does a great job. I wish I was This happy with every purchase I make. Well done!" - iCloudia

amazon.com , Morgan Victoria , Lulu Report

Add photo comments
POST

 Tenting Your Turkey With Foil Can Help You Keep The Meat Juicy And Avoid A Burned Bird

Review: "Great foil. Nice and thick, tears easily. I use this often to cover whatever casserole, bread, or veggies I’m baking to prevent the top from over browning. This foil is so sturdy that I usually use the pieces more than once!" - Amazon Maine Girl

amazon.com , KLP Report

Add photo comments
POST
Joshua David
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If youre cooking for just 2 or 3, consider putting a turkey breast into the instant pot. In about an hour and a half, you have fork cuttable turkey that goes amazing with any side you make. If your dressing slash stuffing needs some turkey flavor, measure some juice from the instant pot and add it. Magnifique!!!!

ADVERTISEMENT

 Keep Your Cooking Vessels Organized By Designating Each One To A Dish Before You Start Cooking

Review: "This holds all my cutting boards and baking sheets, it has made my disorganized cabinet so much nicer and easier to use. I can’t believe I didn’t buy this sooner. It’s also nice because you can adjust each slot based on the thickness of the individual thing you’re storing. Easy to assemble, I would recommend this 1000000 times" - CJ

amazon.com , Tim , user2manydiks Report

Add photo comments
POST

credit: pinterest.com

 Get Yourself A Meal Plan Notepad To Keep Your Cooking Game Plan On Track

Review: "If you meal plan, this is for you! Easy to write your grocery list, then just tear off to take to the store. Keeps you organized, so you have all ingredients to make the meals you have planned out. Very helpful!" - Laura

amazon.com , Danie B. Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#13

Stop Wasting Time Grating Potatoes For Latkes. Simply Smash Some Tater Tots Or Hashbrowns And Bake For Ultimate Crispyness

 Stop Wasting Time Grating Potatoes For Latkes. Simply Smash Some Tater Tots Or Hashbrowns And Bake For Ultimate Crispyness

Review: "These are the best tots I’ve ever had - better than a more popular brand. They taste fresh, crisp up well, just taste better. They were out of stock for some time and I’m so glad to see them back! One of my favorite Amazon Fresh purchases!" - JLP

amazon.com , Ace Prestige Report

Add photo comments
POST
Say No to Downvoting
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah - stop wasting time with fresh food! It’s rubbish! Used this processed c**p instead! It’s WAY better! What are you - stupid?

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda

A Baking Stone Helps You Achive A Perfect Bake Throughout All Your Dishes

Review: "Oven stone just arrived today as I was getting ready to bake my sour dough bread. It easily accommodated my 2 cast iron pots that I use for baking bread. The stone keeps the bottom of the bread from getting too brown. The Rocksheat stone performed flawlessly!! I’m very happy with this purchase!!" - Susan

amazon.com , Suzanne , Mother, grandmother, wife, cook Report

Add photo comments
POST

Ready to elevate your Thanksgiving game from amateur to pro? The following tips are so ingenious, they could probably make even the pickiest eater at your table swoon. From solutions that'll keep your mashed potatoes creamy for hours to tricks that'll keep your day organized, these hacks prove that sometimes the best ingredient is a little creativity. So preheat that oven and sharpen those knives - it's time to show your guests (and yourself) that when it comes to Thanksgiving, you've got this covered like a perfectly draped turkey.

ADVERTISEMENT
#15

Don't Rely On A Pop Up Thermometer. Do The Math And Use A Meat Thermometer For The Most Reliable Results

 Don't Rely On A Pop Up Thermometer. Do The Math And Use A Meat Thermometer For The Most Reliable Results

Review: "Easy to read, instant results, long probe for accurate temps yet also folds to save space. And can't beat the price. Our Thanksgiving turkey was done to perfection using this thermo to guide us. I wish I had this thermometer years ago!" - D. Jones

amazon.com , Sunny V. , Amazon Customer Report

Add photo comments
POST
SF Angel
Community Member
3 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ALWAYS throw out those popups. They either don't work, or your meat is too dry since they don't account for resting time after removing from the oven when the turkey is still cooking from the inside heat. This is a really great idea, but you can buy one for less than $10 at most grocery stores

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#16

Pop Your Pumpkin Puree In The Food Processor For Unbeatably Silky Pie Filling

 Pop Your Pumpkin Puree In The Food Processor For Unbeatably Silky Pie Filling

Review: "The food processor is fast and efficient! No noise, and has different speeds for the texture required! Great value for money! I also love the fact that the blades have protective covers!" - Chixy

amazon.com , sig Report

Add photo comments
POST

A Spoonful Of Mustard Is The Missing In Ingredient In Most Mac 'N Cheeses

Review: "Great purchase for me with a fantastic price. I love French’s Mustard because it’s the best-tasting mustard on the market. The size of this product is just what I need and I won’t be running out of mustard anytime soon." - Paul P Williams

amazon.com , MovieIsLife , jelly Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda

credit: boredpanda.com

 Squeeze Bottles Make Icing A Breeze For Amateur Bakers

Review: "I purchased these to use for donut icings on a donut bar for my daughters wedding. We had a practice round and not only are the bottle easy to dispense, but they were extremely easy to fill as well with the included collapsible funnel! We haven’t added the labels yet, but know they will be a perfect touch to the donut bar!" - Susan B. Briggs

amazon.com , lorena , C. B. Smith Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda

 Set Up A Drink Station On A Bar Cart So Your Guests Can Help Themselves While You Cook Up A Storm

Review: "This bar cart was easy to assemble and just the right size! Fits all the bottles I need on the bottom and gives me plenty of room on top to be a mixologist! The brown color is true to the picture and looks rich!" - Jon Castellanos

amazon.com , Janice Lactaoen , Katie Riddle Report

Add photo comments
POST

 A Crockpot Is The Best Way To Make A Big Batch Of Hot Chocolate And Keep It Warm

Review: "I owned this exact crock pot for many, many years! I borrowed it to a friend and she loved it so much I bought her a new one for her birthday! It's an amazing, must have appliance. Many years, it keeps going and going! 7 quart is a perfect size as well!!! Go for it, you won't be disappointed!!! Cleaning is a breeze in the dishwasher!" - kelly Nelson

amazon.com , Aly Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda