10 Amazon Finds to Help You Prep Thanksgiving Like a Pro, From $7

Between out-of-town guests, shopping lists, and packed schedules galore, it’s easy to get overwhelmed during the holiday season — especially if you’re the one in charge of making the main meal. While there are a ton of things to do in the kitchen, there are also tons of clever, time-saving tools to help you complete your tasks more quickly and easily. From turkey lifters (yes, they’re a thing) to choppers that cut down on prep time, read on to shop 10 under-$30 kitchen tools at Amazon that can help take the stress out of making a holiday meal. 

Best Tools for Holiday Meal Prep at Amazon

• Amazon Basics Silicone Nonstick Baking Mat, $13
• Cestari Recipe Holder Stand for Smartphones and Tablets, $27
• Fox Run Gravy/Fat Poultry Separator, $7, originally $12
• Fullstar Vegetable Chopper, $25 with coupon, originally $50
• Mtnzxz Turkey Lifting Forks, $15
• OXO Good Grips Handheld Mandoline Slicer, $10, originally $19
• Matter Compostable Resealable Food Storage Bags, $24, originally $33
• Camerons Upside Down Turkey Roaster, $30
• Jenaluca Herb Scissors with 5 Blades and Safety Cover, $10, originally $15
• Ofargo 304 Stainless Steel Meat Injector Syringe Kit, $24, originally $28

Amazon Basics Silicone Nonstick Baking Mat

Cleanup isn’t the most enjoyable part of the holiday meal experience, but these silicone baking mats can help end the evening on a good note. Since they’re nonstick, you can forgo the oil, cooking sprays, or parchment paper while baking cookies, roasting veggies, or food prep. The two-pack of food-safe mats can also be reused. They’re a breeze to clean, too — all it takes is a quick suds up with soap and water after use. And you can’t argue with the more than 93,000 five-star ratings.

Cestari Recipe Holder Stand for Smartphones and Tablets

When your hands are covered in ingredients, holding your phone or tablet to check a recipe can be tough. Enter: this recipe holder stand, which keeps your device away from the fray but still accessible to check your next step. One Amazon shopper reported that the “nifty gadget” makes many kitchen tasks “hands-free,” and another appreciated that they didn’t have to remove their phone or tablet case to have their device fit into the clip. The rubber feet keep this holder from slipping, and it easily folds up to store it away in a drawer when not in use.

Fox Run Gravy/Fat Poultry Separator

Stop wasting time skimming off the fat from the top of your gravy for a healthier meal. Made of durable acrylic, this gravy fat separator holds 1.5 cups of liquid. Just add your liquid to the separator, wait for the fat to rise to the top (it just takes a minute), and then pour out the broth, leaving the fat in the cup. 

Fullstar Vegetable Chopper

Meal prep can be time-consuming, especially when you’re serving an elevated menu. This chopper takes cutting, dicing, spiralizing, and slicing ingredients to the next level with its stainless steel blades in four interchangeable panels. The 5-cup catch tray catches it all, while a non-skid rubberized bottom and soft grip handle keep the tool in place and your hands firmly in control. Customers praise it for its convenience, with some even saying it “cuts veggie prep time” in half.

Mtnzxz Turkey Lifting Forks

Made from stainless steel, these large forks with extra-long sharp tips allow you to securely lift your turkey or roast out of the pan to a cutting board. One shopper appreciated how the forks make “hoisting a large roast or turkey out of the pan a breeze.” The resin handles have a great grip, so you keep hold as you make a timely transfer from oven to plate. This set also comes with a pair of ultra-sharp claws, which can easily shred larger pieces of meat and are great for tossing salads.

OXO Good Grips Handheld Mandoline Slicer

Time-consuming tasks don’t stand a chance when there’s a mandoline around. Suddenly, breaking down pounds of potatoes into coins for au gratin dishes and thinly slicing apples for a holiday pie become manageable as you prep large quantities of vegetables for your holiday gathering. This OXO model was the best value mandoline we tested, impressing us with its three thickness settings, comfortable grip, and sharp blade that’s perfect for slicing.

Matter Compostable Resealable Food Storage Bags

Sending happy guests home with leftovers is a sign of a successful holiday meal. These compostable food storage bags are crafted from natural, renewable fibers that break down in months without any additives. Refrigerator- and freezer-safe, they’re tough enough to be used for the next meal until you’re ready to compost them. Customers mention that they’re strong and easy to use, and they like that the pack has all of the convenient sizes: snack, sandwich, quart, and gallon bags.

Camerons Upside Down Turkey Roaster

Since this turkey roaster cooks the bird in the air and not in its fat, the heat is transferred to the inside of the turkey. Translation: You can reduce cooking time by up to 30% and end up with an amazingly juicy turkey. It also browns the bird evenly and holds juices inside the breast when roasting, so you don’t have to stop your other kitchen duties just to baste. It holds up birds up to 25 pounds and is made from durable 18/10 stainless steel. Unlike huge roaster pans, this tool breaks down flat, so it won’t take up any cabinet space.

Jenaluca Herb Scissors with 5 Blades and Safety Cover

When a gadget produces five times the work, that’s a true kitchen helper. With just two snips of these kitchen scissors with five sharp stainless steel blades, you’ve basically made 10 knife chops on everything from fresh herbs like dill, basil, cilantro, and mint to scallions, leafy greens, and cabbage. One shopper shared that “the five blades make prep time a breeze,” while another added that the pair of scissors “works great for any food.” One quick swipe of the comb-like scissor cleaner and you can easily remove any remaining herbs.

Ofargo 304 Stainless Steel Meat Injector Syringe Kit

If you’re looking to add flavor and moisture to your meats, you don’t have to spend hours marinating them to make it happen. This culinary stainless steel syringe has several needle options so you can inject different sauces and marinades into meats or poultry. It can even assist with your dessert menu and inject jelly or pudding into donuts or liquor into strawberries. One shopper loved the different screw-on tips that fit a variety of needs and the included cleaning brushes that keep the injector “looking new and performing as it should.” The tool’s “304 stainless steel” distinction means it’s highly resistant to corrosion, so it’ll be around for feasts to come.