10 must have serving dishes for your Thanksgiving feast

Why does food at a fancy restaurant taste better? The quality is almost certainly higher than that of a fast food joint, but there’s something else. That “it” factor. Your home economics teacher (or any ‘50s housewife) can tell you: It’s all in the setting.

A lesson plan by the Utah Education Network said that the table setting not only enhances the appearance of the food, but also lets your guests know they are important. According to Fine Dining Lovers, it helps create a “convivial experience,” exactly what you’re looking for when it comes to a perfect Thanksgiving meal. To make that ideal table, you need the right tableware.

1. Tablecloth

Before we get into dishes, we need to start with the background: the tablecloth. Some cultures layer multiple tablecloths on their dining tables, removing one after each course. While we don’t necessarily recommend that, we do suggest choosing a beautiful, high quality cloth to serve as the base for your table decor and place settings.

2. Fine china

Paper plates are convenient, and there are a lot of charming choices out there. But if you really want to elevate your Thanksgiving table, use real dishes. If you have china from your wedding or great grandmother, now’s the time to use it. Of course, you aren’t required to use actual china, especially for the kids’ table, but you should use nice pieces. And if you have more guests that you have place settings, no worries. You can use a few different patterns, if needed, then pull them all together with matching chargers, napkins and napkin rings.

3. Serving bowls

You’ll need serving bowls in different shapes and sizes to accommodate all the different foods for your Thanksgiving feast. Heavy, caramelized sweet potatoes will need a large, sturdy bowl, while cranberry sauce can rest in something more delicate. Ceramic and stoneware dishes work well for your holiday table as well as your daily dinner — so they won’t just sit empty in your cupboards for months at a time. Plan on one large bowl for any main dish and several smaller bowls for each additional side. A large bowl or basket, draped with a tea towel or linen napkin, keeps food such as rolls warm.

4. Serving platter

You spend hours cooking your turkey to perfection — it deserves to stand out on a beautiful serving platter. Plan on at least one large platter for the main course, between 15 and 20 inches long. You’ll want a few smaller ones, too, for side dishes and butter pats.

5. Serving utensils

Who doesn’t love to heap the mashed potatoes a mile high on their plate? Or spear the largest chunk of tender turkey and tenderly place it on their plate? Your Thanksgiving meal is a symphony of flavors; provide the proper instruments to let it play out on the table. A serving fork keeps food secure from serving plate to eating plate. Large serving spoons means guests can smoothly transfer wily green beans. Sturdy serving utensils means fewer spills on your tablecloth and fewer grimaces at the table.

6. Gravy boat

As charming as your glass measuring cup is, your Thanksgiving table will look and feel more refined with a gravy boat. You can use it for gravy, of course, but it’s also a nicer way to serve salad dressings or other condiments. For non-holiday meals, use it for pasta sauces, chocolate sauce, maple syrup or cream and milk for coffee. Depending on the shape, you could even use it as a vase.

7. Pitcher

It’s a good idea to pre-fill all the glasses, but the need for refills is inevitable. Place a few drink pitchers within easy reach. If your dining table is too crowded, use a decorative drink dispenser at a buffet table or at a drink station. Please, save the big orange cooler for your campouts.

8. Warming tray

If you have a full table, you may want to have a Thanksgiving buffet, setting the food out on a thin table, kitchen island or bar. One benefit of this setup is that you can keep the food hot with warming plates and chafing dishes.

9. Salt and pepper shakers

OK, these aren’t exactly essential, but cute salt and pepper shakers are useful and fun conversation starters. Turkeys, pilgrims, pumpkins, corn cobs, acorns — anything that denotes the season works. Of course, plain ones are perfectly fine, too. 

10. Pie plate

It’s hard to beat pie as the finish to your meal (with huge dollops of whipped cream!), and the homemade version — well, that’s where it’s at. The key to a good pie? A delicate crust baked to the faintest golden brown. The filling, evenly cooked and bubbling. It only happens with the right equipment. Skip the weak bottomed, disposable metal tin and get an oven-safe glass pie plate. Shallow is best for cream pies, deep is better for fruit. Remember the pie server for easy dispensing.

Good endings

Make your Thanksgiving meal more than just a half hour of face stuffing. Once your guests lay eyes on your beautiful table, they’ll know they are in for a special event and a tasty meal. With all the necessities at their fingertips, they can relax and enjoy both the food and the company.

Fill in your holiday tableware gaps or start new on KSL Classifieds.