As an Airbnb host or vacation rental owner, you want your guests to have the best possible experience while staying at your place. That includes making sure your kitchen is well-equipped to handle any cooking needs they might have. With American Thanksgiving just around the corner, now is the perfect time to make sure your kitchen has everything your guests will need to prepare a feast. I’ve put together a list of some Airbnb kitchen essentials that your guests will appreciate and that will make their stay even more enjoyable.
Table of Contents
Essential Thanksgiving kitchen items for your Airbnb
A roasting pan
A roasting pan falls more under the “nice to have” rather than essential category, especially if space is at a premium. But if you’ve got the room to store it, nothing says “Thanksgiving ready” more than a roasting pan. Most are too big for the dishwasher, so choose one that’s easy to hand wash.
An instant-read thermometer
These are inexpensive and critical for food safety. Go analog to avoid dead batteries.
Cookware set
Every vacation rental with a stove needs a set of pots and pans. Make sure to check yours yearly and replace them when they start getting too worn, especially if they have a non-stick coating.
I love All-Clad pans for home use, but I don’t recommend them for any but luxury vacation rentals because they’ll get a lot of abuse. Buy an inexpensive set and plan on replacing them every couple of years.
Here’s pro advice from a Superhost: If you’re just getting started with your Airbnb or about ready to replace your cookware set, check Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or Craigslist for new sets. They show up often, especially at the tail end of wedding season.
Psst…For more ways to save money when you’re getting started, check out my decorating your vacation rental on a budget post.
Sharp Knives
A good set of sharp knives is another essential for any vacation rental kitchen and one of those Airbnb amenities that will help you stand out from the competition. A sharp knife not only makes cooking easier but also helps prevent accidents. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on knives, but you should provide a honing steel and have knives professionally sharpened every couple of years.
If you’ve got a tiny kitchen and don’t want to invest in a complete set of knives, buy a decent chef’s knife and a paring knife. These two knives will cover most of your guests’ needs.
A turkey baster
To baste or not to baste is a question argued by cooks countrywide, but your job is only to provide the option.
A fat separator
It’s for gravy.
A good peeler
Mashed. Potatoes.
A potato masher
See above.
A colander and a set of strainers.
All cooks use them, but they can be remarkably hard to find in vacation rentals. Choose a sturdy colander that is stable in the sink.
A grater
For cheese! And vegetables, I suppose, if you must.
An oven thermometer
Did you know that most ovens are a little off? Keep an oven thermometer in your vacation rental oven at all times. They’re cheap, and your guests will thank you when they’re digging into their perfectly roasted turkey and delicious pies.
Foil, wraps, and paper
Every kitchen needs aluminum foil and plastic wrap, and your guests will appreciate not having to buy it for a short stay. Aluminum foil is great for lining baking sheets, and plastic wrap can be used for food prep or storing leftovers. Nothing better than a turkey cranberry sandwich the next day!
If your vacation rental caters to enthusiastic cooks you may want to provide a roll of parchment paper as well.
Disposable aluminum pans
If you want to make things really easy for your guests, consider stocking your Airbnb kitchen with disposable aluminum pans. This way, your guests can cook their Thanksgiving feast and then simply throw away the dirty dishes – no cleanup required!
These are an especially good idea if you don’t have room in your cabinets (or sink) for a roasting pan.
Cutting boards
Cutting boards are a must-have Airbnb kitchen essential anyway, but it’s especially important if guests are planning to celebrate Thanksgiving at your vacation rental. A good cutting board will make preparing food easier and keep guests from hurting themselves or ruining your knives or countertop. Bamboo and hardwood boards look great, but polypropylene is the most sanitary option. Choose multiple sizes to cover everything from slicing limes for cocktails to carving a turkey, and make sure they’re non-slip for safety.
A slow cooker or multi-cooker
A slow cooker makes a great “I-went-that-extra-mile” addition to a vacation rental kitchen, and it’s especially handy for Thanksgiving when oven space is at a premium. If you’ve got the room to store one, an inexpensive slow cooker is something your guests will appreciate. If you’ve got the budget, multi-cookers (aka, Instant Pots) are awesome and many of your guests will be either accustomed to using one or excited to try it.
Baking sheets and cooling racks
Self-explanatory – these are key for any holiday baking. Your guests will need baking sheets to bake rolls, cookies, and other holiday treats. Cooling racks will keep those hot baking sheets off of your kitchen counters.
A pie pan or two
This is another “nice to have if you’ve got the room” item.
An assortment of measuring cups and spoons
Measuring cups and spoons are essential for any kitchen, but they’re especially important when your guests have a big meal to prepare and lots of baking to do. Check from time to time to make sure your sets are complete. A liquid measuring cup is good to have, also.
Serving dishes and platters
If you want your guests to be able to serve their Thanksgiving feast in style, you’ll want to stock your vacation rental kitchen with serving dishes and platters. Keep them inexpensive and neutral so they can be used for everyday meals as well as special occasions.
If outdoor dining is a popular activity at your vacation rental, be sure your serving dishes aren’t breakable or provide a set for use outdoors.
Serving utensils
A set of salad tongs are nice, as are some big spoons. For Thanksgiving, though, a pie server is essential.
Spices
No matter what your guests are cooking, they’re going to need spices and they’re going to be irritated to have to buy a bottle when all they need is a pinch of something. A well-stocked spice rack will give them everything they need to create a delicious meal and will make you look like a hero.
Is the idea of cooking a Thanksgiving dinner in your tiny vacation rental laughable? These are my favorite small apartment interior design hacks that will open up the space!
Thanksgiving Decor
Last but not least, add some seasonal decorations to make your vacation rental dining room extra special for the holidays. A Thanksgiving-themed tablecloth or runner is a simple and inexpensive way to add some holiday cheer, and you’ll find plenty of fall decor ideas in this blog post.
These are just some of the essential items that will make your Airbnb kitchen ready for Thanksgiving guests. By stocking up with all the basics and extra amenities, you can relax and enjoy your own pie, knowing that your kitchen is ready for anything.
Do your guests cook Thanksgiving dinners at your vacation rental? Do you advertise the holiday readiness of your kitchen? Let me know in the comments!
