Thanksgiving Carving and Gravy Guide: Platters, Carving Sets and Gravy Boats

Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November, and for most hosts the big moment comes at the end: the turkey arrives at the table, someone picks up the carving knife, and the gravy starts its trip around the room. Getting that moment right takes three things – a platter big enough for the bird, a sharp carving set, and a gravy boat that pours without dripping.

This is our carving and gravy guide: the turkey platters, carving sets and gravy boats we recommend, and a few tips for carving at the table. For the rest of the table – place settings, centerpieces and fall figurines – see our Thanksgiving table ideas.

Turkey Platters

A true turkey platter is larger than an everyday platter – about 18 inches long – so a whole bird fits with room for herbs and roasted vegetables around it. Herend's turkey platters are hand-painted in Herend, Hungary, and finished with 24k gold accents. See all Thanksgiving serving pieces.

Herend Queen Victoria Turkey Platter

18 in by 14½ in, hand-painted in Herend's Queen Victoria pattern. It pairs with the Queen Victoria gravy boat below.

Herend Rothschild Bird Turkey Platter

The same generous 18 in by 14½ in platter in Rothschild Bird, one of Herend's best-loved patterns. See the Rothschild Bird collection.

Herend Gwendolyn Turkey Platter

18½ in by 14 in, hand-painted in the Gwendolyn pattern with 24k gold accents.

Gravy Boats

A gravy boat on a fixed stand (or with an underplate) catches drips, which matters when it is passed from hand to hand down a long table. See all gravy boats.

Herend Queen Victoria Gravy Boat with Fixed Stand

Hand-painted Queen Victoria porcelain with its stand attached, so nothing slides when it's passed.

Herend Golden Edge Gravy Boat with Fixed Stand

Herend's Golden Edge is white porcelain with a gold rim – it goes with any pattern already on your table.

Bernardaud Louvre Gravy Boat 17 oz

White Limoges porcelain from Bernardaud. A generous 17 oz – Bernardaud suggests it for all sweet or savory sauces, from mayonnaise to English custard.

Christofle Albi Silver-Plated Gravy Boat

A medium silver-plated gravy boat that Christofle says adds refinement and playful modern elegance to any meal.

Gien Gravy Boat – Filet Burgundy

French faience from the Loire Valley with a burgundy band at the rim – a warm autumn color for the Thanksgiving table.

Match Pewter Gravy Boat with Gravy Spoon

Handmade pewter from northern Italy, with its own spoon.

Gravy Ladles

Christofle Marly Silver-Plated Gravy Ladle

Marly is named after a pleasure palace that Louis XIV built outside Paris, and it is one of the most detailed and ornate patterns in Christofle's catalog.

Christofle Perles Silver-Plated Gravy Ladle

Perles is a Louis XVI-style pattern with a single delicate line of beading, like a classic pearl necklace.

Carving Sets

Carve with a long knife and a two-pronged fork that holds the bird steady. Learn more about the patterns in our guide to Christofle flatware patterns.

Christofle Marly Silver-Plated Carving Knife

An elegant serving piece that pairs with a carving fork for cutting and serving meat. Christofle notes it is also ideal for a barbecue or a large dinner with family and friends.

Christofle Cluny Silver-Plated Carving Knife

A silver-plated carving knife for carving and serving meat and poultry.

Christofle Rubans Silver-Plated Carving Fork

Designed to work with the carving knife to cut and serve meat, in Rubans – a feminine Louis XVI-style pattern.

Match Pewter Gabriella Serving Fork & Spoon Set

Hand-cast Italian pewter, available as a serving fork and spoon set or as the serving fork or serving spoon on its own.

How to Carve a Turkey at the Table

• Let it rest. Give the turkey 20 to 30 minutes out of the oven before carving, so the juices settle and the slices stay moist.
• Legs and wings first. Cut through the joints where the legs and wings meet the body, then separate the drumsticks from the thighs.
• Slice the breast. Hold the bird steady with the carving fork and slice the breast in even pieces, working from the outside in.
• Warm the gravy boat. Fill it with hot water while the turkey rests, then pour it out and add the gravy, so it stays hot longer.
• Two boats for a long table. If you have more than ten guests, put a gravy boat at each end.

Silver-plated carving pieces deserve a little care after the holiday – see how to care for silver. Hosting a Friendsgiving as well? See our Friendsgiving ideas, and for Herend's turkeys and pumpkins, our Herend Thanksgiving guide.

Save your favorites: open any piece and tap the ♡ to add it to your Wishlist, then send it to whoever is carving.