This Genius $11 Find Is My Thanksgiving Hero

Each fall, most Americans can’t wait to sink their teeth into their annual turkey feast. A meal built around a giant hunk of poultry might sound like a nightmare for vegetarians like myself, but despite the bird, Thanksgiving is actually my favorite food holiday. My family doesn’t prepare a special vegetarian main course for me, and that’s fine — it just leaves more room on my plate for Thanksgiving’s true star: the sides.

While others fight over wishbones and white meat, I skip over the carving station in favor of my mother’s homemade cranberry and applesauce, stuffing, and of course, the mashed potatoes. I’m always in charge of making the potatoes — partly because I don’t help make the turkey, and partly because I’ve mastered the soft yet chunky consistency my family loves. The only problem? Metal mashers kept jamming our drawers. That’s why this year, to save me the annual headache, I’m coming prepared with this genius foldable masher.

Joseph Joseph Delta Folding Potato Masher

While you don’t technically need a masher to make mashed potatoes, I find them necessary to reach the texture and chunkiness I prefer (blenders tend to puree them too much for my liking). Traditional mashers feature a metal zigzag design that’s effective in mashing quickly, but they’re not exactly practical when it comes to storage, and frequently get caught in drawers.

This foldable potato masher from Joseph Joseph is in a class of its own when it comes to functionality and convenience. Fit for even the largest of batches, this masher features a durable stainless steel shaft and a comfortable non-slip handle. Most importantly, its nylon mashing plate folds in, meaning it doesn’t take up any more space in my drawers than a typical spatula or whisk. It also locks into place when in use, so I never have to worry about it collapsing at inopportune times. 

While it’s the perfect pre-Thanksgiving purchase, I love how versatile the tool is for making everything from guacamole to banana bread. I could even use it to break up ground meat in a saute pan (if I was into that kind of thing).

Best of all, the masher’s holes are small enough to evenly break up pieces of potato without completely emulsifying them — the ideal consistency, in my opinion. The tool is additionally dishwasher-safe, fitting snugly among my other dishes without taking up too much space.

Between its ergonomic design and budget-friendly price tag (just $11 at Amazon), Joseph Joseph’s potato masher is the ultimate way to keep your kitchen drawers clear, and the mashed potato-lovers at your table happy.

More Thanksgiving Essentials to Shop: 

OXO Good Grips Pro Y-Peeler

Le Creuset Gravy Boat

Cuisinart Cookware Set, 4 Pieces

Vitamix Immersion Blender

Emile Henry Pie Dish

At the time of publishing, the price was $11.