Thanksgiving is a beloved American holiday centered around food, family, and gratitude. The traditional Thanksgiving meal consists of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, cranberries, rolls, and pumpkin pie. This hearty feast is usually prepared in the oven. However, more and more cooks are moving the Thanksgiving meal outside onto the grill. Grilling the entire Thanksgiving dinner may sound daunting, but it can be done with proper planning and some clever workarounds.
Why cook Thanksgiving dinner on a grill?
There are several motivations for grilling a Thanksgiving meal instead of using the oven:
- Free up oven space. The oven is crowded on Thanksgiving. Grilling some dishes like turkey frees up room.
- Add flavor. Grilling adds delicious smoky flavor to meats, vegetables, and even desserts.
- Cook more at once. A grill has more total cooking space than an oven.
- Keep the kitchen cool. Grilling puts excess heat outside.
- Enjoy the weather. Grilling brings the meal outside on a nice fall day.
- Try something new. Grilling the meal adds a new challenge and twist to Thanksgiving traditions.
Some people may be tempted to grill Thanksgiving dinner because their oven is too small to cook everything at once. Others simply want to shake up the usual roasted turkey and try something new and flavorful.
Challenges of grilling Thanksgiving dinner
While grilling the Thanksgiving meal has its advantages, it also comes with some unique challenges:
- Limited space. Even a large grill has less space than an oven, so cooks need to prioritize what gets grilled.
- Uneven heating. Ovens heat food evenly from all sides, while grilling cooks from the bottom up. This can lead to burnt bottoms and undercooked tops.
- Temperature control. Ovens are better for dishes that require precise low temperatures like casseroles.
- Lack of enclosure. Grills are open, so oven-cooked favorites like stuffing can dry out.
- Weather issues. Grilling in cold, rainy, or windy weather will be difficult.
These challenges mean the entire meal cannot be grilled directly as-is. Cooks need to get creative with heat and moisture control.
Which parts of the meal work best for grilling?
While grilling everything has its appeal, some components of the meal are better suited to grilling than others:
| Dish | Grillability |
|---|---|
| Turkey | Excellent – adds moisture and smoky flavor |
| Ham | Excellent – grilled ham is a tasty alternative to turkey |
| Mashed potatoes | Difficult – need constant temperature and moisture |
| Green bean casserole | Moderate – grill green beans separately and assemble casserole indoors |
| Cranberry sauce | Easy – grill cranberries to intensify flavor |
| Pumpkin pie | Moderate – grill pumpkin to accent flavor then make pie indoors |
The general rule is proteins and vegetables grill well, while more delicate dishes with sauces are better left to the oven.
Tips for grilling turkey
Turkey is the centerpiece of most Thanksgiving meals, so making it successfully on the grill is key. Here are some turkey grilling tips:
- Partially cook the turkey in the oven first. This ensures the breast meat doesn’t dry out while the legs and thighs finish cooking.
- Let it rest before carving. As with oven turkeys, let the grill-cooked bird rest 20+ minutes before carving for juicier meat.
- Maintain even heat. Use two heat zones and rotate the turkey to prevent burning.
- Use a drip pan. This will minimize flare ups from turkey juices dripping on the grill.
- Flavor with a brine or rub. Soak or rub the turkey with spices and herbs to add moisture and flavor.
- Cook to proper temperature. Cook whole turkeys to 165°F at the thickest part of the breast.
With the right techniques, a grilled turkey can turn out just as moist and delicious as an oven-roasted one.
Grilled turkey alternatives
For those who want to break from tradition, consider these delicious grilled entree alternatives to turkey:
- Grilled ham – Get smoky flavor by grilling a pre-cooked bone-in ham. Glaze it with honey, maple syrup or brown sugar.
- Grilled beef tenderloin – Elegant cut of beef that stays tender when grilled. Serve with horseradish sauce.
- Beer can chicken – Chicken grilled upright over an open can of beer stays juicy.
- Grilled pork loin – Flavor with a spicy dry rub before grilling. Serve with grilled fruit salsa.
- Grilled leg of lamb – Tender lamb pairs well with mint jelly or chimichurri sauce.
- Grilled salmon – Salmon fillets hold up well on the grill. Glaze with teriyaki or a brown sugar mixture.
Get creative with grilled proteins and you may find a new Thanksgiving favorite!
Making sides on the grill
In addition to main dishes, many classic Thanksgiving sides can be prepared on the grill or with the help of a grill:
- Grilled vegetables – Grilled Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, zucchini, eggplant, and more.
- Grilled fruit – Peaches, pineapple, pears, and apples taste great caramelized on the grill.
- Grilled rolls – Quickly toast rolls or biscuits directly on the grill.
- Grilled corn – Husk corn and grill until tender and lightly charred.
- Grilled potatoes – Parboil potatoes first then grill for crispy skins.
- Grilled cranberry sauce – Char fresh cranberries then stir in sugar and orange zest/juice.
Get creative mixing oven and grill cooking methods to get perfect results.
Finishing touches from the oven
While much of the meal can be made on the grill with some creativity, the oven will still be needed to finish and assemble some Thanksgiving favorites:
- Casseroles like stuffing and green bean casserole need a hot oven to get perfectly tender and crispy.
- Pies, rolls, and other baked goods require the dry, ambient heat of an oven.
- Mashed potatoes will hold better in a covered oven dish vs. on the grill.
- Cook any parts of meats or vegetables that need more time in foil in the oven.
- Warm plates in the oven before serving to keep food hot at the table.
Be strategic and use both the grill and oven to their strengths.
Grilling Thanksgiving dinner safely
When cooking outside, food safety should be top of mind:
- Only thaw turkey in the fridge, not at room temperature.
- Preheat grill before putting food on to kill any bacteria.
- Use separate plates and utensils for raw and cooked meat.
- Cook meats like turkey thoroughly to safe internal temperatures.
- Keep perishable foods chilled in a cooler when outside.
- Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within 2 hours of serving.
Following safe grilling and food handling best practices will protect your guests.
Have a grill-tastic Thanksgiving!
Grilling the Thanksgiving meal may seem difficult, but with smart planning it can be a fun and flavorful new tradition. Focus on grilling turkey, ham and other meats, vegetables, and quick-cooking sides while finishing casseroles and desserts in the oven. With some creativity and these helpful tips, your outdoor Thanksgiving feast will be a hit!