Thanksgiving on the Grill
This Thanksgiving, switch up tradition and free up your oven space by cooking some or all of your holiday feast on the grill. From the turkey to the side dishes, there are a variety of recipes and tips you can use to elevate your holiday menu. So fire up the grill and get ready for a Thanksgiving like never before with Thanksgiving on the Grill.
How to Use Your Outdoor Kitchen for Thanksgiving on the Grill

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to break it in and show off your grilling skills if you have an outdoor kitchen. Here are a few tips on how to make the most of your outdoor kitchen this Thanksgiving:
- Make sure your grill is clean and ready to go. This means giving it a good scrub down and ensuring all the parts are in working order.
- Consider what you’ll be cooking and plan accordingly. If you’re grilling the turkey, you’ll need a different setup than just making side dishes.
- Prep your food ahead of time. This will make things go much smoother on Thanksgiving day.
- Have a backup plan. Have a Plan B ready to go if the weather doesn’t cooperate or your grill isn’t working correctly.
- And finally, relax and enjoy yourself! Thanksgiving is all about spending time with family and friends, so make sure you take some time to enjoy their company.
Thanksgiving on the Grill - 17 Fantastic Recipes for Your Holiday Menu
The Best Grilled Turkey Recipe
Featuring garlic, lemon, and herbs - The Best Grilled Turkey Recipe will get your turkey more golden, smokier, and moister than any indoor preparation. The preparation is similar to using a conventional oven. Still, as a fellow grilling enthusiast, you know the extra flavor and mesquite goodness that comes from roasting over a fire.
Barbecue Spice-Brined Grilled Turkey
With dark color, mesquite goodness, and bold flavor, this turkey will inspire some personal thanksgiving and show off some mad grilling skills. Barbecue Spice-Brined Grilled Turkey features a halved-turkey dry-brined in spices and salt that finishes moist and savory.
Applewood Smoked Turkey Breast with Cider Bourbon Gravy
This dish features all the rich, smoky flavor of a whole roasted turkey without all the hassle. It's perfect for smaller gatherings and will surely be a hit with your guests.
Grilled Turkey With Citrus-Herb Salt And Sage Butter
This preparation will amaze your friends and palate while freeing up the kitchen for side dishes and desserts. The turkey finishes moist, savory, smoky, and gorgeous perfect for a centerpiece dish on a beautiful holiday.
Grilled Pork Roast with Fruit Compote
This flavorful pork roast is herb-spiced and grilled to perfection, making it a delicious alternative (or addition) to your traditional Thanksgiving turkey.
Yukon Gold Rush Grilled Pizza
Perfect for an untraditional and fabulous harvest-themed appetizer, this pizza is made with Yukon Gold potatoes, roasted garlic paste, and Gruyère cheese.
Flame Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Fennel and Serrano Ham
These veggies caramelize and char beautifully by simply seasoning salt and pepper and tossing in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. These simple ingredients make for an excellent side dish that complements whatever you're serving for your main course on Thanksgiving Day!
Grilled Herb-Fennel Pork Loin
Using five phases of preparation to make the best juicy, tender, and scrumptious pork, you may win the hearts of your Thanksgiving guests and leave the bird wanting.
Southwestern Grilled Spatchcock Turkey
Spatchcocking the bird allows it to lay flat on the grill for faster, more uniform cooking. With Southwestern spices and mesquite smoke wafting through your house, this Thanksgiving bird will be perfect!
Double Smoked Spiral Ham
Featuring cherry wood smoke and an addictive glaze of apple jelly and raspberry chipotle BBQ sauce, this s ham finishes sweet and smoky. It's sure to be a terrific addition to your Thanksgiving feast.
Grilled Bread Dressing with Cranberries and Leeks
Grilled Bread Dressing with Cranberries and Leeks begins with grilling rustic bread to infuse smoky flavor and adding sauteed leeks, apples, cranberries, and bacon that bring the taste of the season to this one-of-a-kind stuffing.
Wine Smoked Turkey
Bring new life to the big bird with Wine Smoked Turkey featuring rich smoky flavor, herbal aromatics, and Zinfandel gravy for a rich smothering of goodness.
Grilled Rotisserie Turkey with Stuffing
Featuring a simple rub and lots of butter, the turkey will slow roast over an open flame while you enjoy a warm drink, the football mayhem, and precious time with loved ones from far and near.
Smoked Cajun Turkey
Featuring Black Magic spice rub from the spice experts at Spiceologist, this turkey simply requires butter, smoke, and time to bring the thankfulness from your grill to your table.
Barbecue Carrots with Yogurt and Pecans
Resembling a culinary autumn collage on a plate with rich colors, spices, and aromatics, these caramelized carrots and toasted pecans offer a wonderful contrast of textures with the smooth and tangy yogurt.
Grilled Turkey with Fresh Herb Butter
This succulent preparation features a collection of herbs, spices, and butter. When finished, the herb butter awakens a freshness and decadence in the turkey that is perfectly balanced by the crispy skin.
Orange-Glazed Grilled Acorn Squash
Served warm, this squash is a buttery-sweet rendition, combining flavors of the season into a beautiful side dish that melts in your mouth with the perfect balance of texture, sweetness, and spice.
Grilled Rotisserie Turkey, Dry Brined with Orange and Spices
Many a traveler still sadly uses a conventional oven, and others more daring grill over an open flame. Yet for the true adventurer, using the rotisserie yields a prize beyond compare – moist and tender inside, surrounded by irresistibly crisp and crackling skin.
Bonus Recipe: Black Friday Grilled Blackened Chicken
Black Friday has become an event of its own, and Black Friday Grilled Blackened Chicken is a tasty recipe that takes only minutes to prepare, so you can get back to finding all those insane deals. Finishing fiery and peppery from a combination of robust spices, this chicken will prepare your motor to finish this once-a-year shopping day.