- By gb0iL-admin
- In Grilling
The Ultimate Guide to Grilled Thanksgiving
Ah, Thanksgiving: the holiday that glorifies our two favorite things as Americans: good food and football. But when you’re in charge of making the meal, things can get a little stressful. What dishes should you make? Is there enough room in your kitchen? Will you set the turkey on fire like you did five years ago? It’s a lot to handle.
However, there’s no need to worry because we at G&B Energy have put together the ultimate grilled Thanksgiving guide. That’s right, you can grill your entire Thanksgiving meal! Don’t stress about not having enough room in the kitchen, take some (or all) of your dishes to the grill for faster and more flavorful food. Follow our 7 steps and you’re guaranteed to have an unforgettable meal this year.
Step 1: Grilled Turkey
The symbol of everything Thanksgiving, the turkey is perhaps the most difficult part of cooking for this holiday. It takes serious preparation, and if you’ve never grilled an entire turkey before, you might be intimidated. However, grilling a turkey makes it all the more tender and juicy when it’s done (no one likes a dry bird).
While most recipes you come across say to brush the turkey with oil before cooking, brining your turkey for a day or two before cooking is another way to make the turkey more juicy and flavorful. Joshua Bousel has a great step-by-step tutorial on how to cook the perfect Thanksgiving turkey (brining and all) if you’re willing to take on the preparation.
Step 2: Grilled Stuffing
Stuffing is always well-received at Thanksgiving meals. So much so that it’s usually the first thing to disappear off of the table. While many people like to cook the stuffing inside of the turkey, there are some great stuffing recipes that you cook sans bird.
Here’s a skillet stuffing recipe that you can cook on the grill, right next to your bird: Skillet stuffing
Step 3: Grilled Potatoes
Potatoes are a versatile vegetable. You can mash them, smash them, cut them up and fry them — the possibilities are endless. Thanksgiving usually calls for the plain old boiled and mashed variety, but you can add unexpected and exciting flavor to your potatoes if you grill them first!
Here’s a recipe for grilled mashed potatoes: Cheesy smashed potatoes with bacon
*bonus, there’s bacon and cheese involved.
If you and your family prefer your potatoes roasted, check out this recipe that calls for rosemary and olive oil: Roasted rosemary potatoes
*Bonus* If you’re trying to cut back on starch for Thanksgiving, why not try this grilled mashed cauliflower recipe instead? No one will know the difference.
Step 4: Traditional Thanksgiving Condiments
You can’t have potatoes and turkey without gravy. And this basic thanksgiving staple can be cooked on the grill too! Plus, it takes less than 15 minutes to make. Always a plus when you’re strapped for time: Basic skillet gravy
Cranberry sauce is also a must for your holiday celebration. Instead of using the stuff from the can, get creative and make it yourself on the grill:Roasted orange cranberry sauce
Step 5: Grilled Corn Dishes
Corn gets its own category since it is just as versatile and essential to Thanksgiving as potatoes. Corn on the cob is pretty easy on the grill, but like hot dogs, are really more of a foundation for whatever toppings you pick.
Weber Grills has a great video that’ll teach you three different ways to cook corn on the cob on the grill. No one’s taste preferences will be left out this season: [VIDEO] Corn on the cob three different ways
And, of course, there is corn bread. If you enjoy the taste of fresh-baked corn bread, you’ll love cornbread grilled in a skillet. Check out the recipe on the Food Network: Iron skillet corn bread
Step 6: Grilled Vegetable Dishes
Potatoes aren’t the only root vegetable you should have at your Thanksgiving meal. Depending on your preferences, there are multiple ways you can prepare your vegetables so that everyone enjoys them.
If you prefer your vegetables halved and roasted, check out this recipe that included sweet potatoes, carrots, and parsnips with thyme: Roasted root veggies
If you and your family like acorn squash, this grilled recipe with feta and jalapenos could be an exotic and exciting hit: Grilled acorn squash
Sweet potatoes are a popular pick at Thanksgiving meals, usually in the form of sweet potato casserole or pies. How about trying a more savory version of your other favorite root vegetable? You can go creamy and chilled: Creamy grilled sweet potato salad
Or mashed with yellow onion: Mashed sweet potatoes with grilled onions
And let’s not forget about the greens. We have to pretend that we’re being a little healthy, right? Vegetables like green beans and asparagus are perfect compliments to your Thanksgiving setup.
This grilled bacon-wrapped asparagus recipe is guaranteed to be a hit — it’s easy finger food and has bacon on it (which means everyone will love it no matter what): Bacon-wrapped asparagus bundles
And, of course, we have to include the classic green bean casserole on our list. Now, you can grill it! Grilled green bean casserole
Step 7: Grilled Desserts
No Thanksgiving meal is complete without a couple of warm desserts of the apple and pumpkin variety. These sweet dishes can be grilled instead of baked in an oven, so if you’re strapped on space and/or time, throw them on the grill!
So there you have it, your entire Thanksgiving meal on the grill. If it’s been a little while since you fired it up, read our blog on cleaning your grill to prep for Turkey Day. Also, don’t forget to read our grilling safety tips to keep you and your family safe.
