Thanksgiving can be a stressful time for home cooks. You are expected to make a beautifully roasted turkey with a slew of side dishes and desserts. With so many of these dishes requiring an oven, you may be wishing for a second oven. If you have a grill outside, then you do have a second oven! Whether it is a gas or charcoal grill, it should be able to make many of the classic holiday recipes. A key component of pulling off Thanksgiving grilling is to use indirect heat!
The Turkey
Although it may not be the most traditional method, grilling your turkey is the best way to get a tender and juicy main plate. A 12-pound turkey can be cooked in about two to three hours and will save a lot of space in your oven!
Other Proteins
The turkey is not the only meat that can benefit from being cooked on a grill. The Food Network has a grilled honey ham recipe sure to impress your friends and family at your Thanksgiving dinner. But do not feel limited to classic recipes! Grill up some chicken or even lamb for your loved ones to enjoy.
Side Dishes
Grilled vegetables are a no-brainer for Thanksgiving grilling. Instead of taking up space in your oven to make those roasted Brussels sprouts, consider moving these dishes over to the grill. Grill Brussels sprouts on skewers topped with olive oil, minced garlic, paprika, pepper, and salt. Or, line up some asparagus on the grill with olive oil, minced garlic, thyme, pepper, and salt. Whatever vegetable you choose to grill, chances are they will be delicious!
Other sides may be difficult to fully cook on a grill, but you can get creative with how you incorporate the grill into your cooking process. Throw some potatoes on the grill before making them into mashed potatoes to get that smoky taste. Reserve some liquid from your grilled turkey to make a gravy packed with flavor. Even grill bread before adding it to your stuffing.
Desserts
Did you know you can even make pies on your grill? This easy 5-ingredient grilled apple pie can be made in less than an hour. Experiment with other pies like cherry, pumpkin, or sweet potato for some delicious sweet treats!
We hope we’ve inspired you to give Thanksgiving grilling a try! Many of these dishes are also perfect for Christmas dinner.
