40+ Thanksgiving Recipes for the Grill and Smoker
Nov 11, 2020, Updated Nov 05, 2026
This post may contain affiliate links. Read more at our disclosure policy.
Looking for Thanksgiving recipes that go beyond the traditional oven-roasted turkey and mashed potatoes? We’ve rounded up our favorite Thanksgiving recipes for the grill and smoker, from juicy smoked turkey and flavorful holiday sides to festive appetizers, cocktails, and desserts.
Cooking Thanksgiving outside is one of our favorite ways to make the holiday a little easier (and a lot more flavorful). It frees up oven space, adds incredible wood-fired flavor to your favorite dishes, and gives you more time to enjoy the day with your family and friends. Whether you’re planning a full Thanksgiving feast on the smoker or just looking for a few new dishes to add to your holiday table, these tried-and-true recipes will help you pull it all together.
For Christmas and other holidays, check out our roundup of holiday recipes for the grill and smoker.
Table of Contents
- Thanksgiving Meal Planning and Preparation
- Thanksgiving Cocktails and Drinks
- Thanksgiving Appetizers on the Grill or Smoker
- Thanksgiving Turkey on the Grill or Smoker
- Thanksgiving Side Dishes & Bread
- Thanksgiving Desserts on the Grill
- Wine Pairing for Thanksgiving
- After-Dinner Drinks for Thanksgiving
- Leftover Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas
Thanksgiving Meal Planning and Preparation
To execute on successful Thanksgiving recipes, have a plan for the meal starting with how many people you’re having over. Next, have a prep plan for each day leading up to the holiday on Thursday.
We find shopping on the Friday before has the fewest crowds and makes for an easier shopping experience (and most of the ingredients will last the week).
- Pro Tip – Pre-Order your Turkey to ensure you have the right size you want, and be sure to account for thawing time. And be sure you give your turkey enough time to THAW! At least three days for the average-size turkeys.
- Prep Plan – We cater events for a living. And that means we understand the importance of writing down the timeline and the plan. This makes sure you defrost your turkey in time and have enough time to brine or prepare your other dishes.
- Delegate – There is nothing wrong with having guests bring something to share. Consider a beverage or delegating a dessert. Or have guests prep one of the side dishes that you can simply finish warming up on your outdoor cooker.
- Brining – Plan 24 – 36 hours for a turkey brine. Using a brine is a great technique for smoking Turkey because it helps retain moisture and adds some flavor. Alternatively you can do a dry brine if you want to skip the liquids.
You can read all our advice for the ultimate smoked turkey and be sure to read up on how to achieve perfect crispy skin.
Thanksgiving Cocktails and Drinks
Thanksgiving is a great excuse to make a festive cocktail, especially something you can prepare ahead of time so you’re not stuck playing bartender all afternoon. We love seasonal flavors like apple cider, pomegranate, citrus, and warm spices for holiday entertaining. Whether you’re hosting brunch, welcoming guests before dinner, or looking for something fun to sip while the turkey cooks, these cocktails are easy additions to your holiday menu.
Apple Cider Mimosa
Since fall is prime apple season, a little sparkling wine added to fresh apple cider is the perfect Thanksgiving drink idea. Or get inspired from our mimosa bar ideas.
Bourbon Spiked Hot Apple Cider
Alternatively you can warm up some apple cider and let your guests add Bourbon or whiskey as a warm Thanksgiving cocktail idea.
Apple Cider Slushie
A delicious slushie version of our favorite cider recipe intended for a slushie machine.
Pomegranate Mimosa
Elevate your mimosa game with flavor and color. Use Pomegranate juice and sparkling wine and finish with fresh pomegranate seeds. It’s a stunning flavor and looks amazing too.
Bourbon Cocktail with Grilled Lemon Simple Syrup
In the theme of make ahead, grill lemons to make a grilled lemon simple syrup. Combine with Bourbon (or whiskey) for a our grilled Bourbon Cocktail.
Pomegranate Ginger Beer Cocktail
Nothing says Thanksgiving cocktails like using pomegranate. This pomegranate cocktail is not overly sweet with a nice kick from good ginger beer.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Slushie
This fall indulgent slushie could be a dessert or after-dinner drink, but definitely a fun option for Thanksgiving entertaining.
Thanksgiving Appetizers on the Grill or Smoker
Before the main event, we like to have a few easy appetizers ready for guests to enjoy while the turkey cooks. Think smoked nuts, grilled cheese, savory bites, and a little charcuterie paired with a welcoming glass of wine. Many of these appetizers can be prepped ahead of time, leaving you more time to visit with guests instead of spending the entire afternoon in the kitchen.
Smoked Almonds
These almonds are slowly roasted in the smoker for three hours and can be made weeks prior to the day. They have a slight bacon flavor and simply seasoned with kosher salt and extra virgin olive oil. If you want more of a mixed party nut recipe, check out our smoked candied mixed nuts.
Grilled Brie Cheese
As part of our cheese platter, we add a nice goat cheese and a nice hard cheese, like Manchego. For our cows cheese, we grill up a brie round with some wine and serve with crostini. For even more flavor top it with some of your favorite jam in place of the herbs.
Blackberry Jam With Grilled Brie
Buy fresh or frozen blackberries and make this Thanksgiving appetizer hit. It’s ready in minutes and is made at every party we ever host.
Grilled Green Bean Bundles
Wrap prosciutto around blanched string beans and grill them for 10 minutes. Easy to make ahead and serve warm.
Smoked Deviled Eggs
A meat and cheese platter won’t aways satisfy everyone, which is why we also make a batch of our smoked deviled eggs. Smoked eggs, combined with a savory and pickled flavor, is our favorite style. We also top it with bacon or leftover brisket for great presentation.
Mushroom Crostini
Having a vegetarian appetizer is a winner for any Thanksgiving meal. And this mushroom crostini is finished with honey and aged balsamic for amazing flavor.
Thanksgiving Turkey on the Grill or Smoker
If there’s one dish that takes center stage on Thanksgiving, it’s the turkey. Cooking it on the grill or smoker is a great way to add incredible flavor while keeping your oven free for everything else. Whether you prefer a whole smoked turkey, a spatchcocked turkey for a faster cook, or a smaller turkey breast for a more intimate gathering, we have several tried-and-true methods to help you get a juicy, flavorful turkey on the table.
We typically save Smoked Prime Rib and Pork Roasts for other holidays.
Turkey Seasoning
This seasoning is our go-to for most of our smoked turkey recipes. It’s a savory mix with kosher salt, dried herbs, and the distinct flavor of fennel. If you want something with some sugar, use our ultimate dry rub.
Bourbon Brined Smoked Turkey
Brined with aromatics and bourbon, this tender turkey has been one of our most popular recipes on the web for years!
Perfect Pellet Grill Turkey
Pellet grills are a great way to add smoke and then crank up the heat for crispy skin. We use our turkey seasoning and we spatchcock for the ultimate pellet grill smoked turkey.
Spatchcock Smoked Turkey
The best way to get an even cook without drying out the meat is to spatchcock. By removing the backbone, you can flatten the turkey and allow it to cook more evenly.
Maple Glazed Turkey Breast
A perfect Thanksgiving dinner idea for a smaller crowd. Brine and glaze for the great flavor you expect, without having a ton of leftovers. You can do bone-in or boneless with the recipe.
Cajun Grilled Turkey Breast
Another twist on a turkey breast. Coated with a flavorful Cajun seasoning, and grilled to perfection. Quick, easy, and oh-so-delicious.
Want to try a new technique to cut the turkey in half, speeding up the cooking process? Check out our cookbook, Fire + Wine, for a step-by-step guide on our Spatchcocked Turkey recipe.
And if you are looking for other fun roast ideas, check out our full holiday list of recipes.
Thanksgiving Side Dishes & Bread
Let’s be honest: Thanksgiving sides are often just as important as the turkey. From savory stuffing and smoky vegetables to potatoes, homemade rolls, and flavorful gravy, these are the dishes that make the holiday meal feel complete. We love finding ways to cook classic Thanksgiving sides on the grill or smoker, adding a little wood-fired flavor while keeping the oven available for other dishes.
Easy Skillet Dinner Rolls
Easy quick-rise dinner rolls grilled to perfection. These golden brown rolls are chewy with that nice crusty exterior with that extra wood fire flavor. Ready in under 90 minutes from beginning to end.
Grilled Wild Mushroom Stuffing
Three varieties of mushrooms, leeks, and crusty bread all combined for a savory and rich wild mushroom stuffing. One Thanksgiving recipe we have on our table every year.
Smoked Sausage, Caramelized Onion, and Cornbread Stuffing
Our original inspiration for this dish was a simple cornbread stuffing from Tyler Florence. We eventually modified it to included some smoked hot Italian style sausage and a few other ingredients that just scream fall and holidays. We also cook it directly on the grill!
Red Wine Cranberry Sauce
Jazz up cranberry sauce with some wine! Yes, that’s right. Everyone is gonna want seconds of this flavorful homemade cranberry sauce.
Grilled Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Balsamic
If you grew up with bland brussels, then you need to revisit them. These are grilled on skewers and topped with some BACON(!) and balsamic.
Acorn Squash
Thinly sliced acorn squash over direct heat and finished with a real maple syrup glaze.
Smoked Turkey Collard Greens
We didn’t grow up with this dish, it was introduced to us by our dear friend Lynn almost a decade ago. These greens are slowly braised with a smoked turkey leg and vinegar. Combine the two flavors and you have tender and amazing collard greens.
Creamy Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
Better than most restaurant mashed potatoes, with bright flavor from the horseradish and lots of butter. You’re going to be just as obsessed with these as we are!
Grilled Mashed Sweet Potato
Thanksgiving dinner has to include sweet potatoes right? Growing up, we were used to the baked version topped with marshmallow, but these elegant grilled sweet potatoes are par boiled, grilled, and then mashed with incredible flavor and texture.
Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Smoked Honey Butter
Instead of candied yams, why not opt for a whole grilled potato and top it with some smoked honey butter. YUM!
Grilled Beet Salad with Wine Infused Cranberries
Grilled roasted beets are tossed with bacon, Parmesan cheese, and wine infused cranberries for an incredible salad.
Smoked Turkey and Bourbon Gravy
You have to have gravy. And of course, our gravy is smoked. We simmer a smoked turkey leg (or thigh) in some chicken stock until it reduces and thickens into a beautiful smoked turkey gravy.
Grilled Green Beans
Grilled, crunchy, slightly sweet, and finished with some grilled lemon. This is a simple dish with outstanding flavor.
Glazed and Grilled Carrots
Grilled to perfection with a simple honey and brown sugar glaze.
Thanksgiving Desserts on the Grill
Save a little room for dessert! We love taking classic Thanksgiving desserts like apple pie, pumpkin pie, and pecan pie outside to the grill. Cooking dessert ahead of time is another great way to free up the oven on Thanksgiving Day, and the subtle smoky flavor adds a fun twist to traditional holiday favorites. Make these the day before and serve them with a scoop of ice cream or homemade smoked whipped cream.
Grilled Apple Pie
This Dutch style apple pie is grilled to perfection using store-bought dough and a delicious butter and sugar crumble. It’s classic apple pie only easier with a smoky flavor.
Grilled Pumpkin Pie
Since we want Thanksgiving day to be stress free, the grilled pumpkin pie can be made the day prior and ready to serve when dinner is over.
Grilled Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie
Pecan Pie is a classic, and it’s so easy to make. This one has some bourbon and maple syrup for added flavor. Cook it on the grill for a fun smoky twist.
Grilled Apple Galette
Spiced apples and an easy from scratch crust make this an incredible dessert that is easy to make.
Grilled Apple Crisp
Warm grilled apple crisp topped with vanilla bean ice cream is the most comforting dessert we make. It’s pure fall!
Smoked Whipped Cream
No matter what dessert you make, top it with this simple smoked whipped cream and it will add that “wow” factor to any sweet treat.
Wine Pairing for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite meals to pair with wine because there are so many flavors on the table. Between the savory turkey, rich gravy, sweet potatoes, tart cranberry sauce, earthy stuffing, and all the other sides, you need wines that are versatile enough to work with a little bit of everything. My advice as a Certified Sommelier? Don’t stress about finding one perfect wine for every dish. Instead, offer a few different styles so everyone can find something they love. And if you’re cooking your turkey on the grill or smoker, don’t be afraid to choose wines that can stand up to a little extra smoke and richness.
Portions: The general rule is one bottle of wine per adult.
Because of the diversity of the food, any combination of white and red wines will work because the food and the company is the main star of this event.
- Sparkling Wine – My first choice for Thanksgiving. Sparkling wine is incredibly food-friendly, with acidity and bubbles that refresh the palate between bites. It works beautifully with appetizers, salty foods, rich sides, and even the turkey. Oregon sparkling wine, Cava, and Champagne are all worth considering.
- Riesling – Riesling is one of the most versatile Thanksgiving wines. Its bright acidity balances rich gravy and buttery sides, while its fruit and sometimes subtle sweetness complement sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and savory stuffing. Look for dry or off-dry styles depending on your preference.
- Pinot Noir – A classic Thanksgiving pairing for good reason. Pinot Noir’s bright acidity, red fruit, and earthy notes work beautifully with turkey, mushrooms, stuffing, and roasted vegetables. It’s especially great with smoked turkey because it has enough character to complement the smoky flavors without overpowering the meal. And of course, Oregon Pinot Noir is always a favorite around our table!
- Dry Rosé – Don’t save rosé just for summer! A dry rosé can be an awesome Thanksgiving wine, especially one with enough acidity and structure to stand up to the variety of flavors on the table. It’s refreshing, versatile, and a great option for guests who want something lighter than a traditional red wine.
- Zinfandel – If you’re serving smoked turkey, richer stuffing, or heartier sides, Zinfandel is a fun red wine option. Look for a balanced style with generous fruit, spice, and moderate tannins. It can complement smoky, savory flavors without feeling too heavy.
But if you want a few words of advice, check out our wine guide below to help give you some inspiration.
After-Dinner Drinks for Thanksgiving
Once dinner is over and everyone has settled in, it’s nice to have something festive to sip while enjoying dessert or relaxing around the table. Warm mulled wine, spiced cocktails, and coffee-inspired drinks are all great options for extending the celebration. These are easy to prepare ahead of time and make a lovely finish to Thanksgiving dinner.
Leftover Thanksgiving Recipe Ideas
One of the best parts of Thanksgiving? The leftovers. If you find yourself with extra turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, there’s no reason to eat the same plate of Thanksgiving dinner for the next three days. Turn those leftovers into something entirely new, from pizza and dips to comforting soups and sandwiches. These recipes will help you make the most of everything left in the fridge.
Leftover Turkey Pizza
Yes, pizza can use your leftovers and taste awesome with the combination of flavors from your holiday meal.
Smoked Buffalo Turkey Dip
Take your leftover turkey and turn it into a Buffalo style cheese dip. This is comfort food elevated.
Green Chile Turkey
This green chile (or chili) turkey uses green bell peppers and leftover turkey to make a thick soupy and savory soup. You can also substitute the bell peppers with Hatch Green Chile.
We hope this list inspires you for some Thanksgiving Dinner ideas for your grill or smoker.
And from us at Vindulge we wish you the most amazing Thanksgiving. We’d love to hear what your favorite dishes are for the day. And if you made any of these recipes don’t forget to drop a comment or rate any of the recipes you make.
Get a signed copy of our cookbook! Order Now
