Best Thanksgiving BBQ Recipes

Introduction

Thanksgiving is all about gathering around delicious food, but this year, why not break from tradition and take your holiday feast outdoors? The Best Thanksgiving BBQ Recipes offer bold flavors and smoky goodness, creating a festive experience that’s perfect for a crowd. From turkey on the grill to creative sides and standout desserts, these recipes add excitement and simplicity to your holiday, making Thanksgiving memorable and delightfully different.

Deliciously Unique Thanksgiving BBQ Dishes

Grilling enhances the natural flavors of Thanksgiving classics, giving everything from turkey breast to sweet potatoes an irresistible smokiness. Plus, BBQ recipes mean less time in a crowded kitchen and more time with friends and family outdoors. Whether you’re feeding a large group or planning a smaller gathering, these recipes are easy to scale and guaranteed to please all palates.

Preparing Crowd-Pleaser Thanksgiving Mains on the Grill

For the centerpiece, skip the oven and grill a whole turkey breast or bone-in thighs, rubbed in a blend of herbs, smoked paprika, garlic, and olive oil. Grilling locks in juices and infuses your bird with deep, savory flavor. Pair the turkey with fresh rosemary, sage, and a touch of citrus for a fragrant twist. For guests who enjoy variety, try BBQ-glazed drumsticks or even a smoked ham.

Tantalizing BBQ Sides and Accompaniments

Consider grilling side dishes for a complete outdoor feast! Corn on the cob with herb butter, maple-glazed sweet potato wedges, and smoky Brussels sprouts bring vibrant color and flavor to your table. You can also prepare grill-friendly stuffing in a cast-iron skillet and char fresh green beans with a sprinkle of feta and toasted pecans for a gourmet touch.

Serving Suggestions for a Show-Stopping Thanksgiving BBQ

Arrange grilled turkey slices on a wooden platter, garnish with fresh herbs, and surround with grilled vegetable sides. Serve alongside traditional cranberry sauce, but add fire-roasted jalapeños for a spicy kick. For dessert, try grilled apple slices with cinnamon, honey, and vanilla ice cream—a warm, sweet conclusion to your meal.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

A full BBQ-style Thanksgiving meal can be tailored to your guests’ dietary needs. A serving of grilled turkey with sides like sweet potato wedges and Brussels sprouts typically ranges from 400-550 calories per person, depending on portion size and use of glazes or sauces. Opt for leaner cuts and lighter toppings if you prefer a lighter feast.

Best Thanksgiving BBQ Recipes (Recap)

Barbecue brings a fresh spin to Thanksgiving, infusing your holiday meal with smoky flavor and unmatched excitement. With grill-friendly mains, sides, and desserts, these recipes simplify the process and offer something for everyone at the table.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list—ingredients sorted by grocery store section—for a stress-free Thanksgiving and efficient meal prep.

Instructions

1. Prepare the Proteins: Pat turkey pieces dry. In a small bowl, mix olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, rosemary, sage, salt, and pepper. Rub all over the meat, tucking lemon slices underneath. Let sit for 20 minutes while you preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. Grill the Turkey: Place turkey pieces (and ham, if using) skin side down on the grill. Cover and cook for 25–35 minutes, turning occasionally, until internal temp reaches 165°F. Rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
3. Grill the Sides: Toss sweet potato wedges with half the melted butter and all the maple syrup, plus salt. Grill over direct heat 3–4 minutes per side until marked and tender. For corn, brush with butter and grill, turning, until charred (7–10 minutes). Brussels sprouts can be tossed in olive oil and grilled in a grill basket for 10–12 minutes, shaking occasionally.
4. Grill the Apples: Brush apple slices lightly with honey and dust with cinnamon. Grill for 2–3 minutes per side until softened and caramelized.
5. Assemble and Garnish: Arrange proteins and sides on platters. Top Brussels sprouts with feta and pecans. Serve apples with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This festive feast isn’t limited to Thanksgiving—it’s perfect for meal prepping and enjoying throughout the week. With leftovers, you can create turkey sandwiches, repurpose grilled vegetables, or add smoked meats to salads for easy lunches.

Save and schedule this recipe to add BBQ fun to your regular meal plan. CookifyAI automatically consolidates all needed ingredients, arranges them by aisle, and helps you plan your holiday menu with minimal stress.

Planning Benefits:

• Aggregates ingredients across all your planned recipes—perfect for big events like Thanksgiving
• Sorts shopping lists by store section for quick in-and-out trips
• Reduces duplicate purchases and forgotten items
• Makes prepping for crowds or multiple meals seamless

Pro tip: Use CookifyAI to plan side dishes and desserts the whole week. It tracks ingredient usage—so if you’re using herbs, potatoes, or butter in multiple meals, you’ll know exactly how much to buy, avoiding both food waste and second grocery runs.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Enjoy a Thanksgiving filled with unforgettable flavors, less stress, and plenty of time to celebrate—thanks to the magic of BBQ and smart meal planning!