Thanksgiving is the ultimate foodie holiday, but who says the magic has to happen in the kitchen? With a little smoke, a touch of fire and the right hardwood pellets, you can make your Thanksgiving spread right on your grill or smoker.
From smoked turkey and hearty sides to beloved desserts, all your Turkey Day delicacies can have that wood-fired flavor you love from Bear Mountain BBQ.
Ready to get grilling? We’ll walk you through how to bring every course to life outdoors, plus give you some tips to make your feast easier, tastier and worthy of a standing ovation from your guests.
There are three essential parts to every great Thanksgiving feast: a show-stopping main course, sides everyone piles onto their plates and a dessert for the finale. With the right approach—and the perfect hardwood pellets, chips and chunks—you can BBQ your way through the entire lineup. Let’s break it down.
Main Course: The Star of the Show
They don’t call Thanksgiving “Turkey Day” for nothing. It’s the time of year when the whole bird gets its moment to shine. While most people picture a classic oven-roasted turkey when they think of Thanksgiving dinner, we like to fire up the smoker to make it something truly special. Here are a few techniques that work well when BBQing your turkey.
Dry Brining Your Turkey
One of my favorite methods is a simple dry brine. Lightly coat the outside of the turkey with sea salt, then let it rest uncovered in the refrigerator for 8–12 hours before cooking. The salt draws out excess moisture, resulting in crispier skin and juicier meat once it hits the smoker. Learn more about brining a turkey here.
Injecting Your Turkey
Another great way to boost flavor is by injecting your bird before smoking. I like to use a Creole butter injection, but any poultry-friendly blend will do. Injecting helps infuse flavor deep into the breasts, thighs, legs and wings so every bite is packed with smoky, savory goodness.
Spatchcocking Your Turkey
When I smoke turkey, I also like to spatchcock it—essentially removing the backbone and cracking the breastbone so the bird lays flat. This technique not only shortens the cooking time but also ensures more even smoking and juicier results from edge to edge. Click here for a recipe that will help you get your spatchcocked turkey to perfection.
If you want a bit more info on smoking a turkey, check out our blog post that walks you through the process.
Another great main course option for Thanksgiving is a classic honey ham. Instead of warming it in the oven, try heating it on the grill or smoker for delicious, twice-smoked flavor.
Twice-Smoked Ham
One of our go-to Thanksgiving recipes is the Double Smoked Ham with Bourbon Pineapple Glaze. This combines a classic smoked ham with a tasty, tropical glaze that really takes the dish over the top.
Pulled Ham
If you love ham, wait until you try it pulled. By taking a bone-in ham past the usual 145°F and letting it cook low and slow until it shreds like pulled pork, you’ll get juicy, smoky meat that’s packed with wood-fired flavor. Check out this Smoked Bone-In Pulled Ham recipe for the details.
Side Dishes: The Essentials That Complete the Feast
While the turkey may take center stage, the side dishes are what give a Thanksgiving spread its heart. These familiar flavors carry nostalgic memories and create the comforting meal that makes the holiday truly special.
And here’s something many people don’t realize: most of those beloved classics can be made right on the smoker. Save valuable oven space and take the celebration outdoors with smoked versions of Green Bean Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole, and even creamy Smoked Mashed Potatoes.
Here are some of our favorite sides that will bring a smoky kick to your Thanksgiving table:
Smoked Mac & Cheese: Throw out that boring boxed mac & cheese for this smoky delicacy. Loaded with delicious smoke flavor and topped with a crunchy panko breadcrumb layer, this recipe is sure to satisfy.
Smoked Devilled Eggs: A Thanksgiving table isn’t complete without devilled eggs, but skip the same old recipe this year and try these smoky devils.
Smoked Green Beans: If you’re not a fan of the classic green bean casserole, or you want to try something different, these Smoked Green Beans are paired with bacon and onion and are sure to become a new favorite.
Apple Pie Baked Beans: Want to add a touch of sweetness to your side dish options? Try these classic, smoky baked beans combined with the fall flavors of apple pie.
Roasted Chipotle Maple Brussels Sprouts with Bacon: Brussels sprouts tend to get a bad rep, but this recipe may change the way you think about them. They’re smoky and filled with bacon, onions and a hint of maple syrup that pairs perfectly with Thanksgiving favorites.
Dessert: The Grand Finale
One of our favorite parts about Thanksgiving is the array of decadent treats that finish up the Thanksgiving spread, offering something for every sweet tooth at the table.
And here’s a bonus: many favorite baked goods can be made right on the smoker. Pies, crumbles and cobblers all take beautifully to a hint of smoky flavor—and shifting them outdoors frees up valuable oven space. Here are a few dessert ideas that will put the perfect finishing touch on your holiday feast.
Baked Apple Pie: If you want to add a smoky twist to an American classic, then this tasty apple pie recipe is the one for you.
Bourbon Spiced Pumpkin Pie: You can’t have a Thanksgiving feast without a pumpkin pie, and this recipe combines smoke and bourbon for an extra-special, holiday kick.
Cherry Cobbler: Round out your feast with this smoky Cherry Cobbler, complete with sweet cherries, warming spices and a golden crust all cooked low and slow for the best flavor.
Chocolate Kentucky Derby Pie: If you’re a fan of chocolate on your holiday table, then look no further than this pie. Full of delicious pecans, chocolate and bourbon, this pie is the perfect addition of chocolate for Thanksgiving.
Bears in a Blanket: Taking the classic crescent roll to a whole new level, this dish is layered with creamy peanut butter, a slice of fresh banana, rich chocolate and a crunchy Teddy Graham tucked inside. Smoked to golden perfection, these sweet little bundles are finished with a drizzle of caramel sauce for the ultimate campfire-inspired treat.
From the show-stopping main course to the comforting sides and crowd-pleasing desserts, every Thanksgiving course takes on deeper flavor and a touch of outdoor magic when it’s made on the grill or smoker. No matter what’s on your menu this year, Bear Mountain BBQ pellets, chips and chunks will help you craft a feast to remember.