Thanksgiving on the Grill: Smoked Turkey, Southern Sides & Sweet Endings
Take your Thanksgiving feast outdoors with these smoky, southern favorites! From smoked turkey and honey ham to sweet potato casseroles, cornbread dressing, and decadent pies, this “Thanksgiving on the Grill” round-up has everything you need for a holiday packed with flavor.
There’s something special about Thanksgiving when the grill plays a starring role. The smoky aroma, the sizzle of meat over open flame, the warmth of sides rich with butter, spice, and tradition …
A Little Thanksgiving Nostalgia
If you happen to be a fan of the TV show Friends, you already know that Joey Tribbiani understood Thanksgiving strategy: when the meal is big enough, you need Thanksgiving pants. 😂 With smoked turkey, Southern sides, casseroles, and desserts on the menu, we suggest something with an elastic waistband—and absolutely no judgment about going back for seconds.
This year, Backyard Texas Grill is bringing you a full menu built for grill-loving gatherings: tantalizing appetizers, juicy smoked turkey and honey ham, southern classics like cornbread dressing and cheesy corn casserole, sweet potato casseroles (two ways!), apples sautéed in cinnamon, and desserts that end the meal in style.
Let’s fire up the grill and get cooking! This is going to be the best Thanksgiving ever! Oh, and don't forget to wear your Thanksgiving pants!
Appetizers to Kick Things Off
Deviled Eggs
Thanksgiving wouldn't be Thanksgiving without deviled eggs, would it? In our family every good holiday meal has to begin with these delicious treat!
Smoked Candied Bacon
Sweet, smoky, and crisp, this candied bacon is the ultimate holiday starter. It’s easy to make and disappears fast!
Smoked Cream Cheese with Honey Drizzle
A simple block of cream cheese transformed on the smoker—topped with honey for a creamy, smoky-sweet appetizer that pairs perfectly with crackers.
Savory Southern Corn Dip
Cheesy, creamy, and loaded with corn and spices, this dip is a crowd-pleasing way to start your Thanksgiving gathering.
Smoked Cream Cheese with Bacon and Hot Pepper Cranberry Jelly
The perfect blend of creamy and spicy and ideal for your pre-Thanksgiving dinner!
The Main Event: Meats
The Perfect Smoked Turkey on the Grill
Brined overnight, smoked low and slow, and basted for golden skin—this turkey is the ultimate Thanksgiving centerpiece.
The Ultimate Guide to Smoking a Turkey
This informative post will share all of the ins and outs of how we make our Thankgiving bird. (You're welcome!)
Smoked Drunken Chicken
Juicy, tender, and infused with flavor from the inside out, this beer-can style chicken is a showstopper on the grill. The steam keeps the meat moist while the smoke adds that irresistible backyard flavor. It’s the perfect alternative (or addition!) to turkey for your holiday feast, and a great way to serve a smaller crowd.
The Perfect Smoked Honey Ham
Sweet, smoky, and glazed with honey, this ham is as beautiful as it is delicious. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd.
Southern Sides
Every good southern meal deserves the very best dinner rolls. . .and these are beyond delicious! They're also simple to make!
Cranberry Mandarin Orange Salad
This is one of our personal favorites!
Rustic Mashed Potatoes
Nothing says "holidays" like mashed potatoes and these rustic potatoes are perfect for your holiday table.
Old-Fashioned Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Filling. Creamy. Luscious. This homemade macaroni and cheese will make your holiday table complete!
Sweet Potato Casserole (Two Ways)
Marshmallow topping or pecan streusel? With this recipe, you don’t have to choose.
Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Carrots
Tender, buttery, and perfectly sweet—an easy side dish made right on the smoker or in the oven.
Traditional Southern Cornbread Dressing
A true Southern classic, this cornbread dressing is hearty, flavorful, and the perfect partner for smoked turkey or ham.
Traditional Green Bean Casserole
You don't have to live in the south to enjoy this delicious comfort food, y'all.
Honey Cornbread on the Smoker
Sweet cornbread kissed with smoke, baked on the smoker and infused with honey—it’s golden, moist, and full of Southern charm. Perfectly pairs with turkey, ham or your cheesy sides to soak up every bit of flavor.
Slow Cooker Honey Cream Corn
Once you try it, you'll realize what you've been missing all these years
Cheesy Corn Casserole
Creamy, cheesy, and oh-so comforting, this side dish is always a crowd-pleaser.
Sautéed Cinnamon Apples (Perfect with Pork!)
Light, bright, and spiced with cinnamon, these apples bring a fresh note to the Thanksgiving table.
Sweet Finishes
Old-Fashioned Cast Iron Pumpkin Pie
We're starting with the one dessert everyone expects to find on their Thanksgiving table - pumpkin pie. This cast-iron version is delicious and loaded with spice.
Texas Sheetcake Skillet Brownies
Hey, what can we say? We're from Texas, y'all. These are sort of a go-to thing down here!
Easy Southern Hummingbird Cake
This easy Southern hummingbird cake starts with a white cake mix and is baked in a cast-iron skillet with bananas, pineapple, coconut, pecans, warm spices, and cream cheese frosting.
No Bake Pumpkin Cream Cheese Pie
Delicous and oh, so easy! This one requires no baking at all!
Texas Trash Pie
Texas Trash Pie is a sweet-and-salty Texas dessert loaded with chocolate, pecans, coconut, pretzels, and caramel. Bake it in the oven or smoker for an unforgettable pie that's perfect for cookouts, potlucks, church suppers, and family gatherings.
Spiced Apple Dump Cake (Grill-Baked in Cast Iron)
Warm, spiced apples meet buttery cake mix in this easy dump cake baked right on the grill in a cast iron skillet. It’s simple, rustic, and full of cozy fall flavor—perfect for rounding out your Thanksgiving feast.
Pumpkin Spice Skillet Cake
Pumpkin Cake. . .in a Cast Iron Skillet? Yes, please!
Fudgy Pecan Pie
A rich, chocolate twist on a holiday classic—perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Sweet Potato Pie Dump Cake
Easy to make and full of cozy fall flavors, this dump cake is both rustic and indulgent.
Pumpkin Pie (Two Ways)
From our friends at Out of the Box Baking, a delicious Thanksgiving pie you can't resist!
Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Cinnamon Glaze
Spiced, soft, and topped with a sweet glaze—ideal for nibbling all holiday long.
Old-Fashioned Cowboy Cookies
Hearty, chewy cookies loaded with oats, chocolate, and nuts—perfect for rounding out the meal with a touch of nostalgia.
Tips for a Successful Grill Thanksgiving
- Brine your turkey at least 10 hours ahead for juicy meat.
- Use your grill for meats and maybe one side, then free your oven for casseroles and desserts.
- Prep sides a day in advance so you can focus on the grill.
- Invest in a good meat thermometer—nothing ruins Thanksgiving faster than under- or over-cooked turkey.
- Follow this link for more Fall Comfort Foods!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! The smoker handles the turkey and ham beautifully, and most sides can be prepped the day before or cooked in the oven while the grill does the heavy lifting. A little planning goes a long way.
Plan on roughly 30 minutes per pound at 225°F–250°F. A 14-pound turkey typically takes 6–7 hours. Always pull by internal temp (165°F in the thickest part of the thigh), not time.
It's highly recommended. An overnight brine (at least 10–12 hours) keeps the meat juicy during the long cook and adds flavor all the way through. Don't skip it!
Apple and cherry are crowd favorites — mild, slightly sweet smoke that won't overpower the turkey. Pecan is another great option for a nuttier flavor.
You can if your grill has the capacity! The ham is already cooked, so it just needs to come up to temperature and absorb smoke — about 2–3 hours. Start the turkey first and add the ham later.
Most casseroles (sweet potato, cheesy corn, green bean) can be assembled the day before and refrigerated, then baked day-of. That frees you up to focus on the grill.
A reliable instant-read meat thermometer. It's the difference between a perfectly smoked turkey and a Thanksgiving disaster.
Free Download!
Planning Thanksgiving on the grill? Grab your FREE Holiday Menu Planner! It’s packed with links to smoked turkey, Southern sides, and sweet endings. Just click and download your copy instantly!
Thanks for Stopping By!
...and we hope your Thanksgiving is grill-licious!
Whether you stick to tradition or try a new smoky twist, this collection of recipes will help you host a Thanksgiving your guests will never forget. Pick your favorites, fire up the grill, and enjoy a holiday filled with good food and even better company.
👉 Don’t forget to share your grill-Thanksgiving photos with us! And if you want more tips, recipes, and Texas-style cooking inspiration, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.
For more holiday-ready comfort classics, visit our full Texas comfort food guide.
Before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?
About the Pit Master
Zach Morrow is the Texas pit master behind Backyard Texas Grill. Known for his smoky meats and southern sides, Zach brings extra flair to the holidays.
From juicy smoked turkey to honey-glazed ham and all the fixin’s, he believes Thanksgiving tastes best when it comes off the grill.
