How to Make an Entire Thanksgiving Dinner on a Campfire

Thanksgiving is almost here! If you’ll be out in your RV during Thanksgiving this year, you may be wondering how on earth you’ll cook Thanksgiving dinner in your teeny tiny kitchen. There are a few different options out there. These include using multiple electric appliances, taking some of your cooking to the grill, hosting a potluck, and even just heading out to a restaurant to celebrate the occasion.

That said, if you’re feeling super hardcore, you may be looking to stick to more traditional methods of cooking during your camping trip. This is where campfire cooking steps in, and if you plan things just right, you can actually cook an entire Thanksgiving meal over a fire.

This is the perfect option for those who prefer to rough it when RV camping. However, it’s also perfect for the RVer who simply doesn't have much space in their RV, or those who just want to try something new.

Wondering how in the world to go about this? We’ve created a lovely compilation of incredible campfire recipes that will come together to make a Thanksgiving meal to remember. Get your fire ring ready, because cooking time is about to commence.

Related Read: Thanksgiving in your RV: Yes you can!

Campfire Turkey and Stuffing

No Thanksgiving meal is complete without a turkey. Luckily, it’s totally possible to make a delicious, moist turkey over some hot coals.

Start by digging a hole right next to wherever you plan on building a fire. The hole should be around two feet deep with room for your turkey to fit without touching the sides of the hole. Next, make a nice, hot wood fire and allow it to burn down to just coals. Note that while wood works best, charcoal can be used in its place if need be.

While the fire is burning down, clean the inside of your turkey and fill it with the stuffing of your choice. Season the bird however you like and wrap the whole thing in cheesecloth and then four layers of foil.

Rake around two inches of hot coals into the bottom of the hole you dug, place the turkey on top, and rake the rest of the coals on top of the bird. Finish by filling in the rest of the hole with dirt.

Allow the turkey to roast while you cook the rest of your meal. This will take 3 to 3.5 hours for an 8–12 pound turkey, but you should add 30 minutes for every 4 additional pounds of turkey you have.

Delicious Sides

To make your sides, you’ll need to build up a fire once more. Some side recipes require flames, while others only call for coals. Honestly, we recommend making every side on this list (yes, they’re that good), but what you make is entirely up to you. Once you decide which recipes you’ll use, that’ll help you determine what order to cook in.

Here are some of our favorite campfire Thanksgiving side recipes:

Fire Roasted Sweet Potatoes — In our opinion, sweet potatoes are the ultimate Thanksgiving food, and when they’re made on a campfire, they taste even better. These are rich, sweet, and could even be described as creamy. Definitely well worth the wait to enjoy them.

Campfire Potatoes — Why make regular mashed potatoes when you can have these incredible roasted potatoes instead? They’re flavorful and delicious, and super super easy to make. Best of all, you don’t even need gravy for these awesome tubers.

Dutch Oven Green Bean Casserole — Are you a green bean casserole fan? Whip some up in a Dutch oven this year. The taste when cooked in cast iron over a fire is somehow even better than a green bean casserole made at home.

Roasted Balsamic Brussel Sprouts — Adding more greens to your meal is never a bad thing, especially when they taste as delicious as these brussel sprouts do. Sure, brussel sprouts may not be the most traditional of Thanksgiving foods, but trust us when we say these are a must-have for your holiday dinner.

Crescent Rolls on a Stick — Why not have everyone chip in a bit by putting them to work making their own rolls? These crescent rolls are baked over a fire on a stick, and even the youngest campers can help with making them.

Related Read: Thanksgiving on the Road: Making a Meal

Incredible Desserts

Finally, every Thanksgiving meal must be finished off with a sweet treat. Luckily, even when you’re cooking everything over a fire, you have plenty of amazing dessert options to choose from. We recommend making a little of everything!

Campfire Pies — Any Thanksgiving meal that doesn’t end with pie just isn’t quite right. Don’t mess up this year’s dinner by not having pie available. Instead, invest in a pie or sandwich iron and go to town, filling cute little personal pies with any filling you like.

Cinnamon Twists — Cinnamon and fall go hand in hand. Why not bring a little cinnamon to your Thanksgiving table this year with some deliciously simple cinnamon twists? These are another of those food-on-a-stick recipes that even the little ones can help with, meaning you can have just as much fun making them as you do eating them.

Apple Pie Packets — Another great way to enjoy pie is in packet form. These apple pie packets pack all the wonderful goodness of apple pie into a nifty little foil packet that makes serving a breeze. Of course, having a bit of vanilla ice cream to put on top makes them even more delicious, so don’t forget to pick some up!

With so many awesome recipes to choose from, you certainly won’t be wanting for food this Thanksgiving. Add a salad and some cranberry sauce into the mix, and you have a feast fit for a king! Now it’s time to book the perfect campsite, invite some family and friends, and start stocking up on your ingredients.

This Thanksgiving is going to go down as one of the best you’ve ever had, and we won’t be surprised if you decide to go RVing for the holiday every year.