In Part Two of The Barbecue Bible Complete Thanksgiving Guide, we’re taking Thanksgiving where it belongs—outside. This installment is all about the side dishes and supporting players that thrive over live fire. Since this chapter focuses on grilling your Thanksgiving feast outdoors, we’re highlighting recipes that spring to life on the grill, griddle, or smoker, adding depth and color to the holiday spread.

With Wildfire Grills inspiring this outdoor approach, we dug into our 1000-plus recipe archive to pull together sides that feel both familiar and fresh. These dishes bring the warmth, smoke, and seasonal flavor that make an open-air Thanksgiving not just possible, but memorable.

Have your Rockwellian Thanksgiving traditions become a little predictable, a little stodgy? Here’s the antidote: Move the cooking and the celebration outdoors and revamp your menu! Turkey, if you wish, and new impressive side dishes—all cooked on your grill, griddle, or smoker.

Wildfire Grills, a high-end grill company we’ve recently become acquainted with, has opened our eyes to fresh T-day possibilities. They’ve inspired us to take the party outdoors, and delve deep into our 1000-plus archive of recipes to find several that will leave no doubt—you are a resilient and forward-thinking grillmaster.

See our picks below, as well as our tips for hosting this beloved American holiday—the biggest food holiday of the year—in your “outdoor kitchen.”

Outdoor Thanksgiving Setup Tips

• Back yards can be totally transformed with a few patio heaters, string lights, and seasonal decorations. Set up your tables with small-ish pumpkins, gourds and tree branches liked cedar and pine. Position colorful fall flowers (like mums) around the periphery of the party. Provide inexpensive fleece blankets in case the temperature drops.
• As weather can be very variable this time of year, consider renting tents for your guests.
• Consider where guests will park and notify neighbors and local authorities that you are planning a party.
• Many Thanksgiving dishes can be made a day or two ahead. Take advantage when you can.
• Stock up on party supplies—and don’t forget fuel for your grill!
• Offer your guests a cocktail, hot apple cider, or a soft drink when they arrive. For the former, we recommend this Santa Fe-inspired beverage: Cider-pressed Chimayó Cocktail. Warmed sangria is also an option.
• A warm grilled appetizer will endear you to your guests. Keep it on the light side as Thanksgiving is a hearty meal. Skewer large shrimp (three to a skewer) and keep on ice. Grill for 1 to 2 minutes per side, or until the shrimp is opaque. Serve with your favorite cocktail sauce. Here’s one of our favorite recipes: Smoked Shrimp Cocktail with Chipotle Orange Sauce.

  

• Set up a modest buffet with appetizers such as smoked nuts.

Side Dishes Recipes

Your grill—not your oven—could be the spectacular centerpiece not only of this year’s Thanksgiving feast, but for years to come! Here is a suggested menu my staff and I created for Wildfire Grills, champions of outdoor cooking. The side dishes really shine, and will invigorate (maybe reinvent!) your Thanksgiving traditions.

Again, don’t forget to check out Wildfire’s website.

The Barbecue Bible Complete Thanksgiving Guide

• The Thanksgiving Turkey Steven Raichlen will be Making This Year – With a Twist!!