What Are the Best Thanksgiving Sides You Can Cook on a Grill?

While turkey typically takes center stage during Thanksgiving, the side dishes truly complete the meal. This year, why not take your holiday feast to the next level by preparing some of your sides on the grill? Using your outdoor cooking equipment adds smoky depth and unique character to traditional favorites, creating a memorable meal your guests will rave about. Let's explore the best Thanksgiving sides you can prepare on your grill or smoker.

Unexpected Grilled Sides That Will Steal the Show

Looking to surprise your guests this Thanksgiving? These unexpected grilled sides will have everyone asking for your secrets. Grilled vegetables for Thanksgiving offer a delicious alternative to standard steamed options, with char marks that add visual appeal and concentrated flavor.

Smoked mac and cheese tops our list of crowd-pleasers. Prepared in a cast iron skillet and cooked over indirect heat on a pellet grill like the Weber SmokeFire, this comfort food classic develops an irresistible smoky flavor and crispy edges that can't be achieved in a conventional oven.

Cedar plank sides are another game-changer for your holiday menu. Try cedar-planked root vegetables with fresh herbs and a maple glaze. The cedar imparts subtle woodsy notes while protecting delicate ingredients from direct flames.

Smoky Thanksgiving Classics with a Twist

Traditional Thanksgiving dishes take on new life when prepared on your outdoor cooker. Cornbread on the grill develops a beautiful crust while maintaining a moist interior - perfect when baked in a well-seasoned cast iron skillet on a quality grill like the Bull BBQ Angus.

A grilled stuffing recipe might sound unconventional, but the results are spectacular. Prepare your favorite stuffing mixture, then place it in a buttered cast iron dish and cook with the lid closed using indirect heat. The top gets beautifully crisp while the inside stays tender.

Smoked brussels sprouts lose their bitter edge and develop caramelized sweetness when cooked over applewood chips. Toss them with bacon pieces before smoking for an indulgent side that converts even the most steadfast brussels sprout skeptics.

Time-Saving Grilled Sides for Busy Hosts

Holiday entertaining is demanding enough without spending all day in the kitchen. These time-saving grilled sides can be partially or fully prepared ahead of your gathering:

• Wood-fired sweet potatoes can be par-cooked, then finished on the grill just before serving
• Smoked mashed potatoes develop incredible flavor in a smoker and reheat beautifully
• Grilled green beans cook quickly and can be prepared while your turkey rests

Make-ahead BBQ sides like fire-roasted corn casserole can be assembled the day before and simply finished on the grill. Using a high-performance grill with consistent temperature control, like those from Lion Premium Grills, ensures reliable results even when you're juggling multiple dishes.

Thanksgiving Flavor Enhancers: Sauces and Accompaniments

Don't overlook the supporting players that tie your meal together. A grilled cranberry sauce develops complex flavors when cooked in a cast iron pan on your grill. The direct heat caramelizes the sugars, creating a deeper, more interesting alternative to canned versions.

Smoky gravy preparation benefits tremendously from grilled ingredients. Roast your turkey dripping pan on the grill alongside some aromatic vegetables for a gravy base with remarkable depth.

Bacon-wrapped sides like asparagus bundles or green bean parcels cook beautifully on the grill and can be assembled hours before cooking. The rendered bacon fat bastes the vegetables as they cook, creating self-saucing vegetable sides your guests will fight over.

BBQ Thanksgiving Menu Planning and Temperature Management for Sides

Cooking multiple sides simultaneously requires thoughtful planning and good temperature management for sides. Here's how to approach your outdoor cooking strategy:

1. Map out which items need high, medium, and low heat
2. Organize your cooking surfaces into temperature zones
3. Plan your cooking timeline working backward from serving time
4. Use upper racks for gentle heat items like bread warming

When balancing smoke flavor across your menu, remember that delicate items like grilled vegetables for Thanksgiving need less smoke exposure than heartier dishes. A versatile grill station with multiple cooking areas, like a complete Blaze outdoor kitchen, provides the flexibility needed for complex meal preparation.

Crowd-Pleasing Grilled Vegetables for Every Preference

Vegetable sides satisfy diverse dietary needs while adding color to your Thanksgiving spread. Here are some crowd-pleasing grilled vegetables that work beautifully:

• Whole cauliflower heads roasted over indirect heat and basted with herb butter
• Portobello mushrooms stuffed with wild rice and cranberry mixture
• Colorful bell pepper medley with balsamic glaze
• Cast iron sides for the grill like roasted root vegetable medleys

For the best results, maintain a medium heat zone specifically for vegetables, as they benefit from consistent temperatures without scorching. A premium grill with precise temperature controls makes this much easier to manage.

Conclusion: Elevate Your Thanksgiving with Outdoor-Cooked Sides

Incorporating grilled and smoked elements into your Thanksgiving menu creates a memorable meal that honors tradition while offering something new. From smoky mac and cheese to cedar plank sides, these outdoor-cooked dishes bring unique flavors that simply can't be replicated in a conventional kitchen.

With proper planning and the right equipment, you can create a stunning array of sides that complement your turkey perfectly. The versatility of modern grills and smokers makes it possible to prepare almost any side dish outdoors, often with better results than indoor methods.

Ready to transform your Thanksgiving menu with outstanding grilled sides? Visit Mathews BBQ Supply to find the perfect grill, smoker, or outdoor kitchen equipment for your holiday cooking needs. Our experts can help you select equipment that will serve you beautifully for Thanksgiving and for years of outdoor entertaining to come.