How to Host Thanksgiving Outdoors

Table with a pumpkin centerpiece, candles, and table settings.

We know that you actually can spell “Thanksgiving” without “tradition,” but bear with us here: from the turkey and sides to the TV programming and family football game, every part of this holiday is rooted in past practices. In fact, we’re willing to bet your family has a unique Thanksgiving tradition you look forward to every year. (Ours? Gathering around the smoker, cooking up a few birds, and sharing some laughs. Though we’d hardly call that unique.) Customs are comfortable and often the highlight of the holiday season, but isn’t it time you create a new Thanksgiving tradition? We’re not talking about ditching the turkey or (gasp!) outlawing second helpings — no, you can revitalize your Thanksgiving by doing one simple thing: hosting it outdoors.

Staging an outdoor Thanksgiving dinner might sound complicated, but it’s actually an easy alternative that can relieve some of the normal holiday stressors. Anxious about tidying up every inch of your home and squeezing everyone around the dinner table? An outdoor space extends your hosting area so everyone can be comfortable. Dreading the yearly struggle of coordinating a cornucopia of dishes around the oven and a couple burners? Using your grill or smoker grants you much-needed cooking flexibility. Wondering how you’ll get everyone outside for the family football game? Well, they’ll already be there! (OK, maybe that last one isn’t as much about relieving stress as it is extending your winning streak another year.)

Try a New Take on Turkey

Of all the Thanksgiving traditions, turkey in the oven might be the most common. But we’re here to tell you that smoked or grilled turkey is tastier — that’s not just the party line talking — plus it can be a welcome change of pace for guests tired of the same roasted bird every year. Don’t know where to start? Our smoked turkey recipes are your best bet for a deliciously different Thanksgiving dinner. And if you find the idea of slow-cooking your bird in the smoker a little overwhelming, our smoked turkey FAQ will clear up any confusion you might have.

We have even better news: many typical Thanksgiving side dishes can be cooked in an outdoor kitchen! Corn on the cob and vegetable skewers are easy to grill, while a side burner is more than up to the challenge for beans, rice, and even your famous turkey gravy. Wise enough to have invested in a pizza oven? Congratulations, you also have the ability to bake breads and desserts! Big bonus points if your outdoor kitchen includes a warming drawer, which is the best way to keep sides toasty while the turkey finishes smoking. It’s also a good idea to have some chafing dishes on hand just to ensure everything stays warm in the cold conditions.

Of course, you don’t have to cook every part of the meal outdoors (though it’s much more fun that way). We’d rather be hanging outside with the family instead of running inside to check on food every 15 minutes, but your situation might require help from the oven and stove burners to complete every dish on time. Just take stock of your menu and how you want your outdoor Thanksgiving dinner to play out, then plan accordingly.

Make It Feel Like Fall

Just because you’re hosting outdoors doesn’t mean you shouldn’t decorate for the occasion. After all, what’s a holiday gathering without a festive backdrop? Break out your usual holiday decor, with less of an emphasis on autumnal colors that are already present outdoors. Look for dinnerware and table settings that are heavy enough to stay put should a gust of wind blow through your backyard. No one wants to get up from their delicious smoked turkey to chase lightweight pumpkins around the yard during dinnertime!

While you’re arranging outdoor Thanksgiving decorations, you should definitely plan for lighting too. This is especially important if you’re hosting for dinner instead of lunch — the days are getting shorter, if you haven’t noticed. You can always count on string lights to create a cozy atmosphere, and setting up candles around the dinner table goes a long way toward establishing an intimate feeling around your holiday gathering. Consider citronella candles to ward off insects as the sun goes down, or flameless candles for an added layer of safety.

Turn up the Heat

Outdoor Thanksgiving dinner sounds pretty great so far, right? We imagine many of you are on board, while some of you… let’s just say this article keeps giving you the chills (and not in a good way). Don’t worry, we’re well aware that in many parts of the country, late November doesn’t exactly bring patio weather with it. You’ll have to forgive us — we’re headquartered in Louisiana, where consistently hitting the mid-80s in late October is apparently business as usual.

So, if you’re among those who live in a region that actually has seasons, you’ll need some type of outdoor heating feature to make Thanksgiving dinner outdoors work. Patio heaters and fire pits are among our favorite subtle solutions, but you can go bigger with a chiminea or full-on outdoor fireplace. Well-placed fire features are one thing, but you can also provide your guests with some warmth from within by serving hot beverages like cocoa, tea, mulled cider or wine, and rum or bourbon cocktails. Perhaps the easiest remedy of all is to make your Thanksgiving dinner into a lunch affair so the weather isn’t quite as cold during the feast.

Provide Holiday Programming

Whether you prefer the Macy’s Parade or 11 straight hours of football (put us in the latter category), the TV is almost as magnetic as the turkey on Thanksgiving Day. After pulling off Thanksgiving dinner outdoors, do you really expect everyone to shuffle indoors and fight for the prime spot in front of the tube? Nonsense! The whole point of Thanksgiving outdoors is to be in the backyard, so have an outdoor TV or projector screen ready to go before the family arrives. The operative word here is “outdoor” — these types of TVs are built specifically to handle the elements, which will be fairly harsh this time of year.

Set the Table & Grab a Seat

Now let’s finally get to what Thanksgiving is all about: winning the family football game! Wait, sorry. What we meant was: gathering around the dinner table with the people you love most! With that in mind, don’t you think your outdoor Thanksgiving dinner needs a backyard dining set worthy of the occasion? We sure do! Make sure you choose a set made from strong material like cast aluminum, resin wicker, or teak that can handle the elements while adding a desirable aesthetic to your outdoor space.

You’ll also need outdoor seating sets for the rest of the day, especially for post-dinner dozing in front of the TV. If you’re considering incorporating a fire pit into your outdoor space for the holiday (excellent choice), a fire pit conversation set might be the way to go. A more casual atmosphere may call for bar stools, with a party bar replacing your usual indoor cocktail station.

Turkey Cooking Tips, Techniques, & Recipes

Looking for a holiday thrill? How about turkey on the grill! Our tips, tricks, and recipes will help you safely smoke or grill your turkey to put a different spin on Thanksgiving dinner. Of course, we also have a few recipes for Thanksgiving sides to round out your holiday feast.