Embrace the spirit of gratitude and adventure with delightful recipes and expert tips for creating the perfect Thanksgiving celebration. Have a unique Thanksgiving under the stars in the great outdoors by enjoying your family and the hearty food by the campfire. Learn expert tips on cooking a turkey by the campfire, savory side dish recipes and tips, and the best cozy desserts to end the festivities.
The Campfire Turkey Extravaganza
Discover the secrets of roasting the perfect turkey over a campfire. We’ll walk you through step-by-step, ensuring your centerpiece is tender, juicy, and infused with that distinct smoky flavor.
Expert Kitchen Tips
- Prep at Home: Thaw the turkey in your fridge at home before seasoning. Grab a pre-made seasoning blend from the store or make your own at home with herbs and spices, such as salt, black pepper, rosemary, thyme, and sage. Once thawed, pat the turkey dry with a paper towel, inside and outside, to help the season stick to it.
- Begin to Season: Generously and evenly rub the seasoning on the turkey under the skin and inside. Store the turkey wrapped tightly in the fridge until you can transport it to the campsite. The turkey can last 1-2 days in an EcoFlow GLACIER Portable Refrigerator, and once it’s time to head out, place the turkey inside to keep it fresh and cool.
- Arrive Early: In November, the sun sets early. Arriving at the campsite with plenty of daylight allows ample time to prepare the cooking area without additional stress. A well-planned campsite makes camping in a van the most enjoyable.
- Fire-Roasted Turkey: A campfire is the best way to achieve that classic smokey flavor. When preparing the fire, allow the wood to burn down to hot coals– there should be no open flames under the turkey. Secure a grill gate over the coals, and position the turkey evenly. Monitor the temperature, adjust the grate’s position to optimize the temperature, and periodically rotate the turkey.
- Basting: Baste the turkey with butter or juices for added moisture and flavor. Once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, remove it from the fire and let it rest for 20-30 minutes. Finally, carve and serve your fire-roasted turkey.
- Electric Grill Option: An electric grill is a great alternative to fire-roasting. An electric grill makes the temperature more manageable, and there’s no fire to manage before or after roasting. Simply plugging it in lets you power an electric grill with an EcoFlow DELTA Pro. Some electric grills allow for wood pellets to achieve that smokey flavor.
Sides and Fixings Beyond the Ordinary
Elevate your Thanksgiving sides with recipes designed for the campfire. From foil-packet veggies to rustic stuffing, these sides will complement your main dish and add a touch of wilderness to your feast.
Expert Kitchen Tips
- Maple Glazed Carrots: Toss sliced or rounded carrots in maple syrup, olive oil, and salt, and arrange in a single layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Place the carrots and foil on the campfire crate for 15 – 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Add thyme or other herbs for extra flavoring, and slow-cook in a crockpot for less hassle. Plug your crockpot, or multiple crockpots, into an EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max for a convenient, time-saving cooking process for any delicious Thanksgiving sides.
- Sweet Potato Casserole: Roast sweet potatoes directly on campfire coals for 35 – 40 minutes, wait for them to cool, then peel and mash them in a bowl. Enjoy mashed potatoes with butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, or add the mixture to a cast iron skillet. Sprinkle marshmallows on top, and add the skillet back to the coals until the marshmallows brown and bubble. Use long tongs to handle the hot potatoes safely.
- Classic Cornbread Stuffing: Save time by making cornbread at home. Add crumbled cornbread, diced cooked sausage, celery, dried cranberries, chopped beacons, sautéed onions, and chicken seasoning into a bowl. Add chicken broth and eggs, then place the mix into a cast iron Dutch oven. Cook over the campfire coals until golden brown.
- Share the Load: Don’t expect to play the host while camping. With many moving parts and an unfamiliar cooking environment, delegate tasks to other family members. This takes the stress away from you and involves the entire family in the unique, adventurous Thanksgiving meal.
Sweet Endings by the Firelight
Explore delightful dessert options that are easy to prepare in the great outdoors. Savor the flavors of the season with campfire treats that’ll leave your taste buds satisfied and your heart grateful.
Expert Kitchen Tips
- Apple Crisp: Add cinnamon, brown sugar, and lemon juice to cored and sliced apples. Arrange the apple slices into a cast iron skillet and add flower, brown sugar, and butter to the top. Cover the skillet with a lid or foil and place it over the campfire until the topping is crisp. Prep the apples and flour mixture before arriving at the campsite to save time.
- Pumpkin Spice Smores: Prepare pumpkin butter at home by mixing canned pumpkin with brown sugar and pumpkin pie mix. Spread this butter onto one side of the graham cracker, add your gooey roasted marshmallow, and then top it off with a layer of chocolate or caramel drizzle. Add the final graham cracker layer and enjoy.
- Spiced Cider: For easy prep, heat apple cider in an electric kettle. Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, nutmeg, orange slices, cranberries, and brown sugar directly into the kettle, or use a tea infuser for herbs for easier clean-up. Bring the cider to a gentle simmer for 20 – 30 minutes. Serve with cinnamon sticks for an extra touch of flavor and fun.
- Adult Spiced Cider: Use a hard cider as the base for a classy alcoholic beverage to finish the night. Power your electric kettle or crockpot with an EcoFlow DELTA 2, and while driving to your camping destination, you can use the EcoFlow 800W Alternator Charger to charge your portable power station. You can even drive and charge simultaneously; the EcoFlow 800w Alternator Charger charges eight times faster than cigarette chargers, so when the sun sets earlier, recharging your portable power station is still possible while driving your car in the fall.
- Dirty Dish Tote: Handle dirty dishes by bringing a designated tote to put them in once finished. Tongs, serving dishes, and Tupperware containers can be thrown into a plastic bin with soapy water to clean later. Enjoy the night with family and clean dishes once you get back home.
- Warm Winter Camping: Once the sun sets, the nights can be cold in November. While the fire is dwindling, stay warm while winter camping with an EcoFlow Wave 2 Portable AC, a wireless portable AC that includes a powerful heater.
Frequently Asked Questions
Simplify recipes and prepare as much as possible at home. Wrap items such as vegetables and turkey to be cooked in foil before heading to the campsite. Mix desert batters in the comfort of your home in transportable containers. Once at the campsite, building the fire and cooking your delicious Thanksgiving dinner is the only task left.
Final Thoughts
Celebrating all to be thankful for in the grandness of nature is an extraordinary way to make lasting family memories. But being away from a traditional kitchen does not mean sacrificing tasty smoked turkey, classic side dishes, and scrumptious desserts. End your Thanksgiving Under the Stars, meditating on nature’s splendor, the fire’s warmth, and the joy of sharing a feast with grateful hearts. Shop EcoFlow for your camping and RV electrical needs this Thanksgiving.