Thanksgiving Dinner? At Camp?

Thanksgiving is known for its food. Cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, stuffing, and most importantly, turkey. However, these dishes can be tough enough to make in a kitchen, let alone at your campsite.

With a few make-ahead tricks and a Dutch oven or two, you can serve a full spread without the help of your oven. Without further ado, here are menu ideas, a gear list, and make-ahead prep tips to get you started.

Make- Ahead Prep

Chop and bag ingredients by recipe. Label veggies in bags to also cut down on waste at your campsite.

Pre-mix seasonings and rubs.

Mix your cranberry sauce before you hit the road.

Menu Ideas

Dutch Oven Turkey Breast

Because a whole turkey isn’t exactly feasible at camp, use bone-in turkey breasts. Rub them with butter, garlic, sage, and thyme. Lay them on a bed of onions, celery, and carrots in a Dutch oven. Cook with coals above and below the Dutch oven for about 15-20 minutes per pound. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the breasts are 165º F in the thickest part.

Foil Packet Stuffing

Add cubed bread, sautéed celery and onion, your choice of broth, and herbs into a foil packet. Set it on the grate for 20-25 minutes. Be sure to prep the bread and veggies at home to save time!

Campfire Sweet Potatoes

Wrap whole sweet potatoes in foil and bury them in the coals for 45-60 minutes or until tender. Top with butter, brown sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon.

Ginger and Orange Cranberry Sauce

Take your normal canned cranberry sauce and mix in a bit of grated ginger and about ¼ cup of orange juice. A great, elevated option that’s easy to prep at home too.

Skillet Cookie

In a cast iron skillet over the fire, place 1 cup of butter. Stir until the butter starts to bubble.

Add 1 cup of brown sugar and ½ cup of granulated sugar and stir until the mixture is smooth.

Take the skillet off the fire and allow to cool. Once cool, add 2 eggs and 1 tablespoon of vanilla. Stir well.

Stir in 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and ½ teaspoon of salt.

Mix in your desired amount of chocolate chips and cover the skillet.

Put back over the fire and check occasionally until the edges are golden brown and the inside is gooey when checked with a toothpick.

Allow to cool and set before serving.

Gear Checklist

• Dutch oven (12-inch works well!)
• Cast iron skillet
• Heavy-duty aluminum foil
• Charcoal briquettes or a good bed of hardwood coals
• Long tongs
• Heatproof gloves or oven mitts
• Meat thermometer
• Cutting board and knife

So, whether you are cooking for two at a quiet campsite or cooking for the whole loop, your Thanksgiving meal will taste a little better with some fresh air and a crackling fire. Give one of these dishes a try and make some new traditions.

Heading out this Thanksgiving? We would love to see your spread. Share your photos and tag us! Or use #vistabule and #vistabulelife so we can celebrate with you!