Thanksgiving is a time to gather with loved ones, reflect on what we’re grateful for, and, of course, enjoy delicious food. But for RVers, celebrating Thanksgiving on the road doesn’t mean you have to miss out on traditional holiday flavors. You can prepare a memorable feast with a little creativity and the right campfire meal recipes. Whether you’re roasting a turkey or whipping up a dessert, cooking a campfire meal adds a rustic charm to Thanksgiving. Here are tips and campfire dinner ideas to allow you to enjoy a full Thanksgiving meal wherever you’re traveling. From savory sides to sweet treats, these recipes will help you create an amazing Thanksgiving dinner in your RV.

Tips for Preparing A Campfire Meal for Thanksgiving

Preparing a campfire meal for Thanksgiving can be an exciting and memorable experience for RVers. However, it requires some thoughtful planning, especially if you’re new to cooking over an open fire. When planning, prioritize recipes that are easy to cook, require fewer ingredients, and cook well in foil or cast iron. It’s important to plan ahead to avoid stress and make the most of your time outdoors. Having an RV with an outdoor kitchen provides even more space to prep and store ingredients. Outdoor grills and stoves allow you to prepare ingredients and even more side dishes while your main dish cooks over the campfire. 

 7 Dishes For A Yummy Thanksgiving Campfire Meal

1. Campfire Mac and Cheese

Is it even Thanksgiving dinner without creamy, gooey mac and cheese? Campfire Mac and Cheese is a must-have for Thanksgiving, whether you’re in the camper or not. If you’re looking for easy yet comforting campfire meal ideas, this cheesy favorite will hit the spot. To make it, you’ll need elbow macaroni pasta, shredded cheddar cheese, milk, butter, and a bit of salt and pepper. Simply boil the pasta over the campfire, then mix in the melted butter, milk, and cheese until it’s creamy and delicious. You can even top it with extra cheese or toasted breadcrumbs for extra flavor. If you love mac and cheese, this dish is sure to make your Thanksgiving on the road feel special. 

2. Roasted Stuffed Squash 

This recipe takes the best and most popular Thanksgiving flavors and combines them into one delicious stuffing. Roasted Stuffed Squash is a flavorful and healthy addition to your Thanksgiving dinner. It’s perfect for those looking for campfire dinner ideas that are both mouthwatering and practical. All you need are acorn or butternut squash, quinoa or rice, veggies (like onions, peppers, and spinach), garlic, and some herbs. To make this dish, cut the squash in half, scoop out the seeds, and roast it over the campfire in a foil packet until tender. Meanwhile, cook the quinoa or rice in a small pot over the fire and sauté the veggies in a skillet. Mix the cooked quinoa or rice with the sautéed veggies, then stuff it back into the roasted squash halves. This dish is a great way to enjoy a hearty, gourmet meal while RV camping. Plus, it’s quick to prep in advance and roast over the campfire for a simple yet satisfying campfire meal.

3. Campfire Skillet Cornbread 

A good slice of crispy, hot cornbread is a staple for a classic Southern Thanksgiving. Plus, you can easily make skillet cornbread over the campfire to add to your Thanksgiving dinner. To prepare, you’ll need basic ingredients like cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, eggs, milk, and butter. You can also add extras like cheddar, green chilies, or honey for a sweet twist. 

Start by mixing the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet in another, then combine them into a smooth batter. Heat a cast iron skillet over the campfire, melt some butter, and pour in the mixture. Cook for about 20-25 minutes until the cornbread is golden and firm. Plus, you can always buy boxed cornbread mix to save time prepping and space in your RV. Warm, buttery cornbread is an excellent side dish that can make your entire Thanksgiving campfire meal cozier.

4. Campfire Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Roasted Sweet Potatoes are the perfect choice for Thanksgiving dinner in an RV​. With just sweet potatoes, olive oil, salt, and pepper, it’s the perfect addition to any RV campfire meal. To start, wash the sweet potatoes and rub them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Wrap each sweet potato tightly in aluminum foil, then place them directly on the campfire coals. Let them roast for about 30-45 minutes, turning periodically until they are soft and tender. Plus, you can personalize this dish with different toppings to elevate it. For a sweet twist, try adding cinnamon, butter, or marshmallows. For a savory version, toppings like sour cream, chives, or bacon bits work beautifully. This dish is a great addition to your Thanksgiving camping meal and pairs well with our other campfire dinner ideas.

5. Green Bean Casserole

This is a perfect addition to your campfire Thanksgiving meal, offering a delicious twist on the classic dish. RVers can easily prepare this campfire meal by using fresh green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy onions. To make it, simply mix the green beans and soup in a bowl, then spoon the mixture into foil or cast iron. Top with crispy onions, seal the packets and cook over hot coals for about 15-20 minutes until the beans are tender. This method not only saves space in your RV but also cuts down on cleanup.

For RVers looking to improve the casserole, consider adding bacon bits, shredded cheese, or chopped mushrooms for extra flavor. You can also prepare the ingredients ahead of time to save more time at your campsite. Whether you’re making this as part of your Thanksgiving spread or just need a simple camping meal, it’s an easy campfire dinner idea.

6. Dutch Oven Apple Cobbler

Cooking Apple Cobbler over a campfire is a wonderful way for RVers to enjoy a cozy dessert this Thanksgiving. This recipe is both simple and delicious, adding a special touch to your campfire meal. All you need are canned apple pie filling (or fresh apples), a box of yellow cake mix, butter, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Layer the apples in the Dutch oven, cover with the cake mix, dot with butter, and let it bake over the campfire until golden and bubbling. The best part is that you can give it a personal touch for Thanksgiving with nuts, cranberries, or caramel. 

By using canned apples and boxed cake mix, you can save space in your RV and still have an enjoyable feast. If you don’t have a Dutch oven, foil pans also well over the campfire. For easier campfire cooking, you can place coals on top of and under the Dutch oven to ensure even baking. This cobbler will make your Thanksgiving extra sweet and is a perfect addition to your list of camping meal ideas.

7. Campfire Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey

The turkey is the centerpiece of the holiday, and even while camping, you can still have it as part of your campfire meal. To prepare, coat the turkey with olive oil, garlic, herbs, and a generous amount of seasoning. To roast a turkey over a campfire, wrap the seasoned bird tightly in heavy-duty aluminum foil or place it in a dutch oven. Position it over a bed of hot coals and turn it every 30-45 minutes for even cooking. Then, just monitor the heat, keeping the fire moderate and adding fresh coals as needed. For a quicker and easier option, you can season and wrap turkey legs in foil. Cooking turkey legs instead of a full bird can make the task of preparing Thanksgiving dinner less daunting. Turkey wings cook quickly and require less space while still delivering that classic Thanksgiving flavor. Whether you fix the full turkey, legs, or wings, you can still create a memorable Thanksgiving dinner in an RV with our camping meal idea.

Enjoy Your Thanksgiving Campfire Meal

Celebrating Thanksgiving while camping in your RV doesn’t mean sacrificing tradition or flavor. With a little planning and creativity, you can prepare a delicious campfire meal that includes all your holiday favorites. From sweet potatoes to cobbler, there are plenty of camping meal ideas that you can create for Thanksgiving around a crackling fire. By utilizing versatile ingredients, compact cooking tools, and easy-to-make dishes, you can have a full and memorable Thanksgiving feast. Whether you’re roasting a full turkey or trying new campfire meal ideas, our tips and recipes will help you get into the holiday spirit.