The holiday season is here! Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and if you’re an RVer, you may be wondering if it’s possible to spend the holiday in your RV and still have it feel like Thanksgiving at home. We’re happy to share that not only can you have a Thanksgiving day and dinner that feels like home while in your RV, but you can also have one that feels even better.
The following tips will help you enjoy Thanksgiving day in your RV.
RV Thanksgiving Dinner
What would Thanksgiving Day be without the turkey dinner and feast? There may be some limitations on your dinner preparations based on the type of RV kitchen you’re cooking in, but there’s no reason you can’t have a Thanksgiving dinner that reminds you of home.
The turkey
The first thing we want to address is the turkey. If you’re used to cooking a huge turkey on Thanksgiving, you’re going to need to adjust your expectations a little. But that doesn’t mean you need to scrap them altogether.
You can buy a smaller turkey, which actually works well because chances are good in your RV, you have fewer people coming to eat it as well. If you do have a large gathering planned, you can prepare two small turkeys or cut up a large turkey making it easier to fit in your RV oven.
If you don’t have an oven in your RV, you can still have turkey for the holiday meal. You can purchase a store-bought and cooked turkey, or get adventurous and cook one over the fire (you can find a recipe here) or in a turkey fryer.
The side dishes
There are lots of options when it comes to Thanksgiving day side dishes in your RV. Many side dishes can be prepared ahead of time and then reheated when you’re ready for them. This is a delicious make-ahead mashed potato recipe. You can prepare your dishes at home and then bring them with you for Thanksgiving day. If you’re already on the road, you can make dishes in the days leading up to the holiday and freeze them until you’re ready for them so you don’t have to worry about trying to cook so many things at once in a smaller kitchen.
If you have room in your RV consider bringing a few extra kitchen appliances. Crockpots and Instant Pots can do wonders for preparing a Thanksgiving dinner when you have limited space in your oven (or no oven) and only a few burners to work with. Here are recipes you can use from green bean casserole and stuffing to turtle cheesecake and pumpkin dump cake. There is even a recipe for sweet potato casserole with marshmallows.
The desserts
Desserts can be super simple in your RV for Thanksgiving day. Swing into the local bakery wherever you are and pick up a pie or two. If you want to make your own, you can use a dutch oven (here’s a yummy-looking apple pie recipe) so you can enjoy a warm dessert after dinner.
You can also make desserts up before getting on the road, put them in the freezer or a cooler, and thaw them for Thanksgiving day.
If you don’t want to cook—eat out!
No one said that a Thanksgiving dinner had to be homemade in your own oven. If you want to enjoy a full Thanksgiving meal on the road, there are plenty of ways you can do it without cooking a thing.
Some campgrounds have a Thanksgiving meal for campers. With the holiday quickly approaching, we recommend you call ahead and do your research if this is the direction you want to go.
There are many restaurants and grocery stores, like Bob Evans, where you can pick up the entire Thanksgiving meal cooked for you. This allows you have all the special dishes you desire without having to worry about what type of RV kitchen you have to work with.
You can also hit a restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner. Cracker Barrel will do the cooking and the dishes for you! You can sit around a table in a cozy setting with family and friends and enjoy a warm delicious meal prepared by someone else.
Thanksgiving Decorations
If you want your RV to have the look and feel of the holidays, there are a few simple ways to add Thanksgiving touches without feeling overwhelmed by clutter. Here are a few tips:
- Stick to a color scheme – When all your decorations blend well together it’s easier on the eyes in a small space.
- Look for the little touches – Think about doormats, decorative kitchen towel, a fall wreath for the door, and removable stickers for the fridge or cabinets (great if you have little ones that want to help).
- Temporarily replace items – Instead of adding more into your RV, consider ways you can replace what you already have for the holiday season. Put up fall colored curtains or a table cloth.
RV Thanksgiving Day Activities
One of the best things about RVing for Thanksgiving is that there are so many fun activities you can do. If you like to kick back and watch football on Thanksgiving, you can do it. If you want to go out and hike after eating a big meal, you can be parked right outside your favorite trails. Or, if you want to be close to the action for Black Friday morning, you can boondock in the Walmart parking lot. If you want to be near family and friends, you can park in their driveway.
The Thanksgiving activities are unlimited when you spend the holiday in your RV.
Ready to spend Thanksgiving in an RV
If you’re ready to buy a new or preowned RV or upgrade your current RV, give us a call at Sky River RV.
