Thanksgiving Dinner In Your RV?

The Good Life Tips and Tricks

Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Fall has finally settled in and we’re ready to eat our hearts out before that long winter hits us. Celebrating Thanksgiving in an RV can be a challenge for people with large families, and even more so when you’re celebrating in a small space. But we know you’ll find a way to cram everyone in that fifth wheel or travel trailer so they can cram their faces with these delicious recipes you can make easily in your RV kitchen.

Roasted Turkey

The turkey is the expected, traditional part of the meal. And you can’t let your guests down — even if you are a little tight on kitchen space! Making a turkey roasted to perfection in your RV is an easy process. With just a few basic ingredients, this flavorful recipe is sure to delight even the pickiest of eaters.

Ingredients

  • 12 to 14-pound turkey, rinsed and patted dry, neck and giblets reserved for stock
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic (6 to 8 cloves)
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary, plus whole sprigs
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage, plus whole sprigs
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme, plus whole sprigs
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus quartered lemon

Instructions

  1. Line the v-rack of a roasting pan with tin foil and poke holes every inch or so.
  2. Whisk together all ingredients in a small mixing bowl.
  3. Gently loosen skin from flesh and spread slightly more than ⅓ of herb paste under the skin directly onto the breasts, thighs and drumsticks.
  4. Spread ⅓ herb paste in the cavity of the turkey, and the remaining herb paste on the skin, focusing on the unseasoned wings.
  5. Place the breast-side down on the prepped v-rack and add 1½ cups of water to the bottom of the pan to prevent drippings from burning. Stuff the cavity with the whole herb sprigs and quartered lemon.
  6. Roast in preheated 400° oven. Carefully flip the turkey after 45 minutes so breast side is facing up and return to the over for another 50-60 minutes or until the thickest part of the thigh registers 170-175° and the thickest part of the breast is 160°.
  7. Remove from the oven and let the turkey rest for 30 minutes before carving.

Cranberry Sauce

Nothing pairs better with turkey than cranberry sauce! Instead of buying a can from the store this year, consider making your own at home. It’s a simple recipe that lets you season it to your family’s unique taste. Try dressing it up with pecans and orange zest for a little unexpected kick!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup water
  • 4 cups (12-oz package) fresh or frozen cranberries
  • Optional pecans, orange zest, raisins, currants, blueberries, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice

Instructions

  1. Rinse the cranberries, and pick out and discard any that are damaged or bruised.
  2. Combine the water and sugar in a medium saucepan on high heat and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
  3. Add the cranberries to the pot and return to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until most of the cranberries have burst.
  4. Leave the cranberry sauce as is, or dress it up with optional ingredients. If adding spices, start with a pinch of each and add more to your taste.
  5. Remove the pot from heat and let the mixture cool completely to room temperature, then transfer to a bowl to chill in the refrigerator. Note that the cranberry sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.

Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

A Thanksgiving meal without mashed potatoes is like having a beer without pretzels. It’s un-American (and you don’t want to be accused of this on an American holiday)! Though this is generally something quick and easy to fix, this recipe takes the cake for easy. Set it and forget it — no draining or boiling required.

Ingredients

  • 5 lbs sierra gold potatoes or red potatoes, diced with (or without) peels
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup butter, cut into chunks
  • 1 tablespoon salt, and a little more
  • ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1⅓ cups warm milk

Instructions

  1. Put potatoes, water, butter, salt and pepper in crock pot
  2. Cover and cook on highest heat setting for four hours
  3. Mash the potatoes (water and all) with a potato masher or electric beater and add enough milk for your preferred consistency
  4. Keep the crock pot on low until you’re ready to serve. Keep the lid on the pot to maintain creamy texture.

Having company for the holidays can be stressful, but it can also become some of the best memories you have together. Fixing a holiday meal doesn’t have to mean spending an entire day in the kitchen. These three easy recipes are short and sweet, but delicious and simple to make in a smaller kitchen. Throw these babies together and you’ve got yourself the workings of a Good Life celebration ready for all to enjoy.