Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and if you’re full-time RVers like us, you might be wondering: Can we really pull off a full Thanksgiving dinner in this tiny space?
The answer? Absolutely.
Sure, RV kitchens are smaller—less counter space, a tiny oven, a compact fridge. But with a bit of planning and a few creative workarounds, it’s entirely possible to enjoy a cozy, delicious Thanksgiving meal in your home on wheels.
However, with some prior planning and some small tweaks, preparing a full Thanksgiving spread in your RV is totally possible. Read on for a full list of tips and tricks for cooking a turkey dinner in your tiny kitchen.
The Turkey: Big Flavor, Small Space
Let’s be honest—figuring out how to cook the turkey is usually the biggest challenge. Your RV oven probably can’t handle a massive bird, and even if it could, you’d have no room left for anything else.
Here are a few workarounds:
Go Small: A turkey breast or a small whole bird fits nicely in an RV oven (we usually go with a breast—I do miss the dark meat, but it’s worth it).
Use a Bendable Pan: Disposable aluminum pans can be shaped to fit tight oven spaces.
Break It Down: If you’re cooking for a crowd, consider roasting two smaller turkeys or cutting a large one into manageable sections.
Try Alternative Cooking Methods:
Here are some solid options we’ve tried—or plan to try:
| Method | Notes |
|---|---|
| Air Fryer | We cooked two 3-lb turkey breasts—crispy outside, juicy inside. Done in about 1 hr 10 mins. |
| Pellet Smoker | Our plan for next year—perfect for flavor and frees up the oven. |
| Grill | Great for warm-weather Thanksgivings. |
| Instant Pot | Some RVers swear by this for fast, tender turkey chunks. |
| Electric Roaster | A lifesaver if you’ve got the space. |
| Deep Fryer | A bold move—but hey, it works if you have one. |
| Store-Bought | Don’t knock it till you try it. We’ve bought pre-cooked turkeys from local grocery stores and had zero complaints. |
The Sides: Because What’s Turkey Without Them?
Let’s face it—Thanksgiving sides are sacred. Mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce… You just can’t skip ‘em. But RV kitchens demand a little compromise.
Tips for Side Dish Success
Make Ahead:
Dishes like green bean casserole, deviled eggs, and pies can all be made the day before, or even two days out. Store them in the fridge and simply reheat.
Instant Is Your Friend:
We love Bob Evans mashed potatoes. Microwave for a few minutes and done. They’re surprisingly good!
Simplify Your Menu:
You don’t need ten different side dishes. Pick the favorites. Prep what you can in advance.
Pre-Made Is Totally OK:
Don’t feel guilty buying some (or all) of your meal. We’ve bought pies from Kroger and they were fantastic.
Eat Out If You’d Rather
If cooking just isn’t your thing—or you’re parked somewhere awesome with great local restaurants—going out is a perfectly valid option. We’ve done Thanksgiving dinner out several times and enjoyed every one.
Just a heads-up: make reservations early. Many places fill up weeks in advance.
Two Must-Have Recipes from Our Tiny Kitchen
🦃 Air Fryer Boneless Turkey Breast
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat Air Fryer to 360 degrees
- Mix dry seasonings together
- Rub turkey breast in oil
- Rub turkey breast on all side with dry seasoning
- Placed seasoned turkey breast in air fryer basket
- Cook 1 hour turning every 15-20 minutes to avoid burning
- Cooking time depends on the wattage of the air fryer. The turkey is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. A meat thermometer should be used to read the temperature.
- Allow turkey breast to rest 10 minutes prior to slicing an serving
🍞 Stuffing from the Slow Cooker
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a small nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook onion and celery in butter until tender.
- In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes, salt, poultry seasoning, sage and pepper. Stir in Onion mixture. Combine broth and eggs; add to bread mixture and toss to coat.
- Transfer to a 3-qt. Slow Cooker coated with cooking spray. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours or until a thermometer reads 160 degrees.
Notes
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re parked at a quiet lakeside campground or sharing space with neighbors at a bustling RV park, Thanksgiving in your RV is doable—and meaningful. The key is keeping it simple, planning ahead, and embracing the quirks of RV life.
You might not have a huge dining room table or a double oven, but you’ve got something even better: freedom, flexibility, and the joy of celebrating wherever the road takes you.
Have any must-have Thanksgiving traditions or RV cooking hacks? Drop us a comment—we’d love to hear how you celebrate on the road!
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