The Best Foods to Cook in Your Wood-Fired Oven for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the season of gratitude, family, and some of the most delicious meals of the year. When you think about a wood-fired oven, pizza may be the first thing that comes to mind, but its potential is far broader—especially for Thanksgiving!

Using a wood-fired oven for your holiday spread not only adds unique, smoky flavors to traditional dishes but also makes entertaining a breeze, freeing up your main oven for other Thanksgiving classics.

Related: Crafting an Unforgettable Holiday Pizza Menu with Authentic Pizza Ovens

Here’s a guide to making the most of your Authentic Pizza Oven this Thanksgiving with recipes and tips for crowd-pleasing dishes—from starters to dessert—that can be perfectly roasted, baked, or smoked in the wood-fired oven.

Wood-Fired Turkey: The Star of the Show

Why Cook It in a Wood-Fired Oven? Turkey is the heart of Thanksgiving, and cooking it in a wood-fired oven can elevate the flavor profile of this classic dish. The wood-fired oven's radiant heat seals in juices while infusing the meat with a natural smokiness. Plus, the quick, high heat gives the bird a beautifully browned, crispy skin.

Tips for Success:

• Preparation: Spatchcocking the turkey (removing the backbone and flattening it) allows for even cooking and reduces cooking time. Season the bird generously with salt, pepper, fresh herbs, and a garlic herb butter mixture for a deep, savory flavor.
• Temperature: Heat the oven to around 400°F, then maintain a steady temperature by managing your wood.
• Cooking Time: A 12-15 lb turkey should take approximately 1.5-2 hours, depending on the oven's temperature.

Roasted Fall Vegetables

Why Cook Them in a Wood-Fired Oven? Thanksgiving calls for hearty, seasonal vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and butternut squash. The intense heat of a wood-fired oven caramelizes these veggies beautifully, bringing out their natural sweetness while imparting a smoky depth.

Tips for Success:

• Preparation: Cut vegetables into similar sizes for even roasting, toss in olive oil, and season with salt, pepper, and a touch of maple syrup or honey for added caramelization.
• Cooking Time: Roast at around 375°F for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are golden and slightly charred.

Related: Delicious Vegan Recipes to Try in Your Wood-Fired Authentic Pizza Oven

Wood-Fired Stuffing

Why Cook It in a Wood-Fired Oven? Stuffing baked in a wood-fired oven comes out with a deliciously crispy top layer and a moist, flavorful inside. You can make it traditional with herbs like sage and thyme or add a twist with roasted chestnuts, apples, or cranberries.

Tips for Success:

• Preparation: Use stale bread cubes and toss with sautéed onions, celery, garlic, and herbs. Add your liquid (broth or wine) gradually to avoid sogginess.
• Cooking Time: Cover the stuffing with foil and bake at 375°F for about 25 minutes, then uncover for the last 10 minutes to achieve a crispy top.

Smoky Macaroni and Cheese

Why Cook It in a Wood-Fired Oven? Mac and cheese gains a whole new dimension in a wood-fired oven. The intense heat crisps the top while keeping the cheese sauce creamy and bubbly underneath. Adding a touch of smoked paprika or using smoked cheese can enhance that wood-fired flavor.

Tips for Success:

• Preparation: Prepare a thick cheese sauce with a blend of cheeses like cheddar, gouda, and gruyere. Pour over cooked pasta, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, and a dash of paprika for a smoky touch.
• Cooking Time: Bake at around 400°F for 20-25 minutes, just until the top is golden and bubbling.

Skillet Cornbread

Why Cook It in a Wood-Fired Oven? Cornbread, with its rustic charm, is a Thanksgiving staple, and a wood-fired oven gives it an incredible crispy crust while keeping the inside soft and moist. Cooking in a cast-iron skillet ensures even heating and an extra-crunchy crust.

Tips for Success:

• Preparation: Preheat the skillet in the oven, add a bit of butter, then pour in the cornbread batter. This preheating gives the cornbread a crispy edge.
• Cooking Time: Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Related: Cooking with Cast Iron in an Authentic Pizza Oven

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Why Cook Them in a Wood-Fired Oven? While mashed potatoes are usually cooked on the stovetop, roasting the garlic in a wood-fired oven enhances its sweetness and brings out a rich, smoky flavor that elevates classic mashed potatoes.

Tips for Success:

• Preparation: Slice the top off a head of garlic, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast in the oven at around 375°F for 20-30 minutes until soft. Once done, mix the roasted garlic into your mashed potatoes.
• Serving Suggestion: Garnish with chives and a sprinkle of sea salt.

Wood-Fired Cranberry Sauce

Why Cook It in a Wood-Fired Oven? Cranberry sauce can be simmered in a wood-fired oven to create a rich, thick sauce with a slight hint of smokiness. Adding oranges or spices like cinnamon and cloves gives it a festive warmth.

Tips for Success:

• Preparation: Combine cranberries, sugar, orange zest, and a cinnamon stick in a baking dish. Cover with foil and place in the oven at 375°F.
• Cooking Time: Allow it to cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.

Apple and Pear Crisp

Why Cook It in a Wood-Fired Oven? This Thanksgiving dessert benefits from the intense, even heat of a wood-fired oven. The fruits become soft and juicy, and the topping bakes to a crispy, golden perfection, adding a warm, cozy end to your holiday meal.

Tips for Success:

• Preparation: Toss sliced apples and pears with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a bit of brown sugar. Top with a mixture of oats, flour, butter, and sugar.
• Cooking Time: Bake at around 350°F for 30-35 minutes until the topping is golden and the fruit is tender.

Wood-Fired Pumpkin Pie

Why Cook It in a Wood-Fired Oven? Pumpkin pie is the quintessential Thanksgiving dessert, and baking it in a wood-fired oven adds a rustic, smoky flavor. The oven’s high heat quickly sets the crust, ensuring it’s flaky while preventing a soggy bottom.

Tips for Success:

• Preparation: Use your favorite pumpkin pie filling and pour it into a prepared crust. Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any spills.
• Cooking Time: Start baking at around 425°F for the first 10 minutes, then lower the temperature to 375°F and continue baking for an additional 30-40 minutes until the filling is set.

Tips for Cooking Thanksgiving Dishes in a Wood-Fired Oven

To achieve the best results with your wood-fired oven, keep these essential tips in mind:

• Preheat the Oven Properly: Each dish has an optimal temperature, so monitor your wood-fired oven carefully and allow it to reach the right temperature for each dish.
• Rotate the Dishes: Depending on your oven’s setup, certain spots may be hotter than others. Rotate your dishes occasionally for even cooking.
• Experiment with Wood Types: Different woods, like cherry or hickory, can enhance the flavor of your dishes. Experiment to find the best pairing for each recipe.
• Use Cast-Iron Cookware: Cast iron retains heat well and provides even cooking, making it ideal for dishes like stuffing, mac and cheese, and cornbread.

Cooking your Thanksgiving feast in an Authentic Pizza Oven creates an unforgettable meal, merging traditional flavors with the rustic charm of wood-fired cooking.

From juicy turkey to crispy mac and cheese and smoky desserts, these dishes bring something special to the table, making this Thanksgiving one to remember.

See all our wonderful Authentic Pizza Ovens.

Written by: Penny Warring

Authentic Pizza Ovens is a leading maker of handmade wood-fired ovens, crafting some of the finest in the world for decades.

Our ovens bring family and friends together, creating lasting memories across the U.S., Australia, and Canada.

Learn more at authenticpizzaovens.com.

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