Grilled Pumpkin Pie: A Unforgettable Thanksgiving Dessert
Grilled pumpkin pie is a delicious twist on a classic Thanksgiving dessert. This innovative recipe combines the traditional flavors of pumpkin pie with the smoky essence of outdoor grilling. It’s a perfect way to shake up your holiday menu and impress your guests with a unique and tasty treat.
Hey there!
Remember when the Ghostbusters were covered in marshmallow goo after battling the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man? Well, get ready for a dessert that’s just as mind-blowing, but way more delicious. We’re talking about grilled pumpkin pie, the coolest thing to hit Thanksgiving since the Macy’s Day Parade started featuring Snoopy balloons!

Picture this:
it’s Thanksgiving Day, and while everyone else is slaving away in a hot kitchen, you’re outside, chillin’ by the grill like it’s a summer BBQ. You’ve got your favorite playlist blasting and you’re about to become the hero of the holiday with your grilled pumpkin pie.
This isn’t your grandma’s pumpkin pie (no offense, Gramma). Grilling adds a subtle smokiness that pairs perfectly with the warm spices in the filling. It’s like when the Breakfast Club came together – unexpected, but totally awesome.
So, fire up the grill, and let’s make some magic happen.
Ferris Bueller said life moves pretty fast, and if you don’t stop and grill a pumpkin pie once in a while, you could miss it. Okay, maybe he didn’t say exactly that, but you get the idea!
Grilled pumpkin pie is a fun and innovative twist on a classic Thanksgiving dessert. This unconventional cooking method adds a subtle smokiness and caramelization to the traditional pumpkin pie flavor profile. By taking the pie outdoors, you can free up oven space and impress your guests with your grilling prowess.
Why Grilled Pumpkin Pie?
Move over, oven-baked pies! There’s a new kid on the block, and it’s about to rock your Thanksgiving. Grilled pumpkin pie is the rebellious cousin of the traditional dessert, bringing a smoky twist to your holiday table.

Imagine combining that charcoal flavor with the warm, spicy goodness of pumpkin pie. It’s a match made in heaven, like peanut butter and jelly. Grilling your pumpkin pie adds a subtle smokiness that complements the sweet, creamy filling in ways you never knew you needed.
Plus, let’s be honest – grilling your dessert is just plain cool.
Not only does it free up valuable oven space for your turkey and sides, but it also gives you an excuse to hang out by the grill, sipping on some cranberry punch while avoiding Aunt Edna’s endless stories about her cats or Uncle Benny’s political observations.
It’s a win-win situation that even Ferris Bueller would approve of!
Ingredients Needed
Alright, Pitmasters, let’s channel our inner MacGyver and gather the ingredients for this grilled pumpkin pie! Remember when we used to mix random stuff from the kitchen to create “potions” as kids? Well, this is kinda like that, but way more delicious and less likely to get us grounded.
Here’s what you’ll need to rock this dessert like it’s 1999:
• 1 pre-made pie crust (because ain’t nobody got time for that)
• 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Whipped cream (for topping)

It’s like the Thanksgiving version of a mixtape, with all your favorite autumn hits blended into one awesome pie. So grab your ingredients and let’s get ready to grill!
Step-by-step Preparation
First things first, let’s channel our inner Bobby Flay and preheat that grill to medium-high heat. Around 350°F (175°C). You want it hot enough to bake the pie, but not so hot that you’ll end where everything goes up in flames. If you’re using a charcoal grill, set it up for indirect heat by pushing the coals to one side.
Now, grab your pie crust and give it a quick par-bake in the oven. This is crucial, folks – we don’t want a soggy bottom, This will crisp it up! Keep an eye on the crust we are looking for it to just get browned.
Now a good crust is going to have butter in it.. and when butter cooks it is going to shrink. you don’t want your crust to start to bouble in the center and pull down on the sides.
What to do?
Take a page from creating smash burners, line the crust with some parchment paper and put some weight in the center.

While that’s happening, let’s whip up our pumpkin filling. In a large bowl, mix the following ingredients:
- 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin puree
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Whisk these ingredients together faster than John Travolta’s dance moves in “Saturday Night Fever.” Once your par-baked crust is ready, pour in the goodness. Now comes the fun part – carefully transfer your pie to the grill. Close the lid and let the magic happen for about 45-50 minutes. During this time, maybe dust off that Rubik’s Cube you never quite figured out. Just remember to check on your pie every 15 minutes or so – we’re aiming for a slight jiggle in the center, like Jell-O at a church potluck. You will also want to be rotating it so it cooks evenly.
Keep an eye on the crust. If it starts to brown too quickly, you can cover the edges with aluminum foil.
It is a good idea to check it with a thermometer, we are looking for the center to be 175 degrees.
Once it’s ready, carefully remove the pie from the grill. Let it cool on a wire rack for at least an hour before serving. Trust me, your grilled pumpkin pie is about to become the new star of Thanksgiving!
Serving Suggestions
For a nostalgic touch, serve each slice on colorful Tupperware plates – those indestructible wonders that survived countless family potlucks in the ’80s. Top each piece with a dollop of homemade whipped cream, or if you’re feeling adventurous, try a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast between the warm, grilled pie and the cold ice cream will have your taste buds dancing.
To really embrace the grilled theme, present your pie on a wooden cutting board or a small grill grate. Garnish the plate with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a few smoked pumpkin seeds for added texture. And don’t forget to pair your grilled pumpkin pie with a steaming mug of hot apple cider or, for the adults, a pumpkin spice White Russian – because nothing says “I’m a grown-up now” quite like a dessert cocktail that would make The Dude proud.
It’s clear that grilled pumpkin pie is more than just a dessert – it’s a conversation starter that’ll have your guests talking. This unique twist on a Thanksgiving classic brings together the cozy warmth of tradition with the bold flavors of outdoor cooking, creating a dessert that’s as unforgettable.

Remember, cooking is all about experimentation and having fun.
Don’t be afraid to put your own spin on this recipe. Maybe add a dash of cinnamon here, a sprinkle of nutmeg there – make it your own, just like we all did with our Trapper Keepers back in the day. And if things don’t turn out perfect the first time, don’t sweat it. Even Julia Child had her kitchen mishaps, and she became a legend.
Fire up that grill, and get ready to impress your family and friends with a grilled pumpkin pie recipe that’s sure to become a new Thanksgiving tradition.
So, Can you bake a pie on a gas grill??
Why yes you can and Your grilled pumpkin pie might just become as iconic as the Rubik’s Cube or leg warmers – only a whole lot tastier!
— Thanks for stopping by —
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Helpful resources:
- National Fire Protection Association Grill Safety
- National Barbecue Association
- USDA Meat Smoking Guidelines
- Smoking Meat Techniques
- Meat Thermometer History
- Serious Eats BBQ Techniques
- Regional BBQ Sauces Guide
- Evolution of American Barbecue
- Beer and Food Pairing
- Brewery Finder
- Naked Wines
- Wine Enthusiast Culture
- Craft Mocktail Recipes
- Historical Beverage Traditions
- USDA Cooking Timelines
- Serious Eats Grilling Timing Guide
- USDA Food Safety Guidelines
- CDC Food Safety Resources
- FoodSafety Cooking Tips
- Food Safety Charts
- Barbecue Research Center Cooking Techniques