When you’re planning a tailgate party, you want to make sure that it’s going to be fun and exciting for everyone. One of the best ways to do this is by adding some good grilling recipes.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Grilling is a perfect way to elevate any tailgate party |
| Variety is key – offer a mix of meats, veggies, and sides |
| Don’t be afraid to get creative with your flavors and seasonings |
| Make sure to marinate your meats ahead of time for maximum flavor |
| Prepare ahead of time and bring all necessary grilling tools and accessories |
| Keep your food warm with aluminum foil or a warmed chafing dish |
| Stay safe while grilling and practice good food hygiene |
| Grill-friendly cocktails and drinks can add an extra dimension to your tailgate party |
| Building a comprehensive support system is important when it comes to grilling and party planning |
Here are 15 easy-to-make tailgate recipes that will take your next game day from ordinary to extraordinary:
Bacon-Wrapped BBQ Chicken
Bacon-wrapped BBQ chicken is a classic tailgate recipe with good reason. It’s easy to make, delicious and can be made using either chicken thighs or breasts. The only thing that matters is that you use your favorite type of barbecue sauce and enough bacon to fully wrap the meat.
If you’re looking for delicious and creative grilled side dishes to complement your BBQ recipes, check out our ultimate guide on 15 Grilled Side Dishes That Will Make Your BBQ the Best on the Block. From flavorful veggies to cheesy appetizers, we’ve got you covered.
Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Pulled pork is a popular item to grill. You can make pulled pork in the oven or on the grill and use it for other recipes as well.
Pulled Pork Sandwiches are a great choice for tailgating, because they’re easy to transport and everyone loves them! These sandwiches are made with shredded leftover pork, barbecue sauce and coleslaw.
If you don’t have any leftover pulled pork on hand, slow cook some fresh meat until it falls apart. Then combine it with your favorite barbecue sauce before serving these sandwiches at your next event!
Grilled Tomatoes and Corn Salsa
Grilling the ingredients for this dish in advance will save you time and effort. You can peel and seed the tomatoes, cut off the corn kernels from their cobs, chop the onion and garlic, then store them all separately until you’re ready to make this salsa.
You can also use canned corn if you don’t have fresh on hand—just drain it first before tossing it into your bowl of other ingredients. This salsa is delicious with burgers or as a side dish with grilled chicken or fish!
| Ingredients | Directions |
|---|---|
| 2 large tomatoes | Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. |
| 3 ears of corn, husked | Grill the tomatoes and corn until tender and slightly charred, about 5-7 minutes per side for the tomatoes and 10-12 minutes for the corn. |
| 1 red onion | Remove the vegetables from the grill and let cool for a few minutes. |
| 2 cloves garlic, minced | Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the kernels off the ears of corn and chop the grilled tomatoes and onion. |
| 2 tbsp olive oil | In a medium bowl, combine the chopped vegetables with minced garlic, olive oil, lime juice, and salt. Toss to combine. |
| 2 limes, juiced | Serve the grilled tomatoes and corn salsa immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. |
| 1 tsp salt | Enjoy! |
Grilled Potato Salad
You might think that potato salad is a classic recipe, but when it comes to tailgate parties, you need to get creative. This recipe offers an alternative way to serve grilled potatoes and bacon. The dressing is a little different than the typical mayonnaise-based potato salad dressing, but it’s still delicious!
You’ll Need:
- 1 pound of new potatoes (washed)
- 3 strips of bacon (chopped)
- 1/2 cup chopped chives or scallions (optional)
Nothing says tailgate party like some refreshing cocktails. Here are our top picks for Grill-Friendly Cocktails that are perfect for any occasion. Mix it up and enjoy with your favorite grilled recipes.
Grilled Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce
This recipe is surprisingly simple. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, and spray the grates with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the chicken wings on the grill and cook for 10 minutes.
Flip them over, brush with barbecue sauce (or your favorite marinade), and cook another 8-10 minutes until they’re done. Remove from oven and serve with blue cheese dipping sauce!
Blue cheese dipping sauce: In a small bowl mix 2 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature with 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt until smooth. Add 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese dressing mix until desired consistency is achieved (about 1/2 teaspoon).
Burgers with Barbecue Sauce, Arugula and Avocado
Burgers with Barbecue Sauce, Arugula and Avocado
Serves 4-6
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef (85% lean)
- 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce (any variety you like)
- ½ cup arugula, chopped fine or torn by hand into small pieces. Feel free to substitute spinach, red leaf lettuce, etc., if you prefer something with more texture. We just love the peppery tang from arugula!
3 tablespoons avocado slices (about half an avocado). If you’d rather not make your own guacamole for this recipe, we recommend Wholly Guacamole® brand avocado dip in the refrigerated section of your local supermarket—it tastes great on burgers!
You can also use store bought guacamole if that suits your fancy better 🙂 Either way is delicious though so whatever works best for you will be just fine too 🙂
Are you ready to elevate your grilling game and impress your guests? Take a look at these 13 Expert Advice for the Best BBQ Ever and learn from the pros. They share tips and tricks on how to grill like a chef and make your food taste amazing.
Spicy Pepper Jack-Stuffed Cheeseburgers
- Make sure you have the right tools for grilling, like a grill brush.
- Use a meat thermometer to make sure your burgers are cooked properly (160 degrees F).
- Don’t forget about the sides, like grilled corn on the cob and potato salad.
Grilled Top Sirloin with Chile-Lime Chimichurri Sauce
A chimichurri sauce is a traditional South American sauce made with parsley and garlic, but it’s typically served over grilled meat. This one uses fresh oregano and cilantro instead of the usual rosemary or thyme you might find in other versions of this sauce.
Chimichurri is easy to make; all you need are some fresh herbs (and plenty of garlic), olive oil, salt, pepper and red wine vinegar.
If you don’t have fresh herbs on hand (though I hope you do!), feel free to use dried ones instead—but just be sure they’re not too old because they will affect the flavor of your chimichurri negatively if they’re stale or moldy!
BBQ Sliders with Caramelized Onions and Pickles on Pretzel Rolls
This recipe is a classic tailgate favorite. Make sure you choose pretzel rolls, and don’t skip the caramelized onions. The pickles are also crucial to the flavor, so don’t forget them!
As far as BBQ sauce goes, use your favorite—just make sure it’s good quality!
Looking for more delicious grilling recipes to add to your collection? Check out our guide on Impress Your Friends with These Delicious Grilling Recipes for inspiration. From appetizers to desserts, we’ve got something for everyone.
Pork Tenderloin with Tangy Mango Barbecue Sauce and Creamy Apple Coleslaw
Feel free to make this recipe your own, but here are some tips for how to make it work.
Use pork tenderloin. It’s a leaner cut of meat and doesn’t take as long to cook, so if you want something that will come off the grill quickly while still being moist and flavorful, this is the way to go!
Make sure you marinate the tenderloin in the sauce for at least 6 hours before grilling it. That will give both sides plenty of time to soak up all that flavor!
The apple coleslaw is delicious as a side dish with this meal—it adds a little crunchiness and sweetness that complements everything else on your plate nicely!
| Ingredients | Directions |
|---|---|
| 2 pork tenderloins | Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Season the pork tenderloins with salt and black pepper. |
| Salt and black pepper | In a blender, combine the mango, ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic. Blend until smooth. Set aside. |
| For the Mango BBQ Sauce: | Grill the pork tenderloins for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F. Halfway through the grilling process, brush the tenderloins with the mango BBQ sauce. |
| 1 ripe mango, peeled and chopped | While the pork tenderloins are grilling, mix together the shredded cabbage, grated carrots, apples, and onion in a large bowl. |
| 1/2 cup ketchup | In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper. Add the dressing to the cabbage mixture and toss to coat. |
| 1/4 cup brown sugar | Slice the pork tenderloins and serve with the remaining mango BBQ sauce and creamy apple coleslaw. Enjoy! |
| 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar | |
| 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce | |
| 2 cloves garlic, minced | |
| For the Creamy Apple Coleslaw: | |
| 1/2 head green cabbage, shredded | |
| 1/2 head red cabbage, shredded | |
| 1/2 cup grated carrots | |
| 2 Granny Smith apples, grated | |
| 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced | |
| 1/2 cup mayonnaise | |
| 1/2 cup sour cream | |
| 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar | |
| 1 tbsp honey | |
| Salt and black pepper |
Baby Back Ribs with Whiskey-Cherry Barbecue Sauce and Cheddar Cheese Biscuits
Baby Back Ribs with Whiskey-Cherry Barbecue Sauce
and Cheddar Cheese Biscuits
You’ll need:
- 4 racks baby back ribs (about 4 pounds)
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
For the sauce:
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil, melted
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (or more to taste) If you like it spicy, add a dash of hot sauce. If not, leave out the cayenne pepper.
Want to take your grilling skills to the next level? Our Ultimate Grilling Guide has everything you need to know about grilling like a pro. From essential tools to cooking techniques, you’ll become a grill master in no time
Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Sweet Chili Glaze
To make these grilled shrimp skewers, you’ll need to prepare the shrimp and marinade first. Combine the garlic powder, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper (if desired) and lime juice in a small bowl. Add the olive oil and whisk until well combined.
Place this mixture into a gallon-sized storage bag along with the shrimp. Seal it tightly before putting it in your refrigerator for at least one hour or up to four hours.
After that’s done cooking time will be upon you! Remove your shrimp from the fridge and thread them onto metal or wooden skewers that have been soaked in water for at least 15 minutes prior to grilling them over medium high heat until they’re pink throughout (about three minutes per side).
While they’re grilling make some sweet chili sauce by combining honey with soy sauce sesame oil garlic powder ginger paste sugar – it goes great on everything but works especially well paired with seafood!
Skewered Shrimp and Pineapple Bruschetta with Balsamic Drizzle
- Prepare the shrimp and pineapple by peeling them, deveining them and cutting them into 1-inch chunks.
- Make the bruschetta topping by combining the garlic, tomatoes, onions and basil in a food processor or blender and process until smooth.
- In a small bowl combine the olive oil with balsamic vinegar to make your balsamic drizzle for serving with this dish later on in your tailgate party!
Prepare skewers using soaked wooden skewers (can be found at any grocery store) or metal skewers that have been pre-soaked in water or an oil before grilling will work fine as well!
You are going to want these ready before you start making this dish because they need time to sit while their marinade soaks into their fleshy bodies :).
Marinated And Grilled Flank Steak Fajitas With Guacamole Salad
If grilling flank steak is your favorite way to make fajitas, you’re in luck. This marinade is perfect for tenderizing the meat before it’s grilled, and the guacamole salad adds a creamy touch that will complement the seasoned beef.
The guacamole isn’t just for those who love their avocado; it also serves as an excellent addition to any taco or burrito bowl you might choose to make on game day.
Plus, if you’ve got several people coming over and let’s face it: if you’re hosting a tailgating party, there will be plenty of hungry friends the guacamole salad can be made ahead of time so that all you have left to do is warm up some tortillas and slice up some limes.
| Ingredients | Directions |
|---|---|
| 1 lb flank steak, sliced against the grain into thin strips | Combine all the marinade ingredients in a zip-top bag or glass dish. Add the steak strips and toss to coat. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. |
| 1 red bell pepper, sliced | Preheat a grill or grill pan over high heat. Add the marinated steak strips and cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until browned and cooked through. Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes. |
| 1 yellow onion, sliced | While the steak rests, grill the sliced bell pepper and onion until tender and slightly charred, about 5-7 minutes. |
| 8-10 flour tortillas | To make the guacamole salad, combine the diced avocado, tomato, red onion, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, and salt in a bowl. |
| Guacamole salad ingredients: | To assemble the fajitas, warm the flour tortillas on the grill or in the oven. Add the grilled steak, peppers, and onions to the tortillas, and top with the guacamole salad. |
| 2 avocados, diced | Enjoy! |
| 1 large tomato, diced | |
| 1/2 red onion, diced | |
| 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced | |
| 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro | |
| 2 tbsp fresh lime juice | |
| 1/2 tsp salt |
This Is A Good Way To Get People Excited About Their Next Tailgate
You don’t need to be a professional chef to make this recipe. It uses ingredients that are easy to find, and the preparation is simple enough that you can do it ahead of time if you want.
The best part about this recipe? You can change up the meat depending on what’s available at the store or what your favorite cut may be. When I made this for myself and my friends, we used venison sausage because it’s one of our favorites!
Conclusion
Whether you’re a die-hard football fan or just looking for a fun way to spend time with friends, tailgating is the perfect activity for you.
Tailgates are a great way to get everyone together and show off your team spirit. Whether it’s an official game day or just another sunny Saturday afternoon, these recipes will give you everything from appetizers (or snacks!) to main courses—all perfect for when you’re out on the road!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for tailgate party grilling recipes:
Taste of Home: Grilling Recipes to Bring to the Tailgate: Check out these delicious and easy-to-prepare grilled recipes that are perfect for a tailgate party.
The Online Grill: Best Grilled Tailgate Recipes: With a variety of grilled mains, sides, and desserts, these tailgate recipes will surely impress your guests.
Napoleon: 10 Amazing Grill Recipes for Your Next Tailgate: From burgers to pizzas, these mouthwatering grill recipes will add a new dimension to your tailgate party.
FAQs
What are some popular grilled recipes for tailgate parties?
Some popular grilled recipes for tailgate parties include burgers, hot dogs, chicken wings, ribs, and sausage. These traditional favorites are easy to prepare and always a hit with guests.
What are some good sides to serve with grilled food at a tailgate party?
Some good sides to serve with grilled food at a tailgate party include coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, grilled veggies, and corn on the cob. These sides can be prepared ahead of time and paired with grilled meat for a complete meal.
Can I grill at a tailgate party?
Yes, grilling is a popular and fun activity at tailgate parties. Many tailgaters bring their own portable grills and cook up delicious food right in the parking lot.
How do I keep my grilled food warm during a tailgate party?
One way to keep your grilled food warm during a tailgate party is to wrap it in aluminum foil or transfer it to a warmed chafing dish. Another option is to grill the food just before serving to ensure it’s hot and fresh.
What are some tips for grilling at a tailgate party?
Some tips for grilling at a tailgate party include arriving early to secure a good spot, bringing a portable grill and enough fuel, preparing food ahead of time, packing all necessary cooking tools and accessories, and practicing safe grilling techniques to avoid any accidents.
Hi there! I’m Hellen James, and I’m a grilling enthusiast. I’ve been grilling for years, and I absolutely love it. I love how it brings people together and how you can feed your family with just a few minutes of work.