Tailgate Like a Pro Thanks To Our Amazing Recipes And Tips (25 Recipes, 5 Pages, 3 Articles)
What is it that draws thousands of people to stand around on asphalt, sometimes in the bitter cold and rain? Is it the infectious enthusiasm of fans in team colors? The spectacle of hilarious costumes and outlandish vehicles? The warmth of a charcoal fire? The vast array of tables spread with every kind of food imaginable from the chilled to the grilled?
We’ve tailgated at college and pro football games, soccer matches, car races, and even in the parking lots of theme parks and ski resorts. You can tailgate anywhere you’re allowed to park your car, grill food, and enjoy a drink with friends. Tailgating means different things to different people. For some, it’s all about team spirit and getting amped up for the game. For others, it’s pure party time, a chance to eat, drink, and be merry. In the end, it just might be the collective experience of everyone doing it together that makes tailgating so special.
No matter what it means to you, tailgating can be as simple or as fancy as you want it to be. Some folks bring a cooler of prepared food, some drinks, and team colors and call it a day. Others plan for days or weeks ahead of time, drive huge RVs to the game, set up big tents, or drag giant trailer smokers to the parking lot to serve the rabid fans. No matter how it takes shape for you, tailgating is a fantastic American pastime. Here’s your ultimate guide to the gear, the recipes, and the planning tips that will make your next party in the parking lot the best ever.
By:
Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer
Here's a handy checklist for your next tailgating, camping or other offsite, outdoor barbecue party.
By:
Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer
Find the perfect portable grill for your needs with our extensive reviews and ratings These cookers are perfect for balconies, tailgating, camping, and more.
By:
Dave Joachim, AmazingRibs.com Editorial Director
Tailgating is kind of like car camping, but it's a party! Check out this list of cool tailgate gear you may not have thought of--beyond the grill and the food. Once you bring a wireless speaker to your tailgate party, you'll wonder how you ever got by without it!
By:
Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer
So you're cooking for a crowd. How much food do you need? Here's how to plan for a party or special occasion, including some basic rules of thumb and tips on how to handle dietary restrictions, how to prep ahead, and how to calculate the right amount of food so no one goes hungry.
By:
Clint Cantwell, AmazingRibs.com President And BBQ Personality
Add a delicious smokiness to your favorite party dip with this recipe for grilled guacamole. Grilled avocados, limes, and onion are the key.
By:
Dave Joachim, AmazingRibs.com Editorial Director
Grill roast some peppers, puree them with aromatics, and boom! You have salsa verde, a.k.a. green enchilada sauce. This staple of Mexican cuisine is simple to make and extremely versatile. Make this recipe, then use it on enchiladas, carne asada tacos, or with your morning eggs.
By:
Big Jim Maivald, Former AmazingRibs.com CTO
This smokey salsa verde recipe puts the boring store bought stuff to shame thanks to the depth of flavor created by charring the ingredients.
By:
Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer
Skip the store bought salsa and opt for these two flavorful home made Mexican salsas: Pico de Gallo and a Grilled Salsa Roja. Known in the US as tomato salsa, salsa roja is an important building block in Mexican cuisine. Fresh quality ingredients are essential, especially fresh tomatoes, when making salsa at home.
By:
Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer
Bratwurst are the signature food of Wisconsin and here's the recipe for creating perfect Touchdown Tailgate Brats simmered in beer and then grilled. The beauty of this recipe is that you can make the sauce at home, chill everything, and then finish the brats at the game during your next tailgating adventure.
These cheese and jalapeno stuffed, bacon-wrapped sausage appetizers are perfect for tailgating, backyard cookouts, and more.
By:
Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer
Grilling Buffalo wings may sound like blasphemy but the results from this non-deep fried twist are simply amazing. By cooking this All-American Classic on the grill, you avoid the deep frying mess while also adding a deep, smoky flavor. The Buffalo wings start with indirect smoke before being crisped over direct heat.
By:
Clint Cantwell, AmazingRibs.com President And BBQ Personality
There is something magical about the merger of sweet and salty in this recipe for pecan praline-crusted thick-cut bacon.
By:
Clint Cantwell, AmazingRibs.com President And BBQ Personality
We'll bet you can't stop at just one of these tasty smoked bacon-wrapped meatballs, a.k.a MOINK balls. This recipe is the perfect appetizer for any tailgating, couchgating, or backyard bash. The best part is that they are as easy to make as they are to eat!
By:
Clint Cantwell, AmazingRibs.com President And BBQ Personality
Appetizers don't get much simpler than this five-ingredient recipe for smoked bacon-wrapped wings with Sriracha ranch dipping sauce.
By:
Clint Cantwell, AmazingRibs.com President And BBQ Personality
Yes, Buffalo sauce tastes great on hot wings, but try some Asian flavors on your chicken wings with the deep, savory flavors of miso, sesame oil, and wood smoke. This recipe leans heavily on miso paste, a traditional Japanese ingredient rich in umami, the rich meaty savory flavor.
By:
Clint Cantwell, AmazingRibs.com President And BBQ Personality
As easy to make as they are delicious, these smoked bacon-wrapped kielbasa bites (a.k.a. pig balls) are the perfect appetizer for any event.
By:
Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer
Cocktail Wienies are great fun for parties. Here's a classic Southern recipe that's quick and easy. Taught to Sandra Aylor by her mother, this recipe has been made by family members at countless parties or pot lucks. Serve them in the slow cooker so they stay warm and guests eat them with a toothpick.
By:
Clint Cantwell, AmazingRibs.com President And BBQ Personality
If you're searching for the perfect appetizer then you're sure to love this tested recipe for grilled jalapeno poppers. Known in certain BBQ circles as ABTs, these cheese-stuffed, bacon-wrapped jalapenos are certain to disappear as soon as you serve them.
By:
Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer
The saltiness of bacon is a perfect foil and contrast to sweetness. Here are a variety of methods for creating mouthwatering candied bacon, including brown sugar bacon, toffee bacon, and chocolate bacon. There are several ways to put the concept to work, and of course it is best with homemade bacon.
By:
Clint Cantwell, AmazingRibs.com President And BBQ Personality
This simple smoked pork rib tips recipe makes the perfect snack, appetizer, or main course. The rib tip (a.k.a. brisket, costal cartilage, or break) is the triangular, cartilage-dotted slab of meat attached to the lower end of the sparerib. Seasoned with BBQ rub then slow smoked on the grill, these bites are a surefire hit.
By:
Clint Cantwell, AmazingRibs.com President And BBQ Personality
Stuffed with cheese then wrapped in bacon, this grilled hot dog recipe is a sure fire hit at any backyard bash. Inspired by Chicago's famed francheesie, our recipe skips the traditional deep frying in favor of the grill for a crisp bacon shell and deep smoky flavor.
By:
Clint Cantwell, AmazingRibs.com President And BBQ Personality
Experience a flavor explosion with this recipe for a sweet and spicy jalapeno bacon cheeseburger. A perfectly grilled burger patty is topped with sharp cheddar cheese, pickled jalapenos, crispy fried onions, thick cut bacon, and homemade balsamic ketchup. Layer it all on a pillowy pretzel bun for pure burger nirvana.
By:
Chef Stef, AmazingRibs.com Recipe Developer
Sous vide and live fire grilling come together in this delicious twist on tacos featuring sous-vide-que flank steak.
By:
Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer
If you are a fan of The Bear, a hit FX On Hulu series featuring Jeremy Allen White as a classically trained chef who takes over his family restaurant, The Original Beef of Chicagoland, then this recipe for classic Italian beef sandwiches is for you.
By:
Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer
This easy pulled pork recipe skips the slow cooker to create authentic low-and-slow smoked pulled pork on a smoker or grill. With smoke woven through the moist meat, bits of seasoned crust, and a gentle splash of BBQ sauce, pulled pork is perfect for your next backyard cookout.
By:
Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer
Behold the best smoked brisket recipe ever! Texas style brisket is more than a recipe, it is a concept and a goal. It all begins by selecting the right meat, trimming it, seasoning it, smoking it, slicing it, and more. Follow this easy BBQ brisket guide for mouthwatering results!
By:
Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer
Mastering smoked BBQ ribs -- whether they are St. Louis style ribs, spare ribs, or baby back ribs -- with our comprehensive tutorial and recipe will make you a backyard all star.
By:
Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer
The classic Bloody Mary is taken to new smoky height thanks to a BBQ twist. Smoked ice, BBQ sauce, dry rub seasoning, and bacon are the cornerstone of this smoked Bloody Mary recipe. You'll never see this classic Sunday brunch cocktail the same way again once you take the first sip.
By:
Clint Cantwell, AmazingRibs.com President And BBQ Personality
Grilling and chilling is the secret to the most delicious margarita you've ever tasted! The classic frozen margarita gets a smoky blast in this recipe for Grilled Lime Margaritas featuring limes that have been charred on the grill. Juice the limes and combine with tequila, triple sec, sugar, and ice then blend well.
By:
Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer
From classic New York dogs to Chicago dogs to Cincinnati dogs and more, try our best hot dog recipes!
By:
Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer
Whether you prefer big fat juicy steakburgers, thin crispy smashburgers, or something in between, we've got the recipes and techniques for you!
By:
Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer
We need to change the way we think of sausages. Yes, most are tubes of seasoned and flavored ground meats and veggies in a casing, but many are patties. So if you broaden your horizons, this section gives you a lot of freedom. Take these recipes and have fun.
By:
Meathead, AmazingRibs.com Founder And BBQ Hall of Famer
Nothing brings the kids running faster than the aroma of brownies or a fruit-filled pie baking. Dessert maybe the last course but it's the one course that everyone looks forward to. How do you make dessert on a grill? We've got just the right recipes to put a crown on a great meal.
High quality websites are expensive to run. If you help us, we’ll pay you back bigtime with an ad-free experience and a lot of freebies!
Millions come to AmazingRibs.com every month for high quality tested recipes, tips on technique, science, mythbusting, product reviews, and inspiration. But it is expensive to run a website with more than 2,000 pages and we don’t have a big corporate partner to subsidize us.
Our most important source of sustenance is people who join our Pitmaster Club. But please don’t think of it as a donation. Members get MANY great benefits. We block all third-party ads, we give members free ebooks, magazines, interviews, webinars, more recipes, a monthly sweepstakes with prizes worth up to $2,000, discounts on products, and best of all a community of like-minded cooks free of flame wars. Click below to see all the benefits, take a free 30 day trial, and help keep this site alive.
Post comments and questions below
1) Please try the search box at the top of every page before you ask for help.
2) Try to post your question to the appropriate page.
3) Tell us everything we need to know to help such as the type of cooker and thermometer. Dial thermometers are often off by as much as 50°F so if you are not using a good digital thermometer we probably can’t help you with time and temp questions. Please read this article about thermometers.
4) If you are a member of the Pitmaster Club, your comments login is probably different.
5) Posts with links in them may not appear immediately.
Moderators