On any given Sunday in January, tens of millions of people watch football games from their couch. And each year in February, over 100 million people gather in front of their televisions to watch the biggest winner-take-all showdown in US sports — the Super Bowl.
Some are there to root on their favorite team; some to boo a long-hated rival; and some to simply catch the commercials. Regardless of why you are tuning in to watch football, it’s the food that will really make game day special. So why not give the food stadium a shot.
If, however, you don’t want to commit the time and resources necessary to make your own, there are several pre-fabricated stadiums on the market, including this one from Amazon.
What to cook for couchgating
With the structure in place, you only need to fill it with an array of your favorite grilled and smoked foods. We recommend food that doesn’t need a knife and fork, and the best choices can be eaten with one hand so the other is free to hold the beer. To get you started on the ultimate game day menu, here are a few of our tried-and-true football food stadium recipes. Don’t forget plenty of napkins.
This recipe for grill roasted nuts is an instant party pleaser. A splash of Worcestershire, black pepper, garlic, cumin, and hot sauce give these nuts a bold, beefy flavor. Serve them at any tailgating party or backyard BBQ and grilling party. You can also roasted these in the oven if you don't have a grill.
Fans of Thai satay with peanut dipping sauce are sure to love this recipe for grill roasted satay peanuts. Serve them straight, mixed with dried fruit, or sprinkled as garnish on your favorite dishes. If you don't have a smoker or grill you can make most of these recipes just fine in your indoor oven.
Candied pecans are always a hit as a snack and this recipe takes them over the top by roasting them on the grill. Serve them straight, mixed with dried fruit, or sprinkled as garnish on your favorite dishes. If you don't have a smoker or grill you can make most of these recipes just fine in your indoor oven.
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.
Fresh tomatoes, scallions, jalapeno, and cilantro are the cornerstones of our addictively delicious recipe for homemade pico de gallo. Add a touch of brightness to tacos, quesadillas, and other Mexican dishes; a bold bite to scrambled eggs and omelets; a vibrant twist to salsa and chips; and so much more.
In the South, you cannot have a social gathering without Pimento Cheese sandwiches. You can buy it in plastic tubs at the grocery, but it is exponentially better when you make it yourself thanks to this tested recipe. It's also rather simple, comprised primarily of pimentos, mayonnaise, and grated cheddar cheese.
Pimento cheese is a canvas. A springboard for creativity. Shredded cheddar, mayo, and chopped pimentos are just the start. From there, the sky's the limit. I love this smoky take on the classic, and it's not heresy. Many Southerners "doctor" the original recipe to show their creativity and one up their neighbors.
If you're a fan of store bought Boursin cheese spread, then you'll love this homemade version for a fraction of the cost! It's great as a spread on a crusty baguette or on crackers or stuffed into jalapeรฑo poppers. It is also wonderful as a sauce dolloped on a hot steak, asparagus, or in mashed potatoes.
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!
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.
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.
Here's the ultimate grab-and-go appetizer. Pork tenderloin is cut into medallions that are then skewered with lollipop sticks before being grilled and served with a soy-ginger dipping sauce.
This simple smoked 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.
When done right, smoked brisket burnt ends are the perfect bite. Find out how to make your own with this tested recipe featuring the point muscle of the brisket.
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.
A cheesy appetizer with a kick, this easy grilled jalapeรฑo popper recipe is sure to please, and the smoked version is better than the fried version. This appetizer is a big hit with people who like a little bit of heat in their food, but you can remove most of the heat to accommodate wimps if you wish.
Create a grilled bacon wrapped stuffed shrimp appetizer with only five ingredients thanks to this award winning recipe courtesy of pitmaster Melissa Cookston. Cookston won the 2012 Kingsford Invitational by taking first place in five categories including this delicious bacon wrapped stuffed shrimp recipe.
If you have some leftover pulled pork, here's a creative recipe that lets you enjoy it again in a different way: in spicy, savory pulled pork egg rolls.
Satay is a tasty appetizer made all across Asia. It probably originated in Indonesia or Java but can be found in being cooked by street vendors and upscale restaurantsย in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and even China, Japan, and most Thai restaurants in the US
Why fry inside? Your outdoor grill handles the job better and makes incomparable fried pickles. Coated in a light and airy tempura batter, this delicious fried pickle recipe is a novel appetizer for your next cookout. Be prepared to make multiple batches, as everyone will be clamoring for more.
If youโre a fan of sweet potato fries then youโll do backflips over this grill fried recipe featuring perfectly deep fried sweet potato sticks coated with smoked honey and garnished with deep fried sage. Even better, deep frying is done on the grill, doing away with the mess and lingering odor of deep frying indoors.
Dive into a bowl of red or the the chili dog of your dreams with this recipe for an amazing all-purpose chili and chili sauce. Packed with flavor, you'll be cooking up this chili for classic Coney dogs, chili cheese fries, or just a bowl full, Cinci style. Add some BBQ sauce and you'll even have sloppy joes!
Create the ultimate bowl of chili with this recipe for Texas-style chili con carne. Starting on the grill for a touch of BBQ flavor, this chili recipe is built from numerous layers of flavor, including such unexpected additions as chocolate and tortilla chips to create mouthwatering results.
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.
Italian sausage has never tasted better than when it is freshly made by hand. This homemade Italian sausage recipe features coarsely ground pork sausage in natural pork casing, with a distinctive flavor from fennel seed and other herbs and spices. Try it on pizza, in sandwiches, in pasta sauce, and so much more.
Store bought chicken sausage has nothing on this flavorful homemade version featuring our signature Simon and Garfunkel rub. This recipe makes a fine link, but it can also be crumbled and mixed in with a creamy pasta sauce, used as the topping on a white pizza, and made into meatballs for chicken soup.
Philly cheesesteak lovers rejoice! Here's a recipe to make them at home. And the best part? They are griddle grilled, meaning the mess and smell remain outdoors.
If you are a fan of authentic Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, there is no reason to travel to the city of brotherly love thanks to this delicious recipe.
If you are a fan ofย 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.
The Flat Top King fires up the griddle for these delicious smashed meatball sliders featuring a delicious blend of meats, topped with cheese, marinara, and fresh basil on slider buns.
A specialty of Santa Maria in California, this recipe for grilled tri-tip steak is sure to impress your guests. Tri-tip is a crescent-shaped muscle from the bottom sirloin just in front of the hip. It has a big beefy flavor, and it is very lean, so it must be sliced against the grain to ensure it is tender.
Here's everything you need to know to make the best thick juicy crispy steakburger hamburger you ever tasted. This reverse seared steakhouse burger recipe produces perfectly cooked burgers with rich steak flavors, a wonderful smoky undertone, perfectly seasoned interior, and enough juice to soak the bun.
Create the skinny, crispy edged burgers that you love at diners with this simple recipe for the Wimpy burger. Infinitely better than any mass produced quarter pounder, these homemade diner-style burgers are small disks, 4 ounces or less, pressed flat and cooked on a griddle to maximize the flavor and crispness.
When it comes to great burger recipes, this is the best of the 'wurst featuring a grilled bratwurst patty, charred peppers and onions, and a rich and creamy beer cheese sauce all served on a pretzel bun. Why decide between a bratwurst and a burger when you can have both in this mouthwatering brat burger recipe.
Sweet and savory homemade bacon jam is the star of the show in this delicious burger recipe. If youโve never had bacon jam, get ready for sweet and savory flavor bliss. This ultimate grilled bacon cheeseburger features a rich and flavorful bacon jam spiked with bourbon, a juicy reverse seared patty, and Swiss cheese.
In Detroit hot dogs are Coneys and hot dog stands are Coney Islands and we've got the recipe for creating them yourself at home. Move beyond boring hot dogs at your next cookout with these flavor packed variation featuring a chili sauce made with beef hearts. And they're very good!
As anyone who has had a classic New York hot dog then you know that there are few things better than the simple combination of mustard, sauerkraut, and Sabrett's onion sauce. Here's the recipe you need to make your own onion sauce for a bite of the Big Apple.
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.
The sloppy joe gets a delicious makeover in this tested recipe for a smoky sloppy joe. By starting the meat on the grill, this classic sandwich takes on a deep smoky flavor. Taking it one step further, the recipe is amplified by sautรฉing the meat and vegetables in bacon fat then blending with bacon and BBQ sauce.
Barbecue spaghetti is a signature Memphis dish that you're not likely to find anywhere else. Our recipe is simple to make and a great way to incorporate extra pulled pork into a delightful side dish or even a full meal.
Pork shoulder is slowly simmered in a copper pot to create deliciously addictive, authentic carnitas! Sterling "Big Poppa" Ball shows you how in this recipe!
Make mouthwatering taquitos at home with this recipe from Sterling "Big Poppa" Ball that utilizes leftovers from his authentic copper pot carnitas recipe!
This mouthwatering grilled shrimp boil recipe is an effortless family style feast for your backyard cookout. Thereโs something truly engaging about diving into a steaming hot peel-and-eat shrimp boil, fingers dripping with spicy juices as you devour the tender shrimp, potatoes, sausage, and corn, all done on the grill.
Learn how to cook a whole hog the way the pros do it. Our whole hog or suckling pig smoking guide discusses everything from shopping to prepping and serving in our extensive whole hog recipe.
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.
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!
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.
Here's the only smoked beef rib recipe you'll ever need! The key to successfully replicating this Texas BBQ classic is cooking them low and slow over live fire with just the perfect touch of smoke.
Just when you thought spare ribs couldn't get any better! The secret to this bacon wrapped spare ribs recipe is wrapping each rib in bacon. Rub, smoke, and glaze, and they're done! This simple but ridiculously awesome combo is easy to pull off and is certain to wow your guests.
Korean Galbi (Kalbi) is delicious beef rib meat sliced thin, marinated, and grilled right at the table at most Korean BBQ restaurants. Here is a tested recipe. Wonderful and fun!
Perfectly flavored and smoked until tender, these Chinese five spice riblets are a sure fire hit for dinner or a mouthwatering party appetizer. In the recipe, the ribs are marinated and grilled but they can also be cooked in the deep fryer for extra crunch.
Why wait for the McRib to return when you've got an amazing rib sandwich recipe? Learn more about the fabled McRib sandwich while creating one that takes it over the top. Ribs are smoked to perfection before the meat joins homemade pickles, caramelized onions, and custom BBQ sauce on a buttery brioche bun.
In Binghamton NY they make spiedies rather than kebabs, and for good reason. They're better. Typically they are marinated and grilled hunks of lamb or beef. These spiedies are not cooked on skewers, but grilled with onions and peppers. Served rare to medium, the marinade flavor is almost as strong as the meat flavor.
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High quality websites are expensive to run. If you help us, weโll 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 donโt have a big corporate partner to subsidize us.
Our most important source of sustenance is people who join our Pitmaster Club. But please donโt 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.
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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 50ยฐF 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.
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