It's game time! These tailgate grilling ideas go beyond burgers and brats to take your pregame festivities to the next level.
37 Tailgate Grilling Ideas For a Sizzling Game-Day Feast
Updated on Sep. 19, 2024
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Barbecue Burger
I can’t take all the credit for these winning burgers. My husband’s uncle passed down the special barbecue sauce recipe. We love it on everything…it was only natural to try it on, and in, burgers. Add cheese and bacon to take them over the top. —Rhoda Troyer, Glenford, Ohio
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Grilled Brats with Sriracha Mayo
I am a Sriracha fanatic, so that’s what inspired this dish. You can boil the brats in your favorite beer to reduce the fat and give them flavor before grilling, or spread garlic butter on lightly toasted buns. —Quincie Ball, Olympia, Washington
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Grilled Firecracker Potato Salad
I can eat potato salad like crazy. A little spice is nice, so I use cayenne and paprika in this grilled salad that comes with its own fireworks. —Ashley Armstrong, Kingsland, Georgia
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Grilled Vegetable Platter
This recipe is the best of summer in one dish! These pretty veggies are perfect for entertaining. Grilling brings out their natural sweetness, and the easy marinade really perks up the flavor. —Heidi Hall, North St. Paul, Minnesota
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Cookout Caramel S’mores
Easy delectable treats make a playful finish to an informal meal. Toasting the marshmallows extends our after-dinner time together, giving us something fun to do as a family. —Martha Haseman, Hinckley, Illinois
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Grilled Red Pepper Dip
We grill peppers with rosemary and garlic, then blend them with sun-dried tomatoes for a creamy spread to pass with pita chips. —Donna Alwine, Bloomington, Indiana
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Beer Can Chicken
Elevate your grilling game with a beer can chicken recipe. All you need is dried seasonings and a can of your favorite beer to make the most flavorful and moist chicken your grill has ever seen.
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Herb & Cheese-Stuffed Burgers
Tired of the same old ground beef recipes? This quick-fix burger alternative, with its creamy cheese filling, will wake up your taste buds. —Sherri Cox, Lucasville, Ohio
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Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
Bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers are a big hit at any gathering, so be sure to make lots. The caramelized sugar coating of this sweet and spicy take on the classic finger food balances their heat, so even guests with timid palates can enjoy them.
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Terrific Teriyaki Burgers
Golden flecks of pineapple give these burgers a touch of sweetness, while the ginger root adds some spice. Ground chicken works well in this recipe, too. —Margaret Wilson, Hemet, California
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Smoky Grilled Corn Salsa
Our backyard grill is the perfect place to cook up the ingredients for homemade corn salsa. It’s yummy with tortilla chips and as a topping for meat, poultry and fish. —Alicia DeWolfe, Gloucester, Massachusetts
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Hawaiian Burger
I love hamburgers and tropical fruit, so it just seemed natural for me to combine them. My family frequently requests this unique Hawaiian pineapple burger recipe. It’s a nice change of pace! —Joi McKim-Jones, Waikoloa, Hawaii
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Barbecue Chicken
Juicy, saucy barbecue chicken is a highlight of any grilling season. Cut up whole chickens for the best quality pieces, and add a homemade tangy barbecue sauce that's impossible to resist.
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Maryland Corn Pops
Fresh-picked sweet corn is a big thing in Maryland. Here’s my homespun version of Mexican street corn that brings in local bay flavors. —Kristie Schley, Severna Park, Maryland
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Burgers with Spicy Dill Salsa
When I make burgers or hot dogs for boating or barbecues, I do a take-along topping that tastes like relish meets salsa. Pile it on anything! —Valonda Seward, Coarsegold, California
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Tacos on a Stick
Kids like assembling these creative kabobs almost as much as they like devouring them. The whole family is sure to love the sensational southwestern flavor of this twist on the classic beef shish kabobs. —Dixie Terry, Goreville, Illinois
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Kathy's Herbed Corn
My husband and I agreed that the original recipe for this corn needed a little jazzing up, so I added the thyme and cayenne pepper to suit our tastes. Now fresh summer corn makes a regular appearance on our grill. —Kathy VonKorff, North College Hill, Ohio
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Jersey-Style Hot Dogs
I grew up in northern New Jersey, where hot dogs with grilled potatoes were born. It's a combo you’ll love. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey
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Cake & Berry Campfire Cobbler
This warm Dutch oven cobbler is one of our favorite ways to end a busy day of fishing, hiking, swimming or rafting. It's yummy with ice cream—and so easy to make! —June Dress, Boise, Idaho
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Cola Hot Wings
These delectable wings are so easy to make, and they offer year-round versatility, from summer cookouts to autumn tailgates. My husband likes them so much he'll stand out in the snow to grill them! —Lisa Linville, Randolph, Nebraska
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Honey-Mustard Brats
Our honey mustard glaze gives every bite of these brats a sweet and punchy flavor. Everyone who tries them agrees they're delicious. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
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Garden Vegetable Pasta Salad
My family has been fixing grilled mixed vegetables as a side dish for a long time. To make them more substantial, I added pasta. Then, to give the salad a Mediterranean flair, I tossed in some olives and feta cheese. —Tina Repak Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
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Italian Sausage Sandwich
For a casual but hearty meal, try these saucy subs created by our Test Kitchen. Full of traditional Italian flavor, these sandwiches are a snap to make.
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Grilled Corn Medley
Who knew a store-bought dressing could add so much flavor? This medley tastes delightful with garden-fresh veggies. Feel free to sub in your favorites and let the grill and the dressing do the rest! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Grilled Cheese Loaf
I often serve buttery grilled bread with steak and a salad. It's so quick to make, and it's also easy to add to whatever else you have on the grill. —Debbi Baker, Green Springs, Ohio
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Spicy Grilled Eggplant
This side dish goes well with any meat you might also be grilling. Thanks to the Cajun seasoning, the zesty eggplant gets more attention than an ordinary veggie. —Greg Fontenot, The Woodlands, Texas
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Mexican Hot Dogs
My stepmom was born in Mexico and introduced us to hot dogs with avocado and bacon. We were instantly hooked. Now our whole family makes them. —Amanda Brandenburg, Hamilton, Ohio
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Grilled Pizza Bread
These fun French bread pizzas are great picnic fare for both kids and adults. Tasty on the grill, they can just as easily be baked in the oven. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
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Honey Thyme Grilled Chicken
For grilling chicken, I wanted a marinade different from barbecue sauce, so I pulled out some honey and thyme. If you have time, let the chicken marinate awhile to boost flavor. —Noel Bigelow, Alexandria, Virginia
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Mediterranean Meatball Sandwiches
I grow onions, garlic and herbs, so that’s what I use in these saucy sandwiches. Make patties or form the ground beef into meatballs instead. —Alysha Braun, St. Catharines, Ontario
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Banana Butter Pecan Kabobs
Desserts with bananas remind me of Grandma. She and my mom taught me to cook. I rarely measure. For this dish, I set out pecans and butterscotch with kabobs so everyone can customize. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, Colorado
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Bacon Cheeseburger
Where can you get a juicy burger that is so superior to drive-thru fare? Right in your backyard with this delicious bacon cheeseburger recipe. —Jackie Burns, Silverdale, Washington
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Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs
Here’s a satisfying meal-in-a-bun I take to tailgate parties, cookouts, picnics and more. To transport the stuffed hot dogs, they are wrapped in foil first, then in paper. —Peter Halferty, Corpus Christi, TX
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Grilled Chicken Wings
These simple grilled chicken wings are like a blank canvas ready to dress with your favorite sauce. —Taste of Home Test Kitchens
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Tailgate Sausages
You’ll need just a handful of ingredients to fix these tasty sandwiches. Fully cooked sausages are placed in buns with cheese and topped with giardiniera, then wrapped in foil so they’re easy to transport and a breeze to grill. —Matthew Hass, Ellison Bay, Wisconsin
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Taco Burgers
My family loves the taste of tacos, but I dislike the mess! So I developed these burgers as a tasty but tidy alternative.—Linda Logan, Warren, OhioTailgate Grilling FAQ
What’s the best grill for a tailgate?
Lugging a grill to the game may sound like a chore, but the best tabletop grills are lightweight and designed to be portable. Look for a portable propane grill that’s easy to clean and pack up. Make sure it has plenty of grilling space to cook several portions at once.
How can you prep tailgate grill food in advance?
Prepping tailgate food ahead of time is the secret to a seamless, no-fuss tailgating experience. Wash and chop any toppings ahead of time and store them in individual containers. You can also shape burger patties or use your favorite marinade recipes to season your meat the day before the big game. If you plan on serving meats with long cooking times (like smoked brisket or smoked pork butt), cook them ahead. Pack the smoked meat into a covered disposable foil pan, and warm it on the grill when you get to the parking lot.
What are the best tailgate grilling ideas for large groups?
If you’re tailgating with a big group, look for recipes that are easy to prep ahead and scale to the amount you need. When feeding a group, we also love recipes that can be easily customized with toppings to suit everyone’s taste preferences. Make sure to bring along all the standard fixings, like ketchup, mustard, onions and pickles. Then, throw in a few unique burger toppings for the adventurous eaters at your tailgate.
The big benefit of tailgating in a group is that everyone can divide and conquer. Let a few people tackle the main dishes while others divvy up the sides, tailgate appetizers and desserts. Have everyone bring their own beverage cooler, and you’ll be ready to party!
