20 Grill-Ready Tailgate Recipes for Easy Game Day Meals

Football season is back, baby! Whether you’re a college or NFL fan, chances are you’re planning to tailgate this season. For us, that means the meal revolves around the grill and all the smokey, charred flavor it imparts to whatever we throw on it. If plain old burgers and dogs just aren’t going to cut it this tailgate season, try some of these easy and delicious grill recipes perfect for a game day cookout.

Move over, boring burgers, and try this pork version instead. The meat is flavored with jerk seasoning, then topped with grilled pineapple rings, onions, and pepperjack cheese.

Recipe Kingsford

Fajitas are the perfect grilled meal, and it’s fun because everyone can make their own tacos with the meat, grilled veggies, and toppings. The skirt steak marinade includes soy sauce, lime juice, and cumin for rich flavor.

Recipe Serious Eats

Yes, you can make dessert on the grill! Put the blueberries (or any mix of berries you want) in a grill-safe pan, and top it with the crunchy biscotti topping. Pop it in the fridge until you’re ready to throw it on the grill.

Recipe Barbecue Bible

Grilled vegetables are a wonderful and healthy tailgate addition. Just cut them and make the simple balsamic vinaigrette before the party, and grill when everyone’s hanging out. It’s great because they're just as good at room temperature.

Recipe Food Network

Wisconsinites know their brats. Marinade them in beer and onions, then simmer it all on the grill in a cast iron skillet or disposable aluminum pan. Move the brats to the grill when you want to eat to give them a nice char.

Recipe Plays Well With Butter

Baking cornbread in a skillet on the grill gives it an amazing smoky flavor and crisp crust. Just mix and package the dry and wet ingredients separately, then combine them when it’s time to grill. The honey butter sauce (with a little bourbon for good measure!) can’t be missed.

Recipe Kingsford

Kabobs are great tailgate fare, and you can flavor them however you like. These Greek-style chicken skewers are marinated with lemon, garlic, and oregano, and go great with tzatziki on the side.

Recipe Ambitious Kitchen

(Find more delicious Greek recipes here.)

The most time-consuming part of these bacon-wrapped grilled poppers is assembling them, but you can do that up to a day before you want to grill them. Once they’re hot and gooey, everyone will love them.

Recipe Spend With Pennies

If you’re planning a nice long and leisurely tailgate, beer can chicken is a great protein to make. You rub the whole chicken with a homemade spice mixture, then cook it slowly upright on an open beer can. It always comes out juicy and tender.

Recipe AllRecipes

Grilled peaches are a simple late-summer pleasure. Cook them over high heat so they get lovely grill marks, and then top them with a simple cinnamon-sugar butter that melts all over the fruit.

Recipe Food Network

Why not make nachos on the grill? These are topped with grilled and chopped skirt steak, canned beans, plenty of cheese, and an avocado-studded salsa. Use a wide, flat grill pan with holes, or a sheet pan if you don’t have one.

Recipe Weber

You’ll be tailgating in style if you grill your drinks! This simple mojito recipe is made with limes that have been halved, dipped in sugar, and grilled for a unique flavor. If you prefer a different drink with lemon or lime, try it with grilled fruit instead and see what happens.

Recipe Barbecue Bible

For tender and crispy grilled wings, cook them over indirect heat on your grill until they’re cooked through, then move them to the hot side to char them. These wings get a coating in a spicy, bright red Korean-inspired sauce before they’re crisped up.

Recipe Kingsford

Can you imagine a grilled shrimp boil at a Southern team’s tailgate? Just give the ingredients, including sausage, shrimp, potatoes, and corn, some quick grill marks. Then move it all to a disposable aluminum pan along with butter and seasonings to bubble away.

Recipe Ahead of Thyme

Making your own elote is easy and perfect for tailgates. Grill your corn on the cob, smear it with a Mexican crema, mayo, and garlic mixture, and then coat it in crumbled cotija cheese. Everyone can add their own lime and chili powder to their own taste.

Recipe Averie Cooks

Use your grill as an oven to make crispy-skinned baked potatoes. Set out all kinds of toppings and let everyone make their own loaded potato. It’s a great way to satisfy a lot of picky eaters.

Recipe Girls Can Grill

You can’t have a football party without buffalo chicken dip, and yes, you can absolutely make it on the grill. You can either mix it all up ahead of time and just pop the pan on the grill, or soften the cream cheese on the grill, then mix it up with the hot sauce, chicken, and cheese.

Recipe Weber

Pineapple is the perfect fruit for grilling. Gussy it up a little into a full-on dessert by adding some dollops of mascarpone cheese and a generous drizzle of chocolatey Nutella.

Recipe Food Network

(Find more delicious, out-of-the-ordinary grilling recipes here.)

Grilled portobello mushrooms and mild poblano peppers make for a substantial Mexican sandwich. Make the avocado and sour cream spreads ahead of time, and then just assemble the sandwiches once the veggies are grilled.

Recipe Kingsford

Everyone will love these bacon-wrapped hot dogs, from kids to adults. This recipe includes a relish made with grilled bacon, corn, and peppers, but you can skip it for your favorite hot dog condiments instead if you prefer.

Recipe Kingsford

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