21 Best Tailgate Grilling Recipes for Game Day

You want game day to be full of flavor without spending the whole afternoon in the kitchen, and grilling is the ultimate way to make it happen. This collection gives you 21 recipes that are packed with bold, smoky, and irresistible tastes perfect for sharing with friends. You’ll find everything from quick bites to hearty mains, all designed to keep the focus on the game while still serving up serious crowd-pleasers.

Smash Burgers on the Grill

Smash Burgers on the Grill are super crispy burgers, made of ground chuck or butcher’s trio, that have been “smashed” on the grill to form those crispy edges we all love. Get the recipe

The Best Smoked Mac and Cheese

This Smoked Mac and Cheese is loaded with cheese and incredibly creamy, but with a signature smoked flavor that makes it absolutely irresistible. Get the recipe

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

This Grilled Teriyaki Chicken recipe highlights tender boneless thighs marinated in a delectable homemade teriyaki sauce that is grilled to perfection. Get the recipe

Grilled Stuffed Chorizo Burgers

Get ready to enjoy Grilled Stuffed Chorizo Burgers, a delicious twist on the classic burger. These burgers are filled with spicy chorizo and melted cheese, offering a flavorful and satisfying meal. Perfect for a barbecue or a simple weeknight dinner, they bring a unique taste to your table. Get the recipe

Classic Mexican Street Corn

A classic Grilled Mexican Street Corn or Elote is charred on the grill, then slathered in mayo, and topped with tangy Cotija cheese, chili powder and cilantro. It’s like corn on the cob packed with joy and happiness. Get the recipe

Simple Grilled Brats

As we usher in the warm weather, it’s time to break out the BBQ and prep for those delightful cookouts. And there’s one dish that’s bound to be a hit among both family and friends: Grilled Brats. Get the recipe

Smoked Jalapeno Poppers

Combining the smoky essence of the grill with a creamy, cheesy filling and a touch of heat from the jalapeños, these Smoked Jalapeno Poppers will leave you craving more. The delicious blend of textures and flavors makes this dish an irresistible crowd-pleaser. Get the recipe

Best Brisket Buns

These delicious BBQ Brisket Buns are the perfect meal to make after you’ve spend hours smoking a brisket on the smoker. The intense smoked flavor of the tender, fatty meat makes the perfect sandwich. Get the recipe

Smoked Baked Beans

Baked beans are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s an impromptu cookout, a backyard party or a casual family dinner. This Smoked Baked Beans Recipe will add a whole new level of flavor and complexity to your meal that you can’t achieve with traditional baking methods. Get the recipe

Grilled Chicken Drumsticks

Grilled Chicken Drumsticks are a classic and delicious dish that can be made on the grill all year round for that delicious smoky flavor that only the grill can impart. Get the recipe

BBQ Chicken Macaroni Salad

This BBQ Chicken Macaroni Salad is a great twist on a classic that combines tender macaroni with a medley of vegetables, tender chicken, and a tangy BBQ sauce and mayonnaise-based dressing. Get the recipe

Smoked Shotgun Shells

Smoked Shotgun Shells are the perfect BBQ treat, featuring manicotti tubes stuffed with a savory mixture of ground beef and cheese, wrapped in crispy bacon, and glazed with BBQ sauce. Get the recipe

Whiskey Glazed BBQ Burger

Elevate your BBQ game to legendary status with the Whiskey Glazed BBQ Burger, a masterpiece that melds the hearty soulfulness of a classic American burger with the rich, nuanced notes of whiskey. Get the recipe

Grilled Shrimp on a Skewer

Grilled Shrimp on a Skewer is a great dish for any outside gathering. The shrimp is marinated in a zesty blend of olive oil and lime juice, infused with aromatic spices, and then grilled to perfection. Get the recipe

3-2-1 Rib Recipe

Are you a barbecue enthusiast who’s constantly seeking the perfect rib recipe? I think you might have finally found it! The 3 2 1 rib recipe method is one of the best ways to get lip-smacking, fall-off-the-bone tender ribs that will have you convinced this is the method to rule them all. Get the recipe

Cajun Dry Rub Chicken Wings

These delicious Cajun Dry Rub Chicken Wings are seasoned with a spicy and flavorful Cajun seasoning then cooked to perfection. They’re so crispy and delicious, you won’t be able to stop eating them. Get the recipe

Smoked Pig Shots

These Smoked Pig Shots make an excellent appetizer when you’re outside smoking some meat for a BBQ. They are sausages, wrapped in bacon and stuffed with cream cheese and green chilis. Get the recipe

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick

Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick is little scrumptious morsels of juicy chicken coated in a thick and tasty teriyaki sauce and grilled to perfection with a little bit of char and crunch for texture. Get the recipe

Easy Smores Bars

This delicious Smores Bars Recipe is a perfect way to enjoy the classic campfire treat. The gooey and sweet dessert features a crunchy graham cracker base and a rich chocolate topping made from melted chocolate chips and marshmallows. Get the recipe

Pellet Grill Pizza

Have you ever considered taking your pizza game to the next level by smoking it? Pellet Grill pizza is a unique, mouthwatering twist to traditional pizza-making methods, where you smoke the pizza on a pellet grill or wood smoker to infuse the pie with a smoky, wood-fired flavor that’s hard to resist. Get the recipe

Smoked Armadillo Eggs

These Smoked Armadillo Eggs are jalapeno poppers with a creamy, cheesy center, encased in sausage meat, then rolled in bacon and smoked to soak up all that classic wood flavor. Get the recipe