Tailgating Menus - Cooking Light

Kate Powers

Feed the Crowd

Football season is here again, and with it comes one of our favorite food experiences: tailgating. We've put together four great menus to satisfy any hungry group of sports (or grill) fans. All the salads and desserts can be made a day or two ahead, and everything else will cook right on the grill, whether it's in a stadium parking lot or your own backyard. Make a full menu, or mix and match; either way you'll be well fed and ready to root for your team.

A plate of barbecue chicken and potato salad

Randy Mayor

Barbecue Menu

A Kansas City-style rub and sauce flavor the chicken and potato salad, but the slow-cooked ribs are pure Texas. Add a sophisticated grilled-peach dessert, and this menu will make you stand up and cheer.

  Kansas City Barbecued Chicken
Ribs with Texas Barbecue Dry Rub
  KC-Style Potato Salad
  Grilled Peaches with Amaretto-Pecan Caramel Sauce

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Salmon Menu

Grilled salmon and vegetables paired with a couscous salad offer a tasty modern spin on tailgating, and the brownies will make yours a popular table.

  Maple Grilled Salmon
  Simple Grilled Vegetables
  Citrus Couscous Salad
  Fudgy Mocha-Toffee Brownies

Randy Mayor

Beer and Brats Menu

Mix up the meat and seasonings for the bratwurst a day ahead, then grill the patties and simmer in beer for Midwest-style flavor. Be sure to set some aside to use in place of Italian sausage in the braised cabbage as well.

  Turkey Bratwurst Patties with sauerkraut and Caramelized Onions on Brown Beer Rye Bread
  Braised Red Cabbage with Sausage and Apples
  Marinated Green Bean and Potato Salad
  Candied Apples

Lee Harrelson

Steak and Burgers Menu

A traditional steak and a spicy, unconventional burger team up here, alongside some tasty sides and a red velvet cake to die for. Double the slaw part of the burger recipe so steak-eaters can have some too.

Basic Grilled Steak
Chipotle Barbecue Burgers with Slaw
Grilled Corn with Lime Butter
Orzo Salad with Marinated Mushrooms and Edamame
Red Velvet Cake with Buttercream Frosting

For even more recipes and fun, head to MyRecipes.com's tailgating channel.