Get ready for football season with the ultimate tailgate recipes! From smoked dips and cheesy sides to juicy burgers, ribs, brisket, and cast-iron desserts, Backyard Texas Grill has everything you need for game day.
Football season is here!
And that means it’s time for one of our favorite traditions here at Backyard Texas Grill—tailgating!
Whether you’re cheering on your college team starting in late August or waiting for the NFL kickoff in early September, nothing brings people together like great food. From smoky dips and hearty mains to cheesy sides and cast-iron desserts, we’ve rounded up our best recipes to make your game day spread unforgettable.
At a Glance
• What You’ll Find: Appetizers & dips, game day mains, hearty sides, sweet desserts
• Flavor Styles: Smoky, cheesy, bold, comfort food
• Ideal For: Tailgates with friends, backyard cookouts, casual gathering before kickoff
• Takeaway: Complete recipe lineup so you can plan & prep for a delicious, stress-free game day spread
Ready to dive in? Let’s get going!
Appetizers & Dips
We’re big on our appetizers and dips, here in the south, and no party–tailgating or otherwise–is complete without them. Here are some of our favorites.
- Savory Southern Corn Dip: Savory Southern corn dip (or fiesta corn dip) is a popular appetizer or side dish in Southern cuisine. It’s a creamy and cheesy dip that features corn as its main ingredient, with gives it an added crunchy texture. In this recipe I’m going to show you how I make it.
- Smoked Cream Cheese with Honey Drizzle: In this post, we’ll show you how to make the BEST smoked cream cheese with honey drizzle and sweet Texas heat. It’s the perfect appetizer dip, blending sweet, spicy and savory flavors with an incredible creamy texture. And it’s SO easy to make!
- Smoked Brisket Queso: If you love chile con queso and Texas brisket, this is the recipe for you! This smoked brisket queso is thick, creamy and loaded with a delicious blend of melted cheeses, brisket, chile peppers, tomatoes and cilantro. You will love every bite!
- Smoked Pig Shots: If you’re hunting for the perfect appetizer for your next BBQ or party, you’ve come to the right place! These smoked pig shots combine the unmatchable flavors of sausage, bacon and cream cheese with a spicy kick, and they’re all wrapped up in the perfect bite!
- Smoked Hot Wings (two ways): If you love smoky flavor, crispy skin, and bold sauces, these smoked hot wings are about to become your new go-to. We’re giving you the best of both worlds: half tossed in fiery Frank’s Red Hot, and half in a sticky-sweet teriyaki glaze. Perfect for game day, backyard BBQs, or anytime you’re craving wings with a twist.
- Ham and Turkey Sliders with Hot Pepper Jelly: You could serve these as a main dish, if you like, but they make a great appetizer, too. (Recipe coming soon!)
Game Day Mains
Wondering what to feed your crew on game day? These hearty mains are the real MVPs—guaranteed to score big with your hungry fans.
- World’s Best Butter Burgers: If you’re looking for the world’s most delicious burger, packed full of flavor and loaded with buttery goodness, this is the recipe for you. These really are the world’s best butter burgers. . .we promise!
- Drunken Chicken (Beer Can Chicken): Drunken Chicken (Beer Butt Chicken) is also known as Beer Butt Chicken or Beer-in-the-Rear chicken. This is a popular barbecue and grilling technique for cooking chicken, and it’s the method we used for ours. You’re going to love this simple but delicious recipe.
- St. Louis Style Pork Ribs: Fire up the grill! These St. Louis Style Pork Ribs are smoky, flavorful, and fall-apart tender—making them the ultimate showstopper for tailgates, backyard BBQs, and family feasts.
- Texas-Style Smoked Beef Brisket: If you love smoked beef brisket, but the thought of making one yourself feels daunting, this post is for you. This Texas-Style brisket is juicy, tender and full of flavor. And it’s so easy to make!
- Smoked Pulled Pork: If you’re looking for a simple and delicious pulled pork recipe, this is it! Tender, juicy and full of smoky flavor… this smoked pulled pork is incredibly tasty, and it’s so easy to make!
Sides for the Win
Every winning team needs a strong defense—and these game day sides have your back. Cheesy, smoky, and hearty, they’re the perfect complement to your main lineup.
- Cheesy Potatoes with Bacon: Bring bold flavor to the table with Cheesy Potatoes and Bacon! This rich, creamy casserole bakes up golden and bubbly—an irresistible side for backyard BBQs or game day feasts.”
- Sweet and Savory Southwest Beans: Looking for a hearty game day side? These Sweet and Savory Southwest Beans combine smoky, spicy, and sweet flavors for a dish that’s sure to score big at your next tailgate or backyard cookout.
- Smoked Mac and Cheese with Panko: If you’re looking for the perfect Mac and cheese recipe, this is the post for you! This Smoked Mac and Cheese from Backyard Texas Grill is thick, creamy and full of smoky, delicious flavor! And it’s surprisingly simple to make.
- Cheesy Garlic Bread on the Grill: Cheesy Garlic Bread on the Grill is crispy, gooey, and packed with flavor. This easy recipe takes classic garlic bread to the next level—perfect for backyard BBQs, tailgates, or family dinners.
Sweet Touchdown Desserts
Every great game ends with a victory dance—and these sweet treats are the extra point that seals the win.
- Cast-Iron Peach Dump Cake on the Grill: Some desserts are good. This one makes people hover by the grill waiting for the lid to open. A cast-iron skillet, a few simple ingredients, and the heat from your grill come together for a peach dump cake with a golden crust, bubbling fruit, and just a hint of smoke. It’s proof that the best desserts don’t have to come out of an oven.
- Spiced Apple Dump Cake in Cast Iron: Warm, gooey apples meet buttery spiced cake in this easy Spiced Apple Dump Cake. Grilled to perfection in a cast-iron skillet—perfect for fall!
- Easy Skillet Cookie on the Grill: This Texas-sized skillet cookie is chewy, delicious and full of sweet & savory flavors that will make your mouth water! The combination of oats, chocolate chips, pecans and brown butter is unmatchable, and it’s so easy to make! Get the full recipe in this post.
- Old-Fashioned Cowboy Cookies: Hearty Cowboy Cookies loaded with oats, pecans, coconut & chocolate—perfect for backyard barbecues, tailgating, and cookouts.
Thanks for stopping by Backyard Texas Grill!
Whether you’re a die-hard football fan or just here for the food, these recipes are sure to be a touchdown. From smoky mains to cheesy sides and sweet game-winning desserts, we hope you’ll find plenty of inspiration to fire up your grill this season. Here’s to great food, great company, and plenty of winning moments—on and off the field.
Before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?
About the Pit Master
Zach is the fire behind Backyard Texas Grill. A true Texas pit master and lifelong football fan, he believes the best plays happen around the grill on game day. Whether he’s smoking brisket low and slow, flipping burgers for friends, or pulling a fresh skillet dessert off the fire, Zach combines his love for football with his passion for bold backyard flavors. For him, nothing beats good food, good company, and cheering on his team with a plate piled high.