Tailgate Grilling Recipes

Half the fun of attending a sporting event is tailgating. With a few great meat and side dish recipes that you can cook on the grill, you're sure to have a great time at the event whether or not the team you are there to support walk away with a victory!

Grilled Pork Tenderloin Recipe

Pork tenderloin is a great option for tailgating because it is so versatile. You can serve slices of grilled tenderloin, as well as use the meat to prepare barbecue sandwiches or Cuban sandwiches for those who prefer to enjoy dishes that don't require a knife and fork in a tailgating setting.

Ingredients

• 

  2 tenderloins, 1 - 1.5 pounds each
• 1/2 of a cup of soy sauce (regular or reduced sodium)
• 1/4 of a cup of balsamic vinegar
• 1/8 of a cup of brown sugar
• Minced garlic equal to two cloves
• 1 tablespoon of jalapeno juice (optional, use only if you like very spicy pork)

Note: This recipe will work with any marinade - feel free to use your favorite store-bought or homemade recipe rather than the one detailed here, but follow the cooking instructions detailed below.

Supplies Needed:

• Meat thermometer
• Tongs

Instructions

1. Trim fat from the meat.
2. Place all ingredients, other than the meat, into a bowl and mix to combine.
3. Place the meat in the marinade; cover and allow to sit for at last 30 minutes or longer - up to overnight is fine.
4. Preheat the grill (medium-high heat).
5. Remove meat from the marinade with tongs, holding over the bowl to drain.
6. Discard the marinade - do not use it to baste during cooking.
7. Cook for five minutes on each side (the top and bottom, as well as both sides).
8. Check temperature with meat thermometer; it is ready when the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
9. If meat is ready, remove from grill.
10. If temperature is still too low, continue cooking evenly, turning after two minutes per side and verifying temperature frequently.
11. Once desired temperature is reached, allow cooked meat to stand ten minutes before cutting.

Grilled Chicken Satay Recipe

You can use any good spice rub to grill great chicken, but if you are looking for a different way to grill chicken, you can make a chicken satay. Marinate the meat and make the sauce (recipe below) the day before.

Ingredients

• 1 - 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts cut into 1 inch wide strips
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 inch fresh ginger, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 3 tablespoon smooth peanut butter
• The juice of one lime
• 1 tablespoon peanut oil

Supplies Needed:

• 12 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 10 minutes (or metal skewers)
• Tongs

Instructions

1. Place all of the ingredients other than the chicken in a bowl, mixing well to combine.
2. Marinate the chicken in the mixture for at least 2 hours; can marinate overnight.
3. Preheat the grill (medium-high heat).
4. Skewer the chicken on the skewers.
5. Grill 8 to 10 minutes; turn often using tongs.

Peanut Sauce Recipe for Chicken Satay

Serve the cooked chicken with a nice peanut sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon peanut oil
• 1 onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes
• 2 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup coconut milk

Instructions

1. In a blender, mix the peanut oil, onion, garlic, chili flakes, brown sugar, and lime juice.
2. Pour it into a pan and heat it over a medium heat until the mixture becomes fragrant.
3. Mix in the peanut butter and coconut milk and simmer for about ten minutes.
4. If not thickened after ten minutes, continue to simmer until it is a semi-thick consistency.
5. Place in a storage container with a good seal and store in refrigerator.
6. Heat slightly on the grill before serving.

Grilled Vegetables Recipe

Meat may be the focal point of tailgate grilling, but you'll also want to serve a few side dishes. Grilled fresh vegetables provide a fast, easy, and flavorful alternative.

Ingredients

• 2 to 3 medium zucchini
• 2 to 3 medium yellow squash
• 1 good sized eggplant
• 1 large bell pepper
• 8 ounces whole mushrooms
• 8 ounces cherry tomatoes

Instructions

1. Slice the zucchini and squash into 1/4 inch thick slices lengthwise.
2. Slice the eggplant into 1/4 inch thick slices crosswise so you have rounds.
3. Cook, using option 1 or option 2 (below).

Option 1

1. Brush both sides of the veggies with extra virgin olive oil.
2. Salt and pepper both sides.
3. Sprinkle with any herb and spice mix you like (dried or fresh).
4. Grill the veggies on one side for about 2 minutes, then flip them.

Option 2

1. Make a quick marinade by mixing your herb mix and salt and pepper with a 2:1 ratio of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
2. Marinade the veggies for about a half hour (or longer - it's fine to place them in marinade at home before leaving for the game).
3. Grill for about 2 minutes per side.
4. You can baste them with the marinade as they grill, if desired.

Grilled Asparagus Wrapped in Prosciutto Recipe

Asparagus wraps are also a tasty side dish to prepare on the grill.

Ingredients

• 24 asparagus spears
• 12 slices Prosciutto
• Olive oil
• Pepper to taste (optional)
• Salt to taste (optional)

Instructions

1. Wrap the asparagus spears with half a slice of the Prosciutto.
2. Brush with oil and sprinkle with pepper.
3. Grill for about 5 minutes.
4. Turn spears while they cook.
5. Remove from grill and serve when desired consistency is reached.

Enjoy Great Grilled Food at the Game

These are just a few of the many terrific dishes you can enjoy while tailgating. No matter what you decide to prepare, you're sure to have a great time enjoying the atmosphere at the stadium and spending time with your fellow fans!