From snappy flame-kissed brats to perfect barbecued burgers, no gameday experience is complete without some mouthwatering tailgate grilling recipes to fuel your team spirit. However, not every portable grill is up to the challenge. That’s why we searched far and wide to find the best tailgate grill for you.
What Makes a Good Tailgate Grill?
Since you’re usually cooking in a parking lot, tailgates grills need to be portable. The grill should be easy to set up, cook with and clean once the celebration is over.
With these criteria in mind, we found a variety of popular tailgating grills that’ll feel like a win, no matter your team’s score is.
Looking for a different style grill? Find more of the best grills, according to our Test Kitchen.
The Best Tailgate Grill: Weber Q 1000 Portable Propane Gas Grill
Don’t be fooled by its compact design—the Weber Q 1000 Gas Grill, also known as the “Baby Q” delivers everything you could ever want from a tailgate grill.
Pros
- Portability: Since you’ll usually find yourself tailgating in a parking lot, tailgate grills need to be able to go anywhere. The compact design of this grill lends itself well to being packed up in a car, and Weber has a duffle bag-style carry case that makes travel even easier.
- Convenient cooking: Push-button controls start up the grill and the grates get hot quickly and heat evenly for hot spot-free grilling.
- Easy clean up: As the tailgate wraps up, packing up the Weber Q is a breeze as it has a removable drip pan that catches all the mess and is easy to dispose of or clean. Plus, the porcelain-enameled grill grates are rust-resistant and require minimal maintenance.
- Accessories: As with many products for the brand, Weber has a number of super-handy gadgets that will tailor this tailgate grill to suit your needs. No tablespace? This collapsible rolling cart grill stand lets you grill from anywhere. Have an a.m. game? Turn your grill into a flapjack machine with this perfect-fit griddle top.
Cons
- Limited size: While the Weber Q boasts 189 square inches of cooking space, it’s better suited for smaller groups.
- Charcoal grilling: If you’re a fan of charcoal flavor in your grilled foods, you simply won’t get that from a gas tailgate grill like this.
Specs:
- Cost: $180
- Size: 14.5″ X 27″ X 16.5″
- Weight: 28.5 lb.
- BTU: One 8,500 BTU burner
We Also Recommend…
There are several other top-rated tailgate grills that will serve you and your friends well during parking lot cookouts.
Coleman RoadTrip 285 Stand-Up Propane Grill
If you don’t have a truck bed or table where you can place a grill, the Coleman RoadTrip 285 is a powerful propane tailgate grill with plenty of bells and whistles, including collapsible legs and built-in shelves for extra prep space.
Pros
- Ample grilling space: This grill has an extra-large 285 square inch cooking surface that lets you serve a crowd, and there are even three independently controlled burners, so you can cook steaks on one side and vegetable kebabs on the other.
- Portable design: Probably the most genius aspect of this grill is its convertible design. With wheels on one side and a handle on the other, the legs collapse allowing you to tow your grill around like a suitcase.
Cons
- Gas grilling: Like the Weber Q, this gas grill just won’t have the same smoky flavor as a charcoal grill.
- Price: This Coleman model is a bit more expensive than its competitors, but we feel the price is worth the value.
Specs:
- Cost: $250
- Size: 45.6″ x 35″ x 19.5″
- Weight: 52.5lb.
- BTU: Three adjustable burners with up to 20,000 BTU
Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill
For those on a budget, the Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill is an affordable option that incredibly portable. Its lid lock swings around to double as sturdy legs, and you can cook up to six hamburgers at a time on its steel cooking grate.
Pros
- Price: This is a great budget-friendly grill that’ll give you a lot of bang for your buck.
- Charcoal flavor: For traditional grillers, the Weber Go-Anywhere grill delivers the delicious smoky flavor that comes from cooking with charcoal.
Cons
- Cleanup: The only downside to cooking with a charcoal grill is that proper cleanup takes a little longer, which might not always work for a tailgate. Remember to let your coals cool completely before transporting. And never dispose of hot coals in a paper bag or plastic garbage can.
- Size: This is a smaller grill than competitors, with only 160 square inches. Its compact design makes it easily portable, but it may take longer to cook large portions of food at a time.
Specs:
- Cost: $60
- Size: 12.25″ x 21″x 14.5″
- Weight: 14lb.
Safety Tips for Tailgate Grillers
Sure, tailgating is all about having fun, but that doesn’t mean you can forget about safety. It’s important to follow grilling best practices while you get excited for the big game, including the following safety guidelines:
- Never leave your grill unattended.
- Keep tailgating games away from the grill during operation.
- Bring along a meat thermometer to ensure your food is cooked to the proper temperature.
- Always keep a fire extinguisher on hand.
- Consume alcohol in moderation while operating a grill.
- When cleaning up, don’t throw hot charcoal embers into a regular garbage can.
- Let your grill cool down before packing it away in your car.
The Best Food to Grill at Tailgates
No tailgate is complete without fan favorites like hot dogs, hamburgers, and corn on the cob. In general, you’ll want to opt for foods that you can eat with one hand, as this leaves your other hand free to hold your drink! However, if you want to get fancy, you can wow your friends with these amazing tailgating recipes.
Grilling Recipes for Your Next Tailgate
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Grilled Brats with Sriracha Mayo
I am a Sriracha fanatic, so that’s what inspired this dish. You can boil the brats in your favorite beer to reduce the fat and give them flavor before grilling, or spread garlic butter on lightly toasted buns. —Quincie Ball, Olympia, Washington
Grilled Firecracker Potato Salad
I can eat potato salad like crazy. A little spice is nice, so I use cayenne and paprika in this grilled salad that comes with its own fireworks. —Ashley Armstrong, Kingsland, Georgia
Barbecued Burgers
I can't take all the credit for these winning burgers. My husband's uncle passed down the special barbecue sauce recipe. We love it on everything...it was only natural to try it on, and in, burgers. Add cheese and bacon to take them over the top. —Rhoda Troyer, Glenford, Ohio
Grilled Vegetable Platter
The best of summer in one dish! This pretty grilled vegetable recipe is meant for entertaining. Grilling brings out their natural sweetness, and the easy marinade really kicks up the grilled vegetables' flavor. —Heidi Hall, North St. Paul, Minnesota
Cookout Caramel S'mores
These gooey treats make a playful finish to an informal meal. Toasting the marshmallows extends our after-dinner time together, giving us something fun to do as a family. —Martha Haseman, Hinckley, Illinois
Grilled Red Pepper Dip
We grill peppers with rosemary and garlic, then blend them with sun-dried tomatoes for a creamy spread to pass with pita chips. —Donna Alwine, Bloomington, Indiana
Can-Can Chicken
Here's a tasty take on the popular beer-can chicken. Once the bird is on the grill, the work's basically done. And cleanup is a cinch—a must for a guy like me. —Steve Bath, Lincoln, Nebraska
Herb & Cheese-Stuffed Burgers
Tired of the same old ground beef recipes? This quick-fix burger alternative, with its creamy cheese filling, will wake up your taste buds. —Sherri Cox, Lucasville, Ohio
Mojito-Style Yellow Tomato Salsa
With grilled tomatoes, crunchy peppers and a sprinkle of mint, this fresh salsa is good on just about everything. Try it in fish tacos, on tortilla chips or by the spoonful! —Patterson Watkins, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Bacon Cheddar Jalapenos
Take these cheesy, fiery appetizers straight to the grill so you can add a touch of smoke. We pass them with bowls of guacamole and sour cream. —Wayne Barnes, Montgomery, Alabama
Terrific Teriyaki Burgers
Golden flecks of pineapple give these burgers a touch of sweetness, while the ginger root adds some spice. Ground chicken works well in this recipe, too. —Margaret Wilson, Hemet, California
Smoky Grilled Corn Salsa
Our backyard grill is the perfect place to cook up the ingredients for homemade corn salsa. It’s yummy with tortilla chips and as a topping for meat, poultry and fish. —Alicia DeWolfe, Gloucester, Massachusetts
Baja Chicken & Slaw Sliders
Between the flavorful sauce and colorful, crunchy slaw, these hand-held sandwiches demand attention from party-goers. —Janet Hynes, Racine, Wisconsin
Honey-Glazed Chicken Kabobs
This is one of my husband’s favorite meals. I serve it with rice pilaf, salad and grilled garlic bread. —Tracey Miller, Aiken, South Carolina
Potatoes Plus
On our busy farm, meals need to be ready fast. These herb-seasoned potatoes and vegetables wrapped in foil packets cook in only half an hour. They're excellent with steak or chicken. —Jill Jellett, Leduc, Alberta
Bratwurst Supper
After trying a few bratwurst recipes, I've found this meal-in-one is ideal for camping since it grills to perfection in a heavy-duty foil bag. Loaded with chunks of bratwurst, red potatoes, mushrooms and carrots, it's easy to season with onion soup mix and a little soy sauce. —Janice Meyer, Medford, Wisconsin
Teriyaki Shish Kabobs
When I was a teenager, my father worked for an airline, and my family lived on the island of Guam in the South Pacific. A friend of my mother gave her this tangy-sweet recipe, and we enjoyed it often. Now I make it for my family, and they're big fans as well. —Suzanne Pelegrin, Ocala, Florida
Barbecued Picnic Chicken
I like to serve this savory chicken at family picnics. Cooked on a covered grill, the poultry stays so tender and juicy. Everyone loves the zesty, slightly sweet homemade barbecue sauce—and it's so easy to make. —Priscilla Weaver, Hagerstown, Maryland
Grilled Figgy Pies
Delicious figs combined with maple, walnuts and creamy mascarpone make a decadent treat that's easy to enjoy at a backyard cookout. These unique hand pies always disappear quickly. —Renee Murby, Johnston, Rhode Island
Breakfast Skewers
These kabobs are fun, different and delicious, plus they go well with any egg dish. —Bobi Raab, St. Paul, Minnesota
Maryland Corn Pops
Fresh-picked sweet corn is a big thing in Maryland. Here’s my homespun version of Mexican street corn. —Kristie Schley, Severna Park, Maryland
Burgers with Spicy Dill Salsa
When I make burgers or hot dogs for boating or barbecues, I do a topping that tastes like relish meets salsa. Pile it on any griller you like. —Valonda Seward, Coarsegold, California
Tacos on a Stick
Teens like assembling these creative kabobs almost as much as they like devouring them. The whole family is sure to love the sensational southwestern flavor of this twist on beef shish kabobs. —Dixie Terry, Goreville, Illinois
Grilled Vegetable Sandwich
Wow! Meat lovers won’t even miss the meat, instead they will rave about the simply fabulous flavor of this hearty grilled veggie sandwich! It’s wonderful with ciabatta bread’s crispy crust and light, airy texture. This recipe’s a keeper! —Diana Tseperkas, Hamden, Connecticut
Kathy's Herbed Corn
My husband and I agreed that the original recipe for this corn needed a little jazzing up, so I added the thyme and cayenne pepper to suit our tastes. Now fresh summer corn makes a regular appearance on our grill. —Kathy VonKorff, North College Hill, Ohio
Jersey-Style Hot Dogs
I grew up in northern New Jersey, where hot dogs with grilled potatoes were born. It's a combo you’ll love. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey
Fruit 'n' Cake Kabobs
A neighbor served these kabobs at a family picnic and brought some over for us to sample. I was pleasantly surprised at the tasty toasted cake and juicy grilled fruit. —Mary Ann Dell, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Saucy Grilled Baby Back Ribs
Don't worry about the beer in the sauce—it's just root beer, which is a subtle undertone to the yummy sauce. —Terri Kandell, Addison, Michigan
Pork and Onion Kabobs
A sweet and savory marinade brings out the best in pork, as these grilled kabobs prove. They're a super summer supper, easy to prepare and fun to serve to company. The pork is so tasty grilled with onion wedges. —Mary Lou Wayman, Salt Lake City, Utah
Steak Fajitas
Zesty salsa and tender strips of steak make these traditional fajitas extra special. —Rebecca Baird, Salt Lake City, Utah
Cake & Berry Campfire Cobbler
This warm cobbler is one of our favorite ways to end a busy day of fishing, hiking, swimming or rafting. It's yummy with ice cream—and so easy to make! —June Dress, Boise, Idaho
Spicy Chicken Tomato Pitas
I’m not sure if this is a Mediterranean dish with a southwestern flair or the other way around. All I know is that it’s ideal for a summer dinner. The tomato relish is yummy as an appetizer with tortilla chips, so you may want to double it. —Cori Cooper, Boise, Idaho
Cola Hot Wings
These delectable wings are so easy to make, and they offer year-round versatility, from summer cookouts to autumn tailgates. My husband likes them so much he'll stand out in the snow to grill them! —Lisa Linville, Randolph, Nebraska
Grilled Cheese & Tomato Flatbreads
This is a combination of grilled pizza and a cheesy flatbread recipe I discovered years ago. It's a great appetizer or main dish. —Tina Repak Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Blue Cheese & Bacon Stuffed Peppers
Whenever I put out a plate of these cute little appetizers, people come flocking. Good thing there are lots of peppers in each bag. —Tara Cruz, Kersey, Colorado
Grilled Veggie Tortillas
Your garden's bounty will be put to good use in this delightful entree, which resembles a pizza. When I find a recipe like this that’s so well received, I make a copy, put it in a protective sleeve and store it in a binder so I can make it again.—Sharon Delaney-Chronis, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Honey-Mustard Brats
Our honey mustard glaze gives every bite of these brats a sweet and punchy flavor. Everyone who tries them agrees they're delicious. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Vegetable Beef Kabobs
This is a main dish that makes good use of our delicious Kansas beef. I like to grill outdoors, so this dish is especially popular in our home. —Mynie Lou Griffith, Hutchinson, Kansas
Garden Vegetable Pasta Salad
My family has been fixing grilled mixed vegetables as a side dish for a long time. To make them more substantial, I added pasta. Then, to give the salad a Mediterranean flair, I tossed in some olives and feta cheese. —Tina Repak Mirilovich, Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Grilled Steak and Portobello Stacks
You don't need a special panini maker for these bistro-style sandwiches. They make take some time to prepare, but it's well worth it! —Judy Murphy, Coeur d' Alene, Idaho
Best Italian Sausage Sandwiches
While the rich tomato sauce simmers away in the slow cooker, the afternoon is all yours. Before game time, just grill the Italian sausages and these saucy sandwiches are ready to eat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Grilled Corn Medley
Who knew a store-bought dressing could add so much flavor? This medley tastes delightful with garden-fresh veggies. Feel free to sub in your favorites and let the grill and the dressing do the rest! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Grilled Cheese Loaf
I often serve buttery grilled bread with steak and a salad. It's so quick to make, and it's also easy to add to whatever else you have on the grill. —Debbi Baker, Green Springs, Ohio
Honey Grilled Shrimp
My husband was given this super-simple recipe by a man who sold shrimp at the fish market. It's now become our family's absolute favorite easy shrimp recipe. We've even served it to company often, with great success. Enjoy! —Lisa Blackwell, Henderson, North Carolina
Spicy Grilled Eggplant
This side goes well with any meat you might also be grilling. Thanks to the Cajun seasoning, the zesty eggplant gets more attention than an ordinary veggie. —Greg Fontenot, The Woodlands, Texas
Colorful Corn Salsa
This colorful salsa is worth the extra time it takes to grill the ears of corn. The flavor goes well with barbecued meats, but it's also tasty served with chips. —Nancy Horsburgh, Everett, Ontario
Mexican Hot Dogs
My stepmom was born in Mexico and introduced us to hot dogs with avocado and bacon. We were instantly hooked. Now our whole family makes them. —Amanda Brandenburg, Hamilton, Ohio
Grilled Pizza Bread
These fun French bread pizzas are great picnic fare for both kids and adults. Tasty on the grill, they can just as easily be baked in the oven. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
Honey Thyme Grilled Chicken
For grilling chicken, I wanted a marinade different from barbecue sauce, so I pulled out some honey and thyme. If you have time, let the chicken marinate awhile to boost flavor. —Noel Bigelow, Alexandria, Virginia
Mediterranean Meatball Sandwiches
I grow onions, garlic and herbs, so that’s what I use in these saucy sandwiches. Make patties or form the ground beef into meatballs instead. —Alysha Braun, St. Catharines, Ontario
Banana Butter Pecan Kabobs
Desserts with bananas remind me of Grandma. She and my mom taught me to cook. I rarely measure. For this dish, I set out pecans and butterscotch with kabobs so everyone can customize. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, ColoradoThe post The Best Tailgate Grill for Your Cookout appeared first on Taste of Home.
Camryn Rabideau