Want to bring your A-game to tailgating season? For a winning strategy, you’re going to need the right grill and great recipes.
Choosing the Grill
Ninety-five percent of all tailgaters prepare their food at the stadium, according to a Tailgating Institute research study, which also found that 46 percent of respondents tailgate at least six to 10 times a season. That’s a lot of set-up and breakdown, so check out grill options built for tailgating.
“A lot of tailgating rookies and even some old-timers make the mistake of bringing a flimsy grill that can’t handle the load, or one that requires too much set-up,” says Robert Hawkins, product manager for Char-Broil. “The right tailgating grill should be both portable and durable, and have features that make cooking on game day hassle-free.”
One such grill to consider is the Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Portable X200 Gas Grill. The Char-Broil TRU-Infrared cooking technology prevents flare ups, so you won’t have to worry about fumbling the game day spread, and its push button ignition and lid-mounted temperature gauge will help you win every tailgate, while still getting to enjoy the party.
Winning Over the Crowd
While standbys like burgers and dogs will always hit the spot with a crowd, why not try some new twists on old classics? This recipe for Cherry Cola Sliders straight from the Char-Broil playbook will help you kick your tailgate up a notch:
Cherry Cola Sliders
Ingredients:
For the sliders
• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 8 slices American cheese
• 8 slider buns
• 8 slices of bacon
For the sauce
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup sliced onions
• 2 tablespoons cherry cola
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar
• l tablespoon ketchup
Directions:
1. Preheat one side of your grill to 450 degrees F, leaving the other side off for indirect grilling.
Place bacon slices on the cooler side of the grill for indirect heat and cook for 20 minutes at 300 degrees F.
2. While the bacon cooks, caramelize the onions with butter in a saucepan until golden brown. Then, add cherry cola, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, pepper, vinegar and ketchup. Simmer for 10 minutes on the side burner.
3. Combine ground beef with Worcestershire sauce and form 8 slider patties.
4. Place beef patties on the hotter side of the grill for direct heat. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side. When the sliders are almost done, place a cheese slice on each one. Set the slider buns on the warming rack. Close the lid and grill for another 30 seconds to melt the cheese and toast the buns.
5. Remove the patties and bacon slices from the grill. Top each slider with caramelized onions in cherry cola BBQ sauce, a slice of bacon and serve.
More tailgating recipe ideas can be found at: charbroil.com/collections/tailgating-favorites.
Hosting a tailgating party or six this season? Don’t get sidelined. Take your grill game to the next level with the right equipment and some brand-new recipes.
(StatePoint)
