A great tailgate needs food that tastes good, travels well and doesn’t keep the cook trapped at the grill while everyone else has fun. That’s why the best meats for tailgating tend to have a few things in common. They’re easy to portion, simple to serve and flexible enough to feed anything from a few friends to a parking lot full of hungry fans.
Burgers and hot dogs will always have a place on the game-day menu, but they’re only the beginning. Boulineau’s Foods Plus gives tailgaters plenty of ways to build a better spread, including store-made sausages, chicken, steaks, ribs and other grilling favorites from the meat department. Whether you’re planning a football tailgate, backyard watch party or fall gathering around North Myrtle Beach, choosing the right meat can make cooking easier and give everyone something to look forward to before kickoff.
What Makes A Meat Good For Tailgating?
The best tailgate meats balance flavor with convenience. You want something that can travel in a cooler, cook without a lot of complicated equipment and get from the grill to the plate without creating a mountain of work. Foods that can cook in batches also help because you can keep feeding people as they arrive instead of trying to finish everything at once.
Group size matters too. Burgers and sausages work especially well when you’re feeding a crowd because portions are easy to count before you shop. Steak makes more sense when the group is smaller and you have time to give each piece more attention. Wings work well when people will snack throughout the afternoon, while ribs fit a longer tailgate where cooking is part of the event.
Before choosing your meat, think about how many people you’re feeding, how long you’ll be there and what kind of grill you plan to use. Those three answers can narrow the menu down quickly.
Quick Guide To The Best Tailgate Meats
Why Are Store-Made Sausages Great For Tailgating?
Store-made sausages can be one of the easiest ways to give a tailgate more flavor without making the menu more complicated. They already come in convenient individual portions, cook easily on a grill and fit right into a bun, so serving takes very little work. Boulineau’s store-made sausages also give the meat department a chance to bring something more distinctive to game day than the usual packaged hot dog.
Sausages work especially well for larger groups because you can cook several at a time and keep another batch ready to go. Set out buns, mustard, onions, peppers and other toppings, then let everyone build their own. You can also slice grilled sausage into smaller pieces and serve it as a snack or appetizer when you want people to graze instead of sitting down for a full meal.
They’re also flexible when it comes to cooking equipment. Store-made sausages work on gas grills, charcoal grills and portable griddles, which makes them a useful choice no matter what type of tailgating grill you bring.
Are Burgers Still One Of The Best Tailgate Foods?
Absolutely. Burgers continue to work because they’re simple, familiar and easy to customize. They cook fairly quickly, portion planning is straightforward and guests can choose their own toppings. That makes burgers especially helpful when you’re feeding a group with different tastes.
A basic topping station can include cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, ketchup, mustard and other favorites. Keeping toppings separate also means the cook can focus on the grill instead of building every plate.
Burgers work well for small groups, but they really shine when you’re feeding a crowd. You can cook them in batches, keep the serving process simple and add filling sides such as chips, potato salad, pasta salad or baked beans. If you need an easy starting point for your tailgate menu, burgers are hard to beat.
When Are Hot Dogs A Smart Tailgating Choice?
Hot dogs make sense when speed, simplicity and budget matter. They cook quickly, don’t require much grill space and work especially well for families with children or large groups where you need something easy to serve.
They can also be part of a bigger menu instead of the main event. Pair hot dogs with burgers or store-made sausages to give guests several options without adding a second complicated cooking method. Because each item cooks fairly quickly, the grill can keep food moving without creating long waits.
A toppings station can make basic hot dogs more interesting too. Chili, cheese, onions, mustard, relish and other toppings let guests build something simple or load it up.
Are Chicken Wings Good For Tailgating?
Chicken wings fit the social side of tailgating especially well because they’re made for sharing. Guests can grab a few, go back for more and keep eating while talking, playing games or watching pregame coverage. Wings also give you plenty of room to change up the flavor with different sauces, rubs and seasonings.
They do take more attention than burgers or sausages because you need to cook chicken thoroughly and keep raw and cooked pieces separate. A food thermometer can help you check doneness instead of relying on color alone. Keep uncooked wings cold until you’re ready to grill and use clean utensils and platters for the cooked food.
Wings work especially well for longer tailgates where food comes out in rounds instead of one full meal. Put out one batch, let everyone snack and start another when the first one disappears.
Why Do Chicken Thighs Work Well On The Grill?
Chicken thighs can be a strong choice for tailgaters who want something hearty without moving into steak or ribs. They stay juicy on the grill, handle marinades and seasonings well and can work as either a main dish or part of a larger mixed grill. They also pair easily with classic tailgate sides. Add potato salad, baked beans, slaw, chips or grilled vegetables and you have a full meal without building a complicated menu.
Chicken thighs take longer than hot dogs or thin burgers, so plan your cooking time before everyone gets hungry. If the tailgate starts at noon, you don’t want to discover at 12:15 p.m. that your main course still has a long way to go.
Are Steaks Good For Tailgating?
Steak can turn a smaller tailgate into something special. If you’re feeding four or six people instead of 25, grilling steaks can be manageable and give the meal more of a cookout feel. Steaks also let each person choose how they want their meat cooked, but that creates more work for whoever handles the grill. For a big crowd, cooking dozens of steaks to different temperatures can quickly take over the event. For a smaller group, it can be part of the fun.
Steak pairs nicely with simple sides that don’t require much additional work. Baked potatoes, grilled vegetables, salad or crusty bread can keep the rest of the meal easy while the meat gets most of the attention. If you plan to serve steak at a tailgate, think about grill space and timing before deciding how many people you want to feed.
When Do Ribs Make Sense For A Tailgate?
Ribs make the most sense when cooking is part of the event rather than something you’re trying to finish as quickly as possible. They can deliver big barbecue flavor, but they take more planning than burgers, sausages or hot dogs. A long afternoon tailgate gives you more room to work with ribs, especially if you prepare part of the cooking process ahead of time. Depending on your recipe, you could do some of the work at home and finish them at the tailgate rather than starting from scratch in a parking lot.
Ribs also work well when the group wants to eat later rather than as soon as everyone arrives. Put out snacks, dips and easy appetizers first, then make the ribs the main event when they’re ready. For a quick pregame meal, choose something faster. For a tailgate where the grill becomes part of the entertainment, ribs can fit right in.
Are Pork Chops Good For Tailgating?
Pork chops can offer a nice change from the usual burger-and-sausage menu. They come in clear individual portions, take seasoning well and can work nicely for a small or medium-size group. Thickness matters when you’re planning your cooking time. Thicker chops need more time and closer temperature management, while thinner chops can cook more quickly. Either way, a meat thermometer can help you stay on top of cooking without guessing.
Pork chops work especially well when you want the tailgate to feel more like a full grilled dinner. Add grilled vegetables, potatoes, slaw or another easy side and you have a hearty meal without needing several different proteins.
What Meat Is Easiest For A Large Tailgate?
For larger crowds, keep the cooking simple. Burgers, sausages and hot dogs usually make the easiest choices because portions are predictable, cooking can happen in batches and serving doesn’t require much work.
You can also mix two meats instead of serving only one. Burgers and store-made sausages give guests a choice while still letting you use the same grill setup and many of the same toppings. Add chips, prepared sides and desserts from Boulineau’s Foods Plus and the menu can feel generous without putting six different things on the grill.
The larger the group gets, the more important simplicity becomes. A menu that sounds impressive on paper can become stressful when 30 hungry people are standing around waiting for the cook.
What Meat Works Best For A Small Tailgate?
Smaller groups give you more freedom because you don’t need to cook large quantities quickly. Steak, pork chops, chicken thighs and specialty sausages can all work well when you’re only feeding a handful of people. A smaller group also makes it easier to cook to individual preferences. You can give more attention to steak temperatures, different seasonings or individual toppings because you aren’t trying to get dozens of servings off the grill at once.
This can also be a good chance to build the meal around one higher-quality main item and keep the sides simple. When you’re cooking for four people, you can spend more time on each plate without missing half of game day.
How Much Meat Should You Buy For A Tailgate?
The amount depends on your group, the meat you choose and how many other foods you plan to serve. If one meat serves as the main course, plan enough for everyone to have a full portion with some extra for seconds or unexpected guests. If you serve two or three proteins, people will usually take smaller portions of each.
Think about the rest of the spread too. A tailgate with chips, dips, substantial sides and dessert needs less meat than one where the grill provides almost everything. Children will often eat smaller portions than adults, while an all-day event can lead to more eating than a short pregame gathering.
For foods like burgers, sausages and hot dogs, counting portions makes planning fairly simple. Larger cuts and bulk items take more calculation, which is why planning the complete menu before you shop helps.
Which Tailgate Meats Work Best On Gas, Charcoal And Griddles?
Gas, charcoal and griddles can all handle plenty of game-day favorites, but certain foods play especially well to each cooking style. Gas works well for burgers, sausages, chicken and quick grilling because the heat is easy to control. Charcoal handles those same foods while adding the traditional grilled flavor many people enjoy.
A griddle works especially well for burgers and sausages, while also letting you cook onions, peppers and other toppings right beside them. You can even use it for cheesesteaks or breakfast foods if you’re starting game day early.
Instead of choosing meat first and hoping your grill handles it, think about the menu and grill together. Our Tailgating Grill Buyer’s Guide can help you compare gas, charcoal and griddles based on the kind of food you want to cook.
What Sides Go Well With Tailgate Meats?
The best sides give guests variety without making the cook juggle another five hot dishes. Chips, dips, potato salad, pasta salad, slaw, baked beans, fruit and fresh vegetables all work well because most can go straight onto the serving table.
Prepared sides can also take some of the pressure off the person running the grill. If the meat already requires your attention, there’s no reason every side dish needs its own cooking station.
Don’t forget toppings either. Cheese, onions, peppers, pickles, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard and other condiments can completely change a burger, sausage or hot dog without adding another main dish. Finish the table with cookies, brownies or other bakery favorites and you have a complete game-day spread without turning the parking lot into a full kitchen.
How Do You Keep Tailgate Meat Safe Before Cooking?
Keep raw meat cold until you’re ready to cook it. Pack it in sealed containers or bags so juices can’t leak onto drinks, produce or other ready-to-eat foods. If possible, keep raw meat in a separate cooler so people aren’t opening it every time they want another drink.
Use separate utensils and plates for raw and cooked meat, and don’t put cooked food back onto the same tray that held it before cooking. A food thermometer can help you check safe cooking temperatures instead of relying on appearance alone.
Once everyone finishes eating, get leftovers properly chilled instead of letting them sit out through the rest of the afternoon. Good food safety isn’t the exciting part of tailgating, but it keeps the good part from becoming memorable for the wrong reason.
Where Can You Shop For Tailgate Meat In Cherry Grove?
Boulineau’s Foods Plus in Cherry Grove gives you plenty of ways to build a tailgate menu around your group, from classic burgers and chicken to steaks, ribs and Boulineau’s store-made sausages. You can also grab buns, toppings, sides, snacks, drinks and bakery treats while you’re putting the rest of the spread together.
Once you know what’s going on the grill, Boulineau’s Ace Hardware can help with the other side of game day, including grills, fuel, grilling tools and outdoor tailgating supplies. Planning the food and equipment together makes it much easier to make sure your grill matches your menu before the first hungry guest arrives.
Build A Tailgate Menu Worth Showing Up Early For
The best tailgate meat depends on the kind of game day you want. Burgers, hot dogs and store-made sausages make feeding a crowd simple, wings are perfect for sharing, chicken gives you plenty of flavor options and steaks or ribs can turn a smaller or longer tailgate into a serious cookout. Start with the size of your group, choose meat that fits your grill and keep the rest of the menu manageable. Then stop by Boulineau’s Foods Plus in Cherry Grove to build a spread that gives everybody one more reason to show up early.
FAQs
1. What Is The Easiest Meat To Cook For A Tailgate?
Burgers, hot dogs and sausages are among the easiest choices because they cook fairly quickly, come in simple portions and don’t require complicated serving. Boulineau’s store-made sausages can add more flavor while keeping preparation and serving easy for both small and large groups.
2. What Meat Is Best For Feeding A Large Tailgate Crowd?
Burgers, sausages and hot dogs work especially well for large groups because you can count portions ahead of time, cook them in batches and serve them with a simple toppings station. Offering two main choices, such as burgers and store-made sausages, can give guests variety without making the grill difficult to manage.
3. Where Can I Buy Meat For Tailgating In North Myrtle Beach?
Boulineau’s Foods Plus in Cherry Grove offers a full meat department where shoppers can find game-day grilling options, including Boulineau’s store-made sausages and other tailgate favorites. You can also pick up buns, condiments, sides, snacks, drinks and desserts for the rest of your spread before heading to the game.
