How to save time for your tailgating event comes up every year, but you often forget to start planning early. This should be of some help to you.
Now that the football playoffs are here, you will want to up your GAME. You want to take your tailgating to the next level but, are unsure how. I will try to give you some tips to help you become a hero for those who partakes in your grilling expertise.
Hopefully, this will save time for your tailgating event and allow you more time to enjoy friends, family, and those who stopped by to compare recipes.
Frequently Asked Question
What is the purpose of tailgating?
Tailgating is a social gathering, with food and drinks, served in a parking lot. There is a large amount of food that is grilled.
Your Flavor Profile Will Tell on You
The taste of pulled pork may be your preference, but if this is for tailgating. Hot dogs and hamburgers may be a favorite when tailgating, but do you want to step up your game? How often are grilled vegetables requested by those who do not eat meat regularly, but will love grilled vegetables when available? Do you prefer fish, pulled pork, brisket, or shrimp tacos?
How often are you asked how you grill bratwurst? There are so many different items to grill for playoff games you will need to decide on what to grill ahead of time.
After arriving at the stadium, the smell of grilled food is almost overwhelming. The flavor of the meat, the texture of the bread, and the excitement in the air cause you to feel a sense of euphoria like you have never felt before.
Make A List Of What To Chill For Transporting
One thing, I have learned over the years is to MAKE A LIST! Make a list, stick to it, and check it twice. Often, you will find that you have forgotten something needed for a good tailgating experience. Some of these will include:
- Vegetables
- Meat
- Propane
- Charcoal
- Grill
- Napkins
- Cutlery
- Drinks
- Tablecloth
- Canopy
- Trash bags
- Collapsible Table(folds in half).
As you pack your vehicle, check each item off your list in a deliberate manner. Take your time checking your list to avoid mistakes, leaving a needed item for tailgating.
Separate Containers For Food To Be Grilled
For easy transportation of your food, put them in separate containers for easy storage. If you are marinating meat, place it in a separate container, to avoid contaminating your other food.
When grilling vegetables, apply your rub ahead of time and if you want a particular flavor. This allows the vegetables to absorb the flavor of the rub, before putting them on the grill. To help lock in the flavor of your vegetables apply the olive oil ahead of time, this also helps prevent your vegetables from sticking on the grill. The result is a richer, deeper, and heartier flavor.
To help prevent spillage of my spices, I use a portable spice rack that can lock the bottles in place. Depending upon what I am grilling, these are some favorite spices in my carrier: salt, pepper, cumin, chipotle chili powder, garlic powder, ginger, and mustard.
Your secret stash of spices, helps you create fantastic flavor. You have your secret recipe, that others want, helping you become a grill master.
How To Save Time Upon Arrival At the Stadium
Arriving at the stadium, you will already be directed to where you get your pass for tailgating. After you have your pass, proceed to the area that has been set aside for tailgating, and the work of unloading begins. Your efforts at organizing have paid off, it’s time to grill.
If you thought to load your canopy last, this will be great for you. You can just pop it up in no time flat. It’s time to unload your chairs, table, coolers, and grill(if you are using a portable grill.
You want it when?
When tailgating, you want something quick and easy to grill. Having your food sorted, separated, and ready to grill, allows you to begin grilling as soon as your grill is hot enough.
Some items may take a while to cook, but have some smaller things to grill that only take a couple of minutes.
Breakfast burritos are great for a quick start to your grilling. They only take a couple of minutes to prepare, but great right off the grill with the tortilla still warm from the grill.
Grill some diced peppers, onions, and hash brown potatoes together before I put them in a cast iron skillet or on a griddle. Great way to start the day and be able to concentrate on the really good meal before going in to watch the game.
How To Save Time When You Fire it Up For Flavor
Now that you have done your unpacking and have eaten a quick snack, you can concentrate on your grilling. Remember all those containers with everything laid out for storage, now is the time to get the grill hot and start grilling.
Whatever you have that is going to take the longest get it onto the grill once it reaches the right temperature. Propane grills will reach the desired temperature quickly.
Charcoal grills(if allowed) take a bit longer to heat up and cool down, but still are great to use.
Some people like to have some of their favorite items such as pulled pork, pre-cooked and ready to be warmed up. You may want to grill hot dogs, hamburgers, or vegetables at this time.
You can grill a great deal of food, with the proper organization. Having everything separated allows you to socialize more, but more importantly, allows you to grill more quickly.
What Taste Do You Prefer
As you learn about spices, you can create succulent dishes. Sweet and sour work well together. Sweet and savory can work well together.
You get the idea, some experimenting has to be done to find which spices you and your family(or friends) like together. The taste that keeps them coming back for more.
You have brought some spices with you in your spice rack. This allows you to properly season your meal.
You made your decision about your flavor ahead of time and now others how well and which spices work together for fantastic flavor.
How To Save Time With Your Marinade
Marinate your foods ahead of time, you will be grateful for having your marinade going ahead of time. As your food absorbs the flavors, once the heat is right, your food goes on the grill.
Since vegetables only need an hour before grilling, wait until you are at the stadium before marinating your vegetables. You will have better flavor from your vegetables.
Meat takes longer for the marinade to penetrate deeply into the tissue for the best flavor. I would recommend that you place the meat in the marinade the night before for the best results except for seafood(especially shrimp).
What Types of Beverages Are Allowed
Different beverages are allowed, but you must be certain that if there is alcohol involved that it stays out of the hands of minors. You can have a variety of drinks, but make sure that there is water and drinks for the kiddos, this helps you stay in good standing with any law officers that may be patrolling.
If you know someone who has drunk too much, try to switch them to something else so everyone can enjoy the tailgate. There is nothing worse or more embarrassing than to have to be asked to leave because someone had too much to drink.
You will need to keep some drinks available that are non-alcoholic and do not have sugar. The reason for this is quite simple. You do not want to become dehydrated from lack of proper hydration. Alcohol causes you to urinate more often leading to the possibility of dehydration.
Sugary drinks tend to make you even thirstier than other drinks, even fruit juices. Also, you don’t want children to have a sugar rush and then a sugar crash, they will either be cranky or go to sleep and miss the fun.
Now the Hard Part
This is what most people call the hard part. Cleanup after the game is over. This does not have to be difficult.
I have taken a clothes hanger and used it to keep a trash bag open while attaching it to the frame of my canopy. Just throw it away when cleanup is done.
Another thing you can do is use a collapsible clothes hamper, put the trash bag in it and change it out whenever necessary. This saves a great deal of time and frustration. Some stadiums are beginning to try to recycle so pay attention to their policies.
How To Save Time Parting Ways
I hope I have given you some tips and ideas on how you can have a GREAT tailgating. This list of tips is not all-inclusive. You may have a system that works great for you. Having a method of planning and putting in place various techniques you can spend less time grilling and more time with family and friends.
Finding Your Way to the Playoffs at Home
You want to go to the playoffs but unfortunately, you can’t. I have just the thing for you. Now you have been looking for a new grill that will allow you to have a great tailgate experience from home.
How To Save Time Tailgating When It Is A Passion
Secrets Of Tailgating
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