The Best Products for Hosting Next-Level Tailgate Parties
From unique spices to a portable grill, these are the home cook's dream tailgating products.
As summer draws to a close, don’t cover up your grill just yet — because with football season starting, it’s tailgating time! That means for much of the fall season, you’ll likely want to fire up the grill almost every weekend to cook hot dogs, hamburgers, brats and more for your friends and family. But if you’re a home cook, you don’t just want to throw on a few meat patties, set out some paper plates and call it a day. More than likely, you’ll want to produce lunches and dinners with big flavors that'll impress your guests. That’s why this list goes beyond the basics like a cooler, charcoal and a grill scraper; we've rounded up some really unique finds to take the experience to the next level. How about flavoring your shrimp with black lime? Or serving up some hot dogs with authentic stadium mustard all the way from Cleveland? Or how about a grill-your-own pizza night? If these options sound appealing to you, you’ve stumbled upon the right list. We’ve chosen the most unique kitchen products for your next tailgating party, but beware: Use some of these products, and you’ll likely have to host people every Sunday (and Monday and Thursday, too).
This fun can opener removes the whole top off of soda and beer cans, leaving a smooth lip behind. It's great for creating fun beer cocktails like micheladas right in the can, or you can add extra ingredients to a seltzer to make an inventive cocktail or mocktail.
This kit has everything you need for smash burgers, the flat burger known for its caramelized crust and paper thin patty. It's a great snack for tailgating as it's easy to eat, too. Included is a burger press, a cover and squeeze bottles to easily melt cheese, a spice shaker and a spatula.
This fun, silly and retro-inspired find will be the talk of any party; it's a belt that comes with six detachable Igloo koozies so any host and hostess can provide drinks on demand.
John Lewis is one of the great pitmasters; he had a hand in creating legendary joints Franklin Barbecue and La Barbecue and now runs Lewis Barbecue in Charleston, which serves things Texas-style. This set of three sauces (original red, tangy, hatch green chile) and his all-purpose rub will add some Texas fire to any barbecue.
For inventive desserts and floats whether you're tailgating in your backyard or in a stadium parking lot, this stainless steel canteen keeps a pint of ice cream perfectly cold.
This wireless meat thermometer connects to an app and allows the user to monitor the cook of their food to the minute. It'll ensure your food is always cooked to the perfect temperature, even when you're out enjoying the party. It reports the estimated time left and the current temperature, and it even estimates how much time is left before it's done.
A collaboration between Michelin Star Chef Heston Blumenthal and an Australian BBQ brand, this sleek and portable grill is a showstopper. This premium stainless steel burner has 8,500 BTUs of grilling power, and comes with a cast iron grate for searing. It also features a roasting hood with a thermometer for safe cooking. It's a sturdy charcoal grill for a tailgate party you can take anywhere.
If you really want to step up your tailgating game this year, check out this clever product that turns your charcoal grill into a pizza oven. It comes with a stainless steel frame, a pizza stone, a pizza pan and a stainless steel pizza peel. It works with kettle grills that are 18.5" or 22.5".
Place this right on a griddle for an easy way to quickly butter rolls and buns as you're getting ready to place them on the grill. The perforated roller is easy to remove and clean, and it'll elevate your grilling with one simple extra step.
This is the perfect all-in-one meal prep kit that allows you to store food while you prep. It also includes an over the sink strainer! It includes 4 BPA free silicone containers which are perfect to store any food for tailgating season! The acacia wood cutting board is also sustainable and durable while on the go.
A notoriously difficult produce to cut is a tomato — but it wouldn't really be a tailgate without having some to top your burger with. This stainless steel knife will make quick work of it.
This stainless steel pot and basting brush allow you to easily baste marinades and barbecue sauces right over the grill. The brush is made of silicone that's easy to clean and won't stain.
With three tiers — one for lime juice, one for sugar and one for salt — prepping margaritas and other cocktails will be a breeze.
Burlap & Barrel sources their spices from small farms, and partners directly with those farmers to introduce unique spices to the US market. This set will allow you to season your food with delicious, complex flavor and includes Purple Stripe Garlic and Royal Cinnamon from Vietnam, Black Lime from Guatemala, Wild Mountain Cumin from Afghanistan, Smoked Paprika from Spain and Sun-Dried Tomato Powder from Turkey.
This authentic stadium mustard will level up your hot dogs and hamburgers — the US-made condiment was used all the way back in the 1920s at historic League Park, then in Cleveland's Municipal Stadium in 1948. It's a brown mustard option that is sure to add a spicy, vinegary kick.
This relish features onions and red peppers that's perfect for burgers or hot dogs — or even as a dip when mixed with cream cheese.
