What’s up, fellow flame tamers! Brett here from the great state of Texas, where we take two things dead seriously: football and BBQ. With NFL preseason heating up faster than my smoker on a Sunday morning, it’s time to bring your A-game to the backyard stadium!
Growing up in Kansas, I learned BBQ basics, but moving to Texas? That’s where I earned my pitmaster stripes. My kids are already placing bets on which team’s going all the way this year, but we all know the real winners are the folks who score an invite to our game day grilling extravaganza.
Let me tell you, nothing brings people together like the smell of championship BBQ wafting through the neighborhood while everyone’s decked out in their favorite team colors. So fire up those grills, because I’m about to share some weekend grilling tips that’ll make you the MVP of NFL preseason recipes!
When the Eagles are playing, I always pull out this showstopper. This Texas-style smoking technique brings Philadelphia flair to a Lone Star classic. The long, slow smoke lets you watch the entire first quarter before you need to do anything else!
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1 whole beef brisket (12-14 pounds), point and flat attached
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1/3 cup “Philly Special” rub (1/4 cup black pepper, 2 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder)
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1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
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Green bell peppers and onions, sliced
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Philadelphia cream cheese horseradish sauce (8 oz cream cheese, 2 tbsp prepared horseradish, 1 tbsp green onions)
Pro Tip: Wrap your brisket in butcher paper instead of foil during the stall to get a better bark while still pushing through the plateau. It’s what separates good game day grilling from championship BBQ!
These sweet and tangy ribs pay homage to Cincinnati’s famous flavors while bringing some Texas attitude. Perfect Bengals game day food that’ll have fans of both teams finding common ground!
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3 racks St. Louis-style pork ribs
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“Who Dey” Dry Rub (1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp paprika, 1 tbsp chili powder, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1 tbsp black pepper)
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Cincinnati-style Bourbon Glaze:
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1 cup bourbon (preferably Bulleit)
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1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
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3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
Pro Tip: Apply the Bourbon Glaze in the final 30 minutes of cooking for the perfect sticky finish without burning the sugars. These ribs deserve their own touchdown dance!
These aren’t your average potato skins - these are Texas-sized flavor bombs perfect for football party food. I make these during every Cowboys game, and my kids fight over the last one every single time!
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1/2 lb smoked brisket, chopped (leftover brisket works great!)
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2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
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6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
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2 jalapeños, sliced (seeds removed if you can’t handle the heat)
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1 tbsp Texas-style rub (equal parts salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika)
Pro Tip: Smoke the whole potatoes for 1 hour before cutting and scooping to add another layer of flavor that’ll make other NFL preseason recipes jealous!
Listen up, team - with these championship BBQ recipes in your playbook, your NFL preseason parties are guaranteed to be the talk of the neighborhood. Whether you’re cheering for the Eagles, pulling for the Bengals, or just in it for the food, these dishes bring people together faster than a Hail Mary in the fourth quarter.
Remember, weekend grilling isn’t just about cooking food - it’s about creating memories with every flame-kissed bite. So grab your tongs, don your team colors, and let’s kick off this season with flavors that deserve their own highlight reel!
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a date with a smoker and 14 pounds of brisket. In Texas, we take our game day grilling prep as seriously as the coin toss!