Tailgating is a fun pre-game ritual where you share great food with your friends and family. It’s also the perfect opportunity to break the grill out to impress everyone in the parking lot.
For these types of events, I’m a firm believer that the Blackstone griddle is a game-changer. Anyone can use it to turn ordinary side dishes into mouthwatering delights.
Let’s discuss the Blackstone’s brilliance as I share recipes for griddle-grilled sides that’ll elevate your tailgate menu!
Why Choose the Blackstone Griddle
The Blackstone griddle is a versatile tool that lets you grill, bake, and broil any dish outdoors. I love that it’s super portable while also having a large work surface.
You can use the Blackstone griddle for cooking mains and side dishes simultaneously. It also provides consistent heat and precise temperature control.
Blackstone griddles are easy to clean, so you don’t have to worry about bringing them to a sports event!
3 Grilled Side Dishes That Should Be on Your Tailgate Menu
Without further ado, here are three grilled side dishes to elevate your tailgating menu!
1 – Grilled Lobster Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is one of the simplest side dishes you can make. It’s homey, delicious, and familiar to everyone.
For me, mac and cheese is a blank canvas that becomes special once you cook it on a grill. The smokiness from the Blackstone seeps into the cheese, turning it into the star of the show!
What You Need
- 1 package of elbow macaroni
- 2 lobster tails, cleaned and split in half
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ½ cup butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 3 cups cheddar cheese
- 2 cups gruyere cheese
- 1 cup Romano cheese
How to Prepare It
- To save time, pre-cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions at home. Strain the macaroni and package them in a container before leaving for the event.
- Preheat the Blackstone griddle to 450°F.
- Drizzle the lobsters with olive oil and season them with salt and pepper.
- Grill the lobster tails for 5 to 6 minutes on each side. Once cooked, peel the lobster tails, chop them into pieces, then set them aside.
- Next, place a cast iron skillet on the Blackstone.
- Melt the butter, then sauté the onion and garlic until soft. Add the flour and keep stirring until it turns a golden color.
- Add your milk, chopped lobster tails, cheese, and cooked macaroni. Stir the ingredients together, then shut the griddle hood.
- Cook the mac and cheese for 20 minutes or until the cheese melts.
2 – Mashed Sweet Potato
Grilled sweet potatoes are a delightful twist to regular mashed potatoes. They’re healthy and they pair well with most main dishes.
This must-try recipe is for a lightly spiced mashed sweet potato!
What You Need
- 6 sweet potatoes
- ¾ cup milk (I use whole milk, but dairy-free milk also works.)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped finely
- Salt and pepper, to taste
How to Prepare It
- Preheat the Blackstone to 325ºF.
- Clean and wrap each sweet potato in aluminum foil. Poke a few holes into the foil with a fork to allow steam to escape.
- Place the wrapped sweet potatoes over the hot surface and cook them for 90 minutes, flipping occasionally. You can tell they’re done when a fork goes through.
- Once cooked, cool the sweet potatoes for a few minutes, then carefully peel each one. Place them in a large bowl and mash with a fork or potato masher.
- Add the milk, butter, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir until all the ingredients are incorporated.
- Spoon the mashed sweet potato into a serving dish and garnish with more thyme.
3 – Smokey Stuffed Peppers
Serving stuffed peppers is a great way to bring color into your menu. The combination of the rice, sausages, and smokey bell peppers makes this a stand-out dish!
What You Need
- 6 medium bell peppers (You can use a combination of red, yellow, and green ones.)
- ½ lb Spanish chorizo sausages
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tomatoes, cubed
- ½ cup Picante sauce
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
How to Prepare It
- Preheat the griddle to 300ºF.
- Slice the tops off of the bell peppers, then remove the seeds. Set aside.
- In a deep cast-iron skillet, sauté the chorizo, onion, garlic, and tomatoes until caramelized.
- Next, stir in the picante sauce and the cooked white rice. Let this simmer until the rice absorbs most of the liquid, about five minutes.
- Spoon the rice mixture into the bell peppers. Top each bell pepper with cheese.
- Place the bell peppers in the Blackstone and smoke for 30 minutes or until the bell peppers become tender.
Tips for Cooking Side Dishes in a Blackstone Griddle
Preparing your side dishes in a Blackstone griddle is easy as long as you follow these tips.
- Always Preheat: Preheating the grill is essential to prevent dishes from drying out. Remember to preheat the Blackstone before you do anything else.
- Oil Liberally: Oiling the Blackstone griddle is necessary to prevent sticking.
- Utilize the Hot Zone: The Blackstone griddle will have hotter areas. You should use them to your advantage to cook sides and mains simultaneously.
- Keep it Clean: Be sure to clean the grill after cooking each dish. Doing so prevents the burning and mixing of flavors.
Final Thoughts
Blackstones are the best tools for creating griddle-grilled sides that elevate any tailgate menu. They’re highly portable and cleanable, and they can cook a variety of dishes.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to use your Blackstone to experiment with different ingredients and recipes. You’re sure to impress your family and friends with anything you come up with!
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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