Best Tailgate Beef Recipes for Game Day
Labor Day may be behind us, but tailgating season is just heating up! From Friday night lights to Sunday kickoffs, the grill is the real MVP. And what’s a tailgate without beefy, crowd-pleasing favorites?
This week, we’re sharing some of our best beef recipes for game day, all made with Laura’s Lean Ground Beef - a clean, lean protein that delivers big flavor without compromise. Whether you’re hosting a parking lot party or cheering from your backyard, these recipes are guaranteed winners.
Big, bold, and stuffed with flavor - these burgers will be the talk of the tailgate.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. Laura’s Lean Ground Beef (92% or 96% Lean)
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 8 slices bacon (2 per burger)
- 4 slices cheese (cheddar, provolone, or your favorite)
- 1 cup assorted toppings (peppers, onions, jalapeños, mushrooms)
- 4 hamburger buns
- Lettuce and tomato, optional
Instructions:
- Preheat grill to medium heat.
- In a large bowl, combine beef, Worcestershire, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently.
- Divide mixture into 4 large balls.
- Press the bottom of a beer can into each ball to create a “bowl,” then carefully remove the can.
- Wrap each bowl with 2 slices of bacon and stuff with cheese and toppings.
- Grill indirectly for about 30 minutes, or until cooked through (160°F internal temp).
- Serve on buns with lettuce and tomato.
Perfectly portable, these sliders disappear fast—make a double batch!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. Laura’s Lean 92% Lean Ground Beef
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 8 slider buns (sweet Hawaiian preferred)
- 8 slices sharp cheddar cheese
- Pickle slices, optional
Instructions:
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Combine beef, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper. Mix gently.
- Form into 8 patties.
- Grill 2–3 minutes per side, or until cooked through (160°F).
- Top with cheddar just before removing from grill.
- Serve on buns with pickles if desired.
Grilled Sweet & Sour Meatball Skewers
Skewers are always a hit - especially when sweet, tangy, and beefy!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. Laura’s Lean 96% Lean Ground Beef
- ½ cup grated yellow squash (squeezed dry)
- 2 Tbsp whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 large egg
- 1 green bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 small onion, cut into chunks
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
Sweet & Sour Sauce:
- ½ cup ketchup
- 3 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp cornstarch
Instructions:
- Combine beef, squash, flour, garlic, ginger, salt, and egg. Roll into 16 meatballs.
- In a saucepan, whisk ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, and cornstarch until thickened.
- Reserve ? cup sauce; toss meatballs in the rest and marinate 15 minutes.
- Thread meatballs, peppers, onion, and pineapple onto skewers.
- Grill at 425°F for 15 minutes, turning every 5 minutes, until meatballs hit 160°F.
- Brush with reserved sauce before serving.
Wrapping It Up
Tailgating is about more than football - it’s about food, friends, and fun. With these Laura’s Lean beef recipes, you’ll score big with your crew while keeping it lean, clean, and delicious. Fire up the grill, grab your team colors, and get ready to win the day - before kickoff even starts!
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