You can feel it in the air around you consuming every one of your senses: The sound of crisp leaves crunching under your feet and home team cheers, the sight of friends smiling and laughing, the taste of savory snacks, and the smell of grilled goodness in every form. What are you experiencing? That’s just the beginning of the sacred American football season.

It’s a given that celebrating this season-long holiday encompasses invitations to tailgating parties for Saturdays and Sundays to come. You know, the parties that play out in parking lots (rain or shine), often require you to pay for your spot, and have a luxurious outhouse for your relief…

If you’re a creature of comfort and convenience who also suffers from fear of missing out (medically termed FOMO), may we recommend the greatest method of watching your home team? Let us introduce you to…Homegating. By definition, Homegating is the practice of partying, grilling, and cheering on your team with friends from the comfort of your own patio.

What You’ll Need for a Homegating Game Night

If you jive with the idea of a homegate, let us tell you how to put on a gathering that no one will forget (no matter how many beers they have). Before you even think about food, adult beverages, and music, know that your most important asset is your Coyote Portable Grill.

Our Portable Grill is a homegater’s best friend because of it’s flexibility. Grill wherever your party is with ease, whether that be in your backyard or a friend’s. All of your football favorites have plenty of room for absorbing flavor on the 200-square-inch cooking area. Your meats and vegetables alike have the potential to reach perfect crispiness with an infinity burner capable of up to 20,000 BTU’ and a max temperature of 700 degrees Fahrenheit.

You of course cannot forget about the importance of decor and apparel that recreates the stadium atmosphere within your own walls. Bring out your favorite player’s jersey. Find the best plates and cups that rep your home team’s colors. Maybe even create a chalkboard sign welcoming everyone to the best homegate of the season!

When it comes to sips and snacks, you can’t go wrong with offering a few beer, seltzer, and wine options along with football season classics such as tortilla chips with salsa and guacamole, soft pretzel bites, and a veggie tray with dip. Now we’re ready to discuss the main event… what to throw on the grill for your homegate.

Grilling Ideas for Homegating Food

It’s hard to go wrong when mixing grilling and football fans, but if you want to blow your guests away, we recommend throwing the following items on your Coyote grill.

Burgers and Hot Dogs

Let’s be real – the classics are classics for a reason. Between juicy burgers and sizzling hot dogs, you can’t help but enjoy watching the game (even if your team isn’t doing so sizzling hot). For the ultimate burger and dog result, we recommend trying out Ryan Shazier’s burger recipe:

What you’ll need:

100% Grass Fed Ground Beef (2lbs)
- 3TBSP Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 Eggs
- Salt / Pepper
- ¼ C Breadcrumbs
BBQ Aioli
- ½ C Mayo
- ½ C Barbeque Sauce
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
Sharp Cheddar Cheese (Melted on burger)
Leaf Lettuce
Purple Onion
Crispy Onions
Pickled Jalapenos
Sesame Seed Bun

Prep:

1. Cook burger medium
2. Toast Bun on Coyote Grill
3. Add BBQ Aioli to both sides of the bun, add beef patty, lettuce, purple onion, crispy onions, pickled jalapenos, BBQ aioli

BBQ Ribs

When you place the ribs on the grill, your guests will know you mean business. Try our favorite grilled rib recipe below!

What you’ll need:

2 racks of ribs (Pork or Beef depending on your preference)
Dry Rub
- 1 TBSP Cumin
- 1 TBSP Smoked Paprika
- 1 TSP Cayenne
- 2 TBSP Brown Sugar
- 2 TBSP Salt
- 1 TSP Black Pepper
- 1 TBSP Onion Powder
- 1 TBSP Garlic Powder
BBQ Sauce

Prep:

Pull the ribs from the refrigerator 15 minutes before grilling so the meat doesn’t get shocked when placed on heat
Rub all sides of the ribs with dry rub
Place the ribs on the grill (meat side down), then grill and cook the ribs covered for 45 minutes
Brush the ribs with BBQ sauce and then flip the ribs over before brushing on more sauce
Cook the ribs bone side down for 10-15 minutes
Remove from the grill and cover for 10-15 minutes

Rotisserie Chicken

When has chicken ever been a bad idea? We don’t know too many people who would turn down a grilled Rotisserie Chicken on game day. Try this savory recipe out!

What you’ll need:

One 3 ½ lb to 4 lb whole chicken
2 TSP Fine Sea Salt
2 TSP Watkins Organic Poultry Seasoning
1 Lemon
1 ½ lb Baby Potatoes
2 Medium Onions cut into wedges

Prep:

Pat the raw chicken dry with paper towels and remove any giblets from the inside cavity
Evenly rub the sea salt over and under the skin and then evenly distribute the seasoning throughout the chicken
Put the chicken on a plate and leave uncovered in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, up to overnight
Pat the chicken dry again and insert the spit through the cavity
Truss the chicken with butchers twine (use a piece of twin 4x longer than the length of the bird) while it is on the spit
Make sure the bird is centered on the spit, then tighten the second fork to lock the bird in place. Squish one-half of the lemon into the cavity.
Insert into the grill on the highest rotisserie placeholder. Place an aluminum pan with your potatoes and onion directly underneath the chicken. Sprinkle potatoes and onions with salt and pepper.
Turn the rear infrared burner of your Twin Eagles Grill to high and start the rotisserie by pushing the button on the right-hand side of the grill (it should rotate freely)
Sear on high with the cover open for 30 minutes, then poke a few holes in the skin to let the juices start running out of it gently. Cook on high for 20 more minutes, then turn off the infrared burner.
Use a spatula to mix the potatoes and onion, cooking them with juices and fat that drip down from the chicken.
Turn the left and right burners on low and close the lid, keeping the rotisserie on. You’ll cook the chicken at around 300-325 degree until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the breast is around 165 degrees.
Finish crisping the skin by turning the side burners off and turning the infrared rotisserie back on until the skin is deep golden brown and the thickest part of of the breast is 180 degrees.

Grilled Veggies and Skewers

If you have guests who prefer a lighter option, grilled veggies and steak skewers are a perfect choice! Try this easy, quick, and tasty recipe!

What you’ll need:

VEGGIES:

2 Portabello Mushrooms
1 Eggplant
1 Zucchini
1 Yellow Squash
1 Onion
1 Bunch Thick Asparagus
1 Red Bell Pepper
2 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 TBSP Kosher Salt
1 TBSP Freshly Ground Pepper

Prep:

Preheat the grill to 350 – 450 degrees
Cut eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, and onion into ⅓” to ½” slices. Cut red bell pepper into quarters and trim the ends of the asparagus
Drizzle veggies with olive oil and sprinkle salt and pepper
Grill veggies with the lid closed until tender and lightly charred over (about 8-10 minutes for peppers, onion, and mushrooms and 5-7 minutes for yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, and asparagus)

STEAK SKEWERS:

½ C Olive Oil
½ C Soy Sauce
3 Cloves Minced Garlic
1 TSP Black Pepper
2 lbs Sirloin Steak (cut in 1 inch cubes)
8 Metal Skewers

Prep:

Whisk together olive oil, soy sauce, garlic and pepper
Add the cubed sirloin steak to marinade and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let marinate for 30 minutes – 1 hour
Thread cubed steak onto the skewers
Grill kebabs on medium heat (turning often) until all sides are well brown, about 12-15 minutes

Appetizers

Last but not least, you can’t forget about the appetizers! While everyone waits for the main course, whip up a quick and easy snack such as:

GRILLED SWEET POTATO NACHOS

What you’ll need:

Nachos

2 Large Sweet Potatoes
1 TBSP Olive Oil
1 TSP Chili Powder
1 TSP Cumin
1 14 oz. Can Refried Beans
1 C Frozen Sweet Corn
3 oz. Multigrain Tortilla Chips
Chopped Cilantro (for topping)
Crumbled Cotija Cheese (for topping)

Cheese Sauce

½ TSP Butter
1 Large Clove Minced Garlic
1 ½ C Milk
2 TBSP Flour
¼ TSP Salt
½ C Shredded Cheese

Prep:

Turn grill on medium-high heat
Wash sweet potatoes and pierce with a fork. Wrap them in a paper towel and microwave on high for 4 minutes
When cool enough to handle, cut sweet potatoes into wedges and toss with olive oil, chili powder, and cumin (and salt to taste)
Transfer sweet potatoes to grill and cook for a few minutes on each side until roasted
While cooking, heat the refried beans on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through, and roast the corn in a dry nonstick skillet until golden brown
Arrange chips in a single layer and top with sweet potato wedges, black beans, and corn
Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add the garlic and saute for 1-2 minutes.
Add ¾ cup milk and heat until simmering.
Add the remaining ¾ cup of milk with flour and then add to the saucepan and stir until smooth and thick
Remove from heat and whisk in the salt and cheese until melted
Drizzle the cheese sauce over the nachos and top with cilantro and Cotija cheese

Homegate Grilling in the Cold of Winter

If you have been part of the football season culture for even a short period of time, you know the party doesn’t stop when the temperatures drop. In fact, that’s when the excitement starts to heat up. So the question is: How do I homegate in the winter?

Can a Grill Stay Outside in Winter?

Whether you’re preparing for the Super Bowl or Rose Bowl or somewhere in between, we have good news for you. You can absolutely grill in the winter! Just be sure to

Give your grill a little extra time to warm up in colder temperatures.
Have extra fuel for the grill. Cold temperatures may cause your grill to need a bit more of a boost!
Keep your grill lid closed as much as possible (keep the hot air in!)
Have a warm pan ready to transfer your meat onto once it’s done.

How to Store a Grill in Winter

If you decide to hang up your tongs and grilling apron for the winter months, make sure you’re storing your Coyote grill correctly so it’s ready for use come spring.

Prep your grill for winter hibernation by:

Cleaning it thoroughly: Deep clean your grill gates and coat them with a high heat oil. If your grill has a grease cup, make sure you empty it. Remove the ignition battery from your electric starter if your grill has one.
Winterize it: Protect your grill from potential pests by cleaning any venturi and tube burner it might have. Wrap them in plastic to prevent pests from entering.
Store it: Once your grill is clean and winterized, select a properly sized grill cover to protect your grill from the elements and pests. Store the grill in a dry, cool, and covered place. If you’re storing a gas grill, be sure to disconnect and remove the propane tank.

Now you’re ready to throw the ultimate homegate for your home team with your Coyote Portable Grill! Here’s to another incredible kickoff of football season.