10 Winning BBQ Recipes for Super Bowl Sunday

What goes together better than Super Bowl Sunday and savoury appetizers? Perhaps savoury barbecued appetizers – after all, tailgating is a football tradition!

If you've got some good BBQ at your game day party, not only will you enjoy the game more, but you'll have some treats to console you with if the outcome isn't what you wish, or some celebratory snacks if your team comes out on top.

Read on for a list of 10 delicious and versatile appetizers to supplement the 2020 Super Bowl.

1.  Buffalo Chicken Wings

Recipe Source: Hey Grill Hey

When you think of Super Bowl snacks, chicken wings are likely the first thing that comes to mind. This ultimate finger food is easy to eat, quick to make, and hits a home run on the delicious-meter. (Just don't try to grab the remote with those post-chicken-wing fingers!)

To take your chicken wings to the gourmet level, marinate the meat in beer, salt, and red pepper flakes. After they've had a chance to sit for 8-12 hours, drain the brine off the wings, and grill them on a cookie sheet over indirect heat.

While they're on the grill, prepare a simple sauce of buffalo sauce, dark brown sugar, and butter; coat the wings when they're ready.

2. Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Recipe Source: Traeger Grills

Bacon, brown sugar, and lil' smokies are a match made in heaven. This simple snack is one of the best game day snacks because it's both easy and delicious – a winning recipe.

Simply roll out bacon strips, wrap them around the sausages, and secure your creation with a toothpick. Then leave them in the fridge for 30 minutes to ensure they stick together when they hit the grill. When the time elapses, arrange the lil' smokies on a cookie sheet and set the tray in your smoker.

P.S. Traeger recommends using apple wood for this dish – and we couldn't agree more.

3. Beer Cheese dip with Smoked Sausage & Chili Peppers

Recipe Source: Vindulge

Yes, food is an imperative addition to any sports game, but how could we forget its alcoholic counterpart? As tradition goes, beer is often the beverage of choice for Super Bowl Sunday, and there are plenty of unique recipes that combine the savouriness of game day snacks, the smokiness of BBQ, and the kick of beer – including this gem.

To make this delectable dip, start by preheating your smoker to 250 degrees, dicing some sausages, and removing the stems and seeds from 4 chili peppers. When your grill is ready, set those sausages on the smoker for 60-90 minutes. The chili peppers will require about 2 hours on the smoker.

Once your grilling is all done, move into the kitchen to begin preparing the cheesy part of the dip equation. Start by warming butter in a saucepan over medium and then add onion. It will take about 6 minutes to soften, and once it does, add those delicious little chilis and sausages you made. Let all the flavours mingle for about 6 minutes, stirring often.

Now it's time to thicken the dip. Add flour or cornstarch and stir together for a minute. Then add beer, bring to a simmer, and reduce the heat to low. Then it's time to give the dip that savoury flavour by adding smoked cheddar, sharp cheddar, and cream cheese, along with some dijon mustard.

This dish provides the perfect accompaniment to chips, buns, celery sticks, soft pretzels and more.

4. Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Recipe Source: Barbecue Bible

Appetizers are great and all, but when the halftime show comes on, you may want a more substantial meal to keep your stomach satisfied for the rest of the game. These barbecued pulled pork sandwiches will hit the spot just right.

One great thing about pulled pork sandwiches is that you can prepare them the day in advance, so come game day, all you'll have to do is assemble them.

The day before the big game, preheat your grill to 250 degrees and set it up for indirect grilling. While your BBQ is heating up, drench a pork shoulder in your favourite rub. Then set it in the centre of the grill grate over a drip pan, making sure to keep it fat-side-up so the drippings baste the pork as it cooks.

Then set some smoked wood chips onto the coals, lower the grill cover, and smoke the pork for 7-9 hours. You'll know it's done when the meat falls off the bone and the internal temperature reads 195 degrees.

Next, take the meat off the grill and drench it in your favourite BBQ sauce.

5. Salt and Pepper Drumsticks

Recipe Source: Food Network

I know we've already talked about chicken wings, but they're such a Super Bowl staple that we've just got to include a second recipe.

These salt and pepper drumsticks are simple but effective, requiring only sea salt, black peppercorns, and garlic for seasoning. Crush the peppercorns in a mortar and pestle bowl and add them to a large plastic bag, along with the drumsticks and the other spices. Seal the bag and give it a good shake. 

While you're at it, preheat your BBQ to medium high and brush the grill with olive oil. Looking for a great BBQ grill that works well in these chilly Canadian winters? We'd recommend Broil King, Weber, and Napoleon.  

Next, pop those seasoned drumsticks on the grill and turn them every 5-7 minutes for about 30-35 minutes, until they're cooked through.

These wings are delicious on their own and also go great with BBQ sauce.

6. BBQ Chicken Nachos

Recipe Source: Simply Recipes

Nachos are the perfect shareable appetizer for the big game – but when you make them on the BBQ, the extra flavour will give your guests something to talk about (besides the game).

This recipe uses precooked chicken, so all you need to do is mix it with BBQ sauce; the grill will do the rest and make you look like a master chef. Next, take aluminum foil and fold up the sides slightly in order to make a boat. Layer tortilla chips on the bottom of the bottom, sprinkle on some cheese, add chicken, and repeat with the remainder of the cheese.

Next, set your aluminum boat on the BBQ and grill from 5-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the tortillas have browned. While your nachos are on the grill, create a simple cream sauce by combining sour cream and BBQ sauce – no fuss, no muss. Sprinkle it over your completed nachos, add some tomatoes, green onions, or jalapenos and get back to the game.

7. Grilled Peach Salsa

Recipe Source: Traeger Grills

Want to take your nachos to the next level? Why not make some extra special grilled peach salsa to pair it with!

Preheat your smoker to high, and get your peaches grill ready by cutting them in half and brushing the interiors with olive oil and salt. Hint = try to find peaches that aren't super ripe – that way, they won't fall apart on the grill. Then place the peaches on the perimeter of the grill, cut side down, and cook until grill marks develop (about 20 mins).

Next, dice up your grilled peaches and combine them in a large bowl along with diced tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and lime juice; salt to taste. In addition, you may want to add jalapeno and cilantro to give your salsa some extra flavour.  Finally, grab your favourite chips, and you've got a luxurious appetizer that's worth the extra effort.

8. Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Skewers

Recipe Source: Allrecipes

These days, practically every kind of food can be covered in bacon, from smokies (see above) to brussel sprouts to tater tots – and shrimp is no exception. This dish brings two sides of Canada - the bacon-loving prairies and the seafood flavours of Canada's coastline - in one delicious skewer.

To make these bite-sized bacons wrapped shrimps, first soak your skewers and preheat BBQ to medium heat. Then melt butter over the stove and sauté jalapeno and onions, seasoning with cayenne, salt, and pepper. When your ingredients are tender add the sauce ingredients - brown sugar, ketchup, orange juice, and ginger - and let the mixture simmer. When the edges caramelize, after about 15 mins, set aside and let cool.

Now onto the main attraction: the shrimp and the bacon! Slide your shrimps onto skewers, and wind a bacon strip (that is cut into thirds) around them. Then brush the kebobs with the BBQ sauce (try to conserve half of it for dipping). Set the skewers onto the grill and cook for about 8 minutes.

9. Pork "Shooters"

Recipe Source: Barbecue Bible

Shot glasses made of sausage and bacon, filled with a cheesy seafood centre, what could be better for Super Bowl Sunday?

Set up your smoker or prepare your BBQ for indirect grilling and preheat to 400 degrees.

Now onto the fun part: assembling the shot glasses! Cut kielbasa into rounds about a quarter inch thick and wrap each of them with half a slice of bacon. Secure with a toothpick. Then, add cream cheese, cheddar cheese, scallions, and shrimp into the glass, but make sure to not to fill the glasses up completely! Finally, top with your favourite seasoning

Set your little pork shooters on the grill grate (you could also use a grill pan) and grill for 15-20 mins until the bacon is crisp and the filling is bubbling. Remove from the grill, and make sure to discard the toothpicks. Sprinkle with green scallions and serve immediately.

10. BBQ Ribs

Recipe Source: Food Network

Last, but certainly not least, is the pièce de résistance of the Super Bowl Sunday menu: smoked ribs.

Start by preparing your ribs by drenching them in your favourite rub. Place your ribs in a plastic bag and set them in the fridge for at least 2 hours to marinade. In the meantime, pour vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and apple juice into a spray bottle and shake to combine. Also, preheat your grill to 250 degrees.

When everything is ready, place your marinated ribs on the cooler side of the grill and spray them with the vinegar mixture. Then, close the lid, and let it smoke for one hour. After the time elapses, replenish the smoker box, flip the ribs, spray with mixture, and repeat this process every hour

Have we saved the best for last, or is there another dish you're planning on cooking? Let us know!

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