Super Bowl Hosting Guide: Prep, Grilling, Fun, and Less Stress
This Pro Tip was featured in our "Happy Que Year!" BBQ box.
Hey Grill Masters Club Nation, it's Rosalie, your lead Pitmaster! We are gearing up for one of the biggest grilling days of the year... the SUPER BOWL! Our houses will be filled with family and friends and our grills are filled with delicious meats and meals to share.
As fun as this season can be, we also recognize that hosting can be pretty stressful. Aside from picking versatile and flexible products for the ultimate grilling experience and making easy to follow recipes, we are also bringing you some amazing tips to make your hosting better! We’ve put together a great game plan to make this the best super bowl yet.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you plan a fantastic party.
1. Prep Ahead of Time
The key to a successful Super Bowl BBQ is preparation. Start by planning your menu a few days before the event so you can take advantage of store sales or order supplies in advance.
- Create a checklist for food, drinks, and supplies. Include burgers, wings, pulled pork sliders, steaks, burnt ends, and some side dishes like chips, coleslaw, and baked beans.
- Marinate meats and prep veggies a day or two before the party. This ensures everything is ready to grill when the time comes, minimizing the last-minute rush.
- Set up a beverage station with coolers filled with drinks—beer, soda, and water—so guests can help themselves throughout the game.
2. Create a Snack Stadium!
Have you ever seen a snack stadium? A snack stadium is when you arrange a potluck where everyone brings a dish in a foil pan to arrange sides, apps and mains in the shape of a stadium!
You’ll need 4 catering stands for the taller part of the stadium to resemble the higher sections of the stands, then you can set a layer of empty pans upside down to place foil pans of food on top of to resemble the mid sections and place the remaining foil pans on the table for the first sections. You can have the items that need to stay hot in the catering stands.
You can purchase goal posts or make them out of pretzels. For the field you can make a giant sheet pan cake with green frosting! This way, all you have to do is ask guests to bring over a ½ size foil pan with their food in it after arranging the stadium itself. There’s something for everyone!
3. Best Foods to Grill
If you prefer to make everything yourself and not ask guests to bring something, snack stadium-style, then your grill is the star of the show. In this case, focus on foods that are easy to cook, crowd-pleasing, and portable for guests to enjoy during the game.
- Burgers and sliders are classic BBQ staples. They’re easy to prepare, cook quickly, and satisfy most appetites. Consider offering a variety of toppings and buns to make them customizable.
- Chicken wings are another favorite. Grill them with a few different sauces (buffalo, BBQ, or dry rub) to cater to various tastes. Check out our Limited Release "Be My Wingman" BBQ box -- it has everything you need for delicious wings.
- Grilled vegetables like peppers, onions, and corn on the cob add flavor and balance out the meat-heavy offerings. You can prep them in advance and throw them on the grill as a side.
- Skewers (chicken, shrimp, or veggie) are great for a fun, finger-food experience.
4. Make It Fun for Everyone
Ensure that your guests stay engaged and entertained, whether they’re into football or not.
- Set up a viewing area that has plenty of seating and is well-positioned for everyone to watch the game. Consider placing a few TVs outside or nearby to create a festive atmosphere.
- Games and activities like cornhole, ladder toss, or a football tossing contest can add some extra fun for non-football fans.
- Super Bowl bingo or a prop bet sheet can involve guests in the game even if they’re not experts on football, making it interactive for everyone.
5. Minimize Stress for the Host
Hosting doesn’t have to feel like a burden. Here are some ways to make the process easier:
- Delegate tasks where possible. Ask a friend to help with setting up, serving drinks, or managing the grill for a while.
- Keep it simple by sticking to dishes that are easy to prepare, and pre-cook some items if possible. For example, slow-cook some ribs and smoke your pork butt the day before to save time and eliminate hosting stress.
- Use disposable plates and utensils to minimize cleanup. That way, you can focus on enjoying the game rather than spending time washing dishes.
By prepping ahead, offering delicious food, keeping the atmosphere fun, and sharing responsibilities, you’ll host a memorable and stress-free Super Bowl BBQ for all your guests!
