Best Tailgating Cooking Books of 2026

The Ranch Table: Recipes from a Year of Harvests, Celebrations, and Family Dinners on a Historic California Ranch is a stunning cookbook that celebrates a year on a ranch on the California coast. Elizabeth Poett shares her family's traditions and culture, as well as simple yet festive recipes, inspiring menus, and fascinating history. The book is organized around the annual events and natural rhythms of the land, from harvests to celebrations big and small, and each chapter begins with a description of a special day. The Ranch Table offers a unique glimpse into a life lived in harmony with nature, and the recipes are perfect for anyone who loves fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Taste of Home's What Can I Bring? cookbook offers over 360 crowd-pleasing dishes perfect for sharing at any gathering. From appetizers to desserts, each recipe in this colorful collection serves a group and travels well. The book also includes useful tips on packing and traveling with food, as well as suggestions for the ideal foods to bring to specific events. With easy-to-follow directions and common ingredients, this book is a must-have for any home cook looking to impress at potlucks, picnics, and parties.

The Gas Griddle Cookbook is a must-have for anyone who loves grilling. This cookbook is designed to help you become a master chef of your own kitchen with a wide range of delicious recipes and pro tips. With this book, you can learn how to set up a flat top griddle and master the entire griddling process. The cookbook features a wide selection of breakfast, burger, vegetable and side dishes, as well as the tastiest poultry, beef, and pork recipes. If you want to improve your cooking skills and learn a variety of delicious recipes to put into practice, this book is for you.

The Epic Outdoor Griddle Cookbook by Adam and Brett Walton, aka The Waltwins, is a comprehensive guide to turning your outdoor griddle into a versatile cooking tool. The book is filled with dozens of tips and tricks for making the most of your flattop griddle, along with amazing recipes for all kinds of meals - from big breakfasts to substantial main courses, international dishes, and fun desserts. The Waltwins' expertise and passion for outdoor-griddle cooking are evident throughout the book, making it a must-have for anyone who wants to expand their outdoor cooking horizons.

The Blackstone Griddle Cookbook is a comprehensive guide to mastering the art of cooking on a Blackstone Griddle. It contains everything you need to know about grilling with a Blackstone Griddle, including helpful tips and tricks, maintenance, and cleaning. The book also features a wide variety of healthy and easy-to-make recipes, from breakfast to dinner and beyond, including vegetarian and vegan options. Whether you're a seasoned grilling enthusiast or a novice, this cookbook is sure to take your culinary skills to the next level and impress your family and friends. Overall, it's an excellent resource for anyone looking to elevate their grilling game.

The Grill Bible • Smoker Cookbook 2023 is a comprehensive guide to grilling and smoking meat like a pro. It offers 1200 days of juicy and delicious recipes, including the secrets to cooking the perfect brisket and using the right rubs and wood pellets. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced pitmaster, this cookbook has something to offer. The author, ICEWIL, provides expert advice on maintaining and mastering the grill with style and showmanship. Overall, The Grill Bible • Smoker Cookbook 2023 is a must-have for anyone who wants to impress their guests with tender and juicy BBQ dishes.

Smashed: 60 Epic Smash Burgers and Sandwiches for Dinner, for Lunch, and Even for Breakfast―For Your Outdoor Griddle, Grill, or Skillet by Adam and Brett Walton is the ultimate guide to outdoor-griddle cooking. The book features 60 easy-to-master recipes that are perfect for both flattop rookies and griddling veterans. From classic cheeseburgers to Black Bean Veggie Burgers and Fish Sandwiches, the book has something for everyone. The Walton twins' passion for outdoor-griddle cooking is evident in every recipe, making this cookbook a must-have for anyone looking to up their grilling game.

The Outdoor Gas Griddle Cookbook is a comprehensive guide to grilling that features loads of delicious and easy recipes for beginners and experts alike. The book contains a multitude of recipes for every meal, from breakfast to dessert, with tips for setting up your griddle and controlling the cooking process. The cookbook also includes game day recipes, juicy steaks, and burger recipes, as well as tips for keeping your culinary creativity alive. Overall, this cookbook is a must-have for anyone looking to level up their grilling game and impress their family and friends with restaurant-quality dishes at home.

The Complete Guide to Smoking and Salt Curing by Monte Burch is a practical handbook for anyone who wants to make their own smoked or cured products. The book covers everything from selecting meats and avoiding contamination to choosing smokers and using various tools. It also includes delicious recipes for rubs, sauces, ham, sausage, bacon and more. Whether you’re a serious hunter or angler seeking to cure and smoke your own game or a consumer looking to stretch your grocery dollar while creating delicious smoked salmon or cured bacon at home, this book is a must-read. Burch’s forty years of experience and full-color photographs make this ancient art of preserving food accessible to beginners and experts alike.

Camp Cocktails is a perfect guide for anyone who loves to enjoy a good drink in the great outdoors. With easy-to-follow instructions, Emily Vikre offers a variety of delicious drinks that are perfect for any occasion, from hiking to boating. The book also features expert bartender tips and hacks to help you impress your friends with your mixology skills. What makes this book unique is the chapter dedicated to foraging/found ingredients, which integrates nature into your favorite cocktails. Overall, Camp Cocktails is a must-have for anyone who loves to enjoy a tasty drink in the great outdoors.