12 Texas BBQ Plates That Are Perfect For September Football Season
Football season in Texas means two things: rooting for your favorite team and indulging in some of the best barbecue the state has to offer.
As September approaches, the air fills with excitement, the sound of fans, and the irresistible aroma of smoked meat. There’s nothing quite like gathering with friends and family on game day, plates loaded high with tender brisket, ribs that fall off the bone, and all the classic fixings.
Over the years, I’ve fine-tuned my game-day spread, and now these 12 carefully chosen BBQ plates have become my winning lineup for Saturdays and Sundays alike.
1. Classic Smoked Brisket Plate
My grandpa always said a football game without brisket is like Texas without its pride. The perfect brisket slice should bend before it breaks, with that signature pink smoke ring telling the story of its 12-hour journey over post oak wood.
I serve mine the traditional way – on butcher paper with white bread, raw onions, and pickled jalapeños on the side.
No forks needed here! The fat should melt in your mouth while the bark delivers that peppery crunch that’ll have you reaching for more between plays. Pro tip: Keep the sauce on the side. A truly perfect brisket needs nothing more than salt, pepper, and time.
2. Ribs and Sausages Combo
Watching the quarterback get sacked is way more satisfying with a rib in one hand and a juicy sausage link in the other! Fall-off-the-bone pork ribs paired with snappy sausages create the ultimate tag-team of Texas flavors.
The secret’s in the contrast – tender ribs that surrender from the bone with the gentlest tug, alongside sausages that pop with spicy juices when you bite down.
I learned from my Uncle Rick that a spritz of apple cider vinegar during smoking keeps those ribs moist as can be. This plate disappears faster than a running back breaking through the defensive line!
3. Pulled Pork with Creamy Slaw & Beans
Remember that triple-overtime game against Oklahoma? That’s when I discovered the magic of balancing flavors on a football Sunday. Hand-pulled pork shoulder, smoked until it practically shreds itself, creates the foundation of this perfect plate.
The creamy, cool slaw cuts through the rich meat while baked beans bring a sweet, smoky complement that rounds everything out.
I add a splash of apple cider vinegar to my slaw – that tangy zip wakes up your taste buds between plays. When the game gets intense, there’s something deeply satisfying about this comfort food combo that keeps everyone happy regardless of the scoreboard.
4. Burnt Ends & Jalapeño Cornbread
Holy smokes! The first time I tasted burnt ends at my buddy’s tailgate, I nearly missed the kickoff because I couldn’t stop eating.
These caramelized brisket nuggets are candy for carnivores – crispy, fatty, sweet, and savory all at once. Paired with jalapeño cornbread that’s crusty on the outside but tender inside, you’ve got Texas in every bite.
The slight sweetness of the cornbread tames the heat from the peppers while complementing the smokiness of the meat. Fair warning though: put this plate within arm’s reach of your guests and watch it vanish before the first quarter ends!
5. Sliders Trio: Brisket, Pulled Pork & Sausage
Can’t decide on just one meat? Neither could I during last year’s championship game! That’s when these mini-sandwiches saved the day. Three different BBQ experiences in bite-sized portions let you sample the whole smokehouse without missing a single play.
Tender brisket with pickles and onions on one, tangy pulled pork with slaw on another, and sliced sausage with jalapeños on the third.
The soft, slightly sweet slider buns soak up all those magical meat juices without falling apart. My friends now request this plate by name whenever they come over to watch the game – perfect for grazing through four quarters!
6. BBQ Chicken Wings & Potato Salad
Football and wings go together like Texas and BBQ! Unlike those saucy Buffalo-style wings, our Texas version gets a dry rub of salt, pepper, paprika, and brown sugar before hitting the smoker. The skin crisps up beautifully while the meat stays juicy.
My mustard potato salad alongside isn’t an afterthought – it’s the perfect cool, tangy counterpart to those smoky wings.
The secret ingredient? A dash of pickle juice in the dressing. These wings don’t leave your fingers dripping, meaning no sticky remote controls during crucial plays. When halftime hits, you’ll find yourself reaching for seconds instead of checking your phone.
7. Texas-Style Sausage Plate
Touchdown! My father-in-law’s sausage recipe has been scoring points at our football gatherings for three generations. These plump links snap when you bite them, releasing a burst of juicy, spicy goodness that makes store-bought versions taste like sad imitations.
Served simply over white bread with raw onion rings and dill pickle chips, this is Texas BBQ at its most authentic.
The bread soaks up the flavorful juices while the sharp bite of onion and the vinegary crunch of pickles cut through the richness. Everyone asks if I’ll share the recipe, but like our team’s playbook, some secrets are meant to stay in the family!
8. Full BBQ Platter: Brisket, Ribs, Sausage, Burnt Ends
Game days call for going big! This show-stopping platter turns your coffee table into the best seat in the house. I call it my “four quarters” plate because it has something perfect for each part of the game.
Start with brisket for the first quarter, move to ribs for the second, sausage for the third, and save those heavenly burnt ends for the final quarter when you need that flavor touchdown.
Each meat gets its own rub and smoking technique, creating a BBQ symphony that keeps everyone coming back. Warning: serving this might make your guests forget about the actual football game!
9. BBQ Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Whoever first decided to stuff a baked potato with chopped brisket deserves a spot in the Texas Hall of Fame! These portable powerhouses solve the eternal problem of eating BBQ while keeping your eyes on the game.
Start with a russet potato baked until the skin is crisp but the inside is fluffy as a cloud. Then pile on chopped brisket, butter, sour cream, cheese, green onions, and a drizzle of BBQ sauce.
The potato cradles everything in an edible bowl that soaks up all those magnificent flavors. My buddy Mike ate three of these during last year’s playoff game – a personal record that still stands!
10. BBQ Meatball Sub
Sometimes you need one hand free for high-fives and fist pumps! That’s when my BBQ meatball subs save the day. Smoked beef and pork meatballs get glazed with a Dr Pepper BBQ sauce that caramelizes beautifully in the final minutes of cooking.
Nestle these smoky gems in a toasted hoagie roll with melted cheddar and pickled red onions. The sauce has just enough kick to wake up your taste buds without requiring a timeout for water breaks.
These subs are substantial enough to fuel you through overtime but won’t put you to sleep before the fourth quarter. They’re my secret weapon for converting non-BBQ fans!
11. BBQ-Loaded Nachos
The crowd goes wild when I bring out these nachos during the pre-game show! Crispy tortilla chips form the foundation for a mountain of chopped brisket, queso, jalapeños, and all the fixings that make game day special.
Unlike regular nachos, the smokiness of the meat elevates this snack to main-course status. I arrange mine in a single layer on a sheet pan so every chip gets its fair share of toppings – no sad, naked chips here!
A drizzle of BBQ sauce and a sprinkle of cilantro finish things off. These nachos bridge the gap between Tex and Mex in the most delicious way possible!
12. Dr Pepper BBQ Patty Melt
September in Texas means this seasonal sensation is back on the menu! The first time I recreated this limited-time treat at home, my watch party guests nearly forgot to watch the actual game.
A juicy beef patty gets a Dr Pepper BBQ sauce glaze that caramelizes on the grill, creating sweet, smoky magic.
Sandwich it between two slices of buttery Texas toast with American cheese, bacon, crispy onion rings, and jalapeño relish. When you bite in, all those flavors melt together in a symphony that’s worth every messy napkin. This sandwich tastes like Texas pride and football victory all rolled into one!