The Savory Spice Journal: Gather Around the Game

September always seems to kick off gathering season at our house. Family game nights start finding their way back onto the calendar, our annual golf league party isn’t far behind, and with football back and baseball heading into the playoffs, there always seems to be another reason to invite friends over. 

If you know Janet and me, you know we each have our role. I handle the food, while Janet handles the mood. She makes everyone feel welcome, and I make sure nobody leaves hungry. Somewhere between the appetizers, a few beverages, and whatever’s coming off the grill or out of the oven, the gathering always seems to take on a life of its own. Plus, we have a ton of Game Day Recipes and Tailgating Ideas to help inspire you to get the spread started.

No matter what game brought everyone together, before long people start asking the same question: “What seasoning did you use on that?” Here are some of my favorites to use this fall.

A New Customer Favorite Returns

This fall, I have a feeling my answer is going to be Maple Cowboy Butter.

The third release in our Savory Reservecollection sold out in a flash the first time around so now we’re bringing it back for good. One taste and it’s easy to understand why.

Sweet maple, butter, smoked paprika, garlic, chipotle, herbs, and just enough tang make it just as good on grilled meats as it is on roasted vegetables, fries, popcorn, and wings.

It’s also the star of one of our favorite new entertaining recipes: Loaded Cowboy Butter Sweet Potato Bites.

Crisp-edged roasted sweet potato rounds are topped with melted cheddar, bacon, scallions, then finished with a warm Maple Cowboy Butter drizzle that makes every bite rich, smoky, buttery, with just enough chipotle heat. They’re easy to serve, easy to eat, and made for tailgates, watch parties, and backyard gatherings.

It’s Not Football Without Wings

If wings are more your game-day tradition, check out our Gourmet Wing Rub Trio and the recipe below. Alongside Maple Cowboy Butter, you’ll find: 

• Big Dill Pickle Seasoning for bright, tangy dill pickle wings. 
• Garlic Chile Crunch for crispy garlic flavor with a satisfying kick of heat.

Not included in this trio, but don’t miss also trying Black Truffle Parmesan Seasoning on your next batch of wings.

Whether you’re cheering on your favorite team, gathering around the game table, or simply enjoying an evening with friends, we bet you’ll hear the same question we hear at our house: “What seasoning did you use on that?”

These Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings are everything you want for game day, backyard cookouts, and summer gatherings: crispy skin, juicy meat, and bold sweet-and-savory flavor.

Air-drying the wings overnight helps the skin render and crisp on the smoker, while a coating of seasoning immediately after smoking blooms the spices and creates an extra layer of aroma and flavor. 

More Game Day & Entertaining Seasonings

Seven Onion Dip Mix is the one dish I can count on to disappear before halftime, no matter how much I make. It’s our spin on classic French onion dip, and the trick is not rushing it. Mix it into sour cream the night before and let it sit in the fridge so the onion flavor has time to bloom. By kickoff it tastes like something you spent all morning on, even though it took about ninety seconds to stir together.

Taco Seasoning earns its spot on the tailgate table by doing double duty. Brown it with ground beef for the usual taco night, then use that same seasoned meat to build a layered taco salad dip. Beans, seasoned meat, cheese, salsa, and sour cream stacked up and served with tortilla chips.

Georgia Boys BBQ Rub is what I use when I’m feeding a crowd off the grill or smoker. It was built with ribs and pulled pork in mind, but it’s just as at home on tailgate chicken or burgers. Sweet, peppery, a little smoky, it’s the kind of all-purpose barbecue flavor that works when you’re trying to get people fed before the game starts.

Chicken Enchilada Chili solves the problem of wanting a big pot of something warm and filling without babysitting the stove all afternoon. It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like it simmered all day, with just enough heat to keep things interesting. Set it up before the first quarter and it’s ready by halftime. It’s one of those recipes that makes the whole tailgate smell like it’s time to eat.

Jalapeño Ranch Seasoning started life as a popcorn seasoning, but it’s become my go-to for a last-minute dip. Stir it into sour cream and you’ve got a spicy ranch dip for chips and veggies in about ten seconds, or sprinkle it straight onto fries or popcorn if you’re keeping things simple. It’s the jar I grab when someone shows up with a bag of chips and no plan.

Cheesy Popcorn Seasoningis proof that the simplest snacks disappear the fastest. Sprinkle it on buttered popcorn and it tastes like the boxed mac and cheese everyone grew up on.

If company is on the way and you aren’t sure where to start your food prep, we’ve got 42 Game Day Food Ideas and Tailgate Recipes for you to choose from.

To view more products, shop all Wing Rubs, Dip Mixes, and Seasonings for Entertaining a Crowd.