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Easy Smoked Sausage and Pepper Skewers: Best Tailgate Recipe

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These Easy Smoked Sausage and Pepper Tailgate Skewers are the perfect game day food—quick, portable, and delicious. Smoky sausage gets beautiful char marks from the grill, while sweet bell peppers and red onions soften to perfection, all on a stick for easy eating.

Ingredients

  • Smoked sausage (14-16 oz), sliced into 1-inch rounds on a slight diagonal
  • Bell peppers (3 medium), mixed colors, cut into 1-inch squares
  • Red onion (1 large), cut into wedges and separated into pieces
  • Olive oil (2 tablespoons)
  • Garlic powder (1 teaspoon)
  • Smoked paprika (1 teaspoon)
  • Black pepper (½ teaspoon), freshly ground preferred
  • Salt (½ teaspoon)
  • Cayenne pepper (¼ teaspoon, optional)
  • Wooden or metal skewers (if wooden, soak in water for 30 minutes)

Instructions

  1. Prep your grill: Heat grill to medium-high heat (375-400°F). Clean grates with a wire brush.
  2. Cut the sausage: Slice smoked sausage into 1-inch thick rounds on a slight diagonal. If sausage is thick, cut rounds in half.
  3. Prep the vegetables: Core and seed bell peppers, cut into 1-inch squares. Cut red onion into wedges, separate layers into pieces about the same size as peppers.
  4. Season everything: In a large bowl, combine sausage, peppers, and onion. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and cayenne (if using). Toss with hands until evenly coated.
  5. Assemble the skewers: Thread ingredients onto skewers, alternating sausage, pepper, and onion. Leave a finger’s width between pieces. Aim for 5-6 pieces per skewer, making about 8-10 skewers total.
  6. Grill the skewers: Place skewers on preheated grill. Cook 4-5 minutes on first side without moving, then flip and cook another 4-5 minutes. Sausage should have visible char marks and internal temperature of 165°F; peppers should be slightly softened with browned edges.
  7. Rest and serve: Remove from grill and let rest 2 minutes. Serve immediately or keep warm in a foil pan on the edge of the grill.

Notes

For best results, don’t overcrowd the skewers—leave space between pieces for even charring. Oil the food, not the grill grates. Soak wooden skewers for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. If using a gas grill, preheat with lid closed for 10 minutes. For tailgates, assemble skewers the night before and season at the grill to prevent soggy peppers.

Nutrition

Keywords: smoked sausage, pepper skewers, tailgate recipe, game day food, grilled skewers, easy appetizer

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/easy-smoked-sausage-and-pepper-skewers-best-tailgate-recipe/