Smoky Football Snacks for MVPs

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… Football Season. What’s not to love? You get to invite family & friends over and fill up on snacks. But that bowl of greasy chips and jar of queso dip just isn’t going to cut it if you’re a true flavor guru, and you don’t want to spend all day in the kitchen because, hello, the game is ON!

Upping your munchie game doesn’t have to require much effort. We spend hours handcrafting our meats and smoking them low and slow for big, intense flavor, so you can spend more time cheering on your favorite team. Our ideas all pass the Sports Snacking Golden Rule: Easy to grab, share, and savor. Check out some of our favorite ways to take Football Sunday classics and make them bold, smoky MVPs. 

Pizza with a Punch

Sure, you could just order a pizza during half time and call it good. But if you’re hankering for big flavor, you’re going to have to go bigger and bolder. Try topping your pizza with some crispy, browned bits of Hot Italian Sausage, slivers of sweet fennel, and thinly sliced mushrooms. This hot, spicy sausage is slow-smoked and bursting with a peppery bite, and pairs well with all that gooey cheese. 

Next-Level Nachos

Nachos are a football party classic... and for good reason. Crunchy, salty chips, topped with all your favorite fixings? Yes, please. But if you’re ready to take them to the next level (which you are, right?) we’ve got just the thing: our Natural Chorizo with Brandy sausage. The mild spice is rich and full-flavored, to give your nachos a smoky punch of flavor that’ll have you jumping off the couch to grab seconds. Brown some up, sprinkle it over a sheet pan full of your favorite tortilla chips, then top with cheese and bake them in the oven until the cheese is just melted and the chorizo is sizzling again. Be sure to get a bite before they disappear into your very own crowd of cheering fans.

Bold, Smoky Meat Bombs

It’s a cardinal rule of football snacks that they have to be easy to hold in one hand for maximum ease of plate-to-mouth action. Dips must be scoopable, crackers sturdy, and sandwiches easily palmed. But tiny sandwiches (done right) can have big flavor. Our favorite sliders are delicious little meat bombs filled with thinly sliced brisket, crunchy, bold blue cheese slaw, and a drizzle of dark ale glaze. Our Montreal-Style Smoked Beef Brisket is marinated in a brine of garlic, onion, and a special blend of spices then smoked low & slow over applewood embers to lock-in that deep, rich flavor. So whatever you top your sliders with, you can count on huge flavor and melt-in-your-mouth juiciness in every bite. 

Once you’ve added North Country Smokehouse to your Football Sunday routine, there’s no going back. Stay smoky, football fans.