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The Best BBQ & Sides for a March Madness Party

Mar 7, 2016 · 590 Comments

In March, basketball can be seen on TVs everywhere and there’s endless talk of brackets, which can mean only one thing: it’s March Madness time! And what’s better than having friends and family over for the best BBQ and sides for a March Madness party?! Well, perhaps winning a 3 month bacon of the month subscription from Pig of the Month, that’s the only thing better (see bottom of the post for more info!)

The Best BBQ and March Madnes party with Pig of the Month this image

Ever since finding out about Pig of the Month BBQ (a service where you can receive monthly BBQ and order the most amazing BBQ ever) I have been in love with their products. Pig of the Month delivers perfectly seasoned and sauced meat to your door. Fully cooked ribs, pulled pork, brisket and pulled chicken, all ready to be heated and served.

The best delivery service with Pig of the Month BBQ

And bacon, omg, the bacon! I don’t know how Pig of the Month does it, but they have these incredible flavors that are so unique. I have tried their chipotle bacon, their awesome applewood smoked bacon and this time their citrus sugar bacon. It’s honestly the best bacon I have ever had, and there’s a giveaway at the bottom of the post for a 3 month bacon of the month subscription from Pig of the Month for you to try their bacon!

The best bacon I've ever had from Pig of the Month BBQ

Ok, so let’s talk about having a BBQ party.

Make ribs the star of the show from Pig of the Month

The star of the show is definitely the meat: easy enough, you just go ahead and order one of the ‘feast’ boxes from Pig of the Month. There are different options, but they all come full of incredibly delicious meats.
Amazing BBQ sauce options from Pig of the Month

For our party we had pulled pork, pulled chicken, brisket, bacon, and ribs.

The best tasting pulled pork and pulled chicken from Pig of the Month BBQ

Now, to accompany the feast, you need sides, right? I made my famous 5 ingredient stovetop mac ‘n cheese (it’s a crowd favorite every time) and then had coleslaw, potato salad, green beans, and a cheesy bacon poblano skillet dip using Pig of the Month bacon (recipe coming up for this week’s Friday for Five Ingredient Friday!)

The best tasting memphis style and dry style ribs for a party

And lets not forget dessert! Pig of the Month has these old fashioned pecan pralines that are soooo good, and along side the pralines I made a batch of the best salted caramel chocolate chip cookies and then my hubby got a little coconut cake when he was out running errands, he thought it went with the southern BBQ theme that I was setting up…and it was my birthday, so how sweet was that?

Amazing dessert from Pig of the Month

In terms of decorations I kept it very simple – a white tablecloth with a kraft paper runner (hey, good BBQ can get messy and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, so when you’re done with the party you can just throw the paper out) and then I used orange flowers (because, hello, basketball).

The best way to host a party for family during March Madness

I even went so far as to make little flower arrangements that were nestled IN a basketball. I shared my vision with my husband and after a few ‘you want to do what?’ questions, I presented him with a little basketball and asked him to cut it in half for me. He took it to work and a coworker and him cut it for me! I’ll post directions on how to make the arrangement in the basketball because it was so cool and really brought the party decor together.

The best way to make a flower arrangement in a basketball

Over a year and a half ago when I wrote a Pig of the Month review, I really wasn’t kidding when I said Pig of the Month has the BEST BBQ YOU’VE EVER HAD…IN YOUR ENTIRE LIFE!

The best BBQ you've ever had in your life!

And look who wanted some BBQ? Clover (our dog)

Even a dog loves this bbq and sides for March Madness!

Want to try some BBQ?! Use code ‘sweetphi’ at checkout for 20% off!!

The best bbq and sides for a March Madness party from Pig of the Month

And because Pig of the Month is such a cool company, they’re giving one lucky SweetPhi reader a 3 month subscription to their bacon of the month club, that’s over a $200 value!! To enter, sign up for the Pig of the Month newsletter (here) and the SweetPhi blog newsletter (here) and leave a comment on this post letting us know – what’s your favorite BBQ to enjoy while watching sports? Then fill out the widget letting me know you’ve entered …AND…see all the additional, optional entries.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Other posts you might enjoy:

  • How to make a slow cooker chili bar for a party
  • ALDI Pairings Party {wine & cheese & chocolate, oh my}
  • Peanut Butter SNICKERS® brownies (aka “husband brownies’) & Football Treats

Thank you to Pig of the Month for sponsoring this post and giving away a subscription to a lucky SweetPhi reader. As always, all thoughts and opinions are mine alone, and thank you for reading and for supporting the brands that make the SweetPhi blog. 

 

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Appetizers/Sides, Blog Posts, Giveaways, Holidays, Party, Snacks, Soup, Appetizer, Main Meal, Dinner, Lunch appetizers, basketball party, bbq party, bbq sides, best bbq, football party appetizer, march madness party, meal ideas, party snack ideas, Pig of the Month, Pig of the Month BBQ, side dish recipes, snack ideas, The best bbq and sides

Did you make this recipe? Hashtag with us! Be sure to follow/tag @sweetphiblog and hashtag #sweetphiblog – we love to see what you’re cooking up!”

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kat says

    March 10, 2016 at 1:36 pm

    Pulled Pork Sandwiches are my favorite.

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 11, 2016 at 2:01 pm

      Pulled pork sandwiches are such a universally loved food for games. Thanks for commenting and entering.

      Reply
  2. Dena Campbell says

    March 10, 2016 at 12:21 pm

    This post is checked full of yum! I’ll take it all. Please?

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 11, 2016 at 1:59 pm

      Haha, thank you so much, really appreciate the kind words. Thanks for entering 🙂

      Reply
      • Dena Campbell says

        March 11, 2016 at 4:15 pm

        *hangs head* Part of me wanted you to see my comment, part of me didn’t. Darn auto-correct got me. I hope that you know I meant “chocked” not checked. Ugh.

        Happy weekend!

        Reply
  3. Beverly Guajardo says

    March 10, 2016 at 12:20 pm

    B-B-Q Ribs and pulled pork is what we love to have during the games. We sure would love to win some of your meats. Yummy!

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 11, 2016 at 1:51 pm

      Ribs and pulled pork are two of my faves to enjoy while watching the games, thank you for commenting and entering!

      Reply
  4. Tamara B. says

    March 10, 2016 at 11:06 am

    Subscriber! We love pulled pork sandwiches and ribs!

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 11, 2016 at 1:49 pm

      Thank you for subscribing and entering 🙂

      Reply
      • Tamara B. says

        March 12, 2016 at 10:27 am

        Thank-you for such a great giveaway and have a beautiful weekend!

        Reply
  5. Kristen says

    March 9, 2016 at 1:22 pm

    I love me some brisket!

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 11, 2016 at 1:37 pm

      Brisket is awesome! Thanks for commenting and entering

      Reply
  6. Cindy Conner Bowling says

    March 9, 2016 at 1:08 pm

    We love pulled bbq chicken for watching sports.

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 11, 2016 at 1:36 pm

      Pulled bbq chicken is so good (and underrated if you ask me 😉 ). It can be made into the most amazing sandwiches. YUM!

      Reply
  7. Leslie says

    March 9, 2016 at 11:27 am

    I am all about ribs, and a great homemade macaroni and cheese (with peppered bacon of course).

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 11, 2016 at 1:35 pm

      Ribs are where it’s at 😉 And mac and cheese with bacon, omg so good! Thanks for commenting and entering 🙂

      Reply
  8. Denise E. says

    March 9, 2016 at 8:45 am

    Well, I’m not one to brag (yes I am…), but I do make a heckuva good slow-cooked rack of ribs on my grill. I’m not much of a sports enthusiast though (unless the Packers are playing…and it’s difficult to make ribs on the grill when it’s -20).

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 11, 2016 at 1:33 pm

      Hahaha that’s awesome Denise, and brag away – that’s something to be proud of!

      Reply
  9. Kathi Spence says

    March 9, 2016 at 12:01 am

    My favorite BBQ to eat while watching sports is Pulled Pork. It’s so versatile. I use it in so many ways. I make Cuban Flatbread with it. Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese. Pulled pork Empanadas. It’s just my fave…even all by itself – it’s great <3

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 11, 2016 at 1:08 pm

      Pulled pork is so versatile, i completely agree 🙂 And cuban flatbread? I totally need to learn more about that…cubans are my hubbys favorite sandwich!

      Reply
  10. Katie says

    March 8, 2016 at 10:09 pm

    One of my favorite BBQ is Kansas City style burnt ends – being born there, I can’t top that, even though there’s some other great BBQ out there!

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 11, 2016 at 1:05 pm

      Burnt ends, omg, those are so good! I’ve only had them once in my life to be fair, but I have to tell you, I need to take a trip down to Kansas City to visit my older sister who just moved there and have some 🙂 Thanks for commenting and entering!

      Reply
  11. cheri says

    March 8, 2016 at 8:47 pm

    Happy Birthday Phi, what an amazing spread, looks like you are feeding a army, a well feed army.

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 11, 2016 at 1:02 pm

      Thank you for the birthday wishes, there was definitely a well-fed crowd 🙂

      Reply
  12. Susan Craig says

    March 8, 2016 at 8:16 pm

    I have always loved their posts! Yum!

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 11, 2016 at 12:58 pm

      Pig of the Month is pretty neat, isn’t it? Thanks for the comment 🙂

      Reply
  13. Ashley@CookNourishBliss says

    March 8, 2016 at 4:09 pm

    It is definitely march madness here by us! People go crazy around here 🙂 This looks like such a fantastic spread!!

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 11, 2016 at 12:55 pm

      Thank you so much girl, March madness was totally crazy when I lived in NC, I can still remember it! Thanks for commenting 🙂

      Reply
  14. SHARON MARTIN says

    March 8, 2016 at 2:37 pm

    LOVE THE BBQ RIBS……

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 11, 2016 at 12:54 pm

      I do too, ribs are the best!!

      Reply
  15. Sarah Elyce says

    March 8, 2016 at 10:57 am

    My favorite BBQ for game days is pulled pork.

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 8, 2016 at 12:47 pm

      Pulled pork is perfect for game days because it’s such a crowd pleaser, right? Thank you for commenting and entering!

      Reply
  16. Little Cooking Tips says

    March 8, 2016 at 6:16 am

    Wow, pig of the month sounds like a really great service! March madness is about College basketball, right? We only get to see NBA here, we never watched a college match, it must be more authentic, right?
    Sending you guys all our love,
    Panos and Mirella
    xoxoxo

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 8, 2016 at 12:46 pm

      Pig of the Month is such an incredible service/company, I’m definitely in love with them 🙂 And you’re spot on, college basketball = March Madness!

      Reply
  17. Kirsten says

    March 8, 2016 at 4:39 am

    We just had their ribs for dinner tonight and I would say my favorite bbq for sports is bbq ribs with my homemade mac salad.

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 8, 2016 at 12:36 pm

      Aren’t their ribs incredible? I’m totally in love with them! And ribs with a mac salad sounds like my kind of party! Thanks for commenting and entering 🙂

      Reply
  18. Tracy Heyer says

    March 7, 2016 at 9:29 pm

    Love the BBQ Ribs.

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 8, 2016 at 12:26 pm

      Ribs are such a fave -and they’re such a crowd favorite too 🙂

      Reply
  19. Alison says

    March 7, 2016 at 9:06 pm

    Brisket sandwich

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 8, 2016 at 12:25 pm

      Brisket is so delish – the brisket from Pig of the Month is the best I’ve had! Thank you for commenting and entering!

      Reply
  20. Amy C. says

    March 7, 2016 at 8:31 pm

    Barbecued wings are great to have during sporting events!

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 8, 2016 at 12:24 pm

      Wings are an awesome party food, thanks for commenting and entering.

      Reply
  21. Michelle Sutcliffe says

    March 7, 2016 at 5:30 pm

    Love ribs!

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 8, 2016 at 12:23 pm

      Ribs are so awesome, especially the ribs from Pig of the Month – I’m obsessed!

      Reply
  22. Amanda Ross says

    March 7, 2016 at 5:20 pm

    I love any type of shredded meat… Pork and chicken made into sliders or sandwiches.

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 8, 2016 at 12:23 pm

      Me too – pulled meat is so easy for crowds too!

      Reply
  23. Jeffrey says

    March 7, 2016 at 5:19 pm

    I like BBQ chicken wings when the games are one, my kids like them too!

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 8, 2016 at 12:23 pm

      Wings are always a hit, aren’t they? Thanks for commenting!

      Reply
  24. alicia sun says

    March 7, 2016 at 12:11 pm

    that looks sooo good!!!! awesome planning for game day!

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 8, 2016 at 12:22 pm

      Thank you so much, I’m all about a simple – yet – fun party for game day 🙂

      Reply
  25. Cindy says

    March 7, 2016 at 11:04 am

    Everything looks wonderful! Now I want ribs but if I were planning for a crowd, I’d go with the pulled pork.

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 8, 2016 at 12:22 pm

      Thank you so much – and I’m the same way – after seeing the photos I want ribs again lol! Thanks for commenting and entering!

      Reply
  26. cheryl says

    March 7, 2016 at 9:55 am

    I Love BBqs Love the Meat and salads

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 8, 2016 at 12:20 pm

      Thank you Cheryl

      Reply
  27. stephanie mellott says

    March 7, 2016 at 9:36 am

    The bbq we have to watch sports is definitely pulled pork.

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 8, 2016 at 12:20 pm

      Pulled pork is such a great choice for games – people can have it on sandwiches or by itself and it’s always a crowd pleaser 🙂

      Reply
  28. shawnna griffin says

    March 7, 2016 at 8:48 am

    hey girl love the post! Yummy! Everything looks so good!

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 8, 2016 at 12:19 pm

      Thank you so much – everything was delish!!

      Reply
  29. Erik says

    March 7, 2016 at 7:53 am

    Definitely pulled pork, as it’s easy to keep warm throughout the entire game. If I’m out, then definitely ribs.

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 8, 2016 at 12:19 pm

      You’re spot on – pork is great to keep warm for the entire game, and ribs, well, they’re ALWAYS delish!

      Reply
  30. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says

    March 7, 2016 at 5:04 am

    You have made me so excited for BBQ season and I now want to go and make a huge bowl of potato salad.

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      March 8, 2016 at 12:18 pm

      Thank you so much for commenting girl, BBQ season is the best, isn’t it?

      Reply
    • Sara M says

      March 14, 2016 at 1:17 pm

      I don’t discriminate when it comes to BBQ – I love it ALL !! Give me a plate piled high with ribs, brisket, pulled pork, some BBQ chicken, cole slaw, mac & cheese, a big ol’ slice of corn bread & a giant glass of iced sweet tea… and I’m a happy girl.

      Reply
    • aaron coaston says

      March 14, 2016 at 5:31 pm

      My favorite dish to bacon-cheddar ribs and chives

      Reply
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