From NFL end zones to Food Network kitchens, Eddie Jackson knows a thing or two about making winning plays—and now he’s bringing that championship energy to your taste buds. The former Carolina Panthers safety turned culinary superstar has swapped his helmet for a whisk, but his competitive spirit remains as fierce as ever. Whether he’s hosting “BBQ Blitz” or teaching aspiring chefs on “Worst Cooks in America,” Jackson’s undeniable Southern charm and bold flavors have made him one of the most exciting personalities in food entertainment.

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Eddie Jackson hosts

popular Food Network

shows and entertains

The Ranch Roster features

30 unique ranch recipes

inspired by NFL cities

Jackson’s Rosehill Beer Garden

offers family-friendly outdoor

dining and live music

MSG is celebrated

for deeper flavor

in signature ranch

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But Jackson isn’t just resting on his laurels—he has launched something that might be his boldest venture yet. On September 25, 2025, he unveiled The Ranch Roster, a collection of 30 custom ranch recipes that pay homage to the unique foodie identities of every NFL city. Think of it as the ultimate tailgate party meets regional food tour, all tied together with America’s favorite condiment. And here’s where things get really interesting: Jackson revealed the not-so-secret MVP ingredient that makes his ranch recipes sing: MSG. The umami-rich ingredient, which has been used since 1908, delivers a serious flavor punch while using two-thirds less sodium than table salt.

Through The Ranch Roster, Jackson is doing what he does best: bringing people together, celebrating bold flavors, and proving that sometimes the key to winning is knowing exactly which player (or ingredient) to put in the game.

Ahead, we tapped Jackson to give our Home & Texture readers the deets on the ideation of The Ranch Roster and his ultimate game-day recipe.

HT: Why was this partnership the right project for you to take on?

EJ: I’ve always believed in aligning myself with things I’m genuinely passionate about — brands and projects that feel authentic to me and have a positive impact on others. I love working with brands I actually use or that I believe can make a real difference in people’s lives.

When I played football and traveled constantly, I made it a point to fully immerse myself in each city I visited — soaking in the local culture, flavors, and energy to really understand what made that place unique. That same spirit came alive when I teamed up with The Ajinomoto Group for my latest passion project to create Ranch Roster — a lineup of 30 custom ranch recipes inspired by every football city’s hometown tastes. Each recipe highlights the real MVP of ranch flavor: MSG.

Growing up in the South, ranch was a staple on every table, a true comfort food for me. It was, and still is, one of my favorite condiments for everything from burgers, wings, to fries. Now, as a chef, I’ve been cooking with MSG for years. I love sprinkling it over grilled steak or adding it to sauces and marinades, like ranch. As an African American man, one of the things we struggle with is high blood pressure that is caused by sodium intake, and MSG is an easy, versatile ingredient with 2/3 less sodium than salt – so I can use it more mindfully, taking care of myself while still getting those sweet and savory umami flavors.

HT: What is your ultimate game day recipe from the lineup?

EJ: When I was creating these recipes alongside The Ajinomoto Group’s chef Chris Koetke, we really thought about what each city is known for and wanted to put a little of that vibe in each ranch. We made sure that every city’s ranch felt authentic, all while highlighting the umami flavor that MSG brings to ranch.

One of my favorite ranch recipes in the Ranch Roster is the New York-inspired ranch. When you think of New York, you think of the iconic everything bagel, so we built that flavor into a ranch, using everything bagel seasoning and a sprinkle of MSG to really boost that umami flavor.

Another favorite recipe of mine is the Kansas City ranch, inspired by their signature BBQ, which is known to be savory, rich, and smoky. I wanted to bring those flavors into a ranch recipe, which is why the Kansas City ranch incorporates a blend of BBQ sauce, creamy components like buttermilk, and lots of spices, along with MSG to bring out that complex BBQ flavor everyone knows and loves.

This article has been condensed for clarity.