27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (2024)

Fall weekends belong to football and the great outdoor eating experience of tailgating. Try these twists on traditional tailgate recipes, including soups, stews, salads, dips and snack mixes.

01of 27

Blistered Shish*tos with Sriracha Mayo

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (1)

For your next tailgate, say goodbye to boring carrots and dip, and hello to these addictive pan-fried peppers. Salted and lime-juiced, they're delicious even without the sriracha mayo.

30 Easy Appetizer Recipes

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02of 27

Make-Ahead Mini Cheese Balls

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (2)

The customization opportunities for these easy mini cheese balls are endless. Plus, they can freeze for up to three months!

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03of 27

Mini Italian Beef Sandwiches with Pepperoncini Slaw

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (3)

These little beef sandwiches make a great appetizer for a football party. And you can put them together in just 20 minutes.

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04of 27

Sunny Broccoli Salad

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (4)

A Cleveland reader makes this classic potluck salad the day ahead and refrigerates the dressing and vegetables separately. When it's time to serve it, she tosses everything together. Bacon, sunflower kernels and raisins make a crunchy and flavorful side dish.

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05of 27

Sweet Chile Snack Mix

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (5)

Salty and sweet, crisp and kicky—loaded with soy, hoisin, wasabi, this flavorful snack mix checks all the boxes.

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06of 27

Brownie Bombs

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (6)

These sinful brownies feature a cheesecake layer sandwiched between two ultra-rich chocolate layers. They'll be a hit at any tailgating party!

Rich, Moist Brownie Recipes

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07of 27

Smoky Beef, Black Bean and Corn Chili

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (7)

This hands-off, slow-cooker recipe has just a pound of ground beef and a can of stock. All the rest of the heft and taste comes from black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, smoked paprika, chipotle peppers and corn tortillas.

Hearty Slow-Cooker Soups, Stews and Chiles

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08of 27

Jumbo Chocolate-Cherry-Oat Cookies

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (8)

Sometimes it's fun to have cookies the size of your face—these are 5 inches in diameter! For smaller cookies that are still impressive, use a 1/3-cup measure to portion the dough for 15 or 16 cookies. These sturdy cookies will travel well if you're packing for the game.

The Midwest's Best Cookie Recipes

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09of 27

Cheesy Rosemary and Pecan Snack Mix

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (9)

On game day, plan to find us parked by this bowl of maybe the best snack mix we've ever published.

Easy Nut and Snack Mix Recipes

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10of 27

Light and Layered Taco Dip

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (10)

Ground turkey, reduced-sodium and light ingredients, and a confetti of crisp, colorful veggies make this potluck staple more nutritious than a typical layered dip-but every bit as tasty.

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11of 27

Ripe Olive Cheese Ball

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (11)

Perfect for parties and tailgating! Make these cheese balls up to three months ahead of time then freeze. Thaw frozen cheese balls overnight in fridge before serving.

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12of 27

Buffalo Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dressing

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (12)

Carrot and celery sticks add crisp crunch to the platter of Buffalo Chicken Wings with Blue Cheese Dressing. Our wings recipe includes blue cheese, garlic powder, vinegar, and spicy cayenne pepper sauce for kick.

Sassy Sauces and Seasonings for Chicken Wings

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13of 27

Calico Bean Bake

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (13)

This recipe blurs the line between baked beans and chili. It's great for feeding a crowd.

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Edamame-Avocado Dip

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (14)

Combine edamame and avocado with basil pesto, lemon juice and chopped tomato for this easy potluck dip.

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15of 27

Pepperoni Pizza Pull

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (15)

Just five ingredients go into this incredibly delicious, gooey appetizer or snack.

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16of 27

Crimson Slaw

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (16)

Dried cranberries plump up when tossed with vinaigrette in this tangy coleslaw. The recipe was a winner at the Wisconsin State Fair.

Fresh Slaw Recipes

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17of 27

Pizza Burgers

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (17)

Bring along extra toppers inspired by pizza-parlor classics: thinly sliced sweet peppers and onion, spinach, sautéed mushrooms, jarred banana peppers or sliced olives.

Take Your Burger to the Next Level

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18of 27

Blue-Ribbon Ranger Cookies

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (18)

Ranger cookies are made with rolled oats and cereal. Judy Kiburz Harrison won best-in-class at the Iowa State Fair for her version, which adds Beer Nuts for a peanutty twist.

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19of 27

Beer-Braised Brats

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (19)

Steep your grilled brats in this onion-and-herb beer mixture for an easy way to keep them warm while tailgating. Beer-Braised Brats get a liberal dose of cranberry-pickle relish for extra color and tang.

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20of 27

Jack Cheese and Smoky Chipotle Fondue

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (20)

Lots of Monterey Jack cheese goes into this creamy fondue, along with sour cream, chipotle peppers and bacon. Scoop up with bread or tortilla chips.

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21of 27

Colossal Chili

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (21)

Long, slow simmering melds flavors in this recipe from the Spice House in Evanston, Illinois.

Warm-You-Up Chili Recipes

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22of 27

Breakfast Burritos

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (22)

Combine hash browns, sausage, bacon, eggs, cheese and chopped veggies for a hearty breakfast tortilla. Top the colorful mixture with cool sour cream and spicy salsa.

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23of 27

Roasted Red Pepper-Chipotle Hummus

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (23)

Hummus is easier than you might think: Just throw the ingredients in the food processor. Find canned smoky chipotle peppers in the Mexican aisle of large supermarkets.

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24of 27

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Bars

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (24)

Peanut butter and chocolate meet for a sweet treat in this recipe from a Cedarburg, Wisconsin, reader who likes to make these bar cookies for tailgates and other gatherings.

Our Best Bar Cookies

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25of 27

Meat and Potato Pizza

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (25)

This recipe is sure to be a hit at your next tailgate. The pizza is topped with a totally mouth-watering combo of thin-sliced potatoes, bacon, sausage and a delectable garlic-rosemary butter. The recipe comes from Hidemi Walsh of Plainfield, Indiana.

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26of 27

Chili Verde with Corn Bread Croutons

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (26)

Bulgur wheat lends meaty texture, fiber and protein to soups and stews, where it can cook in the broth. In our sweet and savory chili, we match the grain with salsa verde, peppers and edamame.

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27of 27

Greens, Eggs and Ham Potato Salad

27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (27)

Loaded with protein and fresh greens, this is a simple yet flavorful potato salad.

Potato Salad Recipes Your Guests Will Love

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27 Tailgating Recipes That Score (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular tailgate food? ›

Best Tailgate Food Ideas on the Grill
  • Bacon-Wrapped Cheese-Stuffed Jalapeños. ...
  • Hot Dogs. ...
  • Baked Potato Bar. ...
  • Italian Sausage and Bratwurst. ...
  • Taco Bar. ...
  • Shrimp or Tofu Kebabs. ...
  • Grilled Pizza. Making pizza on the grill is a fun tailgate food idea. ...
  • Halloumi Sliders. If you've never tried halloumi, it's time.
Jun 17, 2024

What is the tailgate food menu? ›

Classic tailgating recipes like deviled eggs and pimiento cheese team up with new players like Bacon-Wrapped Party Poppers and Buffalo Chicken Dip to give your tailgating spread the crowd appeal needed to satisfy a hungry group from one Saturday to the next.

What is tailgating in food? ›

"Tailgating," literally means serving food and drink from the tailgate of a car or truck. Tailgating has evolved over the years and become more elaborate. With an outdoor kitchen comes food safety concerns that could put tailgaters at risk for foodborne illness.

What is the top 3 most popular food truck foods? ›

What Sells The Most On Food Trucks
  1. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.
  2. Tacos/Mexican Food.
  3. BBQ.
  4. Gourmet Burgers.
  5. Mac n Cheese.
  6. Indian Cuisine.
  7. Thai Food.
  8. French Fries.
Aug 3, 2023

What should I take for a cold tailgate? ›

Now, let's dig in!
  • Mini Sandwiches. Cold tailgate food ideas typically revolve around lunch and dinner entree food. ...
  • Coleslaw. As one of the most popular side dishes to food in football bars, coleslaw is best when served at a cool temperature. ...
  • Potato Salad. ...
  • Macaroni Salad. ...
  • Fresh Fruit. ...
  • Mixed Nuts. ...
  • Cookies. ...
  • Brownie Bites.
Dec 13, 2023

What to bring for finger food? ›

Our top 100 finger food ideas for 2023
  • 1Mini carbonara quiches. ...
  • 2Crispy mozzarella sticks. ...
  • 3Air fryer wontons. ...
  • 4Buffalo wings with crispy onion rings and kale slaw. ...
  • 5Super-crisp potato bites. ...
  • 6Crustless mini ham and vegie quiches. ...
  • 7Haloumi and corn fritter bites with creamy avocado dip. ...
  • 8Meatlovers mini pizzas.

What is a tailgate dinner? ›

Tailgating typically involves the consumption of alcoholic beverages or soft drinks and the grilling of various meat products.

What do you do at a tailgating party? ›

Tailgating — or a tailgate party — is a social get-together that usually takes place in the parking lot of a stadium, arena, or venue before an event starts. The pre-game party typically includes music, food, (alcoholic) beverages, and games to kick off what's sure to be an unforgettable day.

What should you not do at a tailgate? ›

Things you should never do at a college football tailgate
  • Don't show up uninvited. Don't intentionally come unannounced to avoid being a contributor when your host would have otherwise invited you. ...
  • Don't mooch. You'll notice that as a common theme here. ...
  • Don't be obnoxious. ...
  • Don't bring surprise guests. ...
  • Don't eat and run.
Sep 12, 2022

What is the Super Bowl tailgate? ›

Tailgate parties are a lively mix of delicious food, thirst-quenching drinks, friendly games, and enthusiastic team spirit. People come together to have fun, enjoy the pre-game excitement and create a sense of community with their fellow fans.

Why is tailgating risky? ›

Tailgating often contributes to the domino effect of accidents. A single collision caused by following too closely can trigger a chain reaction involving multiple vehicles. This often results in more severe accidents, increased injuries and a higher likelihood of fatalities.

What is the most popular baseball food item? ›

A hot dog is practically the mascot for baseball stadium food and pairs especially well with a cool beer in the hot summer sun (for the baseball fans of age, of course). Many different stadiums offer creative spins on the classic hot dog, with toppings such as chili, chips, or even a fried egg.

What is the most common form of tailgating? ›

Tailgating is when someone tries to enter a space that is off-limits to them. The most common kind of tailgating attack involves sneaking into a prohibited place behind a person who is authorized to enter. This is often accomplished by closely following them as they enter a building.

Who has the number 1 NFL tailgate? ›

1. Bills Stadium – Buffalo. Bills fans sure know how to throw a party – don't be surprised if you see things getting broken or food fights breaking out if you tailgate in Buffalo! Unlike most NFL stadiums, Bills Stadium enjoys a more rural location.

What to bring to a rainy tailgate? ›

6 Tips for Tailgating in the Rain
  • Simple Shelters. Having a canopy or tarp will go a long way. ...
  • Bring Weather Resistant Clothing. While you will hopefully be staying out of the rain as much as possible, you're bound to get wet at some point. ...
  • Find High Ground. ...
  • Be Smart with Food. ...
  • Be Careful with Electricity. ...
  • Backup Plan.

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