25 tailgating recipes for a game day feast
From mouthwatering sliders to finger-licking wings, here’s a lineup of tailgating recipes that will make you the MVP of the parking lot.
Come Fall and football season, you’ll be looking for food to add to your game day experience that goes beyond hot dogs and chips.
Whether you’re planning to “home-gate” or getting ready to grill in the stadium parking lot, these classic tailgating recipes that are either easy to make, slow cooker creations, make-ahead, or BBQ-able, are sure to be winners.
Think nachos, tasty wings, all the dips, and pretty much anything that includes the words “Buffalo chicken.”
So dust off those foam fingers, grab your lucky jersey, and fire up the grill because it’s tailgating time!
(And if all this has you thinking of the Super Bowl, make sure you check out this collection of 70 Super Bowl appetizers).
Want more Game Day and Tailgating goodness? Check out these slider recipes, burger recipes and one bite appetizers.
Tailgating recipes
Bacon wrapped meatballs with cheddar and sesame seeds are as hearty and satisfying as they sound. This is the perfect game day football food.
Tailgating means bacon. These pickle and bacon appetizers are a quick make and ooh so tasty.
BBQ chicken nachos are filled with the flavors of shredded bbq chicken, guacamole, fresh onions, and cheese. Make this if you want a twist on your typical loaded nachos.
This crockpot chili cheese dip is perfect to make on a big game day or for parties and potlucks. It is a loaded cheese dip with tons of flavor.
These buffalo turkey meatballs are incredibly versatile – perfect as a scrumptious appetizer for your next party or a quick and easy tailgating recipe.
Whip up delicious skillet queso with a hint of spice in only 25 minutes. The cream cheese, yellow cheddar, and white cheddar blend together for a perfectly smooth, three-cheese classic yellow queso dip.
This easy chipotle pumpkin chili recipe can be made with crumbled tempeh or meatless crumbles for a vegan/vegetarian recipe, or use ground turkey. Either way it’s delicious and the perfect chili recipe for Fall.
This Cowboy caviar recipe originated in Texas, and is made with black eyed peas, black beans, corn, red and green peppers, onion and a zesty lime dressing. Spice it up with some jalapeño and add some avocado for extra flavor.
Made with juicy shredded chicken, creamy ranch dressing, hot sauce, and loads of cheese, enjoy this easy-to-make and easily transportable recipe at your next tailgate.
This creamy green avocado dip is so easy to make. It's sure to be a hit at your tailgate.
This super easy five layer Mexican dip is made with salsa, cream cheese, refried beans, sour cream, and cheddar cheese and includes jalapeños and black olives for an extra kick during football season.
This creamy, crowd-pleaser, gluten-free, and lip-smacking Elote dip aka Mexican street corn dip, is mixed with a luscious creamy mixture, spices, fresh cilantro, and cheese.
Keep your game watching crew satisfied with a platter piled high with sweet and salty snacks. Fans of all ages will enjoy this football charcuterie board.
Perfect for fall grilling, game day cookouts, and tailgating, grilled sausages, peppers, and potatoes are a tasty way to enjoy outdoor cooking and smoky, earthy flavors. Easy to prepare, easy to grill, this is a crowd pleasing meal for sure.
This easy recipe for grilled tri-tip is perfect for your tailgate party. The juicy and tender steak with an amazing dry rub requires little effort.
Hot Italian sliders are an Italian grinder sandwich recipe that’s perfect for gatherings such as tailgating. They will feed a crowd, and you can serve them with a side of marinara for a dipping sauce.
These jalapeño peppers are cut in half and de-seeded before being stuffed with a cheesy filling, flavored with chives. The poppers are then wrapped in bacon which is glazed with butter and honey before being baked to crisp perfection in a hot oven.
These little bites are flavorful, easy to customize, and are as much fun to make as they are to eat.
These oven baked chicken wings are the best wing recipe ever! Juicy chicken wings are oven baked in a flavorful honey garlic sauce. Once you taste one wing, you can't stop eating them.
Similar to an English pasty, these meat filled hand pies get a modern update with sausage, apple, and sage. Just like the portable lunch a pasty was originally meant to be, they’re perfect to pack for your next tailgate.
Hawaiian rolls are topped with cheese, Italian sausage, sauteed peppers, onions, and more cheese for pull apart sliders that will earn you big points with hungry fans.
These crispy sweet and sour chicken wings are baked in the oven with a homemade sweet and sour sauce.
Tailgate meatballs with BBQ sauce are made for traveling, so if you need a recipe that can go to the big game, this is it! They're easy and delicious meatballs that are perfect for tailgate parties or game day.
Turkey sliders combine gooey cheese, cranberry sauce, and honey mustard butter sauce on soft Hawaiian rolls for an easy appetizer that’s perfect for tailgating.
Wisconsin cheese, beer, and onion dip is the perfect snack for football games or tailgates. You can find this dish in many Wisconsin taverns but it’s just as easy to whip up at home.
From the first bite of a sumptuous slider to the last lick of sticky sauce off your fingers, these tailgating recipes will uplevel your game day experience.
Want more? These jalapeno popper recipes and football party recipes have you covered!