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 are the do's and don'ts of tailgating? ›

In short, the Dos and Don'ts of tailgating are to have fun, be social with other fans, bring games, and wear your favorite football team's jersey. The main thing to remember is to not take things too seriously and to enjoy the company of friends, family, and fellow fans.

What do you do at a college football tailgate? ›

Tailgating parties are a great opportunity to socialize with friends, family, and even rival fans from opposing teams. Bring yard games like corn hole or KanJam to get people interacting. If you have kids with you, pack a foam football or frisbee so they can run around and burn off some energy.

How to do a tailgate? ›

22 Tips for Hosting the Ultimate Tailgate Party
  1. Choose Your Tailgating Vehicle. Photo via @kingdomwagon. ...
  2. Secure Your Parking Spot. Photo via @teresa_ ...
  3. Get a Head Count. Photo via @gerrysplacenj. ...
  4. Prepare for Weather Changes. Photo via @904happyhour. ...
  5. Put Up a Tent. ...
  6. Give Guests Somewhere to Sit. ...
  7. Set Up Tables. ...
  8. Hook Up a TV.
Oct 11, 2023

How do you stay dry at a tailgate? ›

6 Tips for Tailgating in the Rain
  1. Simple Shelters. Having a canopy or tarp will go a long way. ...
  2. 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. ...
  3. Find High Ground. ...
  4. Be Smart with Food. ...
  5. Be Careful with Electricity. ...
  6. Backup Plan.

What are 3 reasons for tailgating? ›

3 reasons people tailgate
  • Aggressive driving. First of all, tailgating and road rage are often connected. The person may be driving aggressively on purpose. ...
  • Distracted or oblivious. In many cases, however, the tailgating driver isn't being aggressive at all. ...
  • In a hurry. Finally, some tailgaters are just in a hurry.
Jan 15, 2024

What do you do at a tailgate 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 is tailgating slang for? ›

This verb gets its name from a vehicle's tailgate. If you're too close to the tailgate of the truck in front of you, you're tailgaiting. Another informal use of tailgate is "party in the back of a truck," especially in the parking lot of a sports arena: "Let's tailgate before the big game tomorrow!"

What makes a fun tailgate? ›

Spice up your tailgate party by setting up games to entertain guests of all ages. This can range from classic tailgate games like ladder toss or bocce ball to trivia or a friendly wager on the game's outcome. Make sure to have a variety of options so everyone has something they can enjoy.

How do you host a fun tailgate? ›

5 Ways to Throw an Unforgettable Tailgate Party
  1. 1) Have Plenty of Hearty Food and Delicious Beverages. This is a no-brainer. ...
  2. 2) Tailgate Food Ideas. ...
  3. 3) You Can Never Have Enough Games. ...
  4. 4) Make an Awesome Playlist. ...
  5. 5) Rent an Outdoor LED Display to Watch the Game.

How do you keep tailgate food warm? ›

If you're transporting hot food, use foil trays and wrap them with towels or double-wrap them in foil. Use a cooler to store the hot food as it will trap the heat and keep the food hot.

What should I take for a cold tailgate? ›

Good food options to bring to a tailgate include things like sandwiches, cold salads, chips, dips, and cookies.

How do you stay warm at a tailgate? ›

Tips for staying warm at a tailgate party

Here are a few key points to remember: Protect exposed skin: Any skin that is exposed will get cold more quickly. Wear gloves, a hat, a scarf and even a facemask, if needed. Trap the heat: Heat doesn't stay — it leaves the body and dissipates into the cold air.

What are the rules of tailgating? ›

Tailgating should be limited to the lined parking space and the area directly behind or in front of each vehicle. Blocking drive lanes is prohibited. Tailgating is also permitted on the medians that separate the parking lots from the roadways.

What do people do at tailgating parties? ›

A tailgate party – also known as “tailgating” is a party in which attendees of a big stadium event such as a spectator sports game or a concert arrive early and party in the parking lot. Tailgate parties often involve grilling food and drinking alcoholic beverages.

Which of the following is violated while tailgating? ›

Tailgating is a type of physical security breach wherein an unauthorized individual gains access to restricted areas by closely following an authorized person or someone with legitimate access.

What to do with tailgating? ›

Steps to Take When Someone Is Tailgating You
  1. Remain calm and resist the urge to retaliate.
  2. Give the other driver as much space as possible.
  3. If possible, switch lanes and allow the other driver to pass.
  4. Maintain a steady speed rather than speeding up or slowing down.
  5. Brake gently if you need to decelerate or stop.
Dec 20, 2022

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