7 Tailgating Recipes

Tailgate in style with meals that impress friends and satisfy appetites for kickoff or tip off. Tailgating recipes should go beyond a bag of chips and a jar of salsa. If it’s portable, quick to prepare, and easy to share with others, you’ve got yourself a go-to tailgating recipe. Below are 7 list topping recipes from generations of tailgaters.

1. Chili

Tailgate chili is a perfect recipe for any season. Its spiciness cools in summer and its heartiness warms in winter. A few easy add-ons are chopped onions, peppers and shredded cheese. Chili also has that communal feel where everyone can enjoy it together. This is a make-ahead chili recipe using beef and pork, but can be made vegetarian as well. Remember this chili takes 12 hours to cook, but only 30 minutes to prep after the hard work is done.

2. Fried Pickles

Country Living offers a twist on a snack favorite: the pickle. This recipe combines a few ingredients for a delicious snack, especially if enjoyed with ranch. Quick to prepare, this tailgating recipe requires only some deep frying, takes 45 minutes, and should be made within one hour of the big game.

3. Ham and Cheese Sliders

This tailgating recipe from Good Housekeeping offers a variation on sliders. Save some time with ham and cheese instead of burger filling, and is a popular party favorite. These take a total of about an hour to prep and bake.

4. Cobb Salad Sub

If you want to skip the grill and bring a few fresh vegetables to the crowd, we highly recommend putting a salad into a bread roll with the Cobb Salad Sub from Taste of Home. This recipe is mostly assembly and we recommend the highest quality French bread along with crispy bacon.

5. Buffalo Wings

Buffalo wings are a staple of sporting events, and this recipe from Delish takes about 45 minutes total for a baked version of the classic. As a bonus, these Crispy Grilled Buffalo Wings require only four ingredients!

6. Pizza Rolls

Hip2Save offers tailgating recipes that are quick, popular, and delicious. Their pizza rolls use crescents, pepperoni and string cheese and are great kid-friendly prep option. Add a little pizza sauce and some spices and make these 3 Ingredient Pizza Crescents on your own.

7. Bratwurst Bites

This unique recipe is sure to be a hit. Bratwurst Bites comes from Kudos Kitchen and they only have eight ingredients, so they are simple to make. If you are not a fan of sauerkraut, you can substitute nearly any other dip that pairs well with bread.

These tailgating recipes are just the tip of the iceberg, since a creative collection of snack foods has sprouted up around the venerated tradition of tailgate parties. We ran out of space to include many dips, variations on chilis, and dozens of nacho-based fare. And for easy prep and clean-up, don’t forget to bring along a portable outdoor kitchen setup—perfect for cooking, serving, and enjoying your tailgate in comfort and style.