30 FTW Recipes for Tailgating on Game Day
Vegetable and Seafood Paella
The versatility of paella makes it a perfect dish for tailgating. You can easily swap ingredients depending on the crowd you’re feeding and assemble the dish right on the spot. Get the Vegetable and Seafood Paella recipe
Photo: Sarah Elliot
Healthy Pork Carnitas
Bring your pork-filled slow-cooker to the parking lot and assemble these light and healthy caritas, topped with a bright pineapple salsa. Get the Healthy Pork Carnitas with Pineapple Salsa recipe
Photo: Ana Frias
Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
These wings have an extra crispy skin, thanks to a special cooking technique. This recipe for 60 wings, comes with two sauce options, which are sure to be crowd-pleasers. Get the Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
Photo: Christopher Baker
Grilled Pizza
Break out of your tailgating rut with this simple grilled pizza. When cooking pizza on a hot grill the dough gets crispy on the outside, but stays chewy on the inside. The key to success is a clean grill — the dough won’t stick to clean grill grates. Get the Grilled Pizza recipe
Photo: Lucy Schaeffer
Spicy Black Bean Turkey Chili
Skip the cans of chili from the grocery store and try making this hearty-but-healthy spin on turkey chili. Chili is easy to transport (just load that pot into the backseat!) so it’s perfect to enjoy before the game. Get the Spicy Black Bean Turkey Chili recipe
Photo: Christine Arel
Pull-Apart Lobster Rolls
Buttery pull-apart rolls make this indulgent dish super shareable in a crowd. You’ll have no trouble holding a roll in one hand and a drink in the other. Get the Pull-Apart Lobster Rolls recipe
Photo: David Malosh
Turkey and Cheese Enchilada
You can use roasted turkey breast from the delicatessen, the meat from a rotisserie chicken, or roast chicken leftovers in this recipe from Kris Jenner. Yes, that Kris Jenner. Get Kris Jenner’s turkey and cheese enchiladas recipe
Photo: Simon and Schuster
Buttermilk Fried Chicken
This Southern classic has had a home in picnic baskets for decades, meaning it’s super transportable. Made in the morning or the night before, it will still taste great by the time you unload it at the stadium. This version includes a buttermilk bath that serves as a tenderizing brine that makes the chicken extra moist and flavorful. Get the Buttermilk Fried Chicken recipe
Photo: Jody Horton
Caramelized Onion and Bacon Dip
This version takes the starter to a different level, with the flavor of caramelized onions mingling with the equally delectable taste of crisp bacon. Get the Caramelized Onion and Bacon Dip recipe
Photo: David Malosh
Grilled Sausage, Pepper, and Onion Sandwiches
The trick to cooking these sausages is to lay them parallel to the grill grate for maximum grill contact. The left overs can also be saved for scrambled eggs the next day. Prep your onions and peppers at home, and grill your sausages and buns at the stadium. Get the Grilled Sausage, Pepper, and Onion Sandwich recipe
Photo: William Hereford
Mexican Potato Salad
An old-fashioned potato salad is great; but a potato salad with chipotles in adobo, corn kernels, and a lime squeeze? That’s a party-starter. Get the Mexican Potato Salad recipe
Photo: Martha Stewart
Legs of Fire Barbecue Chicken
This barbecue chicken recipe contains elements from every part of the Tex-Mex cuisine’s food circle: it’s crispy, hot, sweet, fun and sticky. Get the Legs of Fire recipe
Photo: Roland Persson
Grilled Lobster with Cilantro-Chile Butter
Grilled lobsters are delicious, especially when served in halves and seasoned with herbal cilantro butter and chiles. Perfect for Patriots fans who have easy access to fresh lobsters. Get the Grilled Lobster with Cilantro-Chile Butter recipe
Nachos
These nachos, which Bon Appétit’s Andrew Knowlton has spent years experimenting to perfect, are perfect for a game-day party. Get the recipe for the perfect plate of nachos here
Photo: Bon Appétit
Slow-Cooker Beer Pulled Pork
Slow cook pork with beer for a recipe that’s tender and full of savory flavors. Top this with coleslaw and your bread of choice for a delicious gameday sandwich. Get the Slow Cooker Beer Pulled Pork recipe
Photo: Matt Robinson
Beer Can Chicken
Cooking a chicken on an open can of beer is a perfect way to get a flavorful, juicy bird. Here, it’s rubbed in a Memphis spice mix reminiscent of the classic rib restaurants. Get the Beer Can Chicken recipe
Photo: Roland Persson
Creative Toppings for Hot Dogs
Tailgating on a budget? Here are six inexpensive and delicious ways to dress up your hot dogs. Get the Stuff on Hot Dogs recipe
Photo: Leanne Brown and Dan Lazin
Pizza Skewers
Take the classic pizza party to the next level. Skewer the essential pizza ingredients — grape tomatoes, mozzarella balls, chicken sausage and balls of dough — and grill. Sprinkle basil leaves on them when they’re done and serve with a side of marinara sauce. Get the Pizza Skewers recipe
Korean Fried Chicken
Double-fried Korean chicken wings stay crunchy for hours after cooking, while leaving the inside moist and tender. This recipe is based on the wings made in local fried chicken joints in Gwangju, Korea. Get the Korean Fried Chicken recipe
Photo: Maangchi
Queso Fundido Burger
Rick Bayless offers up a mashup of the rich and delicious, gooey-melty queso funded and a classic American burger. Cultural exchange never tasted better, unless, of course, it includes a big spoonful of roasted tomatillo salsa. Get the Queso Fundido Burger recipe
Photo: Christopher Hirsheimer
Slow Cooker Vegan Mole Chili
This recipe makes easy work of mole, a famously difficult dish, thanks to the trusty slow cooker. And since it’s vegan, it’s actually not terrible for you. Get the Slow Cooker Vegan Mole Chili recipe
Photo: Emily Stoffel
Grilled Doughnuts
Cut simple glazed doughnuts in half and throw them on the grill for a crispy, melt-in-you-mouth treat. They’re delicious on their own or you can take it up a notch and turn them into ice cream sandwiches. Read more about Grilled Doughnuts.
Photo: Kerry Diamond
Speedy Sweet Potato Quesadillas
Instead of the regular, white flour, cheese-loaded version, these quesadillas are filled with a spicy, super-quick sweet potato and white bean mash. You will never look back. Get the Speedy Sweet Potato Quesadillas
Photo: Brian Ferry
Open-Faced Sloppy Joes
Leftover ground beef can be a good base for sloppy joes if you let it soak up the sweet and tangy BBQ sauce while simmering over a low flame. Serve open-faced on a portobello bun and eat it with a fork or double up the portobello for a true sloppy joe experience. Get the Open-Faced Sloppy Joes recipe
Photo: Jenny Castaneda
Barbecue Chicken
This crispy marinated chicken comes from Top Chef’s Kevin Gillespie. Get the Barbecue Chicken recipe
Photo: Food52
Bulgogi (Korean Grilled Beef)
To tenderize the meat in this classic Korean grilled dish, slices of sirloin steak marinade in a mix of Asian Pears, ginger, and garlic. Get the Bulgogi recipe
Photo: Maangchi
Bananas Foster, on the Grill
Grilling bananas gives them the sweet, syrupy taste you expect from Bananas Foster, but without any of the mess. Get the Bananas Foster recipe
Photo:StockFood
Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Skewers
Grill chicken thighs, zucchini rounds, and mushrooms dressed with lemon juice, olive oil, and parsley. Tip: Stack the ingredients on two skewers instead of one to make sure they don’t wobble and spin as much. Get the Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Skewers recipe
Photo: Martha Stewart
Fudgy Cheesecake Brownies
Finish off your tailgate meal with cheesecake and brownies. Lucky for you, we have a recipe that combines the best of two worlds in an easy, pack-away dessert. Get the Fudgy Cheesecake Brownies recipe.
Photo: Jane Hornby
3-Ingredient Marinated Pork Tenderloin
Pork is the other white meat — and perfect for grilling. Not only does it cook quickly, it can easily serve a small crowd. This marinade is made from three simple ingredients you already have on hand. Get the 3-Ingredient Marinated Pork Tenderloin recipe
Photo: Emily Kate Roemer
Few fall traditions are more sacred than tailgating. Even if you’re not a big football fan, what’s not to love about dragging out the grill, popping a keg and spending the day in the crisp fall air? And while we’ll never hate on burgers and dogs, there are so many more delicious things you can make to spike up your tailgating party. Click through the above gallery for dozens of ways to spice up your pre-game!
More tips and recipes for the ultimate tailgate party:
Tailgate Parties Beyond Beer (Wine! Cocktails!)