Best tailgate recipes that you can bring with you or cook on site. You’ll be the Tailgate Master making everyone jealous.
This list will give you some great ideas for Main dishes, Appetizers, Sides, and even Dessert so you have all your bases covered for your next tailgate.
Tailgating for NFL football games has to be my favorite activity. Not only is there tremendous anticipation for the upcoming game, but you also get to drink beer and grill with your friends.
In fact, tailgating is so important to me and my friends that we tried to tailgate for my bachelor party in a hotel parking lot in Baltimore city before going out on the town.
Sadly, hotel employees informed us that a live fire in the parking lot with 10 or so guys drinking beer is not the smartest idea.
They were probably right. Anyway, I have compiled a list of some of my favorite recipes that work really well for tailgating.
Appetizers
Here are some great ways to kick off the tailgate. I always like to have a few cold appetizers that you can set out while you are getting the grills fired up.
That way anyone who gets there early has something to snack on
Smoked Honey Old Bay Wings
The perfect balance of smoky, spicy and sweet all in one tasty wing. Adding the element of smoke to your honey old bay wings takes this recipe to another level
These oven-baked peanut butter and jelly chicken wings are reminiscent of a Thai peanut sauce with a touch of sticky sweetness. They are flavorful, juicy, and delicious!
Mini Taco Bowls are the perfect party food for holiday entertaining, game day or just to have as a delicious snack. With just a little prep, these little taco bites can be assembled in under 10 minutes! You must try this super easy ground beef appetizer!
These smoked chicken legs are juicy, tender, and practically fall off the bone. They are perfect for smoking on the pellet grill if you need to feed a crowd.
The latest food trend to hit Baltimore is Crab Cake Egg Rolls. This air fried version with old bay aioli can be made at home in no time. No need to go out when you can make a healthier take on crab cake egg rolls at home.
My Mini Bacon and Onion Pasties may look impressive, but they’re one of the most simple recipes! They’re a delicious, savoury appetiser that’s always a hit.
A quick and easy instant pot appetizer recipe with little smokies cooked in BBQ sauce with pineapple. This is a great appetizer for your game day menu, holiday dinner, or office potluck. #lilsmokies
This Bang Bang Shrimp Dip is a tasty take on the wildly popular appetizer from bonefish grill. I’ve taken all the sweet and spicy flavors of that magical sauce and transformed it into a dip that everyone will go crazy for.
This Muffuletta Dip is an easy low carb recipe based on my favorite sandwich in the Big Easy. This dip is perfect for any Game Day snacking or family gatherings. Loaded with flavor and ready in no time.
These BBQ Corn Ribs have become one of my friends and family favorite tailgate appetizers. They grill up quick and are a fun unique way to enjoy corn on the cob.
This corn and avocado summer salad is the perfect cookout side dish. Full of bright colors and delicious fresh ingredients. Make this for your next cookout and watch it disappear.
This Avocado Corn Salsa dip is a family favorite that we make for every single gathering because it’s always a crowd-pleasing, allergy-friendly appetizer or side. Plus it’s healthy, flavorful, fresh, and super fast, and easy to make!
It’s time to bring out the big guns and assert your dominance and master of the tailgate!
No holding back now, these crazy sports fans have been drinking for and hour waiting for some meat to come off the grill.
One tip is to always have one long cook smoked meat like Brisket or pulled pork that you can put on the pit overnight and wrap in the morning.
If you keep the meat in a dry cooler it can stay hot for hours and hours.
BEST Pellet Smoker Brisket Recipe
If you want to know how to make the best pellet grill brisket with great results every time then this post is guaranteed to make your next brisket better!!
These Pork Ribs smoked on a pellet grill are my favorite meat to smoke. The flavor of the smoke combined with that sticky, sweet sauce makes these smoked ribs the best you will ever taste.
Smothered Beer Braised Brats-Get it here. This is one meal you will to want to serve because the sauteed brats in pasta sauce is a wonderful combination.
Wisconsin Beer Brats. Simmered in beer and onion, grilled, and served slathered in sauerkraut and mustard. Perfect for game day. #brats #grilling #footballfood #tailgating #superbowlfood
Turn your leftover pulled pork into a delicious low carb Cuban Casserole. This healthy dinner is ready in no time using the leftovers out of your fridge.
Mississippi Mud Dessert Dip | Mississippi State Tailgate
This dessert is a show stopper! Bring Mississippi Mud dip to next party and you’ll be the tailgate fave. Luscious chocolate dip with chips, ’mallows + more.
These Nutella blondies are filled with a gooey thick layer of chocolate hazelnut spread inside and have a perfect crinkle top. This blonde brownies recipe is so easy too!
Always bring extra ice to use for keeping side dishes cold. You can serve the sides in aluminum foil pans fill a second pan halfway with ice and place the cold sides on top. This will keep the sides cold for up to 2 hours depending on the temperature outside. Also having the cold sides in the shade under a tent helps.
How do You keep Smoked Meats like Brisket and Pulled Pork Hot?
After you have reached an internal temp that you want wrap the meat in foil place in a dry cooler and cover it with a towel. the meat will stay piping hot for at least 4 hours depending on the cooler. Then you can slice or shred on site.
What do you recommend for a handwashing station?
The easiest thing is to get yourself a 5-gallon bucket, 5-gallon water jug, and a Water dispenser. You can reuse the water jug with tap water and the dispenser is wireless so you can take it anywhere. Place the jug on a table or upside-down crate and place the bucket underneath to catch the dirty water. Have soap, paper towels, and a trash can nearby and you are set.
What’s the best method for packing up and saving the leftovers?
The dry cooler that you had your hot food in will now become your cold leftover cooler. Cover all your sides with the aluminum foil lids and bag up all the meats in gallon freezer bags. Make sure there is plenty of ice in the cooler and load all the leftovers in.
Great choices! Thanks for including my mini taco bowl recipe!
It caught my eye immediately, They look fantastic!! thank you for sharing the recipe.