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    Home » Parties » Game Day

    Tailgating Food Ideas

    [published_or_updated] · by Angela Paris · 9 Comments[affiliate_disclosure]

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    Even if you aren't into football, I can almost bet you love football food! Try these delicious tailgating food ideas for the perfect game day.

    Collage of tailgating recipes, perfect game day food for feeding a crowd.
    Jump to:
    • Dips
    • Finger Foods
    • Sandwiches & Sliders
    • Chili
    • Wings
    • Sweet Desserts
    • 🏈More Game Day Ideas
    • 💬 Comments

    Tailgating is one of those Southern traditions that just doesn't happen quite the same way anywhere else. 

    Even though we live in a college town with lots of football fans, the closest thing we have to it here are Super Bowl parties, and let's face it - it's just not the same!  

    Nonetheless, here are the Top 20+ Tailgating Recipes I'd serve if I were planning to tailgate with my nearest and dearest.

    These delicious recipes are ideal tailgate food ideas you can enjoy in a parking lot, backyard, or your living room while you enjoy football games this Fall. After all, the food is the best part of the game!

    Now you could just whip up some hot dogs on your portable grill and have someone bring potato salad, but if you want your next tailgate party to be memorable, choose a few of these delicious recipes for your game day menu!

    Dips

    When it comes to an easy appetizer, it doesn't get more simple than chips and dip! Whether you're making Homemade Guacamole or Pico de Gallo, of just opening a jar of salsa, dips are a must-have for game day!

    • Steak and Cheese Dip
    • Cheesy Spinach Dip with Garlic Roll Dippers
    • Ground Beef Cheese Dip Recipe
    • Cowboy Caviar Recipe
    • Layered Taco Salad Dip
    • Greek Yogurt Dip
    Hand holding a blue corn chip scooping up uffalo Chicken Dip.

    Best Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

    Forget the tortilla chips and carrot sticks, our nearly famous buffalo dip would be good on a flip-flop!

    Cheesy Bacon Dip in white bowl with crackers for dipping.

    Cheesy Bacon Dip

    If you love cheesy dips, this creamy and cheesy dip with sour cream and bacon is perfect for the big game!

    You'll also love this no-fuss, two ingredients Cream Cheese Salsa Dip!

    Close up of Beef Queso Dip in a square bowl next to blue corn tortilla chips.

    Beef Queso Dip

    With just the right amount of spice, this cheesy dip with beef is perfect for any game day spread, and can be kept warm in a slow cooker.

    Don't forget the salsa!

    Whether you like fruit flavors like strawberry salsa or pineapple salsa, or more traditional savory tomato corn avocado salsa, we've got salsa recipes for everyone.

    • Close up of homemade mango salsa on a chip.
    • Pineapple Mango Salsa in a bowl with a spoon next to corn chips.
    • Square collage with text overlay: best fresh salsa recipes.
    See more Salsa →

    Finger Foods

    Finger foods are the best and we've got enough delicious food ideas to feed your whole crew!

    • Stuffed Pizza Rolls
    • Garlic Cheese Bombs
    • Spinach and Artichoke Pull Apart Bread
    • Bacon Cheddar Potato Skins
    • Homemade Mini Pizzas (BBQ Chicken)
    • Pepperoni Pizza Pockets
    Close up image of pretzel bites topped with sea salt.

    Pretzel Bites

    Grab some store-bought pizza dough or frozen dinner rolls from the grocery store and you've got the making for our pretzel bites. It's such an easy recipe and delicious with honey mustard dipping sauce.

    Sandwiches & Sliders

    • Grilled Brats + Beer Cheese Sauce
    • Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders
    • Sandwich Kabobs
    • BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
    • Pulled Pork Sliders
    • Meatball Subs

    Related: Sensational Sliders to Feed a Crowd

    Close up image of easy meatball sliders.

    Easy Meatball Slider Recipe

    These meatball sliders are one of my favorite recipes for game day because they're always a big hit!

    Chicken Meatball Subs
    These savory chicken meatball sub sandwiches are sure to please any crowd and make for a hassle-free weeknight meal.
    Get the Recipe >>>
    Hand dipping a Chicken Meatball Sub into tomato sauce.

    Chili

    Chili is a a game day staple, and perfect for tailgating. Keep it warm in a crockpot or even thermoses! Don't forget all your favorite toppings like cheddar cheese, diced red onions, and corn chips.

    Close up image of pumpkin chicken chili in a white bowl, topped with cheese.

    When I need a crowd pleaser, Chili is my go-to because it's easy to make ahead and feeds a lot of people.

    • Sweet and Spicy Chili
    • Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
    • Instant Pot Beef Chili
    • Vegan Chili

    If you have pot of chili going, you can make one of these great recipes:

    • Cheesy Chili Potato Skins
    • Chili Cheese Tater Tot Casserole
    • Cornbread and Chili Pot Pie
    • Chili Stuffed Peppers
    • Corn Muffin Chili Cups

    Wings

    Collage of crowd-pleasing game day wings.

    Everyone knows football season means wings, right?

    • Honey Teriyaki Chicken Wings
    • Air Fryer Garlic Butter Wings
    • Sweet and Spicy Wings

    Find more Game Day Wings.

    Sweet Desserts

    It wouldn't be a party without dessert, right? Here are some of my best game day treats:

    • Quick Almond Joy Brownie Bites
    • Peanut Butter and Chocolate Pretzel Bites
    • No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

    🏈More Game Day Ideas

    • pizza monkey bread
    • cheesy tater tots recipe
    • waffle fry totchos
    • Hand holding a chip with Cream Cheese Corn Dip.
    • Roasted Cowboy Butter Cauliflower Bites on a baking sheet.
    • Layered Taco Dip Recipe in a casserole dish.
    • Chocolate Hummus with coconut and mini chocolate chips with strawberries.
    See more Appetizer →
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alina says

      October 09, 2014 at 8:27 am

      Just one word to describe these - YUM!

      Reply
    2. Harmony H says

      October 09, 2014 at 3:29 pm

      Pizza on a stick!! I love that idea 😀

      Reply
    3. Meegan says

      October 09, 2014 at 4:46 pm

      That Italian Style Chicken Sausage Soup looks delicious! Perfect for colder tailgates!

      Reply
    4. Heather S says

      October 10, 2014 at 5:42 pm

      The lasagna looks so good!

      Reply
    5. Michelle J. says

      October 11, 2014 at 10:13 am

      Those cheese bombs look amazing!

      Reply
    6. Eymi says

      October 11, 2014 at 12:41 pm

      YOUR BLOG ALWAYS MAKES ME HUNGRY WHICH IS THE POINT RIGHT??
      THE CHEESE BOMBS REMIND ME OF A SIMILAR DISH I HAD IN BRAZIL AMAZING URS LOOK AMAZING AND THE POTATOES ARE SO GORGEOUS I NEED TO TRY TO MAKE THEM.

      Reply
      • Ang Paris says

        October 13, 2014 at 9:34 am

        Thank you Eymi! That is the ultimate compliment! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Ang Paris says

      October 13, 2014 at 9:37 am

      I hope you enjoy Terra!

      Reply
    8. Ang Paris says

      October 17, 2014 at 12:07 pm

      Hopefully now you have some inspiration for your parties - most of these are really quite easy!

      Reply

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    Welcome! I'm Ang'e - the Juggling Act Mama! I love sharing quick and easy recipes, creative DIY projects, and fun family travel with you. Like many of you, I am a multi-tasking mama juggling priorities which is why here I offer solutions to tame your hectic lifestyle.

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