The 67 Best Recipes to Add to Your Tailgate Menu

Grab your team jersey and gather up your friends. We've got all the recipes you need for the best tailgate, from chili to wings — and everything in between.

July 27, 2022

By: Food Network Kitchen

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Be the MVP of Snacking

Do you know what we love most about football food? It doesn’t matter which team you’re rooting for once the snacks come out! Everyone is welcome to dig into the nachos or scoop themselves a bowl of chili. And, since it is the thing that unites us on game day, we do our best to create a winning spread. With this lineup that covers everything from salsas to desserts, you can do the very same. Whether you set up a portable grill in the parking lot or gather your friends for an at-home tailgate, these recipes are sure to earn you MVP status! Wondering where to start? Ree’s easy pico de gallo is a must-have. You can use it to top tacos, sprinkle it over guacamole or simply scoop it up with tortilla chips while you sip on a cold beer.

Get the Recipe: Pico de Gallo

Pull-Apart Dogs in a Blanket Ring

How to improve on pigs in a blanket? Supersize them in a pull-apart ring. This oversize version features 7-inch hot dogs, 4 layers of flaky crescent dough and a thick melty layer of American cheese.

Get the Recipe: Pull-Apart Dogs in a Blanket Ring

Chili con Carne

When coats and scarves become a part of the tailgating dress code, this steamy chili with beef and pork shoulder will warm up every sports fan.

Get the Recipe: Chili con Carne

Roasted Jalapeno Poppers

A three-cheese blend of smoked pepper cheese, feta and cream cheese fill Rachael Ray's poppers. The smoky cheese and the roasted jalapenos make for a delicious and easy-to-eat appetizer.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Jalapeno Poppers

Mary Alice's Hoagie Dip

Work all of your favorite hoagie ingredients — deli meats and cheeses, shredded lettuce, pepperoncini — into a festive dip to serve in a bread bowl.

Get the Recipe: Mary Alice's Hoagie Dip

Jumbo Cheesy Italian Meatballs

Food Network Magazine's meatballs are so substantial they don't need a pile of pasta to make a meal. Stuffed with fresh mozzarella, they're best served with tomato sauce, ricotta and a little fresh basil.

Get the Recipe: Jumbo Cheesy Italian Meatballs

Jalapeno-Cheddar Beer Bread

This no-fail, no-fuss recipe, uses just a few ingredients, requires no rising time and has tons of savory flavor.

Get the Recipe: Jalapeno-Cheddar Beer Bread

Ree's Cowboy Nachos

A marinated beef brisket is the basis for quite a few of Ree's favorite meals. Use it to top broiled layers of tortilla chips with spicy beans, cheese and pico de gallo. The whole thing gets broiled until the cheese melts, and then all you have to do is dig in.

Get the Recipe: Cowboy Nachos

Fantasy Footballs

The trick to making perfectly shaped, football cake pops? Don’t skip the step where these pops chill out in the freezer. It gives you a chance to smooth their shape before you dip them in melted chocolate.

Get the Recipe: Fantasy Footballs

Game-Day Chili

Geoffrey Zakarian's loaded Game-Day Chili features fragrant spices, plus a bottle of beer.

Get the Recipe: Game Day Chili

Three-Cheese-and-Artichoke Calzones

Pecorino, fontina and ricotta cheese are blended with frozen artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes, creating a creamy filling for Giada's rustic calzones. You can make one big calzone with your store-bought dough or turn it into individual portions.

Get the Recipe: Three Cheese and Artichoke Calzones

Warm Artichoke and Bacon Dip

Giada De Laurentiis bakes easy homemade pita chips spiced with cumin and chili powder to scoop up her creamy, crowd-pleasing dip.

Get the Recipe: Warm Artichoke and Bacon Dip

Charred Corn Guacamole with Corn Chips

The key to Bobby's guacamole is grilling the corn until it's slightly charred. Combine the corn with mashed avocados, onions and lime juice, then dip in with fried corn chips or warm flour tortillas.

Get the Recipe: Charred Corn Guacamole with Corn Chips

Beer Punch

Get festive with your beer supply and make a batch of Sunny Anderson's fruity beer punch for your game-day crowd.

Get the Recipe: Beer Punch

Melissa d'Arabian's Grilled Tomato Salsa

Before putting them in a food processor, grill juicy tomatoes till blistered and charred. The flavors of the grill will shine through this a chunky salsa.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Tomato Salsa

Ree's Baked Ziti

If you're having kids at your tailgating party, Ree's kid-friendly baked ziti is packed with ground beef and Italian sausage, plus a combination of Parmesan, mozzarella and ricotta cheese. Crushed red pepper flakes and Italian seasoning add just the right amount of spice that kids will still enjoy.

Get the Recipe: Baked Ziti

Doritos Fried Mac and Cheese

These gooey, homemade mac and cheese bites boast two times the flavor: Nacho cheese-dusted chips flavor the creamy sauce as well as the crunchy, deep-fried coating.

Get the Recipe: Doritos Fried Mac and Cheese

Beef and Black Bean Chili with Toasted Cumin Crema and Avocado Relish

In true Bobby Flay fashion, every inch of this chili is spiced just right. Even the garnishes come spiked with cumin and chile peppers.

Get the Recipe: Beef and Black Bean Chili with Toasted Cumin Crema and Avocado Relish

Avocado Salsa

Chopped pineapple gives this cross between guacamole and salsa a juicy sweetness. It'll be hard to rip tailgaters away from it to watch the game.

Get the Recipe: Avocado Salsa

Sangria Ice Pops

Sangria is even better in frozen form. Mix red wine with juice and chopped fruit for the ultimate tailgating treat.

Get the Recipe: Sangria Ice Pops

Venezuelan Empanadas

Tuck shredded beef filling flavored with garlic, cumin and onion inside a crisp pastry crust. Serve with avocado-herb dipping sauce.

Get the Recipe: Venezuelan Empanadas

Gatorade Margaritas

Sports drinks aren’t just good for athletes looking to replenishing post-game — they’re surprisingly tasty in margaritas too!

Get the Recipe: Gatorade Margarita

Charleston Cheese Dip

You haven't had cheese dip till you've had Trisha Yearwood's Charleston Cheese Dip. Made with a combo of Monterey Jack, sharp cheddar and cream cheese, it brings a triple dose of cheese to the party.

Get the Recipe: Charleston Cheese Dip

Breakfast Garbage Bread

Crumbled bacon and breakfast sausage mingle with potato tots, eggs and melted American cheese in this garbage bread, which is reminiscent of a breakfast sandwich or burrito. Serve it with lots of hot sauce or ketchup for early-morning tailgating.

Get the Recipe: Breakfast Garbage Bread

Chocolate, Chocolate-Chip Cookies

Win or lose, your tailgating crew will leave the game happy as can be with this double dose of chocolate.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate, Chocolate-Chip Cookies

Devon's Award-Winning Chili

Think of this recipe as a cross between chili and beef stew. Ina Garten uses cubes of beef brisket in lieu of ground beef, as well as a dose of strong coffee, for a hearty, satisfying departure from typical chili.

Get the Recipe: Devon's Award-Winning Chili

Enchilada Crescent Ring

Forget the tortillas! This flaky, golden ring of crescent dough is packed with all the cheesy, enchilada filling you’re craving — and it’s perfect for feeding a crowd.

Get the Recipe: Enchilada Crescent Ring

Glazed Brownies

Take your game-time brownies even further by topping them with a smooth chocolate glaze.

Get the Recipe: Glazed Brownies

Indian Summer Turkey Chili

Rachael's turkey chili is ideal for the transition from summer to fall. Serve it with an array of chips, from pita to potato, for dipping and scooping.

Get the Recipe: Indian Summer Turkey Chili

Alton's Meatball Sandwiches

Fellow tailgaters will rave over every element of Alton's mini sandwiches, from the Parmesan-parsley biscuits to the homemade spaghetti sauce to the triple-meat meatballs.

Get the Recipe: Meatball Sandwiches

Spiked Lemonade

Anne Burrell's classic adult cocktail pairs lemon juice with bourbon. Sweeten sour lemon juice with simple syrup and make it as tart or as sugary as you like. Throw in a few mint leaves just for fun.

Get the Recipe: Spiked Lemonade

The Neelys' Spicy Fried Wings

Pep up your wings with cayenne and red pepper flakes. The creamy dipping sauce also comes with a punch of horseradish, cayenne and chili sauce.

Get the Recipe: The Neelys' Spicy Fried Wings

Stuffed Green Peppers

If you’re looking for some hearty game day grub, this comfort food classic is a winner. Stuffed green bell peppers are easy to make ahead too: Fill the peppers in advance but wait to bake them until the day you want to serve them.

Get the Recipe: Stuffed Green Peppers

PB&J Chocolate Bars

These sweet-and-salty bars are a perfect treat to make ahead and pack up for your tailgate.

Get the Recipe: Sarah's PB and J Chocolate Bars

Braised Brisket Tacos

The flavor of this beef roast is even better the day after you cook it so try making the brisket the night before the big game. Then, when you’re ready for tacos, just slice, reheat and serve.

Get the Recipe: Braised Brisket Tacos

Philly Cheese Steaks

No matter where you're watching the big game, a loaded Philly cheesesteak is sure to please. Sandra Lee makes hers the traditional way, with thinly sliced steak, melted cheese and green peppers.

Get the Recipes: Philly Cheesesteaks

Buffalo Chicken Grilled Brie

Toss shredded rotisserie chicken with Buffalo wing sauce, then grill atop a small wheel of Brie until the cheese is melty and ready for crackers. What's not to love?

Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Brie

Texas Chili

Chipotle and ancho peppers, as well as spoonfuls of spice, make Tyler Florence's chili a tailgating powerhouse.

Get the Recipe: Tyler's Texas Chili

Grilled Sausage With Spicy Sauce

Duff skewers kielbasa (or any smoked sausage) and grills it up to serve at his tailgate with a simple dip made of ketchup, spicy mustard and hot sauce.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Sausage with Spicy Sauce

Purple Potato Salad

Loaded with herbs, diced pickles and more, Duff Goldman's potato salad for Food Network Magazine will stand out at your tailgating party for more reasons than color alone.

Get the Recipe: Purple Potato Salad

Hot Spinach Dip with Mushrooms

Wilt the spinach in the microwave to make Food Network Magazine's hot, cheesy dip even easier.

Get the Recipe: Hot Spinach Dip with Mushrooms

Fried Pies

How can you sit down for dessert if you're cheering on your team? Ree Drummond's fruit-filled fried pies are perfect for one-the-go.

Get the Recipe: Fried Pies

Sunny's Sticky Onion Crunch Wings

Sunny douses her wings in a sweet and spicy hoisin sauce, and she adds just the right amount of horseradish for a bit of kick. The hoisin sauce creates a sweet and caramelized flavor. Sprinkle the fried wings with french-fried onions until they're fully coated.

Get the Recipe: Sticky Onion Crunch Wings

Ina's Guacamole

Ina whips up this avocado classic in just 15 minutes. Add a little or a lot of hot sauce depending on your taste.

Get the Recipe: Ina Garten's Guacamole

Pressure-Cooker Chili

Kick off your tailgate party with this winning recipe for thick, meaty chili from Alton Brown. Corn chips thicken the chili, and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce give it smoky flavor.

Get the Recipe: Pressure Cooker Chili

Salted Caramel Cheesecake Squares

The Pioneer Woman's pecan-crusted cheesecake squares are smothered in a luscious salted caramel sauce.

Get the Recipe: Salted Caramel Cheesecake Squares

Chili Mac

You want to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible during the game. Rachael's meaty chili with macaroni noodles and a heap of smoky vegetables seasoned with an original blend of spices is ready with just 15 minutes' prep time.

Get the Recipe: Chili Mac

Fresh Vegetable Spring Rolls with Two Dipping Sauces

Bobby shreds napa cabbage, carrots, mushrooms and more to fill spring roll wrappers. Pair them with garlic-soy or spicy-peanut dipping sauce.

Get the Recipe: Fresh Vegetable Spring Rolls with Two Dipping Sauces

Pork-Bellied Poppers

Use leftover pulled pork to make these meaty poppers from Food Network Magazine.

Get the Recipe: Pork-Bellied Poppers

Chorizo-Stuffed Mushrooms

Give these hand-held mushroom appetizers a Spanish twist by stuffing them with chorizo and Manchego cheese.

Get the Recipe: Stuffed Mushrooms (Hongos Rellenos de Chorizo)

Avocado Deviled Eggs

The ultimate tailgating mash-up, this easy-to-make recipe combines two game day favorites: guacamole and deviled eggs!

Get the Recipe: Avocado Deviled Eggs

Mexican Meatball Subs

Give your next meatball sub some south-of-the-border flair. Food Network Magazine spices up the meatballs and adds crushed tortilla chips, fresh cilantro and more to the sandwich.

Get the Recipe: Smoky Meatball Subs

Grilled Egg-and-Cheese-Stuffed Breakfast Fatty

Athletes aren't the only ones who need to fuel up for game day. When tailgating starts in the morning, you need something hearty to get you through the day. This epic breakfast sandwich, which contains all the good stuff—bacon, sausage, cheese, ham and eggs—served on a cinnamon bun, will do the trick.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Egg-and-Cheese-Stuffed Breakfast Fatty

Stuffed White Mushroom Caps

Go beyond chips and dip when you're making your finger food game plan. Alex Guarnaschelli's stuffed mushrooms are a savory, gourmet addition to any tailgating spread.

Get the Recipe: Stuffed White Mushroom Caps

Pork Meatballs with Spicy Sauce

Load your guests up with a meaty, satisfying meal that will take them from the tailgating festivities to the fourth quarter.

Get the Recipe: Pork Meatballs With Spicy Sauce

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Are you a fan of crispy cookies or do you cheer for chewy chocolate chip rounds? This recipe is perfect for both: the bars along the edges are golden-brown, but the center cuts are rich and gooey.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Greek Meatballs with Lemon and Arugula

Watch as Food Network Magazine's bright, lemony Greek meatballs disappear by the toothpick as soon as they're set out.

Get the Recipe: Greek Meatballs with Lemon and Arugula

Taco Lasagna

A cross between two crowd-pleasing favorites, this lasagna is made by layering noodles, cheese and a salsa-based sauce. Choose a mild salsa to keep the lasagna kid-friendly — and a spicier salsa if you want to liven things up!

Get the Recipe: Taco Lasagna

Asian Pork Meatballs

Shiitake mushrooms, scallions and ginger are just a few of the unique ingredients that turn pork meatballs into an Asian-inspired appetizer. They're super easy to eat when served in lettuce leaves and topped with a homemade hoison sauce and sesame seeds.

Get the Recipe: Asian Pork Meatballs

Ricotta-Filled Meatballs with Fennel and Chili

Red pepper flakes give Food Network Magazine's meatballs serious heat. A stuffing of fresh ricotta balances every bite.

Get the Recipe: Ricotta-Filled Meatballs With Fennel and Chili

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Zesty, creamy and packed with rotisserie chicken, this dip will remind you of your favorite hot wings — without all the napkins!

Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Dip

Pretzel Rolls

Guy Fieri's soft and chewy rolls are the perfect pairing for any sandwich.

Get the Recipe: Pretzel Rolls

Ragu-Stuffed Peppers

Food Network Magazine puts leftover ragu to good use by stuffing it into bell peppers.

Get the Recipe: Ragu-Stuffed Peppers

Italian Meatball Meatloaf Sandwiches

Rachael puts a new spin on the iconic American comfort food meatloaf. This meatloaf tastes like one giant Italian meatball, but it's easier to make because you don't need to roll individual balls: Simply serve slices on white loaf bread with onions, basil, tomato, fresh mozzarella and an Italian-style ketchup.

Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Meatloaf Sandwiches

Philly Cheese Steak Pizzas

Two game-day favorites come together in this steak-and-cheese-topped pie.

Get the Recipe: Philly Cheesesteak Pizzas

Butterscotch Peanut Butter Bars

No one will say no to these sweet squares. Valerie mixes flavors of butterscotch and peanut butter for a treat that's perfectly sweet and nutty.

Get the Recipe: Butterscotch Peanut Butter Bars

Grilled Stuffed Cheeseburger Buns

Forget the days of the massive cheeseburger assembly line at your tailgate party. Here, store-bought pizza dough is stuffed with mini cheeseburgers, which can be prepared in advance so all that’s left to do is grill them up at game time! A perfect snack for a party where seating is limited, these stuffed burgers are the ultimate grab-and-go score.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Stuffed Cheeseburger Buns

Game-Day Parties

The 67 Best Recipes to Add to Your Tailgate Menu

Related To:

Be the MVP of Snacking

Pull-Apart Dogs in a Blanket Ring

Chili con Carne

Roasted Jalapeno Poppers

Mary Alice's Hoagie Dip

Jumbo Cheesy Italian Meatballs

Jalapeno-Cheddar Beer Bread

Ree's Cowboy Nachos

Fantasy Footballs

Game-Day Chili

Three-Cheese-and-Artichoke Calzones

Warm Artichoke and Bacon Dip

Charred Corn Guacamole with Corn Chips

Beer Punch

Melissa d'Arabian's Grilled Tomato Salsa

Ree's Baked Ziti

Doritos Fried Mac and Cheese

Beef and Black Bean Chili with Toasted Cumin Crema and Avocado Relish

Avocado Salsa

Sangria Ice Pops

Venezuelan Empanadas

Gatorade Margaritas

Charleston Cheese Dip

Breakfast Garbage Bread

Chocolate, Chocolate-Chip Cookies

Devon's Award-Winning Chili

Enchilada Crescent Ring

Glazed Brownies

Indian Summer Turkey Chili

Alton's Meatball Sandwiches

Spiked Lemonade

The Neelys' Spicy Fried Wings

Stuffed Green Peppers

PB&J Chocolate Bars

Braised Brisket Tacos

Philly Cheese Steaks

Buffalo Chicken Grilled Brie

Texas Chili

Grilled Sausage With Spicy Sauce

Purple Potato Salad

Hot Spinach Dip with Mushrooms

Fried Pies

Sunny's Sticky Onion Crunch Wings

Ina's Guacamole

Pressure-Cooker Chili

Salted Caramel Cheesecake Squares

Chili Mac

Fresh Vegetable Spring Rolls with Two Dipping Sauces

Pork-Bellied Poppers

Chorizo-Stuffed Mushrooms

Avocado Deviled Eggs

Mexican Meatball Subs

Grilled Egg-and-Cheese-Stuffed Breakfast Fatty

Stuffed White Mushroom Caps

Pork Meatballs with Spicy Sauce

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Greek Meatballs with Lemon and Arugula

Taco Lasagna

Asian Pork Meatballs

Ricotta-Filled Meatballs with Fennel and Chili

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Pretzel Rolls

Ragu-Stuffed Peppers

Italian Meatball Meatloaf Sandwiches

Philly Cheese Steak Pizzas

Butterscotch Peanut Butter Bars

Grilled Stuffed Cheeseburger Buns

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