Packing food for a tailgate can be tough. There's not a ton of refrigeration options outside of whatever cooler you pack, and there aren't a ton of reheating options either (you can only power so many slow cookers!). That's why it's a great idea to pack foods that can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature. Bonus points if they can be eaten with one hand, because nobody wants to clean up extra plates or cutlery after the big game.

When brainstorming your game day menu, make sure to avoid ingredients that are particularly vulnerable at room temperature — things like seafood or dairy. While no food should be left in the danger zone (a temperature range between 40° Fahrenheit and 140° Fahrenheit) for more than a few hours, certain foods are safer than others. Things like snack mix, pinwheels, vegetable-based dips or salsas and pasta salads are a great place to start.

One recipe you can never go wrong with? Cowboy Caviar. We have the state of Oklahoma to thank for this easy, bright and tangy salad that's made with one of the state's staple crops, black-eyed peas (otherwise known as cowpeas.) It's hearty and healthy, but more importantly, it's easy to scoop up with a chip and enjoy while watching your favorite sporting event. It can also be served cold or room temperature so it's perfect for a picnic or tailgate.

Any food that can be eaten with one hand is always a great addition to a tailgate, and sandwiches are no exception. This hearty muffaletta sandwich is packed with savory meats and briney olive salad, and you don't need a plate or any utensils to enjoy it. It doesn't need to be heated up either, so you can make it in advance and pop it in the cooler to serve whenever you're ready.

Crispy, crunchy and filled with flavor, this loaded snack mix is perfect for any occasion. The apple chips add necessary sweetness that helps balance out the savory flavor from the spice mix. Ready in just 30 minutes, it's an easy snack to make in advance and bring along to a sporting event.

Ready in just 30 minutes, these quick and easy skewers are a great way to feed a crowd without needing to pack plates or silverware. Ours are packed with things like tomatoes, olives, salami and mozzarella balls, but those could easily be swapped out for different types of cheese or meat. They're easy to eat with one hand, which makes them perfect for a party, BBQ or tailgate.

No tailgate table is complete without a fresh heaping bowl of salsa. This versi on combines canned whole and chopped tomatoes with jalapeños, lime juice and fresh cilantro leaves. It's bright and spicy with refreshing acidity from the tomatoes and lime juice.

Who doesn't love garlic bread? This version is so easy to make thanks to store-bought crescent rolls and a jar of pesto. They're super soft, packed with flavor and just a little cheesy, which makes them a great snack or side dish that can be enjoyed at room temperature.

Veggie and orzo salad is one of those fantastic dishes that taste just as good warm as it does cold. Better yet, it can be made days in advance and just gets more and more flavorful the longer it sits. Herbs and lemon juice make it taste extra bright and refreshing.

Chewy, tender and perfectly salty, soft pretzels are a definite crowd pleaser. Whether you enjoy them on their own or dip them in mustard and cheese sauce, soft pretzels seem to be synonymous with sporting events. We love that they don't require complicated storage or reheating, too.

Steak is one of the best types of protein to bring to a tailgate because it tastes just as good cold as it does when warm. These steak and veggie skewers are a great option when you're looking for an easy, filling meal that can be eaten with one hand and no plate. We're using Brussels sprouts and mushrooms, but you could easily swap them out for something else like peppers, onions or zucchini.

Potato salad-lovers know that it tastes best cold or at room temperature — when the flavors have had time to develop and intensify. That's why it's the ideal dish for a picnic or a tailgate, not to mention that it's a total crowdpleaser. This version relies on dill, capers and scallions for a punch of extra bold flavor.

Pinwheels are more portable and easier to share than traditional sandwiches, which makes them a great choice for a tailgate. This version uses and ham and scallion cream cheese with a little bit of Dijon mustard for extra flavor. Ready in just ten minutes, they're an easy way to feed a crowd and don't require any extra heating.

Neither a pie nor a pizza, this traditional Philadelphia tomato pie is a totally unique dish. A thick, yeasted crust is baked over a generous dose of olive oil and topped with a simple but flavorful tomato sauce that gets seasoned with garlic and oregano. It's crunchy on the inside and tender on the inside, with a flavorful sauce that will make you forget about the cheese altogether. While it tastes delicious warm, some people enjoy it even more when it's cold.

Pasta salad is one of the easiest things to bring to a tailgate because it can be prepared the night before and just gets more tasty the longer it sits in the refrigerator. This classic version is packed with a bounty of fresh vegetables so it's hearty and filling too. No need to heat it up — this dish tastes even better cold or at room temperature.

Puff pastry is the ultimate shortcut ingredient for these delicious and easy sausage rolls. We think the mini versions are perfect for a party or tailgate because they can be eaten standing up with one hand. A bit of maple syrup and cheese added to the sausage makes them extra tasty.

This rolled flank steak is inspired by the Italian beef sandwich which is reknown as a Chicago delicacy. Typically consisting of chopped thin slices of roast beef stuffed inside a hoagie roll, it then gets lathered with a rich au jus and sprinkled with hot and sweet peppers. It's spicy and savory and can totally be enjoyed cold or at room temperature.

This fun and inventive snack mix plays on the traditional salty and sweet combination. Cheese crackers and pretzels add savory crunch while fruit loops add sweetness and parmesan cheese gives a hint of creamy umami. Its a fantastic snack to make before a big game because it can stay at room temperature and feed a big crowd.