35 Best Tailgate Food Ideas for the Ultimate Game Day Party
Kick off football season with burgers, hot dogs and more tasty bites!
Tired of your usual tailgate menu routine? No more settling for boring burgers and store-bought snacks: These hearty meals and stackable tailgate finger foods are tried and true game day favorites that will make your celebration the tastiest yet.
No matter your tailgating set up, whether that includes an outdoor grill, an air fryer or a slow cooker, there are so many dishes to make in the parking lot of the stadium on game day. If you’d rather prep cold tailgate finger food the day before (be sure to equip yourself with a great cooler), or need some easy make-ahead options that you don’t have to cook at the party, we have the best bites for you. With plenty of make-ahead options (sausage rolls, anyone?) to grilling recipes, these tailgate food ideas will have you game-day ready in no time so you don’t miss out on any of the action.
So what makes a great tailgate? From drinks to easy party dips, chili recipes, easy appetizers and sweet desserts, these game-day foods and new delicious ideas will seriously spice up your tailgating menu.
Whoever your crew, these tailgate recipes can satisfy a few people up to an entire parking lot (with recipes this good, both sides might be coming over for a taste). Easily doubled (or tripled!), these dishes are nothing if not shareable. So put your game-face on — it’s time to feast!
Grilled Pork and Pineapple Sandwiches
Adobo ketchup-glazed pork and charred pineapple and onions grill up in minutes, giving you more time to party at the tailgate.
BBQ-Glazed Hot Dogs with Spicy Slaw
Brushing the dogs with barbecue sauce during grilling imparts a sweet, caramelized smokiness that pairs beautifully with a colorful tangle of jalapeño-spiked coleslaw heaped on top. A tailgate classic, upgraded!
Picnic Sandwich Pinwheels
Skip the store-bought party pack and make these the day before the game.
Get the Picnic Sandwich Pinwheels recipe.
Apple Sausage Rolls
Delicious served at any temperature, these poppable, portable pastries are a perfect addition to your tailgate menu.
Get the Apple Sausage Rolls recipe.
RELATED: 75 Best Super Bowl Snack Ideas That Will Score Touchdowns
Cheddar-Stuffed Cheeseburgers
Instead of adding cheese to the top of your patties, stuff them instead. A meal everyone will be a fan of!
Get the Cheddar-Stuffed Cheeseburgers recipe.
Tailgate Wraps
Let the grocery store do the work for you and buy a rotisserie chicken, then whip up these wraps, inspired by iconic game day flavors.
Get the Buffalo Chicken Wraps recipe.
Get the Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps recipe.
Queso Fundido with Roasted Mushrooms
Cheesy dips are a must-have at any game day festivity. This one is flavored with smoky poblanos and topped with hearty mushrooms. Go ahead and count it as dinner!
Beef Empanadas
These li'l snacks star a savory filling of ground beef, spices and briny olives tucked into a flaky crust.
Get the Beef Empanadas recipe.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Have an outlet at your tailgate (or partying at home)? Tote along your air fryer to make winning wings.
Get the Air Fryer Chicken Wings recipe.
RELATED: 72 Easy Air Fryer Recipes for a Quick Weeknight Dinner
Ropa Vieja
Cold tailgate days call for cozy stews like this Cuban-inspired beef dish.
Get the Ropa Vieja recipe.
Easy Pigs in a Blanket
Who doesn't love a pig in a blanket? These get an elegant spin from a sprinkle of caraway seeds. Don't forget the mustard for dipping.
Get the Easy Pigs in a Blanket recipe.
BBQ Beef Nachos
Barbecue sauce is the secret ingredient that gives these nachos a little extra spice. No one will really know how easy it was to season these party snacks.
Get the BBQ Beef Nachos recipe.
Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches
Fire up the grill to char tender pork then pile it high on rolls and drizzle on homemade barbecue sauce. Be sure to bring extra napkins!
Get the Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches recipe.
Smoky Chicken Tostadas
Inspired by chicken tinga, the tangy, spiced tomato-based sauce is the star of this crowd-pleasing recipe, giving rotisserie chicken a (really good) reason to shine.
Get the Smoky Chicken Tostadas recipe.
Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
No party is complete without a popper, and these are a cinch to make: Jalapeño halves are filled with a cream cheese, Cheddar and scallion mixture.
Get the Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers recipe.
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
A spicy vegetarian twist on classic wings? Count us in.
Get the Buffalo Cauliflower Bites recipe.
RELATED: 55 Vegetarian Recipes That Are Easy and Quick to Make for the Family
Creamy Beer Cheese
We love beer, and we love cheese. But we love this uber-rich, gooey beer cheese dip most of all — especially when we’ve got some soft pretzels on the side for dunking.
Get the Creamy Beer Cheese recipe.
Black Bean Salsa Fresca
This fresh dip couldn't be easier: Simply mix black beans, tomatoes, red onions and spicy jalapeño with fresh lime juice for a satisfying pairing to your fave chips (we love tortilla!).
Get the Black Bean Salsa Fresca recipe.
Coca Cola Chicken Wings
The addition of Coca Cola to the soy sauce and garlic marinade creates an irresistible sweet glaze that makes sticky fingers 100% worth it.
Get the Coca Cola Chicken Wings recipe.
RELATED: 29 Best Chicken Wing Recipes Perfect for Super Bowl Sunday and Beyond
Spiced Snack Mix
While this sweet and salty mix is a party-pleaser as is, feel free to get creative (more cheese! different spices!) to make it completely your own.
Get the Spiced Snack Mix recipe.
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