Got Lots Of Hungry Football Fans Heading Your Way? You NEED These 72 Tailgate-Ready Recipes
Let's go team!
Forget the pumpkin spice lattes, we're so glad it’s finally fall because that means FOOTBALL. We could practically yell it from a megaphone, mostly because that means plenty of tailgate parties on the schedule. Whether you’re truly tailgating in the stadium parking lot or are watching from the comfort of your living room ("homegating," it’s a thing!), we’ve got recipes for you. Check out our 72 tailgate food ideas, then throw on your jersey, put on some face paint, and let’s go TEAM!
If you’re doing a traditional tailgate outside the stadium, you’re going to want to get bundled up and cozy. Don’t just layer up in your team’s best merch—bring the warmth with all the best game day comfort foods too. We’re talking chili, meatball sub bites, queso dip, nachos… the works. Got a grill? Lucky you! Average burgers and dogs are great for summer, but for football season, you’re gonna want to really bring the flavor. Try our sloppy Joes, our garlic bread hot dogs, our pull-apart cheeseburger sliders, or our chili cheese dog casserole to see how you can take your grilled foods to the next level.
Celebrating from home this season? You’re going to want finger foods that make it easy to eat before the game and once it starts and you’re glued to the couch. Pigs in a blanket and chicken wings are classic (so we’ve included multiple versions of each here), but you’ve got other options too, like our tailgate tots, our our ham & cheese pinwheels, and our sheet-pan honey mustard pretzel chicken. You can never go wrong with dip either, so give our pub cheese, our sour cream & onion dip, our best-ever guacamole, or our hoagie dip a try too.
And don’t forget about desserts! There’s more to a game day spread than just savory options. Keep with the theme with our football brownies or cookies, or lean on crowd-pleasers like caramel corn or puppy chow. They’ll stand out as a welcome sweet treat whether your team’s winning or losing.
Want more tailgate ideas? Check out our favorite game day cocktails and dips, and then check out what your state’s favorite game day snack is too.
Slow-Cooker Beef Chili
This hearty chili, made with flavorful ground beef, a rich blend of spices, aromatics, and tomatoes, is exactly what we want when the weather cools. And at Delish, we know chili is personal. So go ahead, tailor your toppings or switch up the type of beans. Want more heat? Add a bit more cayenne or chipotle powder. The beauty of this chili lies in its no-fuss versatility.
Get the Slow-Cooker Beef Chili recipe.
Mozzarella-Stuffed Pretzel Bites
These mozzarella-stuffed pretzel bites are the perfect after-school or game day bite-sized appetizers. The best part is that they’re made with just three ingredients: store-bought pizza dough, mozzarella cheese sticks, and flaky salt.
Get the Mozzarella-Stuffed Pretzel Bites recipe.
Buffalo Chicken Waffle Fry Nachos
This Buffalo chicken waffle fry recipe is the ultimate shareable comfort food. It starts with crispy baked waffle fries, seasoned with ranch powder for a tangy kick. Meanwhile, frozen chicken tenders get their own ranch seasoning treatment before being tossed in a buttery hot sauce. Once the fries and chicken are golden and crisp, they’re layered together and loaded with shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack, creating the perfect cheesy base.
Get the Buffalo Chicken Waffle Fry Nachos recipe.
Philly Cheesesteak Pasta
This cheesy pasta skillet combines tender skirt steak, sautéed peppers, onions, and mushrooms, and creamy provolone all in one pan, making it perfect for busy weeknights. The real one-pan magic happens when the pasta is simmered in beef broth and half-and-half, soaking up all those rich flavors. Once the cavatappi reaches al dente perfection, the dish is finished with melty provolone, turning it into the ultimate savory skillet dinner.
Get the Philly Cheesesteak Pasta recipe.
Football Field Dip
Hut, hut, DIP! Tailgating season is here, and this dip is the fuel you need to cheer on your favorite team. Dipping into this edible football field will reveal layers of all of your favorite dips, spreads, and sauces packed into one dish.
Get the Football Field Dip recipe.
Buffalo Blitz Bites
For these Buffalo Blitz Bites, we took classic Buffalo chicken dip mix—chopped chicken, cream cheese, cheddar, blue cheese, hot sauce, and chives—and baked it into a crisp puff pastry shell until bubbling and golden. Instead of eating the celery and carrots on the side, we tossed them in some apple cider vinegar and added them on top, making this a one-stop shop for all your favorite game-day flavors.
Get the Buffalo Blitz Bites recipe.
Cranberry Turkey Sliders
These sliders are a great way to repurpose those Thanksgiving leftovers or use deli-style, oven-roasted turkey. It’s a tasty pairing using whole berry cranberry sauce, which is nicely offset by the creaminess of mild cheddar and the more distinct flavor of gouda. Safe to say, it’s a real GOUDA idea to make these sliders for out-of-town guests visiting for Thanksgiving or the holidays.
Get the Cranberry Turkey Sliders recipe.
Queso Mac & Cheese
Get ready for a fiesta in your mouth with this creamy, spicy mac & cheese. Serve this side dish alongside hot dog tacos for a twist that'll have everyone asking for seconds!
Get the Queso Mac & Cheese recipe.
Black Bean Sweet Potato Taco Skillet
Want taco night at your tailgate without the multiple pans and (semi-?) controlled chaos of a build-your-own dinner? Make this taco skillet. Saucy, spiced sweet potatoes and black beans are tossed with crushed tortilla chips and topped with melty cheese for a simple one-pan meal that will be your new weeknight go-to. Oh, and did we mention it’s vegetarian?
Get the Black Bean Sweet Potato Taco Skillet recipe.
Giant Party Sub
This hack of baking bread in a bundt pan turns an average sandwich into a party centerpiece that will steal the show at your tailgate. In it, you'll find all the usual Italian sub suspects: pepperoni, salami, ham, provolone, lettuce, tomatoes, and a simple Italian seasoning-based dressing, but feel free to change it up!
Get the Giant Party Sub recipe.
Beer Cheese
Creamy and warm dips are required on any game day, but if you really want to start the party, put out a pot of beer cheese. Spiked with lager and Dijon mustard, this smooth and glossy cheese dip will be devoured by tailgaters everywhere.
Get the Beer Cheese recipe.
Tailgate Tots
If you’re looking for the cutest (and easiest) game day snack, look no further than these tailgate tots. See—they even sound cute! Tailgate food can be tricky—you want it to be fun, creative, and most importantly: easy to eat while watching the game. These tots do all of the above, and more.
Get the Tailgate Tots recipe.
Pigs In A Blanket
Tiny hot dogs are perfect for literally any tailgate. There's something very classic about the crescent roll dough flavor, so we tend to gravitate toward it, but puff pastry or even biscuit dough should work here too.
Get the Pigs In A Blanket recipe.
Chex Mix
When it comes to crunchy packaged snacks, Chex Mix is the crème de la crème. Unlike a plain old bag of chips, Chex Mix offers variety: the crisp cereal, toasty pretzels, the unique crunch of the bagel chips. You may be convinced it’s the best snack ever, but just wait till you try this homemade version.
Get the Chex Mix recipe.
Sloppy Joe Casserole
This sloppy Joe-inspired casserole is where. it’s. AT. Cozy? Check! Meaty? Check! Buttery carbs and cheese? Check and check! This hearty casserole has plenty of peppers and onions, lots of sauce, and so much flavor too.
Get the Sloppy Joe Casserole recipe.
Vegan White Bean Chili
Chili is equally delicious with ground beef, ground turkey, or with no meat at all. Chili can be tomato-forward or a creamy white chili. And, whether you’re full-time vegan or just love a plant-based moment, vegan chili is where it’s at. This flavor-packed vegan white bean chili has so much goodness going on and all of the fresh, crunchy toppings too.
Get the Vegan White Bean Chili recipe.
Football Cookies
These are so easy to make with our perfect sugar cookie dough and icing, and everyone will love them! If you aren't a football fan yet, these cookies will do the trick. If you're looking for even more fun football desserts, check out this super-easy football cake!
Get the Football Cookies recipe.
Pizza Beans Skillet
Tired, hungry, and running low on groceries? Pizza beans have your back. Featuring simple pantry staples and only 30 minutes of cooking time, this comforting one-pan dinner promises to make any weeknight feel special and goes perfect with a tailgate.
Get the Pizza Beans Skillet recipe.
Pull-Apart Spinach-Artichoke Football
Hopefully your game day spread is ready for all those hungry football fans knocking down your door with cases of beer in hand. But you need to be sure to include this gem of a snack. Who doesn’t want a cheesy spinach-artichoke dip encased in pizza dough? Also shaped like a football?!
Pull-Apart Cheeseburger Sliders
Everyone loves little mini cheeseburgers. But have you ever made them? Flipping a dozen (or more) little patties is maddening. Enter: our brilliant little hack. Instead of forming each individual slider, we go pull-apart style, using a loose cooked ground beef mixture that's seasoned like a good, juicy burger.
