The Best Tailgate Food Ideas Everyone Will Love

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It’s fun cooking for the people in your life, especially when there’s an occasion to celebrate. Luckily, football season is already upon us, so you can make almost every Sunday extraordinary. Use these best tailgate food ideas to throw a party during game day!

What Is Tailgating?

Tailgating is a nice social gathering where fans gather before and during a home game for food and beverages. Some Americans have this picnic at the parking lot if they head to the stadium to watch live football. However, others love having these when they have a viewing party at home. 

Many football watchers are pretty serious about their tailgate traditions. About seven in ten tailgaters also say they look forward to these parties during football season, if not more. So if you have someone in your life who’s an avid sports fan or you love the games yourself, gather people for a pre-game party. 

Best Tailgate Food Ideas

While people are hanging out and watching the game, you want to ensure that the snacks or meals are easy to eat. Here are some of the best tailgate food ideas for you and your group.

1. Crispy Chicken Fingers

Chicken fingers are the ultimate finger food for your tailgate party. All you have to do is slice your chicken breast into tender pieces, batter them, and fry them in oil until they’re crispy. You can bring ketchup as a dipping sauce. However, if you have the extra time, mayo and Dijon mustard combo with honey would hit the spot. 

2. Blue Cheese Board

A blue cheese board is another perfect appetizer that’s pretty easy to assemble. Stilton is a nice, hardy cheese that you can divide into cubes. Throw in gorgonzola slices on the plate with some crackers, almonds, and pretzels. Fruits like pears, apples and grapes are ideal for contrast.

3. Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are a classic, and they’re a great protein-filled snack before the sports. Boil them and cut them in half before taking the yolk out. Mix with mayo, Dijon mustard, a dash of vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste. Adjust it to your liking before putting it into a piping bag. Add it back to the white of your egg. 

4. Shredded Balsamic Beef

Get some paper bowls and fill them with shredded balsamic beef. These are perfect for large groups and are incredibly flavorful. Pressure-cook your meat with broth, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and garlic. You can pair them with fresh mashed potatoes. To get the portions right, measure about two potatoes per guest. 

5. Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings

Chicken wings are another tailgate delicacy perfect for game day. Make your sauce by mixing garlic, butter, parmesan, and parsley in a tub. Add your freshly fried chicken and toss it around to coat every single crevice in the goodness. 

6. Pulled Pork Nachos

If you attend a tailgate party with a tray of pulled pork nachos, everyone will thank you. Layer large tortilla chips into a tray and sprinkle your cooked meat, red onions, black beans, jalapenos and cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and dollop on some sour cream. 

7. Lobster Rolls

A nice buttery roll with lobster, mayonnaise, and chives is just unbeatable. Make sure to get one sandwich ready for each person attending your party. If you don’t have the time or skill to cook the lobster yourself, you can buy fresh cooked lobster. For the best taste, go with lobster sourced naturally from the ocean that’s free from antibiotics or hormones.

8. Fried Calamari

Fried calamari is another delectable seafood tailgate food idea. Slice the tubes into rings and coat them in flour. Then, put them into a wet batter and fry them until crisp. Squeeze a fresh lemon slice across to make it a little more tangy. An aioli sauce and spicy mayo would also make these more mouthwatering than ever. 

9. Grilled Hotdogs

The best game days will have grilled hotdogs. Make sure to cook them evenly on the grill. You can put them into buns with relish, ketchup, mayo and other fixings if you’re eating by the stadium. However, if you’re organizing a tailgate party at home, create a hotdog assembly station and let guests customize things themselves. 

10. Mediterranean Pizza

Thinking of a vegetarian option? Consider using Mediterranean-inspired ingredients on a pizza for a flavorful and healthy tailgate meal. Slice up your garlic tomatoes, black olives, artichokes and red onion. Thick slices of mozzarella are a must for the stretch. You can also add in some crumbled feta for extra flavor. 

11. Stuffed Portobello

Stuffed portobellos are another great game-day food. Hollow out your mushrooms to make room for your spinach, bell peppers, tomato and cheese. Add the toppings and make them until the cheese is melted and brown. You may have to make several trays for smaller-sized portobellos. 

12. Mini Beef Burgers

Burgers are always the right answer when contemplating what goes on the menu. About 66% of people think they are the best foods to bring to a tailgate. And if you want to cheat a little bit, you can create a big slab of cooked beef and add it between perfectly halved Hawaiian sweet rolls. Put your onions, lettuce, bacon, tomatoes and other toppings in before slicing again. 

13. Sausage Kebabs

Sausage kebabs are also a beautiful addition to the tailgate table. Slice up Italian sausage for a flavor punch. Then, slide it down a stick with some red onions and peppers. Cook them on a grill and watch your loved ones gobble them down by the skewer.

14. Cookie Croissants

If you need a filling dessert for the tailgate party, make the Le Crookie. Stuff your pre-made buttery croissants into half before adding cookie dough inside. While it already looks good enough to eat, bake them first. Serve after your savory meals and before the game begins. 

Create the Best Tailgate Party

Food is one of the primary reasons that game days are glorious. Make sure to pick out your favorite tailgate food ideas and bring them to life. Everyone will love your cooking, so just be prepared when they ask for seconds!