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35 Winning Tailgate Food Ideas - Best Tailgating Recipes For Game Day

Ready to take your tailgate game day party to the next level? Check out these amazing recipes that will have everyone cheering for more!

By Beverly Ng at SideChef

September 11, 2023

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35 Winning Tailgate Food Ideas - Best Tailgating Recipes For Game Day

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Beverly Ng at SideChef

Marketer at SideChef. I firmly believe that pastries and spicy food are the keys to my happiness. 🧁🌶

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It's that time of year again, football fans! Time to dust off the grill, break out the coolers, and get ready for some serious tailgating.

There's nothing better than a day spent watching football with good friends and great food. From burgers and hot dogs to chili and chicken wings, these 35 winning tailgate food ideas have something for everyone.

So fire up the grill or oven, and get ready to party like a pro!

1. Hot Dogs

Jalapeño Bacon Mac and Cheese Dog

Smoky Ribs BBQ

2. Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

SideChef

3. Smoked Tri Tip Brisket

Tri Tip Brisket

How to BBQ Right

4. Smoked Brisket Tacos

Smoked Brisket Tacos

How to BBQ Right

5. Restaurant Style Salsa

Restaurant Style Salsa

Rockin' Robin

6. Beer Cheese Dip

Beer Cheese Dip

A Fork's Tale

7. Olive Garden Fried Ravioli

Copycat Olive Garden Vegan Fried Ravioli

Cookilicious

8. Boss Spinach Artichoke Dip

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Kevin Yu at SideChef

9. Cowboy Caviar

Cowboy Caviar

Where Your Treasure Is

10. Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joe Sandwiches with Garlic Fries

Chef'd

11. Cheesy Buffalo Corn Dip

Cheesy Buffalo Corn Dip

Lauren Holdcroft at SideChef

12. Game Day Chicken Nachos

My Favorite Chicken Nachos

Vodka & Biscuits

13. Macaroni Salad

Macaroni Salad

In the Kitchen with Jonny

14. Cocktail Meatballs

Sweet and Spicy Cocktail Meatballs

SideChef

15. Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup

SideChef

16. Buffalo Chicken Dip Sliders

Simple Addicting Buffalo Chicken Dip Sliders

Lauren Holdcroft at SideChef

17. Sausage Rolls

Mexican Style Sausage Rolls

One Pot Chef Show

18. Beef Chili

Classic Beef Chili

In the Kitchen with Jonny

19. Mac and Cheese

Mac and Cheese

Throwdown Kitchen

20. Easy Potato And Egg Salad

Dominican Potato Egg Salad

Belqui's Twist

21. Fried Mozzarella Sticks

Fried Mozzarella Sticks

Delisous

22. Jalapeño Popper Dip

Deconstructed Jalapeño Popper Dip

Vodka & Biscuits

23. Easy Homemade Pretzel Bites

Easy Homemade Pretzel Bites

A Hint of Rosemary

24. Tailgate Sandwiches

Tailgate Sandwiches (Hot Ham and Cheese)

Pip & Ebby

25. Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Chicken Thighs

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Chicken Thighs

How to BBQ Right

26. 3-Minute Avocado Salsa

3-Minute Avocado Salsa

SideChef

27. Corn on the Cob

Caribbean Style Corn on the Cob

StreetSmart Kitchen

28. Pigs in a Blanket with Queso Dip

Pull-Apart Pigs in a Blanket with Jalapeño Queso

SideChef

29. Chimichurri Steak Skewers

Chimichurri Steak Skewers

How to BBQ Right

30. Cheeseburgers

The Weeknight Cheeseburger

SideChef

31. Grandma’s Tailgate Cookie Bars

Grandma’s Tailgate Cookie Bars

Well Worn Fork

32. BBQ Cheddar Stuffed Meatballs

BBQ Cheddar Stuffed Meatballs

Buy This Cook That

33. Hatch Chili Hot Wings

Hatch Chili Hot Wings

Garlic & Zest

34. Football Explosion

Football Explosion

How to BBQ Right

35. No Bake Smores Shortbread

No Bake S'mores Shortbread

SideChef

35 Winning Tailgate Food Ideas - Best Tailgating Recipes For Game Day

1. Hot Dogs

Jalapeño Bacon Mac and Cheese Dog

2. Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

3. Smoked Tri Tip Brisket

Tri Tip Brisket

4. Smoked Brisket Tacos

Smoked Brisket Tacos

5. Restaurant Style Salsa

Restaurant Style Salsa

6. Beer Cheese Dip

Beer Cheese Dip

7. Olive Garden Fried Ravioli

Copycat Olive Garden Vegan Fried Ravioli

8. Boss Spinach Artichoke Dip

Spinach Artichoke Dip

9. Cowboy Caviar

Cowboy Caviar

10. Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joe Sandwiches with Garlic Fries

11. Cheesy Buffalo Corn Dip

Cheesy Buffalo Corn Dip

12. Game Day Chicken Nachos

My Favorite Chicken Nachos

13. Macaroni Salad

Macaroni Salad

14. Cocktail Meatballs

Sweet and Spicy Cocktail Meatballs

15. Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken Tortilla Soup

16. Buffalo Chicken Dip Sliders

Simple Addicting Buffalo Chicken Dip Sliders

17. Sausage Rolls

Mexican Style Sausage Rolls

18. Beef Chili

Classic Beef Chili

19. Mac and Cheese

Mac and Cheese

20. Easy Potato And Egg Salad

Dominican Potato Egg Salad

21. Fried Mozzarella Sticks

Fried Mozzarella Sticks

22. Jalapeño Popper Dip

Deconstructed Jalapeño Popper Dip

23. Easy Homemade Pretzel Bites

Easy Homemade Pretzel Bites

24. Tailgate Sandwiches

Tailgate Sandwiches (Hot Ham and Cheese)

25. Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Chicken Thighs

Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Chicken Thighs

26. 3-Minute Avocado Salsa

3-Minute Avocado Salsa

27. Corn on the Cob

Caribbean Style Corn on the Cob

28. Pigs in a Blanket with Queso Dip

Pull-Apart Pigs in a Blanket with Jalapeño Queso

29. Chimichurri Steak Skewers

Chimichurri Steak Skewers

30. Cheeseburgers

The Weeknight Cheeseburger

31. Grandma’s Tailgate Cookie Bars

Grandma’s Tailgate Cookie Bars

32. BBQ Cheddar Stuffed Meatballs

BBQ Cheddar Stuffed Meatballs

33. Hatch Chili Hot Wings

Hatch Chili Hot Wings

34. Football Explosion

Football Explosion

35. No Bake Smores Shortbread

No Bake S'mores Shortbread

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