50 Best Tailgate Recipes

Just 5 minutes of prep and the slow cooker does the rest! Shred it at home, pack it in a covered dish with buns and BBQ sauce on the side, and let everyone build their own sandwich.

Sweet, smoky and fall-off-the-bone tender, with a bold homemade rub and a sticky barbecue glaze. Make them ahead, then wrap them in foil and warm them on the grill at the game.

Tender slow cooker beef simmered with cumin, garlic and green enchilada sauce, just like Cafe Rio. Bring the meat in the crock pot and set out tortillas and toppings for a super easy taco bar.

Pepperoni, salami, ham, provolone and mozzarella piled into soft dinner rolls with peppers and onions. One pan makes a whole batch, so they're perfect for passing around.

Juicy slow cooker pork shoulder with BBQ sauce, tucked into slider buns and topped with crunchy red cabbage. A big pan of these is always a hit with a hungry crowd.

A thick, hearty chili loaded with ground beef, kidney beans and bold spices that simmers in one pot in about an hour. Make it a day ahead and bring it in a slow cooker to keep it warm.

Shredded chicken, white beans, corn and green chiles simmer all day in green enchilada sauce. It's a creamy, cozy change of pace from red chili, and it's great for chilly fall games.

A classic beefy chili sauce spooned over hot dogs with cheddar and red onion. Grill the dogs at your spot and bring the chili warm from home.

Pork shoulder slow cooked with orange, lime, jalapeno and cumin until it falls apart. Serve it in tacos, burritos or bowls, so everyone can fix a plate the way they like it.

A from-scratch twist on the classic with savory beef, zesty spices, fresh avocado and cilantro. The filling reheats beautifully, so make it ahead and just bring the buns.

Sweet dinner rolls filled with ham and cheddar, then brushed with a buttery honey mustard and poppy seed topping. They're made ahead and baked all at once, and they're delicious warm or at room temp!

Flaky homemade crust wrapped around taco-seasoned beef and fire roasted tomatoes. Bake them ahead and warm them up, and you've got a hand-held meal that doesn't need a plate.

Ground beef and Italian sausage meatballs baked in marinara, just like mama used to make. Pile them into sub buns with melty cheese for meatball sandwiches everyone will love.

Tender pork and fresh pineapple brushed with a homemade mango and brown sugar glaze. Thread the skewers at home and throw them on the tailgate grill for an easy, sweet and savory main.

Juicy beef patties seasoned with smoked paprika, garlic and Worcestershire. Shape them at home, stack them between parchment in a cooler, and they're ready for the grill when you are.

Jumbo shrimp wrapped in smoky bacon and brushed with garlic Parmesan butter. They're ready in about 25 minutes and they always go fast!

Crispy egg rolls stuffed with chicken, cabbage, carrots and mushrooms, inspired by Panda Express. Fry them ahead and pack them in a foil-lined container to keep them warm and crunchy.

Crispy breaded zucchini sticks with a quick sour cream and ranch dip, just like White Spot's famous Zoo Sticks. A fun way to sneak some veggies onto the snack table.

Crispy buttered baguette slices topped with creamy brie and sweet raspberry jam. It's a pretty little appetizer that makes a tailgate feel a bit fancy.

Sweet, salty and a little spicy, these nuts are tossed in butter, maple syrup and warm spices, then baked until crunchy. Make a big batch days ahead and pack them in jars or bags.

All the flavors of a jalapeno popper rolled into a cheese ball shaped like a football. It's the most fun thing you can bring to a football tailgate!

Creamy goat cheese rolled in toasted pecans, dried cranberries and fresh parsley. These bite-size cheese balls are easy to make ahead and simple to pass around.

Chicken, cream cheese, cheddar and hot sauce make a creamy, spicy dip right in the slow cooker. Serve it with celery sticks to keep it low carb, or with chips for everyone else.

Black bean chili, cream cheese and cheddar are all you need for this warm, cheesy dip. It's about as easy as tailgate food gets!

A creamy, tangy dip packed with crunchy chopped pickles and fresh dill. Serve it chilled with pretzels, chips or veggies, and watch the pickle lovers gather around.

Just 4 ingredients make these savory little sausage balls. Bake them ahead and they're just as good at room temperature, so they're perfect for the parking lot.

Cream cheese, cheddar, bacon and ranch rolled in a crunchy pecan and parsley coating, with a pretzel stick for a handle. A super fun grab-and-go bite!

Cheesy stuffed jalapenos with a crispy panko topping and a cool, herby yogurt dip. They bring just the right amount of heat to the party.

Colorful mini peppers filled with goat cheese, ricotta and thyme, then topped with crispy bacon and Parmesan. They're bite-size, pretty and easy to eat standing up.

Meatballs and black beans simmered in red enchilada sauce and smothered in cheddar. Bring them in a slow cooker with toothpicks on the side for an easy hot appetizer.

Tortillas spread with taco-seasoned cream cheese and rolled up with chicken, cheese, peppers and olives. Make them the night before so they slice neatly and are ready to go.

Corn, black beans, kidney beans, tomato and peppers tossed with lime and cilantro. Serve it as a dip with chips or as a side salad, and it only gets better as it sits.

Black beans, corn, tomatoes, cilantro and red onion come together in about 5 minutes. Pack it in the cooler with a big bag of tortilla chips.

Finely shredded cabbage and carrots in a sweet and tangy creamy dressing, just like KFC. It's the perfect topping for pulled pork sandwiches, too.

Red potatoes tossed with mayo, Greek yogurt, Dijon and plenty of fresh dill and parsley. A classic potato salad that's just right next to anything off the grill.

All your favorite baked potato toppings, like bacon, cheddar, sour cream and green onions, in one big bowl. It's a hearty side that disappears at every cookout.

Four kinds of beans slow cooked with bacon, sweet onion and maple syrup. Bring them right in the slow cooker so they stay warm until it's time to eat.

Rotini, tomatoes, cucumbers and Parmesan tossed in a quick homemade Italian dressing. It's bright and fresh, and it's even better after a night in the fridge.

Tender cornbread muffins made with buttermilk and a touch of honey. They're the perfect partner for a big pot of chili, and no slicing needed!

Here's a genius trick for a crowd. Pour boiling water over husked corn in a clean cooler, close the lid, and in about 30 minutes it's perfectly cooked and stays hot.

Pasta, chicken, corn and avocado tossed in tangy salsa verde and topped with queso fresco. It's hearty enough to be a meal and it can be served warm or cold.

Black beans, corn, avocado, tomatoes and red onion tossed in a zesty lime dressing. It takes just 5 minutes to make, which is perfect on a busy game day morning.

All the goodness of chocolate chip cookies baked in one pan and cut into bars. They're so much easier to pack and share than a batch of cookies.

Soft, gooey bars made with a box of cake mix, eggs, butter and chocolate chips. One bowl and about 35 minutes is all it takes, and you can switch up the cake mix to match your team colors!

Rich, fudgy brownies topped with a smooth dark chocolate ganache. Let the ganache set before you slice them and they'll travel just fine.

Creamy cheesecake swirled into chocolatey brownies for the best of both worlds. Keep them in the cooler until it's time for dessert.

Gooey chocolate brownies with a peanut butter swirl baked right in. Chocolate and peanut butter fans will be lining up for these!

Soft, chewy peanut butter cookies with a classic fork crisscross on top if you like. They're easy to bake ahead and pack in a tin.

Salty pretzels sandwiched with creamy peanut butter and dipped in chocolate. A super simple sweet and salty snack that's fun to make with the kids.

White cake soaked with white chocolate pudding and topped with an Oreo cream cheese layer, whipped topping and crushed Oreos. It's best made a day ahead, so just pop the pan in the cooler and go.