Game on! Score big with these 33 ultimate tailgating dishes

Ensure your tailgating spread stands out. With these 33 tailgating recipes you’re not just bringing food – you’re bringing the party.

A tray of brats on a cutting board with a bottle of beer. — Crock Pot Beer Brats. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Crockpot Little Smokies

These easy, crowd-pleasing little smokies simmered all day in a sweet and tangy sauce are a touchdown at any tailgate.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Little Smokies

Honey Jalapeno Cornbread

Sweet honey, fiery jalapeños, and crispy cornbread come together for the ultimate flavor-packed bread to serve up slices with chili or dip into cheesy dips.
Get the Recipe: Honey Jalapeno Cornbread

Crock Pot Hot Dogs

Keep a batch of plump, juicy hot dogs warm all day in the crockpot for fans to grab and load up with toppings.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Hot Dogs

Sausage Cheese Dip

Warm, cheesy sausage dip is always a crowd pleaser, and having a slow cooker keep it hot all day means your whole crew can dip into the cheesy goodness.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Cheese Dip

Crockpot Chili

A slow cooker dinner recipe featuring two bowls of chili topped with avocado. — Crockpot Chili. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This hearty, meaty chili simmering away in the crockpot all day is perfect for fueling up football fans at your tailgate.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chili

Jalapeño Popper Pinwheels

Puff pastry pinwheels on a round wooden cutting board. — Jalapeño Popper Pinwheels. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These spicy, cheesy pinwheels will be a touchdown with fans, combining two game day favorites – poppers and finger foods.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Pinwheels

Crock Pot Baked Ziti

A bowl of pasta with meat and tomatoes. — Crock Pot Baked Ziti. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Amp up your pre-game party with this effortless tailgating star. Imagine layers of ziti, rich marinara, creamy cheese, and zesty sausage all coming together in your slow cooker, ensuring you savor every play and every bite. Perfect for feeding a crowd without missing a moment of the game!
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Baked Ziti

Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches

Instant pot French dip sandwich next to an instant pot. — Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Tender, juicy French dip sandwiches steamed up fast in the pressure cooker means more time hanging with your football crew.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches

Crock Pot Beer Brats

Brats and beer served on a cutting board. — Crock Pot Beer Brats. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Tailgaters will cheer for these smoky, beer-simmered brats you can easily keep warm in the crockpot for your pre-game festivities.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Beer Brats

Instant Pot Gumbo

Bowl of gumbo with sausage and okra. — Instant Pot Gumbo. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Rich, deep flavors of New Orleans come together fast in this pressure cooker gumbo that’s ideal for feeding a hungry football crew.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Gumbo

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

Three slow cooker tacos with chicken, lime, avocado and tomatoes. — Crock Pot Chicken Tacos. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Just dump the ingredients in and let the slow cooker do the work for super juicy, flavorful shredded chicken tacos perfect for building your own with all the toppings.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

Instant Pot Pulled Pork

Pulled pork on a bun with sauce and cabbage. — Instant Pot Pulled Pork. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Fall-off-the-bone tender pulled pork cooked fast in the pressure cooker is perfect for building piled high sandwiches to fuel up hungry football fans at the tailgate.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pulled Pork

Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches

Slow cooker Italian beef on a crusty roll with provolone cheese and peppers. — Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These juicy, tender Italian beef sandwiches are perfect football food, easy to grab and eat while cheering on your team.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches

Chick-fil-a Tortilla Soup

Mexican chicken tortilla soup in a white bowl. — Chick-fil-a Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Warm up the crowd with this creamy, comforting soup inspired by the fast food favorite – perfect for dipping chips and bread at your football feast.
Get the Recipe: Chick-fil-a Tortilla Soup

Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken

Slow cooker chicken with BBQ sauce in a crock pot with a spoon. — Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Let the slow cooker do the work so you can enjoy time with your crew – just dump in the chicken and let it cook until easily shreddable for sandwiches.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken

Chile Relleno Casserole

With melty cheese, roasted peppers, and rich flavors baked into a hearty casserole, this dish makes a filling option you can easily transport and keep warm at the tailgate.
Get the Recipe: Chile Relleno Casserole

Deviled Eggs

A tailgate staple – easy, protein-packed deviled eggs are portable finger food perfect for hungry football fans.
Get the Recipe: Deviled Eggs

Walking Taco Casserole

Mexican casserole in a glass dish. — Walking Taco Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Transforming the walking taco into a shareable casserole, this hearty dish makes a mess-free meal with taco beef, beans, cheese, and toppings galore.
Get the Recipe: Walking Taco Casserole

Copycat Taco Bell Nacho Fries Supreme

Nacho fries covered with beans and cheese. — Copycat Taco Bell Nacho Fries Supreme. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These crispy fries loaded up just like Taco Bell’s nacho fries will score big with tailgaters craving a savory, spicy snack.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Taco Bell Nacho Fries Supreme

Air Fryer Carnitas

Skip the oil and fry up tender, juicy carnitas in the air fryer in half the time to build tacos for your tailgate fans.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Carnitas

Guacamole

No tailgate is complete without some fresh, flavorful guacamole that football fans can grab by the chip-full.
Get the Recipe: Guacamole

Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies

Bowl of bacon wrapped cocktail sausages. — Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These juicy bacon-wrapped little smokies are the perfect game day appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies

Cheesy Chipotle Fundido Dip

Fundido dip with chips. — Cheesy Chipotle Fundido Dip. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Cheesy fundido with a spicy chipotle hummus kick to it. Use chips or even roasted vegetables to dive into this baked cheesy dip.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chipotle Fundido Dip

Roasted Mango Habanero Salsa

This juicy, roasted mango habanero salsa recipe is a perfect combination of sweet and spicy. Serve them up with your favorite chips for a delicious Game day appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Mango Habanero Salsa

Taco Meatballs

A white platter with cheese stuffed meatballs, limes, radishes and onions. — Taco Meatballs. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Savor the flavor and indulge in Cheesy Taco Meatballs paired with zesty pickle relish for a spciy game day appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Taco Meatballs

Tangy Korean Pickled Radish

Chicken mu in a brown bowl. — Tangy Korean Pickled Radish. Photo credit: Best Clean Eating.

Kick off your game day feast with a burst of Korean flavors with these zesty chicken mu pickled radishes. Tangy and spicy, these pickles are the perfect game day companion, whether you’re pairing them with Korean BBQ or enjoying them as a standalone sensation. Get ready to kickstart your taste buds with this explosive appetizer!
Get the Recipe: Tangy Korean Pickled Radish

Gucamole Snack Board

A top-down shot of a guacamole snack board. — Gucamole Snack Board. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Forget your usual guac – make this EPIC Guacamole Snack Board instead! Loaded with chips and all the fixings to make your favorite guac, this spread is perfect for tailgating or cheering on your favortie team at home!
Get the Recipe: Gucamole Snack Board

Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon

Bacon beer cheese in a dark bowl surrounded by pretzel knots on a cutting board. — Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

This beer cheese dip adds bacon to take your classic pub-style beer cheese to the next level. With sharp cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and your choice of beer, this bacon beer cheese dip is the perfect game-day app.
Get the Recipe: Beer Cheese Dip with Bacon

Pizza Rolls

When game day energy is high, pizza rolls are the perfect hand-held snack to match the vibe. Compact and filled with that familiar pizza goodness, they’re a surefire hit for fans of all ages. Grab one (or a few), and you won’t miss a moment of the action.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Rolls

Crab Rangoon Dip

Perfect on game day or any day, this easy dip is creamy, cheesy, and it’s loaded with sweet, tender crab. The perfect pick for you and all your friends, the only question is, what will you dip into it?
Get the Recipe: Crab Rangoon Dip

Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip

This photo shows a hand scooping out baking spinach artichoke dip from a white casserole dish. — Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Elevate your game day with this perennial party favorite. Prepare it ahead, pop it in the oven, and focus on the game while it transforms into a creamy delight that vanishes in no time.
Get the Recipe: Baked Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Taco Dip with Cream Cheese

This Taco Dip with Cream Cheese is an easy meatless appetizer that is a total crowd pleaser! It can be whipped together in only 15 minutes and is a perfect dish for serving at game-day gatherings!
Get the Recipe: Taco Dip with Cream Cheese

Beer Margaritas

A beerita with a salt rim in a glass shaped like a beer can next to limes and a green glass juicer. — Beer Margaritas. Photo credit: Feast + West.

Beer Margaritas are a fun and delicious way to celebrate any big game. Made with Mexican lager and tequila, these are the ultimate game day sipper.
Get the Recipe: Beer Margaritas