When it comes to tailgating, one of the first things that comes to mind is all the delicious food! We love to see all the next level dishes tailgaters come up with for tailgating snacks and dishes. However, we also know not everyone has time to craft such tasty foods. That doesn’t mean you still can’t make an impressive spread. In fact, with the right recipes, you can impress your guests with just a few minutes of prep time. Here is our master guide to simple, fast, and tasty tailgating recipes your teammates will love.
Master The Basics
One of the best ways to save time when you are cooking is to master the basics. First we have the humber hamburger that with just a little attention and the right toppings can be a culinary masterpiece.
Sometimes we like to get fancy here at Inside Tailgating. A tailgate is a great time to explore the cooking and baking boundaries that are possible. It is okay to soar to new heights of culinary delights. We love it. Throw a fancy sushi appetizer in along with your relish slaw. Add a cream cheese brownie pie to your homemade ice cream treat. All that is good. In fact it is perfect.
But sometimes you just need to go simple. Sometimes a simple everyday hamburger is just fine. Next time you can make the 100% steak burger recipe you have been wanting to try. Or add the black truffles or fancy, dancy mushrooms next time. But today we want a simple no nonsense burger.
No Fuss Hamburger
Ingredients
- 1 Lb Ground Beef Chuck or Round
- Salt and Black Pepper
- Butter, as needed
Notes
Burger Of The Gods
Ingredients
- 8 Oz Chuck, trimmed, cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes
- 8 Oz Sirloin, trimmed, cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes
- 1/2 Tsp Kosher Salt
Notes
Simple Seasoned Just Right Beef Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 Lb Ground Beef Chuck
- 2 1/2 Tsp Burger Seasoning
- 4 Hamburger Buns, for serving
Notes
Burgers aren’t the only basic to master. Another great place to start is to master a simple grilled steak. A perfectly grilled steak doesn’t need any extras, but it does make a great base for steak sandwiches, carne asada tacos, and sliders.
If you do choose to get somewhat fancy, why not add a nice bleu cheese topping:
● Blend together blue cheese and butter in a small bowl until creamy.
● Equally divide blue cheese mixture over steaks.
Build Some Delicious Burgers
Once you have your burger basics mastered, there’s a lot you can do with them to impress your guests. Adding a few ingredients to the ground meat or loading it up with toppings takes no time. Be warned though, there’s a risk of your guests overeating when you serve these tasty burgers.
Stubb’s Cowboy Burger
Ingredients
- 2.5 Lbs Ground Beef
- 1/4 Cup Stubb's Smokey Mesquite Bar-B-Q Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Stubb's Beef Marinade
- 1/4 Tsp Stubb's Mesquite Liquid Smoke
- 1 Tsp Stubb's Beef Rub
- 1 Large Yellow Onion, cut into slices
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Bacon Slices, cooked crisp
- Onion Rolls or Hamburger Buns
- Toppings Of Your Choice
Toasted Pecan Burgers
Ingredients
- 1 Lb Ground Chuck
- 1/4 Cup Chopped Red Onion
- 1/4 Cup Chopped Pecans, toasted
- 1 Tbsp Finely Chopped Green Bell Pepper
- 3 Tbsp Stubb's Original Bar-B-Q Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Stubb's Bar-B-Q Spice Rub
- Lettuce, Mayonnaise, and Toasted Buns, for serving
If you’re like me and you don’t feel like getting super elaborate yet in your tailgate fare, you can certainly jazz up the ‘ol standby: the burger. Makes your mouth water just typing them.
Pull Out The Crockpot
Crockpots and instapots are the perfect tool for easy Super Bowl menu planning. There are so many things you can make in a slow cooker. The best part is you add the ingredients then set it and forget it until it’s time to serve. We love slow cookers for pulled pork, so we’re sharing one of our favorites from the archives:
Try this recipe for delicious pulled pork sandwiches with root beer BBQ sauce from our friend Teri Stephens at Buy This Cook That.
BBQ Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwich With A&W Root Beer BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 8 Lbs Pork Shoulder Roast
- 2/3 Cup Mustard
- 2/3 Cup BBQ Spice Rub
- 12 Oz A&W Root Beer
- 3/4 Cup Ketchup
- 1/2 Cup Honey
- 1/3 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 Tsp Liquid Smoke
- 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper
- 1/2 Tsp Chili Powder
- 1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Tsp Onion Powder
If BBQ ribs are more your style, check out a great recipe here, or if you like a smokey jerk style sauce, try this recipe.
Save Time With Sliders
Some of us just aren’t chefs and that’s okay. It doesn’t mean we still can’t serve up tasty tailgating snacks for our team. If you’re just lost in the kitchen, we highly recommend these meatball sliders. They are easy enough for anyone to make. Make two pans though because these go crazy fast!
Meatball Sliders
Ingredients
- 2 Lbs Ground Turkey or Lean Ground Beef
- 1/2 Cup Finely Diced Onion
- 1/2 Tbsp Chicken Spice Rub
- 1/2 Cup Breadcrumbs
- 1 Egg, beaten
- 1 Bottle BBQ Sauce
- 12 Slider Buns
What is not to love about sliders? They’re little, and always packed full of flavor. And these sweet and spicy meatball sliders are no exception! The meatballs are really easy to make, and the sauce is nothing short of amazing. These meatballs are really easy to make.
Grill Up Your Sides
When it comes to easy tailgating snacks, your grill is your best friend. You can make all of these sides while you grill up your dogs, burgers, or steaks. Most of them can even be prepared the night before.
When you are out tailgating, you want to focus on having fun and preparing for the big game. So putting together a fast and easy spread for you and fellow fans is a must. Fortunately, there are a ton of great things you can make on your tailgating grill that are delicious and take only a few minutes to make.
1. GRILLED RANCH POTATOES
Grilled Ranch Potatoes
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 2 Lbs Red Potatoes
- 2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
- 3 Tbsp Ranch Dressing Mix
- 1/4 Tsp Salt
- 1/8 Tsp Pepper
- 1/2 Cup Cheddar Cheese
- 3 Strips Bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 Tbsp Chopped Parsley
Notes
- If using mini red potatoes, cut in half lengthwise. If using regular red potatoes, cut into quarters (bite-sized pieces).
- I cooked my bacon in the oven while the potatoes grill. You could cook your bacon on the grill if you prefer. Once the cheese is added to the potatoes, place the plate in the warm oven to help the cheese melt.
- You can serve these potatoes right out of the foil or transfer them to a serving bowl before adding toppings.
These grilled ranch potatoes are a hit at tailgates. You simply cut the potatoes, cover them in oil and ranch seasoning and throw them on the grill in a foil packet. The best part is these can be made ahead of time and just tossed on the grill right before game time.
2. SWEET POTATO AND BACON SKEWERS
Sweet Potato And Bacon Skewers
Equipment
- Oven Safe Cooking Racks
- Large Baking Sheet
- Large Bowl
Ingredients
- 2 Lbs Sweet Potatoes (peeled and cut into 1 1/2" chunks)
- 1 1/2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Lb Sliced Bacon
- 3/4 Cup Light Brown Sugar
- 1/4 Cup Sugar
- 1/2 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 Tsp Ground Nutmeg
- 1/4 Tsp Cloves
- 1/4 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1/2 Tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Notes
We love grilling kabobs, they’re so easy to make and taste great. These sweet potato and bacon skewers are a delicious twist on a grilled kabob. The sweet soft potatoes balance beautifully against the crispy salty bacon. They can also be made ahead and grilled at game time.
3. CAJUN GRILLED POTATO WEDGES
Cajun Grilled Potato Wedges
Equipment
- Medium Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 5 Lbs Idaho Russet Potatoes
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 5 Tbsp Cajun Spice Blend, divided
- 1 Cup Mayonnaise, optional
Notes
If you’re making steaks or burgers, these Cajun potato wedges are the perfect side. They are so easy to make. You simply cut them up, spice them up, and throw them right on your tailgating grill. They taste just like the rich potato wedges you get at your favorite steakhouse, but with a Cajun twist.
4. CHEESY GRILLED POTATOES
Cheesy Grilled Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 Lbs Potatoes
- 1/2 Onion
- 1 1/2 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese, divided
- 1/3 Cup Barbecue Sauce
- 1/2 Cup Bacon Bits
Notes
Has there ever been a greater pairing than potatoes and cheese? These cheesy grilled potatoes can be made ahead in a pan that can be easily transported to the event. They cook quickly and are a huge crowd favorite. We recommend dipping them in a little ranch dressing to set them off!
5. ELOTE (MEXICAN GRILLED CORN)
Elote
Equipment
- Pastry Brush
Ingredients
- Vegetable Oil, for brushing
- 1 Tsp Chile Powder
- 1/2 Tsp Cayenne Powder
- 8 Ears Of Corn, Husked
- 1/4 Cup Mayonnaise or Unsalted Butter
- 1/2 Cup Crumbled Cotija Cheese, Parmesan, or Ricotta
- 1 Lime, cut into 8 wedges
Notes
Elote is a favorite Mexican street food. It’s a grilled corn cob smothered in crema, mayonnaise, and crumbly cheese. Then topped with a little lime and chili powder. It can be served right on the cob or you can toss it into a cup for less mess. However, you eat it, it’s the perfect side dish to make on your tailgating grill.
6. BBQ BAKED BEANS
BBQ Baked Beans
Equipment
- 8" x 8" Disposable Pan
Ingredients
- 16 Oz Canned Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
- 15.8 Oz Canned Northern White Beans, drained and rinsed
- 28 Oz Canned Barbecue Baked Beans
- 1/2 Cup Barbecue Sauce
- 2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
- 2sp Tsp Smoked Paprika
Notes
BBQ baked beans can also be made right on the grill. This recipe combines a variety of beans and beans to make an outstanding homemade dish. However, this technique also works on your favorite canned BBQ baked beans. So you can make it even easier if you are pressed for time.
7. GRILLED PORTOBELLO MUSHROOM PIZZA
Grilled Portobello Mushroom Pizza
Ingredients
- Portobello Mushrooms
- Olive Oil
- Salt & Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Pizza Sauce
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Italian Herb Seasoning
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Toppings Of Choice
Notes
We love pizza at a tailgate. This recipe uses portobello mushrooms instead of pizza crust. They are super easy to assemble and can be loaded with your favorite pizza toppings. Though we don’t always think of pizza as a side, these portobello pizzas are the perfect size to serve with your main entree or just as a snack.
8. GRILLED STUFFED JALAPENOS
Grilled Stuffed Jalapenos
Ingredients
- 14 Jalapeno Peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded
- 2 Slices Center Cut Bacon
- 1/2 Cup Cream Cheese, Softened
- 1/4 Cup Shredded Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 1/4 Cup Minced Green Onion
- 1 Tsp Fresh Lime Juice
- 1/4 Tsp Salt
- 1 Small Garlic Clove, minced
- 2 Tbsp Fresh Cilantro
- 2 Tbsp Chopped Seeded Tomatoes
Notes
For those of you like us that love spicy food, these stuffed jalapeños are the perfect dish to make on your tailgating grill. If you don’t love spicy food, you can still make this dish. This recipe is super flexible. You can use sweet or spicy peppers. You can even change up the stuffing if you’d like. Either way, they are the perfect side for game day.
9. PORK SHOOTERS
Pork Shooters
Ingredients
- 1 Lb Kielbasa Or Andouille
- 8 Slices Thick Cut Bacon, halved crosswise
- 8 Oz Cream Cheese, cubed
- 8 Oz Coarsely Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 4 Scallions, trimmed
- 1/2 Lb Shrimp, peeled and diced into 1/2 inch pieces
- 2 Tsp Old Bay Seasoning
Notes
If you have a meat lover on your tailgating team, this is the perfect side. Kielbasa wrapped in bacon and grilled with shrimp is a meat lovers paradise. Topped with two kinds of cheese and some Old Bay seasoning these will be a huge favorite. We definitely recommend making a double batch because these tasty shooters go quickly!
10. GRILLED BUFFALO CHICKEN POPPERS
Grilled Buffalo Chicken Poppers
Ingredients
- 6 Slices Center Cut Bacon, cut into 1/4 inch strips
- 10-12 Mini Sweet Peppers
- 4 Oz Cream Cheese, softened
- 1 Cup Shredded Chicken
- 1/2 Cup Shredded Cheddar
- 1/4 Cup Buffalo Sauce
Notes
- Peppers: In making this recipe, I realized that mini sweet peppers vary quite a bit in size! For best results, use larger, round mini sweet peppers as opposed to smaller or flatter peppers. If you’d like spicier poppers, feel free to swap the sweet peppers with jalapenos.
- Baked buffalo chicken poppers: If you’d prefer to bake these poppers, arrange the assembled poppers on a parchment-lined baking sheet for easy clean up. Bake at 425 degrees F for 10-12 minutes, until the filling begins to bubble.
Do you love buffalo chicken wings? Do you love jalapeño poppers? This is the dish for you. A brilliant combination of two of our all time favorite game day sides into one magnificent dish. It’s basically a boneless chicken stuffed inside of a jalapeño popper. Outside of our team winning, there’s very few things that can top these on game day.
11. TAILGATE NACHO PACKETS
Tailgate Nacho Packets
Ingredients
- 16 Oz Bag Of Tortilla Chips
- 8 Oz Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 8 Oz Velveeta Cheese, cut into 1 inch cubes
- 15 Oz Can Of Black Beans or Pinto Beans
- 12 Oz Jar Of Pickled Jalapenos
- 1-2 (2 1/4 ounce) Cans Sliced Black Olives
- 1 Bunch Scallions
- Salsa
- Sour Cream
- Guacamole
Notes
Nachos are a quintessential tailgating food. These nacho packets make it easy. They can be prepped ahead of time, thrown on the grill, and then topped with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa. The packets also double as a serving tray, so you can easily snack while playing tailgating games like cornhole.
12. GRILLED GARLIC BREAD
Grilled Garlic Bread
Ingredients
- 1 Loaf French or Italian White Bread
- 1/2 Cup Butter
- 2 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
Notes
There’s nothing better to sop up your barbecue sauce than a thick slice of garlic bread. You don’t need an oven to bring garlic bread to your tailgate. With this grilled garlic bread recipe, you can make it right on your tailgating grill. All you need is a loaf of your favorite bread, butter, garlic, Italian seasoning and of course, parmesan cheese. Wrap it up and foil and you’ll have warm melted garlic bread to go with your ribs or steak.
13. GRILLED PEACHES WITH CINNAMON SUGAR
Grilled Peaches With Cinnamon Sugar
Ingredients
- 1 Stick Unsalted Butter, room temperature
- 1 Tsp Cinnamon Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- Pinch Of Salt
- 4 Ripe Peaches, halved and pitted
- Canola Oil
- Mint Leaves, for garnish
Notes
Not only can you make delectable side dishes on your tailgating grill, you can also make desserts. One of our favorite desserts is grilled peaches. This recipe tops them with cinnamon sugar and they taste like a fresh peach cobbler. If you really want to take this to the next level, pile on some ice cream and your friends and family will swoon.
14. CILANTRO LIME GRILLED WATERMELON
Cilantro Lime Grilled Watermelon
Ingredients
- 2 2 Inch Slices Watermelon
- 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 Limes, juiced
- 1/2 Cup Fresh Cilantro, chopped
- Salt To Taste
Notes
We know it sounds unusual, but another great dessert is grilled watermelon. Grilling this summer favorite fresh, caramelizes the sugars making for an extra sweet melon flavor. Adding a little cilantro and lime to the watermelon really brings out the sweetness. Try them and you’ll never want to eat watermelon any other way again.
The Easiest Tailgate Recipe Ever
Finally, when we were putting together recipes for this article, we kept asking ourselves: “What’s the easiest tailgating snack we ever made?” The answer was obvious: Walking tacos.
Walking Tacos
Ingredients
- 1 Lb Ground Beef
- 1 Packet Taco Seasoning Mix
- Chopped Tomato
- Shredded Lettuce
- Chopped Onion
- Cooked Corn
- Chopped Avocado
- Shredded Cheese
- Sliced Black Olives
- Sour Cream
- Salsa or Picante Sauce
- Any Other Toppings
While burgers and dogs are among the top options for tailgate grub, tacos are an underrated choice with just as much flavor and fun. What makes tacos just as great, or even better, is that they can walk along with you wherever you are headed.
Walking tacos are a funky and functional twist on a traditional favorite. Typically, your taco goes in a soft or hard tortilla shell that eventually breaks and crumbles along the food journey. But walking tacos go with you, in a snack size bag of your favorite bag of chips like Fritos or Doritos.
These tailgating snacks and main dishes are all super easy to make, but they’re all impressive. For more recipe ideas for your Super Bowl party, check out these recipes. We feature tailgating snacks, recipes, and even beer reviews from all over the country to make your game day planning a breeze. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and check out our Amazon Storefront.
Let us know what you’re going to make in the comments and have a blast at your tailgating party!