Our Master Guide To Christmas Tailgating Recipes

With football season in full effect during the holidays, it makes perfect sense that you combine holiday and tailgating food. Whether you are hosting a tailgate around Christmas or hosting a Christmas party with your tailgating crew, these recipes are the best of both worlds. They are simple to make, delicious, and will wow your crowd. Here’s a tailgating food list of recipes that are ideal for Christmas or Christmas recipes perfect for your next tailgate–depending on how you look at it. Let’s get cooking!

Serve A Delicious Three-Course Meal

Starting off our Christmas tailgating food list, we have this perfect menu. This menu includes a delicious shareable appetizer, a savory main course, and of course a sweet treat for dessert. 

Let Inside Tailgating plan the meal for you, or at least get you brainstorming for how to pull it together. Keeping it simple but delicious will allow you the time and energy to focus on what the holidays – and tailgating – are all about, enjoying time with family and friends.

Our meal plan includes an appetizer, main course and dessert that combine the best of holiday traditions with the practicality and ease of tailgate entertaining: cheese fondue for the appetizer, beef tenderloin on the grill for the main course, and pecan tassies for dessert.

1. Appetizer: Cheese Fondue

Cheese fondue is a tradition many families enjoy over the holidays, and it’s served hot.

A true win-win Christmas recipe for a winter outdoor gathering! While it’s not the best time to be sharing a fondue pot, a gloves-wearing host or hostess could do the dipping and serve various cheesy items on individual plates, or you could divide the fondue into individual bowls.

2. Main Course: Beef Tenderloin

Hands down my favorite Christmas meal is beef tenderloin, and my late stepmother Betty made the absolute best I’ve ever had.

I’ll honor her memory by not attempting it in my oven this year – that got me a smoky kitchen the last time I did – but even I’m not afraid of this version from Recipe Hippie. It’s such an easy recipe, so in my mind it’s a must for a Christmas homegate.

3. Dessert: Pecan Tassies

A finger food for dessert is a bonus in this setting, but who doesn’t want a delicious slice of pecan pie with a big Christmas meal? Pecan Tassies are the perfect compromise. Southern Living chose them among its 35 Vintage Christmas Recipes and calls them a cross between shortbread cookies and a bite of pecan pie.

Add Some Sides

Christmas and tailgate cooking have a lot in common. For both, you want something delicious that can be made easily while also satisfying a crowd.

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. Here are 14 of our favorite tailgating sides that can be whipped up in minutes. 

Get the recipes for all 14 sides here to plan your Christmas tailgating food list. 

Take A Note From New England

New Englanders know how to make great food to warm you up on a cold day. This clam chowder recipe is ideal for serving at Christmas.

On Christmas Eve this past year, our family prepared New England-style clam chowder for our pre-Christmas Day feast. It was exceptionally good and inspired this post. We promise we won’t let any of the air out of this wonderfully presented recipe from Mary-Frances Heck for bon appetit.

Get some fresh clams if you can find them. Boil them up right in the parking lot, makes for great FUN. If you are looking to save yourself some time for parking lot festivities, preparation may be done ahead of time. Or, you could get there early and get cooking – exciting! ENJOY. 

Cranberry Bacon Green Beans

Cranberry bacon green beans are the perfect Christmas side dish because they combine all the festive flavors you crave during the holidays. The green beans bring a fresh, crunchy base, while the crispy bacon adds that irresistible savory touch. The cranberries give a pop of tart sweetness that pairs perfectly with the salty bacon, making every bite a little burst of holiday joy.

Plus, it’s super easy to make and looks gorgeous on your table with its bright, festive colors!

Onto Libations

Another thing that tailgating and Christmas cooking have in common are clever cocktails. If you’re hosting a large crowd, a punch is the perfect thing to serve. This bourbon rosemary punch brings all the holiday flavors together so everyone can enjoy the spirit of the season.

Whip Up Some Eggnog

Eggnog is a holiday standard. Now it’s definitely not for everyone, but if made right, it’s a really delicious option for Christmas. Here is our favorite eggnog recipe to try for your tailgating team.

Need a little something to make the wrapping session more fun? Or something to serve family and friends as they arrive in town? Or something that says “Christmas” at your tailgate? It’s time to break out an eggnog cocktail. We found a great recipe at “a farm girl’s dabbles” for “Angela’s Eggnog Cocktail.”

Love Hot Chocolate? Try Our Boozy White Hot Chocolate!

Love hot chocolate but want to mix it up? This twist on a Christmas classic is similar to regular hot chocolate, but we use white chocolate chips instead of dark chocolate. It’s super tasty, and it can easily be made for a crowd.

And if you’re looking for the perfect Christmas treat to pair with your drinks…

These cranberry pistachio biscotti are a family favorite of ours! They also taste amazing dipped in coffee or tea.

Christmas and tailgating are a perfect match. When you’re cooking for a large crowd whether for the holidays or the game, easy, fast, and delicious recipes are the key to success. Comment below or tag us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to show us which recipe you use or share your own holiday favorite cocktail recipes perfect for your tailgate or homegate fun.

Happy Holidays!!