Grab the portable grill, the cooler, and plenty of napkins. These pack-and-go recipes—from sliders and chilis to cheesecake minis—keep face-painted revelers well-fed no matter where you park your chair.
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RecipeWarm Black Bean & Chipotle Dip
The beans in this hearty dip give it a meaty texture, which will please the vegetarians AND the meat-fans in the parking lot. -
RecipeAmaranth Crackers with Cheddar & Pepitas
A bag of chips will go untouched next to these homemade crackers with bold Southwestern flavors. The crackers stay crisp and flavorful for up to five days, so you can make them ahead of the big game. -
RecipeSteak Sandwiches with Spicy Horseradish Mayonnaise
This sandwich is the reason it’s worth bringing a grill to a tailgate party. The spicy mayo can be made ahead and stored in a container; slather it on the grill-toasted rolls before assembling the sandwich. -
RecipePulled Chicken with Cherry-Chile Barbecue Sauce
This recipe is precisely why sports fans love slow cookers. Make it preseason or early in the regular season while fresh cherries are still available at a good price. -
RecipeSmoked Paprika Potato Chips
Smoked paprika makes these 4-ingredient chips a revelation. They’ll keep for up to three days, so you can make them ahead. -
Recipe“Cheesehead” Brats
Inspired by Green Bay Packers fans, these bratwursts are simmered in beer and onions, then grilled and served with sauerkraut and mustard. -
RecipeSpicy Cilantro Chicken Wings
Ian Knauer thinks “outside the bottle of Frank’s hot sauce” to create this twist on a tailgating staple. -
RecipeBlack-Bottomed Nutella Swirl Mini Cheesecakes
These chocolate-hazelnut treats combine the rich creaminess of a cheesecake with the portability and utensil-free convenience of a cupcake. -
RecipeBorder Guacamole
One reviewer called our classic game time dip “the world’s best guacamole,” and truly, it’s so easy to make you can do it on a fold-out table. -
RecipeSpicy Veggie Chili with Squash & Jalapeños
This colorful slow-cooker chili takes the chill off those early fall games. It’s delicious with sour cream, avocado, and lime-flavored tortilla chips. -
RecipeClassic Deviled Eggs
It may be bad luck not to serve a platter of deviled eggs at a real southern tailgate. Even if you’re not superstitious, is it really worth the risk? -
RecipePulled Pork Sandwiches
In some states, it ain’t a football game without pulled pork. Show your team spirit with one of pit master Elizabeth Karmel's regional sauces:Lexington-Style BBQ Sauce,South Carolina-Style Honey Mustard Sauce, orKansas City-Style BBQ Sauce(Go Chiefs!). -
RecipeMaple & Black Pepper Pecans
These addictive spicy-sweet nuts have a lovely flavor and a very pleasant heat. They’ll keep in an airtight container for two weeks, so you can make them ahead. Serve them to party-goers in paper cones with your team colors. -
RecipeGrilled Sliders
From cocktail parties to parking lots, these juicy sliders cook up quickly and lend themselves to experimentation with every manner of fresh topping and condiment. -
RecipeBoston Baked Beans
This New England classic goes with everything from hot dogs togrilled pizzatofried chicken. Put them in the pot you'll use to reheat them and cover tightly with plastic wrap until you're ready. Reheat over the grill or a portable burner. -
RecipeFried Apple Pies
We can’t promise they’ll help the Saints win, but we can promise these sweet hand pies are an authentic New Orleans treat. -
RecipeChili Con Carne
For a party that lasts from the coin toss to the last down, devoted tailgaters need a warming chili that's satisfying. This chili, with it's fresh and ground spices fits the bill. -
RecipePeanut Butter Sandwich Cookies
Quite possibly the tailgater's favorite sandwich, these hefty cookies have been known to inspire unnecessary roughness when the container gets down to one or two left. -
RecipeRed-Eye Philadelphia Cheesesteak
It’s common to make a cheesesteak when you work around the Philly food scene, but Jonathan Adams’ version has a surprise feature: red-eye onions flavored with espresso and caramelized to deep, dark perfection. Adams uses Brine Street Hellish Hoagie Relish as the hot pepper spread. -
RecipeBroccoli Slaw
Packed with broccoli, almonds, dried cranberries, and a tangy buttermilk dressing, this dish comes together almost instantly, requires no cooking, and would be welcome at any barbecue or potluck. -
RecipeSpiced Cider Doughnuts
If you camp out at dawn for a primo tailgating spot, you need something tasty for an eye-opener. With their cakelike crumb and zingy sweetness, these are worth making for the irresistible cooking aromas alone.
