A good tailgate menu should make game day easier, not turn it into a full day of cooking. After all, nobody wants to spend the entire time before the game hovering over a grill while everyone else is settling in with a plate and a drink. The trick is to choose foods that are easy to prepare, easy to transport and even easier to eat. With a little planning, a handful of dependable dishes can make an easy tailgate menu feel like a feast without requiring a kitchen’s worth of equipment.
The Main Event
Start with one or two crowd-pleasing main dishes. Burgers, hot dogs, sausages and grilled chicken are classics for a reason, but make-ahead options work just as well. Pulled pork, chili and other slow-cooked dishes can be prepared at home and kept warm until it’s time to eat. Whichever route you take, look for foods that can be cooked in batches rather than requiring individual attention. The goal is to feed a crowd, not miss the kickoff because you’re still flipping burgers!
Sides that Supplement
Next, round things out with easy sides. Pasta salad, coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans and corn can all be prepared ahead of time, making them ideal for tailgate duty. Think about balancing the menu with something hearty and something fresh, especially when the main course is rich or grilled. A big salad or crunchy slaw can add some much-needed contrast to a table full of burgers, sausages and chips. Nobody is asking for a kale salad, but a little freshness goes a long way.
Snack Attack
Don’t overlook the munchies. Since tailgates tend to unfold over several hours, guests may want to graze rather than sit down for a full meal. Chips and dip, pretzels, popcorn, veggies and dip, wings or even a simple cheeseboard gives everyone something to grab before the main dish. Finger foods are particularly useful because they don’t require a plate, fork or much explanation. And really, is there a better setting for a pile of wings?
Simple and Sweet
For dessert, keep it simple. Brownies, cookies, cupcakes, rice cereal treats or fruit skewers are easy to transport and don’t require much cleanup. Bite-sized sweets are especially convenient when guests are already full but still want a little something after the game. Plus, nobody wants to be responsible for transporting a three-layer cake in the back of a car. Save that project for the next birthday party.
Final Tips
Stock up on the little extras. Condiments and toppings can turn a simple main into a customizable meal. Ketchup, mustard, relish, pickles, onions, hot sauce, shredded cheese and barbecue sauce are easy additions that let everyone build a plate to their liking. And don’t forget the decidedly unglamorous essentials: plenty of napkins, paper plates, utensils, cups and trash bags. Trust us on the napkins. You will need more than you think!
Finally, do as much prep ahead of time as possible. Chop vegetables, portion toppings and prepare salads the night before so there’s less work at the tailgate. Keep cold foods properly chilled and hot foods hot, and don’t leave perishable dishes sitting out for hours. A little organization goes a long way here. The more you can handle at home, the less you’ll have to juggle once you’re parked and the crowd arrives.