Football season is in full throttle now, and friends and family are coming around to watch the games. With a crowd gathering at the stadium parking lot, you need to keep everyone filled and refreshed.
Creating an extensive tailgate menu feels like a game itself. Your spread should be enough to feed others and tantalize their taste buds. Here’s how to build a crowd-friendly spread, perfect for this pre-game tradition.
Finger Food Is the Way to Go
People will stand and walk while tailgating at a football game. There are also a few chairs and tables around for sitting and dining. So, you can expect most people to be up most of the time, making plates and utensils inconvenient. This scenario is why finger food is a staple in tailgate recipes. They’re easy to pick up and eat anywhere.
Appetizers typically make the best finger food. Antipasto skewers, cheese-stuffed baby peppers, and pulled pork sliders are easy to prepare and most people love eating them. Don’t forget an assortment of chips and dips for those who prefer bite-sized snacks before the intense game moments happen.
Take a page from tiki bars and their offerings, like the Siesta Key oyster bar menu. Cuban sandwiches, nachos, and spicy wings are fantastic and delicious options that many people enjoy. Why not visit your nearest tiki bar before game day and try out the food for yourself? It helps to get an idea for your own tailgate menu spread.
Prep Some Fresh, Icy Refreshments
Drinks are essential wherever there’s food. How else are people going to wash down all that great chow?
A massive cooler with ice-cold beer and soda is a no-brainer, but you can create cocktails for more refreshing choices. To personalize your drinks, consider mixing cocktails based on the teams you and your guests are cheering for. If one team’s color is purple, craft a spiked blueberry lemonade for a sweet and zesty kick. Layer tequila, pineapple juice, and a blue sports drink for a punch that represents a team bearing blue and gold as its colors.
Not everyone will be up or old enough for alcohol, so remember to prepare a big batch of non-alcoholic drinks, too. A crowd-favorite is the classic iced sweet tea. Peach lemonade is another great thirst-quencher to add to your tailgating recipes. For the kids who like to pretend they’re grown-ups, offer Shirley Temples. Top their drinks with maraschino cherries to make them extra special.
Get the Griller Going
Major football games often occur when the weather is cooler. Some might be seeking snacks with a smoky taste. If your game day crowd is craving freshly cooked burgers or hot dogs, it’s time to fire up the grill.
Cook some smoked brisket burgers, bacon-wrapped jalapeño peppers, and grilled shrimp skewers. Having a griller around also lets you prepare grilled corn cobs and buffalo chicken wings, too. Are you feeling extra fancy? Take out the tomahawk steak and grill or reverse-sear it to perfection.
If your home grill is too big to transport, consider using a portable grill. It’s compact yet still produces enough heat for all your grilled treats.
Bring Make-Ahead Tailgate Food
Food from your tailgate menu doesn’t have to be made right at the parking lot. You can prepare them at home first and store them in insulated containers until you arrive at the venue.
Mac and cheese with a crisp, cheesy top layer will lure football fans of all ages. Prepare your complex dips at home, such as buffalo chicken dip or loaded Rotel dip. Meanwhile, overnight salad or coleslaw is a fantastic side that adds healthiness to a menu full of grease.
Preparing tailgate food beforehand helps you enjoy your company and the big game. You’ll have less stress and more fun chowing down.
Cap the Day with Mouthwatering Desserts
A great tailgate menu isn’t complete without some sweets. Desserts are easy to pack and share with the rest of the crowd.
Most people love cakes, but regular cake slices might be tough to eat while standing up. Consider making cake pops instead. Shape and design them into little footballs to match the occasion. For something extra refreshing with a little kick, fashion some sangria ice pops.
It also won’t hurt to include a few classics in your tailgate spread, like brownies, cheesecake squares, and tubs of ice cream. Make sure you have coolers ready to prevent your cold treats from melting.
Wrapping Up
Getting ready for the tailgating season deserves a whole spread of good food and drinks. Finger food, cocktails and mocktails, and scrumptious desserts will always attract anyone who’s looking for a good bite.
As you pack up your delicious goodies for the Super Bowl, remember to include disposable cutlery, paper plates, and compostable cups. Food is also meant to be shared, so share what you can, and your plate could be filled with other football fans’ tailgate menu recipes, too.