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    🏠Home » Recipes » Recipe Roundups

    Tailgate Recipe Roundup

    Aug 27, 2021 | Last Updated Aug 28, 2021 by Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan

    It's that time of the year, and you need to get ready for that big game without spending all day in the kitchen. Here are some great easy recipes so you can look like you worked all day.

    graphic for tailgate recipe roundup

    Table of Contents
    • Game Day Chili Recipe
    • Three Tex-Mex Options
    • Wings
    • Pulled Pork, BBQ Chicken, or Brisket Sandwiches/Sliders.
    • Sweet Endings
    • Food Safety Time
    • 💬 Comments

    Blue ribbon divider used for visual effect

    Introduction

    Let the games begin. Whether you are truly tailgating, have a game party, or just enjoy the game at home, you deserve good eats without all the work.

    I'm picking recipes that you can cook ahead and take to the game or party. While I have lots of great grill recipes, most people will opt for a little simpler fare.

    Game Day Chili Recipe

    I have a lot of great chili recipes, but this two are our family favorites.

    First is the easiest white chicken chili recipe you can make, but it is also one of the absolute best chicken chili recipes you will ever eat. The added bonus for tailgating is the cheese in it will keep this hot for several hours to serve.

    Easiest Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
    The ultimate dump-and-go crock pot white chicken chili with salsa recipe only needs five ingredients. Only 10 minutes prep and shredded chicken, white beans, pepper jack cheese, and some salsa will get your new favorite chili. Scaled-down for a smaller crock pot or adjust the amount to your needs.
    Check Out This Recipe
    White Chicken Chili on a spoon over bowl

    Our second chili is that great everyday chili you always want to have in your recipe box. In fact, we call it our everyday chili. It is not bland but not too spicy. As baby bear would say, it is just right.

    Crock Pot Chili
    Super easy to make and one of the best homemade chilies you will ever have. This versatile chili is perfect in a smaller crock pot and can easily be adjusted to your taste and needs.
    Check Out This Recipe
    orange bowl with chili with cheese

    Three Tex-Mex Options

    My first offering is the best taco meat you will ever make. You will never buy that envelope again. I consider this one of my best recipes and make it frequently.

    The Best Ground Beef Taco Meat in 25 Minutes
    Great Mexican for all—taco Tuesday will never be the same. Once you have the best taco meat, make the best tacos or excellent nachos, or use it in many other ways.
    Check Out This Recipe
    taco meat on nachos

    Recipe number two is an excellent choice for chicken tacos or nachos.

    Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
    With only three ingredients, a crock pot, and 5 minutes of prep, you can make delicious shredded chicken tacos or nachos. So simple, cheap, and healthy, you will repeat this recipe over and over.
    Check Out This Recipe
    Chichen taco meat on a chip

    I can not do a tailgating roundup without recipe number three. Serve it as chili or make some great game day nachos.

    Chili Nachos
    Tailgate foods usually include nacho and chili. Cover both with this delicious, easy crock pot shredded beef chili you can serve in a bowl or on nachos loaded with cheese and other toppings. Great chili makes great nachos.
    Check Out This Recipe
    chili nachos topped with sour cream on blue plate with cheese and tomatoes

    Wings

    I only have one recipe for wings, but one is enough since it is a really good one. No need to fry, do these oven-baked chicken wings, and you will never go back.

    Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
    No frying is needed to get great crispy skin on your game day wings. Toss in homemade Buffalo sauce, and you have an American favorite. You can easily make these at home with one secret ingredient. Plus, it is healthier.
    Check Out This Recipe
    Crispy Baked Chicken Wings from 101 Cooking for Two
    Blue Cheese Dip
    A great homemade Blue Cheese Dip is just what you need for those buffalo chicken wings and the vegetables. It is the required dipping sauce. You can make this creamy dish with these easy step by step photo instructions.
    Check Out This Recipe
    image of Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce in a blue bowl

    Pulled Pork, BBQ Chicken, or Brisket Sandwiches/Sliders.

    These are the classic tailgate dish. I'm just giving you the meat part since you can handle the serving.

    I'm suggesting my oven version of pulled pork to keep things super simple but check out my Pulled Pork Recipe Roundup for things like an excellent crock pot pulled pork.

    Oven Pulled Pork - Low & Slow Pork Butt
    Cooking pork butt in an oven produces perfect tender and flavor-packed pulled pork. Cover with a simple dry rub, then roast low and slow in your oven. This easy recipe takes minimal preparation time and almost no skill.
    Check Out This Recipe
    pulled pork sandwich with BBQ sauce

    I love simple, and I love good. Give them some great shredded BBQ for those sandwiches.

    Crock Pot BBQ Chicken
    This is one of the easiest recipes ever—tasty BBQ chicken in under 4 hours. Great for family gatherings and parties or just when you want to be lazy for an easy family dinner.
    Check Out This Recipe
    a shredded BBQ chicken sandwich on a white plate

    One of the "kings" of BBQ meats is brisket. While all day long smoking is not possible for most people, this easy oven recipe you can do a day or two ahead will get you close.

    Kansas City Oven Baked BBQ Beef Brisket
    Great BBQ for everybody! Serve up some tasty and tender brisket with this ultimate easy recipe–only two ingredients and about 5 minutes of prep. What could be better? A never failed recipe we have used for 45 years.
    Check Out This Recipe
    Oven Baked BBQ Brisket from 101 Cooking for Two

    Sweet Endings

    Dessert bars are a great addition to any tailgate party. Here are a couple of easy cook-ahead bars that will make you look like the hero.

    Easy Lemon Bars
    Six ingredients are all you need for these easy (and best) lemon bars. Bursting with great sweet-tart lemon taste and a buttery shortbread crust, they are everything a lemon bar should be. Perfect for every day or take them to any special gathering.
    Check Out This Recipe
    two lemon bars on a white plate
    Cheesecake Bars
    Perfect for any occasion, these creamy New York cheesecake bars will impress your friends and family. Scaled to a smaller occasion but easy to double or freeze.
    Check Out This Recipe
    Image of a cheesecake bars being held

    Food Safety Time

    These sorts of gatherings are ready-made for food safety issues both at the party and the leftovers. Let's plan for food safety and get it right.

    Food Safety
    My annual summer food safety review. Let’s learn to keep our friends and family safe from unsafe foods and potentially serious illnesses.
    Check Out This Recipe
    Food safety image licensed from Fotolia November 20, 2016. Copyright mybaitshop. Modifed per allow by licensed. DO NOT COPY
    two dog in Michigan bandanas

    Don't forget the party animals.

    Originally Published August 28, 2019. It will be updated and republished yearly about this time.

    Enjoy the fall.

    Wifo, Molly, Lilly, and DrDan

    « Happy National Dog Day
    Small Crock Pot Chicken Stew »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Linda Drews

      August 28, 2021 at 2:29 pm

      I absolutely love everything about your website: the variety, the attention to detail. Always look forward to your posts. Thought I'd give you a heads-up on this post. Your SWEET heading unfortunately says SWEAT ENDINGS. Thought you would want to know in case it's changeable.
      God bless

      PS Every doggy pictures is cuter than the one before!

      Reply

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