44 Football Party Food Recipes Made for Game Day

By Southern Living
August 25, 2010
Credit: Caitlin Bensel
In the South, football party food is just as important as the game itself. Fast food wings and grocery store veggie trays just won’t cut it. That’s why we’ve gathered all of our favorite football party recipes into one go-to game day collection. From dips like cheesy turnip green dip to a sheet cake with a frosting combination designed to replicate your favorite team's colors, these football party foods are guaranteed winners and deserve to be displayed on your tailgate spread. Be sure to check out our football party recipes perfect for toting to your next outdoor tailgate like slow-cooker beef nachos (Hook ‘em horns!) or mini muffalettas (Geaux Tigers!). Guests will be more fascinated by your home-made buffalo chicken dip or slow-cooked turkey meatballs than the actual game. Get ready for kick off by preparing these easy to make and grab and go recipes that are perfect for your game day parties.
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Your Team May Not Win the Game, but These Recipes Will Win the Party

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Greek Stuffed Peppers

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Greek Stuffed Peppers

This fan favorite open-faced dish is easy to serve no matter where your tailgate takes you.

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Rotel Dip

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Rotel Dip

It's not a game day party without this six-ingredient dip.

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Curried Chicken Pot Pie

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Curried Chicken Pot Pie

We upgraded the classic chicken pot pie with spicy curried chicken for a real game-day treat.

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Dry-Rubbed Smoked Chicken Wings

Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Dry-Rubbed Smoked Chicken Wings

Cook low and slow for tender wings.

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Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip

Credit: Skyler Burt

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip

We used Frank's Red Hot, but feel free to use your favorite hot sauce.

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Tater Nachos

Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Tater Nachos

Dress up tater tots with black beans, tomatoes, bacon, and shredded Mexican cheese for a game day winner.

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Bacon-Pimiento Guacamole

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Bacon-Pimiento Guacamole

Combine three fan favorites for a game-changing dip recipe.

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Skillet Turkey Meatballs

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Skillet Turkey Meatballs

A tailgate spread is not complete without these mouthwatering turkey meatballs.

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Slow-Cooked Barbecued Chicken Sandwiches

Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: Slow-Cooked Barbecued Chicken Sandwiches

Using your slow cooker will help chicken fall off the bone with no effort.


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Game Day Chili

Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Game Day Chili

A cool fall Saturday isn't complete without a big batch of chili.

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Bacon Bow Tie Crackers

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Tami Hardeman

Recipe: Bacon Bow Tie Crackers

We suggest at least doubling this two-ingredient recipe for your game day crowd.

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Classic Deviled Eggs

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Classic Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are a welcome addition to any gathering.

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Green Chile-Chicken Stew

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Green Chile-Chicken Stew

A heart chicken stew that is perfect for a crisp fall gameday.

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Sweet-Hot Baby Back Ribs

Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Sweet-Hot Baby Back Ribs

Our directions for these juicy baby back ribs are for a two-burner gas grill. If you have a three-burner grill, light both sides, and leave the center portion off.

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Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Broccoli, Grape, and Pasta Salad

This light and fresh pasta salad will be a welcome addition to offset the heavier dishes.

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Pull Apart Pizza Bread

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Pull Apart Pizza Bread

Instead of ordering pizza, serve this bread with your favorite marinara sauce.

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Pecan Praline Dip

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Pecan Praline Dip

Switch it up from all the salty dishes with this decadent dessert dip.

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Savory Bacon-Cheddar Dutch Baby

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Savory Bacon-Cheddar Dutch Baby

We're digging this bacon-cheddar dish that is perfect for game day brunch.

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Party-Perfect Meatballs

Credit: Photo: Brie Passano

Recipe: Party-Perfect Meatballs

You can keep these make-ahead meatballs stocked in your freezer all football season long.

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Spiked Arnold Palmer

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Spiked Arnold Palmer

Add a little bourbon to this classic sipper for a spirited game day drink. If you'll have kiddos at your tailgate you can easily make two batches, one with bourbon and one without.

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Pulled Pork Nachos

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Pulled Pork Nachos

This hearty crowd-pleaser comes together in just 15 minutes.

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Homemade Onion Dip

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Homemade Onion Dip

Once you try this homemade recipe, you'll never used the packets again.

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Dry-Brined Beer-Can Chickens

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Dry-Brined Beer-Can Chickens

Two game day staples come together to create a classic grilled dish.

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Cheese Straws

Credit: Ralph Anderson

Recipe: Cheese Straws

These are the perfect party snack. They're especially easy to make and travel well. If you like your cheese straws less spicy, reduce the amount of red pepper.

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Baked Spinach-and-Artichoke Dip

Recipe: Baked Spinach-and-Artichoke Dip

For easy entertaining, this dish can be assembled up to a day ahead. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and then bake just before serving.

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Crack Crackers

Credit: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

Recipe: Crack Crackers

You'll understand the name after just one bite.

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Creamy Overnight Fruit Salad

Credit: Abigail Wilt

Recipe: Creamy Overnight Fruit Salad Recipe

A lighter yet still delicious dish you can make the night before the big game.

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Buffalo-Style Sweet Potato Waffle Fries

Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Buffalo-Style Sweet Potato Waffle Fries

Store-bought waffle fries transformed into a game day dish that will disappear before your eyes.

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Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Recipe: Strawberry-Pretzel Salad

This nostalgic dish will never go out of style.

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Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs