Fan-Favorite Game-Day Dishes

By Southern Living

Make your house game-day headquarters with these recipes for delicious dips, hot wings, and more.

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 our favorite football party recipes into one go-to game day collection. From dips to desserts like a cheesy turnip green dip to a sheet cake with frosting combination for every team, whether you roll with the Crimson Tide or cheer War Eagle, there’s a football party food for everyone. Be 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!).

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Your Team May Not Win the Game, but These Recipes Will Win the Party

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Slow-Cooker Beef Nachos

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Beef Nachos

Perfect as a bowl-game party bite, you can also serve this recipe in slider buns with your favorite sandwich toppings.

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Chimichurri Beef Meatball Hoagies

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chimichurri Beef Meatball Hoagies

These deliciously flavored meatballs served on hoagie rolls or French baguette rolls will be the new favorite at your weeknight dinner table or your neighborhood football party. The sauce makes plenty for cooking the meatballs, and there's even enough to spoon over the sandwiches for a boost of flavor.

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Slow-Cooker Beef Sliders with Pickled Peppers

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Beef Sliders with Pickled Peppers

Rev up your slow cooker the night before. On game day, tote it to the game, plug it in, and let your crowd build their own sandwiches.

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Bacon-and-Greens Salsa

Photo: William Dickey

Recipe: Bacon-and-Greens Salsa

For the ultimate Southern-style warm dip, combine chopped greens, corn, and bacon and serve with pork skins, sweet potato chips and hot sauce.

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Buffalo Chicken Meatball Sliders

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Meatball Sliders

For a cool, crunchy slider topping, toss thinly sliced celery and fresh parsley leaves with a splash of Champagne vinegar and drizzle of olive oil. Season with table salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

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Super Quick Chili

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Super Quick Chili

Slice tops from hearty round dinner rolls, and then let guests hollow out centers and spoon Super Quick Chili into them. Keep the chili warm in a slow cooker during the game.

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Angela's Spicy Buffalo Wings

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Angela's Spicy Buffalo Wings

Hot wings may be the quintessential game-day food. Cool down these kicked-up wings with Cool Ranch Sauce and celery sticks.

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Hoppin' John Hush Puppies

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Hoppin' John Hush Puppies

A Lowcountry classic is transformed into a crispy, satisfying fritter.

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Shanghai Spring Rolls with Sweet Chili Sauce

Recipe: Shanghai Spring Rolls

Make the filling ahead of time to meet your party preparation timeline. Serve with homemade chili sauce over a bed of fresh lettuce.

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Peanut Butter-Banana Pudding

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Peanut Butter-Banana Pudding

Layering pudding in half-pint jars gives you room to garnish and screw on the lids so you can place them in your cooler for easy transport.

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Warm Turnip Green Dip

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Warm Turnip Green Dip

It's Southern tradition to have a little hot sauce with your turnip greens, so be sure to offer guests several brands to choose from on the side.

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The Southern Living Pulled Pork Sandwich

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: The Southern Living Pulled Pork Sandwich  

Our Test Kitchen took cues from the pros to bring pit-barbecue flavor to the backyard. It's a no-brainer on game day.

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Salsa Verde Corn Chip Pie

Photo: Melina Hammer

Recipe: Salsa Verde Corn Chip Pie

The green chiles and the pepper Jack cheese are sure to bring the heat, so you’d better be ready to dig in to this fantastic Salsa Verde Corn Chip Pie. You’ll love the way the fresh, tart lime cuts right through it all, and you’ll be devouring the garlic pork sausage smothered in sweet onions so enthusiastically that you could be called for a penalty. Make this Texas Friday-night-football favorite your Tuesday supper—or enjoy it any night of the week, in any season.

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Sloppy Cola Joe Dogs

Photo: Melina Hammer

Recipe: Sloppy Cola Joe Dogs

Think of having Sloppy Cola Joe Dogs as a delicious and convenient way to enjoy making a mess. Our Test Kitchen couldn't get enough of these new sloppy Joes enlivened with a splash of cola, which gives the ground beef a sweet boost that plays well off the filling's spices. Try these with traditional or split-top hot dog buns, or hoagie rolls. You’ll love these even more when you add your favorite coleslaw for crunch and color.

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So Good Brownies

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: So Good Brownies

Go chocolate! Your tailgaters will be cheering for you when you serve up these decadent delights.

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All-Time Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: All-Time Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

If chocolate chip cookies are your favorite, whip up a batch of these all-time favorite cookies. They're the best of the best.

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Cakes and Tarts

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Mini Bourbon-and-Cola Bundt Cakes

Recipe: Buttermilk Chess Tarts

Recipe: Chocolate Chess Tarts

A legendary tailgate isn't complete without handheld sweets.

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Fried Chicken Bites

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Fried Chicken Bites

These spicy fried chicken nuggets are great dipped in honey mustard or blue cheese dressing.

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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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Southern Sweet Tea

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Southern Sweet Tea

Here's a universal Southern favorite. No matter what team your root for, you'll find this thirst quencher gracing just about every table.

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Colby-Pepper Jack Cheese Dip

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Colby-Pepper Jack Cheese Dip

This cheese dip is made heartier by the addition of chopped cooked chicken. Chopped chipotle peppers, jalapeños, and chili powder add even more heat. Prepare up to a day ahead; cover and chill in an airtight container, and bake just before serving.

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Sweet-Hot Baby Back Ribs

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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Cheese Straws

Photo: 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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Layered Spicy Black Bean Dip

Recipe:  Layered Spicy Black Bean Dip

Make this spicy Mexican dip your go-to dip for tailgate parties. Just layer cream cheese, black bean dip and shredded cheese and top with your choice of onions, olives, and tomatoes.

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Chili-Roasted Black Eyed-Peas

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Chili-Roasted Black-Eyed Peas

Turn canned chickpeas or black-eyed peas into a unique and affordable party snack. Simply toss them in olive oil with a few seasonings and roast until crisp. The key is to bake the beans as long as possible without letting them burn. This will dry them out, making them extra-crunchy like nuts. Enjoy by the handful or sprinkle over a salad.

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Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs

Recipe: Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs

These too-easy meatballs are the perfect appetizer for your next tailgate or party. Meatballs may be thoroughly cooked without sauce and frozen. Thaw and reheat with sauce.

Watch: Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs

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Finger Food

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Mini Corn Dogs

Recipe: Sausage Poppers

When all your attention is on the big screen, you need food that's easy to munch on.

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White Sheet Cake with Team Color Icing

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: White Sheet Cake with Team Color Icing

Top off this fluffy cake with a luscious Vanilla Buttercream Frosting. Don't forget to customize the icing with your team colors.

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