44 Football Party Food Recipes Made for Game Day

By Southern Living
Photo: Melina Hammer

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

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

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

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

Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Dry-Rubbed Smoked Chicken Wings

Cook low and slow for tender wings. 

 

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Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip

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

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

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Bacon-Pimiento Guacamole

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

 

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Skillet Turkey Meatballs

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

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

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

Photo: 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

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Classic Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are a welcome addition to any gathering. 

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Green Chile-Chicken Stew

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Antonis Achilleos

Recipe: Pulled Pork Nachos

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

 

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Homemade Onion Dip

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

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

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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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

Photo: 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

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

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

Southern Living

Recipe: Strawberry-Pretzel Salad

This nostalgic dish will never go out of style. 
 

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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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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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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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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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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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Sausage Balls

Southern Living

Recipe: Sausage Balls

You're only three ingredients away from the perfect party snack. 

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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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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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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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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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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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