Pre-Game Tailgating Party Foods, Tips & Ideas for Football Season


A bowl of food on a table

Head on over to the stadium early with a group of friends for a tailgating party. Have everyone cluster their cars together and let down the tailgates. Dust off the grill, assign a tailgate chef and bring enough coolers for drinks and cold food. Even folks who don’t love football can at least enjoy a great party. Earn money while supporting your favorite teams, play simple and interactive betting games at UFABET168.

Parking Lot Set-Up for Tailgaters

Get to the parking lot early to secure enough good spots together so everyone will have everything they need. Don’t forget to bring the grill, plenty of charcoal and starter. Set up the cooking station as soon as possible because it may take a while to get it started.

Ideas for grilled tailgating foods:

  • Sausages – Italian sausage or bratwurst
  • Hot dogs and hamburgers
  • Steaks, ribs, ham or chicken
  • Seafood – salmon, catfish or jumbo shrimp
  • Corn, peppers, onions or zucchini

Prepared foods that can be heated on the grill:

  • Chili or soup
  • Wings
  • Pizza
  • Macaroni and cheese

Bring enough chairs for everyone to have a seat. If it’s still hot out, battery operated fans and shading umbrellas will help keep everyone comfortable. Later in the season as it starts to get cold, bring blankets with the favorite team’s logo. Remember sunscreen for tailgating partying in the sun.Have at least one folding table to hold the food – more for a big group. Ideally, there should be a table for hot foods, one for cold foods and another one for condiments and other items.

Tailgate Party Foods

Before the tailgating party, assign each person what to bring. That way, there will be a good assortment of menu items and snack foods. Bring as much prepared food as possible to limit the amount of work that has to be done during the party. Leave the grilling to a few people who love getting smoke in their eyes.

Ideas for cold tailgating foods:

  • Salads – potato salad, coleslaw, lettuce salad and pasta salad
  • Vegetable trays with dip
  • Deviled eggs
  • Cheese platter
  • Fruit tray with dip

Snack foods and other sides:

  • Potato chips, pretzels and nachos
  • Party mix
  • Trail mix

If alcohol is allowed, encourage people to bring their own. Don’t forget an assortment of non-alcoholic drinks:

  • Canned sodas and juice
  • Bottled water
  • Coffee or cocoa in thermoses

Tailgating Essentials and Extras

Any tailgating party requires something to hold the food and items for cleanup. Adding a few extras to make it even more comfortable will ensure everyone has a blast at the party.

Miscellaneous items to bring:

  • Disposable plates, flatware, paper towels and napkins
  • Plastic trash bags to dispose of garbage after the tailgate party
  • Wet washcloths in plastic bags or wetwipes
  • Bottle and can openers
  • Frisbees, whiffle ball and bat
  • Toys for the kids
  • Boom box or radio
  • Cameras and video recorders
  • Tickets for the game

Tailgating Activities

While the food is cooking, have some events to get everyone in the mood for the big game. Throw a Frisbee or toss a football around in the parking lot before it gets too crowded. Chant cheers for the favorite teams and have a competition for the funniest or most spirited cheer. Set up a face painting table for both kids and adults.

A well planned tailgating party, complete with organized set-up, a variety of delicious food, all the essentials and fun activities planned, can add to the team spirit. For some delicious recipes to make the event even more fun, read Salad Recipes, Party Dip Recipes and Party Snack Recipes.

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