Your Ultimate Game Day Menu, From Appetizers To Desserts
These recipes will win game day.
Monica Farber
We're gearing up for a fantastic fall in the South and there's so many ways to enjoy the season, which includes celebrating game day every weekend. What we're most excited about, though? The seasonal fare that's made for serving the crowd on game days.
Hosting a tailgate just got a whole lot easier with our ultimate game day menu, which features both portable dishes that travel well and dishes well-suited for parties in your living room or backyard. Food and football go hand in hand, after all. You'll want to build your game day meal with plenty of salty mains and starters, plus a few desserts made for sharing. And of course, don't forget to pick a couple drinks to complete the menu.
Kick off game day right with these festive and comforting recipes that will be a win no matter what the final score is.
Bacon Deviled Eggs
The classic appetizer is given a game day makeover with the addition of bacon and pickled okra.
Smoky Snack Mix
Your guests will be munching on this snack mix all game long. It can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days so it's a great make-ahead option.
Bacon Bow Tie Crackers
We love 2-ingredient appetizers, especially when we're serving a crowd. It can easily be doubled so they won't all be gone before the end of the first quarter.
Texas Caviar
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
This fresh dip is filled with veggies and gets plenty of flavor from Italian dressing. Plus, there's no cooking required.
Rotel Sausage Dip
Sometimes the best appetizers are also the easiest: this classic dip is just that. It includes just six ingredients and is cooked in a slow cooker.
Sausage Balls
Made from just three ingredients in 30 minutes, your game day spread for an early game won't be complete without this classic appetizer.
Mini Potato Skins
This five-ingredient recipe is portable and is sure to be popular at the party.
Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham
Instead of buying a pre-packaged dip, prepare this warm Spinach-Onion Dip for the appetizer spread.
Smoky Black-Eyed Pea Hummus
Add color to your game day spread with this bright orange hummus with a Southern spin.
Sheet Pan Nachos with Chorizo and Refried Beans
Making nachos for a crowd just got a whole lot easier thanks to your favorite sheet pan.
Slow-Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs
We think there should be at least one slow cooker filled with meatballs at your game day gathering. They'll stay warm until the game is over, that is if there are any left.
Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip
Monica Farber
This hearty dip can be enjoyed with pretzel or tortilla chips, cut vegetables, or with slices of crusty bread. No matter what you serve it with, we're sure it'll be a hit at the game day gathering.
French Dip Sliders
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
King’s Hawaiian rolls make the perfect base for these slider sandwiches. Depending on the size of your game day crowd, we recommend making two trays.
Walking Tacos
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist; Torie Cox
Not only do walking tacos cut down on the need for plates, but they also allow every fan to customize their meal with the toppings of their choice.
Brined Grilled Chicken with Dipping Sauces
These grilled chicken drummettes are a great grab-and-go tailgate snack. We like serving with a few types of barbecue sauce so everyone can choose their favorite.
Chili For A Crowd
Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
Chili is a classic game day dish and this recipe makes enough for a crowd. You can also serve this hearty chili in mugs for a portable main.
Brown Butter-Maple-Pecan Blondies
These blondies are the ultimate grab-and-go dessert.
Chocolate Mayonnaise Sheet Cake
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Not quite as fancy as a layer cake but still just as delicious, sheet cakes make a great dessert option for casual game day gatherings.
Football Brownies
Brownies are given a game day makeover by being served in the shape of a football. Plus, the icing adds an extra fudgy taste.
Puppy Chow Snack Mix
This sweet snack is great for game day grazing.
Toasted Oatmeal Cookies
Forget oatmeal chocolate chip: we're sticking to toasted oatmeal cookies this season.
Yellowhammer Cocktail
Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
If you can't be at Gallettes in Tuscaloosa, you can make their famous game day cocktail at home with this recipe.
Big-Batch Mulled Cider
You can't go wrong serving mulled cider on a crisp fall day. Keep it warm in a slow cooker and adults can add the spirit of their choice if desired.
Whiskey-Apple Cider Punch
Whiskey and apple cider? Sign us up. This big batch punch is also great to show team spirit if red is one of the school's colors.
Big Batch Bloody Marys
No game day is complete without a drink. In the morning hours, these Bloody Marys are exactly what the doctor ordered.
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Read the original article on Southern Living.
