20+ Top Tailgate Food Ideas for the Grill and Slow Cooker

People may not agree on the best team to root for, but most will agree that tailgating is an essential part of the game-day experience. Whether you’re going to be rooting for the Bears on a snowy day in Chicago or cheering on the Texas Rangers on a sunny spring day, tailgating is an essential subset of the sport for many fans. Here are some of the best tailgate food ideas for a group, large or small. 

Tailgate food ideas for the grill

When you’re at the stadium hours before the game even begins, you’re surely going to need a hearty meal. For parking lots where grills aren’t off-limits, here are some ideas that are easy to prep and make in the back of your pickup. 

1. Meat and veggie kabobs

You can prep kabobs up to 24 hours in advance, leaving them in a marinade for extra flavor if you desire. Place your favorite meat and vegetables on skewers, store them in an air-tight container and grill them right before you eat. 

2. Foil packet nachos

Leave the mess at home with foil packet nachos. To make these, you layer all of your favorite nacho toppings like cheese, tomatoes, and taco meat, on a piece of foil, fold it up securely, and grill until they are heated through. 

3. Jalapeno poppers

You’re probably used to baking jalapeno poppers in the oven, or even microwaving them, but game day is the perfect time to try grilling them. Use jalapeno poppers from the freezer section to cut down on prep work. 

4. Beer brats

Brats are wonderful, and beer brats have an even deeper flavor. At home, boil plain brats in a pot of beer (any kind will do) and simmer for at least 20 minutes. They’ll be thoroughly cooked and ready to be grilled to a nice golden brown. 

5. Baked potato bar 

Potatoes are easy to grill, and with a variety of toppings, everyone is sure to find a combination they love. For toppings, remember to have chili, bacon pieces, sour cream, chopped onion, chopped tomato, shredded cheese, guacamole, chives, salt, and pepper. 

6. Hamburgers and hotdogs

When you don’t have time to plan, or your tailgating buddies prefer the basics, hot dogs and hamburgers never fail. In addition to buns, you’ll need mustard, matchup, mayonnaise, barbeque sauce, relish, lettuce leaves, tomato slices, cheese slices, and pickles. 

Tailgate food ideas for the crockpot

Most crockpots have lids that are very secure and travel well. Even though you may not have access to electricity to cook foods in them, you can do the cooking at home, wrap the crockpot in a towel, and place it in a large cooler to keep it warm even longer. However, an external battery pack or a car charger can be used to keep food warm for hours in your crockpot.

1. Shredded BBQ chicken

Pick up some ready-made pulled chicken barbeque (or make your own) to serve on sandwich rolls or regular bead. Warm it up thoroughly in the crockpot, and you’re ready to go. 

2. Cola Pulled Pork Sandwiches 

This is another simple recipe for shredded meat sandwiches. While the recipe calls for pork, you could easily substitute beef or chicken. 

3. Crockpot little smokies

Small cocktail sausages, grape jelly, barbeque sauce, and liquid smoke are all you need to make these bite-sized morsels of yumminess. Use pretzel sticks rather than toothpicks to avoid waste. 

4. Buffalo chicken dip 

This mildly spicy dip is best served with tortilla or corn chips but can be served on a bun as a sandwich filling. 

5. Slow cooker cheesy bacon ranch potatoes

This hearty recipe combines bacon, cheese, and ranch with potatoes. Need we say more? It whips up quickly and goes great with a burger or brat on a cold day. 

6. Chili dogs

Make your favorite chili recipe, or use prepared chili in your crockpot. Before the game, grill some hot dogs and top them with chili, chopped onions, and shredded cheese.

7. Walking tacos

For this, you’ll use your crockpot to keep taco meat hot. To make walking tacos, open a single serving size package of your favorite corn or tortilla chips. Top with a bit of meat as well as other taco fixings like sour cream, tomato, onion, shredded cheese, and jalapenos. 

Tailgate snack ideas

When you’re invited to a tailgating party at the last minute, or you’re asked to bring a few small snacks, try one of these. 

1. Party mix

Use your favorite recipe for party mix or buy a packaged one. For ease of eating, portion out servings into small zip-top bags beforehand.

2. S’mores cookie cups

Make these yummy cookies with premade chocolate chip cookie dough, chocolate pieces, and marshmallows. Press a small amount of cookie dough into the cups of a mini muffin tin. Inside the cookie cup, place a piece of chocolate and top it with a marshmallow. Bake at 375-degrees for 12-15 minutes. 

3. Decorated sugar cookies in your team’s colors

You can’t go wrong with picking up decorated cookies from your grocery store’s bakery. If you’re not rooting for the home team, make your own with sugar cookies, canned icing, and food coloring. 

4. Easy Cannoli dip

Five ingredients are all you need for this easy-to-make, mildly sweet dip. Serve with cinnamon sugar chips, graham crackers, or apple slices. 

5. Deli meat and dill pickle roll-ups

This snack couldn’t be much more straightforward. Layer cream cheese on a tortilla, then add two or three deli turkey or ham slices and a pickle spear. Roll up the tortilla and cut it into pieces, securing each with a toothpick. 

6. Mini maccaroni and cheese bites

These carb-filled cheesy morsels are a favorite of kids young and old—they’re sure to be a hit. 

7. Ham & cheese sandwiches 

Who doesn’t love a ham and cheese sandwich? They take just minutes to assemble and will travel well if you leave condiments off and let everyone add them before eating. 

Stock up on tailgate supplies

There’s a lot of prep work to plan a tailgating event. Delegate the grocery shopping to an Instacart shopper and get the food delivered to your door. This will leave you with more time for cooking, prepping your jersey, and perfecting your cheers.

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