This post is about tailgate food.
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Hosting a tailgate doesn't have to be stressful! We have hosted enough tailgates that we have a good system down, and we want to share it with you!
We shared some of the best and easiest tailgate food as well as games and hacks. Let's jump in!
This post is about tailgate food.
Tailgate Tips
Label Coolers
This is a super simple and easy tailgate idea that you need to copy! Stick a piece of painters tape on top of coolers and write what is in it. If you label all coolers, it will help avoid people opening the wrong one & letting the cold out.
Freeze Water Bottles
Use frozen water bottles as ice packs in your coolers! I love doing this instead of packing a ton of ice packs that take up space. As your cooler empties, you can enjoy these ice cold water bottles!
Keep Food Simple
Don't overdo it with food ideas! Think about food you can prep ahead to save yourself time. You'll also want to consider what food is easier to transport. We came up with a whole list of food ideas for you to check out! You also need to consider getting a chilled toppings caddy to keep all of the fixings for grilled food!
Bring Extra Fuel or Charcoal
A rookie mistake that you don't want to make! There is nothing worse than being halfway through grilling and running out of charcoal. Bring extra always! You never know if you are going to need it, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
Pack Your Car Strategically
I always try to pack by car the night before, so all I need to do is add the coolers in the next morning. Be strategic when packing, so your tent, chairs, and grill comes out first. This will help speed up the fun!
Bring Games
Entertaining everyone after you eat is so important! We absolutely love playing games when tailgating, and we always play the same ones. Here is a list of all the best tailgate games to copy.
Pack A Small First Aid Kit
You'll want to have a first aid kit for cuts, burns, headaches, etc. just in case! You could also include some hand sanitizer in this as well. It's better to have it and not need it!
Create A Playlist Ahead Of Time
Music is a must for any tailgate! Make a playlist before, so you won't be searching for songs the day of. I also recommend downloading the playlist in case service is spotty when you are tailgating!
Tailgate Food
Cheeseburgers
A classic that you can't skip! If you are traveling longer, you can pop your meat in the freezer the morning of! This will help a ton with keeping the meat at the right temperature. Don't forget to bring all of your favorite toppings! This chilled topping caddy is perfect for keeping all of your food fresh!
Pasta Salad
Any type of cold tailgate food that you can prep ahead of time and transport easily is always on my list! Pasta salad is a classic. All you need to do is chop up some veggies to mix in with your noodles. I always use an Italian dressing for mine!
Pinwheels
This is another easy recipe that you can make the night before! My favorite type of pinwheels are Italian ones, but you can add whatever you want into these! You just need to put softened cream cheese with Italian seasoning onto large burrito sized tortillas. I put salami, pepperoni, and provolone on mine. Just roll it up & it's that easy!
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Charcuterie Board
Another cold tailgate food idea that will get eaten up! You could assemble ahead of time or assemble at the tailgate. I typically try to keep the cheese, meat, and crackers stored separately because they last longer.
Hot Dogs & Brats
A classic that you can't skip! If you have a smaller grill, hot dogs & brats are much easier to grill than burgers. These also don't take too long to grill, so this is the perfect tailgate food idea for a crowd.
Fruit Bowl
Fruit is a must for any warm tailgate. You can wash and prep all of the fruit the day before. Any sort of side dish that doesn't require cooking is a win for me! Everyone will be craving some fruit at the tailgate!
Sandwich Sliders
Another idea that you can prep ahead of time! Grab some Hawaiian sliders and add you favorite meats and cheeses! You can keep this cold, or you could wrap them in tinfoil to bake. These are a perfect bite size snack to enjoy while waiting for the grilled food.
Variety Of Chips & Dips
You can't go wrong with chips and dip! I typically like to get a variety pack of chips, so everyone gets to have what they want! Our family loves french onion dip, but you can grab whatever dips your family loves!
Caprese Skewers
I've said it before, but I will say it again! Any dish that doesn't require cooking or baking is a favorite for me! Assemble basil, a cherry tomato, and a mozzarella ball onto a skewer or tooth pick. These also don't take up a ton of space when packing.
Tailgate Games
Corn Hole - A classic that you can't skip!
Ladder Toss - Another great game that doesn't take up too much space! You could plan a whole tournament with your crew or just take turns playing!
Card Games - Any sort of tabletop game is super convenient for a tailgate! A deck of cards can keep you busy for hours with all the different games you can play.
Giant Jenga - Jenga is a super fun game that everyone can play! The kids will especially love this one. It's just like Jenga but much larger!
Toss Across - This is a super fun one that everyone will especially the kids! It's a combination of bags and tic-tac-toe.
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