My Ultimate Tailgate Menu for Football Season.

It’s here! My favorite time of year! And I’m bringing you killer tailgating recipes.

And should I say, it’s one of my favorite days of the year too.

For the last few years, I’ve shared massive lists of my favorite recipes for football season. Things that work for parties, tailgating, the super bowl – everything! I have them from years back, but you can find last year’s, 2016, 2015 and 2014 at those links.

So much good food!

This year I wanted to do something different. I know that I constantly have SO many FAVORITES, it can be hard to choose what to make. These ten recipes are exactly what I make over and over again – and also what YOU make over again. They are some of the most popular recipes on the site and ones that are perfect to make and take. Or make at home! The best ten tailgating recipes that you need in your life, right now.

First up, apple cider sangria!

This is by far the most popular cocktail here on the blog and one I look forward to all year. You can make a huge batch ahead of time and it’s so, so good.

Next, snacky things. We have chipotle caramel chex mix, because it’s completely addictive. And can also be made ahead of time!

Of course we also have buffalo chicken dip, because… hello football season. I hadn’t actually had this in years because I sort of burned myself out on it. We ate it after shooting and it was SO GOOD. Always a huge hit.

I also suggest making this pub cheese. It’s dreamy with sourdough pretzels or veggie sticks. Super easy and flavorful and easy to make ahead. Great with beer too.

And these easy puff pastry cheese straws are another necessity. They are best served ASAP, but they do hold up for a few hours after making. They make a perfect dipper.

For a main dish, I love to switch it up between this slow cooker BBQ beer chicken or saucy pulled pork. Buns, BBQ sauce and maybe some garnish are all you need!

A great salad that holds up well is my harvest honeycrisp salad! The kale is hearty and actually gets better as it sits. Just in case, you can take the apple and slice it there if you wish, however it will be okay in the salad too. This salad is INCREDIBLE.

The best treats I can recommend are these insane brownies that everyone goes crazy over, as well as these giant rainbow cookies. Both are awesome, just depends on your mood.

All of these recipes together create a fantastic menu, but the pieces work separately too. I can’t even explain how much I adore alllll of these recipes.

For fun, you can find these twinkle fall leaf lights here and the soft yeti cooler (which is incredible and keeps stuff cold/frozen forever!) here. These Pendleton blankets are so ridiculously warm (and are a great gift!) – they are wool and make perfect seat covers or can really warm you up too.

I found this jar drink dispenser at homegoods a few years ago and we just used a small folding card table to set up the snacks!

I’d looove to hear down below about your go-to game day recipes.