Want the recipe for a perfect tailgate party?
- Start by donning your favorite team’s merch.
- Add a handful of fun-loving friends.
- Top it off with delicious food—the easier to share the better!
Whether you’re hosting a big game watch party or setting up camp in the parking lot of your hometown arena, everyone knows you can’t tailgate without heaping plates of food and a cooler of icy bevs. But you don’t want to settle for bags of store-bought salty snacks and a basic veggie tray. You want game day snacks that will be a home run with your friends and family. You want to serve up an ace and score a touchdown with your food offerings. (Ok, we’ll stop with the puns now.)
You can’t control the outcome of the game, but you can serve crowd-pleasing snacks featuring real ingredients and mouth-watering sauces and condiments. The easy tailgate recipes below will help you win the day!
Wings, Wings, and More Wings
Nothing says game day like wings. Here are four options, including one that will satisfy your plant-based guests. Don't forget plenty of ranch for dipping!
Greek Chicken Wings
Give your wing board an herby twist with these 4-ingredient wings.
Korean BBQ Baked Chicken Wings
A little advice: go ahead and make a double batch of these crispy, sweet, and sticky wings. They'll fly off the plate, no pun intended.
Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
For the veggie lovers in the crowd, these cauliflower "wings" deliver all the Buffalo flavor they crave thanks to Primal Kitchen Buffalo Sauce, made with plant-based ingredients. No air fryer? No problem! Here's a baked alternative.
Dips for Days
Every good game day spread needs dips served up with your favorite (grain-free) chips, raw veggies, pita chips, and crackers. Here are some of our faves.
Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
Love buffalo chicken but not a fan of eating wings off the bone? Wish you could eat your wings with tortilla chips or fresh veggies? This creamy, kicky dip is the answer. (Pro tip: drizzle the finished dip with hot honey. It's *chef's kiss*.)
Bacon Dip
This dip is all the best parts of a loaded baked potato—the toppings, obviously—in a bowl. It simply explodes with flavor.
Caramelized Onion Dip
An elevated version of the onion dip that comes in a tub. The extra step of caramelizing the onions is worth the time it takes to create the depth of flavor.
Buffalo Ranch Cottage Cheese Dip
You only need 3 simple ingredients to make this dip that will help you hit your protein goal while you root on your favorite team.
Finger Foods to Share
Round out your tailgate table with a variety of options meant to be shared.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Fries
Everyone loves loaded fries. You can save some time by starting with no-seed-oil fries like Jesse & Ben's, or follow the recipe directions to make your own from scratch. Either way, these are a winner.
Buffalo Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos
Can you have too much buffalo chicken at one tailgate? We think no, definitely not. Here we combined buffalo chicken with Wilde Protein Chips for a grain-free, flavor-full shareable snack.
Taco Salad Cups
Tacos can be messy, but these bite-sized taco cups are the perfect addition to your game day spread. A drizzle of Avocado Lime Sauce takes them over the top.
Pigs in a Blanket
Pigs in a blanket are a favorite of adults and kids alike. We recommend serving these with a variety of dips like Primal Kitchen Ranch, Special Sauce, and A Tad Sweet Ketchup—something for everyone!
The Main Event
Feeding a big crowd? Consider a main dish or two to deliver a one-two punch to your guests' hunger.
Pressure Cooker Baby Back Ribs
You don't need a smoker to make fall-off-the-bone ribs. A pressure cooker will do the job. Finish the ribs under the broiler with our tangy, smoky Unsweetened Classic BBQ Sauce to get the most intense flavor.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Just set it and forget it, then shred it! Pile it on a plate or a bun and pour on your favorite Primal Kitchen BBQ Sauce made with real ingredients. We love Mango Jalapeño BBQ for a sweet and spicy kick, but Hawaiian Style is great for guests who prefer a little less heat. You really can't go wrong.
