Tailgate Menus

Do you really need a menu for a tailgating party?  Well, yaah!  Tailgating goes way beyond supporting your hometown team (or favorite band) or talking smack about who will score the most points.  We all know that tailgating is really about the food! 

Traditional big game fare usually comes down to chicken wings, burgers and ribs.  Cook a little outside the box and consider one of these creative tailgate menus. 

Surf and Turf Tailgate Menu

What more do you want?  Steak, potatoes, seafood and fresh salad!  For potatoes, microwave potatoes at home and tightly seal in storage bags. Toss in mustard mixture and grill when you get to the stadium.   

Citrus and Herb Grilled Steak

Spicy Marinated Shrimp Tacos

Crispy Grilled Potatoes

Fresh Corn, Avocado and Tomato Salad

Peanut Chocolate Cookies

Taste Buds Tailgate Menu

Lots of flavors in this savory, spicy, sweet menu.  Make it easy peasy by substituting canned pork and beans, pre-packed coleslaw and store-bought rotisserie chicken for some menu ingredients.   For non-beef eaters throw in some Baked Orange Chicken Drummettes

Ice Cold Beer, Flavored Waters

Snack and Munchies

Carrot-Pineapple Slaw

Quick and Kickin' Beans

Flank Steak Sandwiches
Serve on kaiser rolls or French bread with brown mustard, horseradish and red onions

Bourbon Chocolate Cake

Salmon Tailgate Menu

Impress your friends with this make-ahead seafood tailgate menu.  Make the pasta salad the night before and marinate the salmon in the morning.  The chocolate cake can be made 1-2 days in advance.  Even easier...purchase a cake the day of!

Grilled Drunken Salmon

Seasonal Grilled Vegetables

Colorful Pasta Salad Recipe 

Quick Cocoa Cake

Savory Tailgate Menu
The black bean burgers are too fragile for the grill.  Prepare at home, wrap in foil packets and reheat packets on the grill

Pineapple Mint Punch

Black Bean Burgers

and/or

Danish Turkey Burgers 

Grilled Shrimp with Salsa Verde

Sliced Heirloom Tomatoes, Red Onions and Cucumbers
Top with your favorite vinaigrette

Fresh Peach and Cream Cheese Pie 

Surf and Turf Tailgate Menu
Keep the grilled fired up to serve fish, chicken and corn.

Light Beer and Fruity Wine

Grilled Fish and Pepper Kabobs

Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Black Bean Salad with Green Olives and Oregano

Grilled Corn with Cheese and Herbs

Rocking Tailgate Menu
Start the tailgate party in your driveway and continue at the music or sports arena.  Tote a small portable gas grill to cook up the sliders and buns

Lemonade, Ice Teas,  White Wine or White Wine Coolers

Honey Fried Chicken
Good served at room (or parking lot) temperature

Apple, Onion and Cheddar Sliders

Crispy Grilled Potatoes
Top potato wedges with Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh rosemary

Green Salad

A Brunch Tailgating Party!
Sometimes you and your party pals need to be at the stadium extra early.  Put together this game day brunch menu with no messy grill required.   Start a trend!

Spicy Bloody Marys or Champagne Cocktails
(why not?)

BLT Sandwiches
Try on toasted, buttered raisin bread.  Use arugula or baby spinach for the "L". Cook bacon, wrap in foil and make sandwiches on the tailgate

Old-Fashioned Egg Salad Finger Sandwiches

Black Bean Salad with Green Olives and Oregano

Beer-Belly Tailgate Menu
Serve this flavorful menu with beer, beer and more beer.  Just kidding, drink responsively

Easy BBQ Beer Chicken
Serve with grilled flour tortillas, tomatoes and Beer BBQ Sauce or Pink Mayonnaise

Easy Sweet Potato Salad or Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges

Corn Guacamole

Mango Salsa

Tortilla chips, Potato Chips, Other Crunchies

Watermelon Salad with Feta and Lime

Simple Tailgate Menu
Prepare the wings on the grill or bake in the oven and wrap in double layers of aluminum foil before bringing to the tailgate party

Barbecued Chicken Wings

Best Potato Salad

Grilled Vegetables

Pecan Pie

Brrrrrr Tailgate Menu
As temperatures get colder die-hard tailgaters will grill and party no matter what!  Dress in layers and enjoy this satisfying no grill required menu. 

Prepare gumbo at home and keep hot in large thermoses. 

Creole Gumbo or Meatball Soup

Muffalettas OR Roast Beef and Horseradish Sandwiches

Potato Salad OR Tortellini with Sautéed Vegetable Salad

Chips, dips, salsa

Bourbon Chocolate Cake