Everything bagel pigs in a blanket
Everything bagel pigs in a blanket | If you thought pigs in a blanket couldn’t get any better, we have three words for you: everything bagel seasoning. Cream cheese and scallions bring even more NYC-inspo to this party-time classic. For the everything bagel pigs in a blanket recipe, click here. (Jacqui Wedewer/The Daily Meal)
Buffalo chicken dip
Buffalo chicken dip | You know it. You love it. Buffalo chicken dip is one of the best dishes to bring to any party, period, and it’s a must-have for any game day gathering, which includes tailgating. For the buffalo chicken dip recipe, click here. (NSC Photography/Shutterstock)
Salsa fresca
Salsa fresca | Also known as pico de gallo, this easy, no-cook salsa recipe is perfect for hot days at the very beginning of football season, especially when garden-fresh tomatoes are at their ripest. For the salsa fresca recipe, click here. (Fudio / iStock / Getty Images Plus)
Easy 7-layer dip
Easy 7-layer dip | Seven-layer dip is a classic no-cook dip that tastes equally good on pretzels, tortilla chips and corn chips. Now, black olives, the sixth layer of this dip, are controversial. If your fellow tailgaters aren't fans, swap those olives out for black beans, pickled onions or jalapeños, bell peppers or canned green chiles. For the easy 7-layer dip recipe, click here. (Megan Betteridge/Shutterstock)
Pretzel bites with spicy cheddar dip
Pretzel bites with spicy cheddar dip | Pretzels and cheese dip are a classic stadium food, but you can easily make pretzels at home and snack on them before the big game. Trust us; this recipe will impress your friends. For the pretzel bites with spicy cheddar dip recipe, click here. (Courtesy of Blue Apron)
Spicy bacon and black pepper baked beans
Spicy bacon and black pepper baked beans | Baked beans go well with everything, from burgers and barbecue to cold-cut sandwiches and fried chicken. This recipe truly calls for these to be oven-baked, but you could easily transfer them to a slow cooker for your tailgate. For the spicy bacon and black pepper baked beans recipe, click here. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune; Shannon Kinsella/food styling)
All-American macaroni salad
All-American macaroni salad | A picnic classic, this easy macaroni salad is great for tailgates when you don’t have access to a grill or slow cooker. For the all-American macaroni salad recipe, click here. (Carolyn Menyes/The Daily Meal)
Lemon dill potato salad with peas
Lemon dill potato salad with peas | If you’re looking for a new twist on classic potato salad, this lemony dill potato salad with peas is your recipe. The lemon and fresh herbs add an irresistible brightness to the dish and make the mayo-based dressing feel lighter. For the lemon dill potato salad with peas recipe, click here. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune)
Gooey, creamy mac and cheese
Gooey, creamy mac and cheese | One of the all-time best recipes for cheese fiends, this ooey, gooey mac and cheese uses cheddar, Taleggio, fontina and Gouda to add tons of dimension to an all-time classic cookout side. For the gooey, creamy mac and cheese recipe, click here. (Jacqui Wedewer/The Daily Meal)
Grilled teriyaki mango skewers
Grilled teriyaki mango skewers | One of the best vegetarian-friendly grilling recipes, these teriyaki skewers have a mix of mango and veggies, and it surprisingly works. Serve as is or alongside other grilled dishes as a side. For the grilled teriyaki mango skewers recipe, click here. (Courtesy of National Mango Board)
Messy barbacoa beef nachos
Messy barbacoa beef nachos | In our opinion, tailgating is all about the meat. Sure, you can serve nachos loaded with cheese, sour cream and salsa. Or, you can go the extra mile and make melt-in-your-mouth beef barbacoa to top your chips. This beef is one of our favorite slow cooker recipes and can also be used for tacos. For the messy barbacoa beef nachos recipe, click here (Melissa Elsmo / Pioneer Press)
Beer-cooked Bratwurst with sweet onions
Beer-cooked Bratwurst with sweet onions | Tailgating is practically a way of life in the fall in the Midwest, and these beer-cooked brats are about as Midwestern as you can get. Serve with a quick homemade sauerkraut and a punched-up Dijon mustard. For the beer-cooked Bratwurst with sweet onions recipe, click here. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune; Shannon Kinsella/food styling)
Beef and brat chili with white beans
Beef and brat chili with white beans | When it comes to game day comfort foods, chili is the No. 1 draft pick. White beans and bratwurst add an extra layer of heartiness to this savory beef chuck chili. For the beef and brat chili with white beans recipe, click here. (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune)
Three-bean vegetarian chili
Three-bean vegetarian chili | Don’t leave out the vegetarians or vegans at your cookout. This three-bean chili is 100% plant-based but tastes just as good as a meaty chili. For the three-bean vegetarian chili recipe, click here. (© Rosemary Buffoni)
Cheesehead sliders
Cheesehead sliders | Of course, no tailgate would be complete without some good ol’ fashioned burgers. These bite-sized, cheese-topped sliders are the perfect patty for your tailgate. Their slider size means you have plenty of room for all the other grub on your plate. For the cheesehead sliders recipe, click here. (Courtesy of Beef - It's What's For Dinner)
Herb-rubbed baby back ribs
Herb-rubbed baby back ribs | It may seem like a lot of work goes into buying and cooking the best ribs ever, but this herb-rubbed rib recipe proves that doesn’t have to be the case. The blend of spices makes these baby back ribs so flavorful, you don’t even need barbecue sauce! For the herb-rubbed baby back ribs recipe, click here. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune; Shannon Kinsella/food styling)
Pulled pork sandwiches
Pulled pork sandwiches | Pulled pork, made from pork shoulder, is a deeply versatile ingredient. Here, it’s seasoned simply with fresh herbs and white wine, elevating this classic game day recipe. For the pulled pork sandwiches recipe, click here. (Courtesy of Jason Goldstein/Chop Happy)
Not dogs
Not dogs | Yeah, you can grill up some franks or vegan hot dogs at your cookout, but what’s the fun in that? These Not Dogs are made with carrots, spices and chipotles in adobo, resulting in a classic smoky flavor. It's a creative vegetarian and vegan twist on a tailgate staple. For the not dogs recipe, click here. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune; Food styling by Joan Moravek)
Honey garlic chicken wings
Honey garlic chicken wings | Chicken wings and game day go together like peanut butter and jelly. This recipe is perfect for tailgates because the wings are cooked in a slow cooker. For the honey garlic chicken wings recipe, click here. (Teen00000 / iStock / Getty Images Plus)