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    Home » Game Day Recipes

    60+ Easy Tailgate Food Ideas that Won’t Break the Bank

    Published: Nov 2, 2022 · Modified: Nov 2, 2022 by Jessica Fisher

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    Football season, or foodball as I like to call it, is in full swing, so let’s line up some Easy Tailgate Food. Whether you’re parking it at the stadium or just enjoying a game day at home with friends, these tailgate food ideas are keepers for sure!

    Move over chicken wings and beer cheese, we’ve got some fun new foods to try this season, including Buffalo Chicken Bites, Loaded Potato Salad, and Jalapeño Popper Potatoes!

    woman in chargers jersey holding basket with grilled brat in bun. this …

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    Jump to:
    • Why Do This
    • Tips for Success
    • Choose recipes that suit the occasion.
    • Ingredients to Stock Up On
    • FAQs
    • Recommended Recipes
    • Salads
    • Dessert
    • More Game Day Recipes
    • Tell us what you think!

    You’ve got your fantasy football picks all lined up. You’ve secured tickets for the weekend game. You’re ready to enjoy it all along with some great friends and great food.

    How about some Easy Tailgate Food on a Budget?!

    The bill for tailgate food can quickly get away from you. By the time you’ve purchased the meat to grill, the drinks to line the bar, and all the necessary condiments, you can easily find yourself with empty pockets.

    I call that a penalty, for sure!

    Don’t pass up affordable and easy tailgate food this season. With a few key strategies you’ll be able to enjoy the game with friends over a frugal, yet festive feast.

    Why Do This

    You may not think that it matters, but the less you spend on your tailgate food purchases, the MORE tailgate parties you can host! Score big with your friends this season by stretching your dollar with budget-friendly, easy Tailgate Food.

    woman holding white, square plate of macaroni salad, veggies, and a hot dog with mustard.

    Tips for Success

    As always, the Good Cheap Eats System is a go-to play, especially when you want to offer a spread of Tailgate Food. Follow these tips for best results.

    Shop your pantry.

    Chances are you’ve got a lot of good stuff on hand already. I know from my frequent pantry challenges, that I’ve got some great treasures lurking in my cupboards, fridge, and freezer.

    Do a quick scan of your kitchen stores and see what’s there. Not sure you can see the possibilities? Consider these ideas to warm you up:

    • Macaroni, canned beans, and tomatoes can easily be combined with spices to make a delicious Crockpot Chili Mac.
    • A bag of frozen chicken tenders will quickly become Crispy Chicken Tenders or a Thai Chicken Pizza. Serve a variety of mustards and sauces you can make yourself on the side.
    • A bag of potatoes? Serve a baked potato bar with Crockpot Baked Potatoes.
    • A carton of sour cream and a visit to your spice cupboard will earn you a Sour Cream Onion Dip to rival any packaged mix on the market.

    Tailgate food doesn’t need to be expensive, especially when you’re using what you’ve already purchased!

    Shop the Sales and Clearance.

    clearance purchases from Ralphs grocery

    Each week your grocery store releases a flyer with some of their best limited time specials. These change on the same day each week; for instance here in San Diego, the new sales period starts on Wednesdays.

    Make it a habit to check your sales flyers – you can access them via the mail, in the store, or online. Build your menus around what’s on sale.

    As hockey and football season are gearing up, you’re sure to find tailgate food in and among the different sales offers, like sales on brats and buns so you can make my Grilled Brats with Peppers and Onions cheaply.

    But don’t dismiss clearance or soon-to-be-discontinued items. There’s wealth to be had in the clearance section!

    On a recent trip to my grocery store’s clearance sections, I found super fresh hot dog and hamburger buns, high-end ground turkey, a stack of fancy pants soup mixes, fresh sourdough bread, oyster crackers, and gluten-free chocolate chip cookies.

    Supplemented with a few other purchases, this haul could easily render a burger/hot dog night as well as a soup supper – with a sweet treat for a gluten-free fan to enjoy. All for less than 50% their normal prices.

    Think creatively when you shop and you’ll score big time! Tailgate food doesn’t need to be pricey. You can very easily stretch your dollar to accommodate the fun celebrations you want to host this season.

    Choose recipes that suit the occasion.

    Tailgating is different than a backyard BBQ since you’ll be packing it all to take elsewhere and cook outside. It’s closer to camping – but with sports!

    • By nature, tailgating involves eating out of the car or in a parking lot, be sure to choose recipes that are easily portable.
    • Pack lots of ice (weather requiring) and meal prep dishes so you can package away the leftovers for later.
    • On very cold days, choose low-mess dishes that you can eat without taking off your gloves, like Sausage Kabobs.
    quick chili in a white bowl with toppings.

    Ingredients to Stock Up On

    Keep an eye open for sales on these ingredients so that you can enjoy Tailgate Food on a budget.

    • hot dogs, burger patties, chicken wings, and other grilling cuts
    • cream cheese, sour cream, and shredded cheese for dips and toppings
    • black beans, pinto beans, and kidney beans for chili
    • bacon and jalapeños to make poppers
    • pasta for easy pasta salads
    • veggies to make a simple vegetable tray
    • cabbage for homemade coleslaw

    FAQs

    Why is it called tailgate food?

    It’s called tailgate food because traditionally it was enjoyed from the back of a truck’s tailgate in the parking lot of the stadium before the game.

    What is the most popular tailgate food?

    Who cares? Make what you like and what fits the budget. There’s a world of options out there — and not enough games to try them all.

    What time should you set up your tailgate?

    You don’t want to feel rushed and you want to enjoy the game. Arrive at the stadium 3 to 4 hours prior to kickoff so that you have plenty of time for set up, socializing, and scarfing good eats. Be sure to read the rules and regulations at your local stadium too.

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    Appetizers

    Appetizers are perfect tailgate food. Everyone can bring a couple different options and you’ll have easy variety. Choose finger foods that are easy to eat without sitting at a proper table.

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    Grilling recipes

    Grilled meats are traditional tailgate food, but don’t forget you can grill veggies or even pizza!

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    Homemade spice blends are a cheap and easy way to add flavor and texture to your favorite grilled meats. Try this grilled pork tenderloin with its warm, spicy rub.
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    Host a party or even a casual meal with friends and serve Homemade Meat and Cheese Platters can make the meal so easy and cheap!
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    Enjoy the smoky goodness of grilled brats with peppers and onions. With just a handful of veggies, you've got the makings of a great brats dinner in less than 30 minutes!
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    Fresh basil and tangy balsamic vinegar add rich flavor to these grilled pork chops. Make a double batch and freeze one for a later date.
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    Bake pizza on the grill for a low-mess, low-heat dinner. This method utilizes pizza screens to make the process quick and easy.
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    Slow Cooker Recipes

    The slow cooker or instant pot can take a lot of the hassle out of prepping tailgate food and keeping it hot.

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    Salads

    Salads are great tailgate food choices since you can make them the day before and keep them cold on ice.

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    Busy night? Grab a bowl of this make-ahead Italian Chicken Pasta Salad. It’s easy to make and packed with flavor.
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    Want to add something crisp and fresh to the table tonight? Stir up a batch of this super yummy Coleslaw with Apples and Almonds.
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    Dessert

    You gotta have some dessert after your hearty tailgate food. These are easy to transport or even assemble on site.

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    Beverages

    While beer is de rigeur for game day, consider offering some soft drinks or mocktails for those who prefer them.

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    Tell us what you think!

    We love to hear your experiences with Good Cheap Eats. Click the STARS on the recipe card or leave a STARRED comment to let us know what you think of the recipe.

    This post was originally published on September 6, 2018. It has been updated for content and clarity.

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    Comments

    1. Janet

      September 06, 2018 at 3:10 pm

      A taco bar is a family favorite tail gate party at our house. We almost always have the pantry items in stock: a can of rotels, processed cheese, and a bag of tortilla chips are all you need for queso dip and chips. I have yet to have a quest that will not chow down on queso dip and chips. We usually have the taco bar items on hand as well – ground beef, shredded cheese, shells or tortillas. Add a few fresh ingredients – tomatoes, avocados, lettuce, lime, and sour cream—and you are good to go for a great night of eating. Added bonus, much of the prep can be done ahead of time. I cook up three or four pounds of taco meat at a time and freeze in one pound bags.

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        November 10, 2018 at 11:04 am

        Sounds delicious, Janet! I love how planned ahead you are!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Jessica! I'm a 4x cookbook author and 6x mom. I know what it is to be in a hurry and on a budget. I believe anyone can prepare delicious meals -- no matter what's on their plate. I've been featured on Good Morning America, PBS News Hour, and NBC.

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    jessica from good cheap eats

    Hi, I'm Jessica! I'm a 4x cookbook author and 6x mom. I know what it is to be in a hurry and on a budget. I believe anyone can prepare delicious meals -- no matter what's on their plate. I've been featured on Good Morning America, PBS News Hour, and NBC.

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    • small glass pitcher of milk on black background.
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    • with a fork fluffing the baked rice in the pan with steam rising.
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