10 Recipes for a Tailgate (2024)

fabulous selection of recipes!

So Leigh, just out of interest, why is it that your friends appreciate the good old 'tried and true' recipes, but would turn their noses up at food that's new/different? We don't have what you guys call tailgate parties here in NZ, but before a big rugby match everyone arrives with a variety of kai(food), from chips'n'dips, sausage rolls, clubbies, pizza etc, to the choicest kaimoana(seafood), imaginable and everything in between!! Oh nearly forgot!! There's always copious amounts of liquid refreshments, alchoholic and otherwise. So it's difficult to imagine that someone arriving with a food
koha(gift), that's different, say from another culture, would be rudely dissed for not 'planning ahead', 'keeping it simple' and turning up with a 'knife instead of a gun'!! Anyone who felt that way about a new food offering and worse, voiced it, would end up in the hangi hole!! Google it!! One of the many things I enjoy about FOOD52, is the community's love and respect for, not just food, but for their fellow contributors views, ideas and opinions. So pull ya head in Leigh, the 'My way or the Highway' attitude so DOESN'T fit with this topic... chill out mate, try the 'each to his own' outlook for once...besides, another bonus is, it's good for the heart!! If ANYONE, Leigh included, is EVER heading down to our neck of the woods, let us know, coz you'll be soooooo welcome in our whare(home), AND, ya don't have to bring a thing! Arohanui to you all.

Although I really love the old standards that EVERYBODY brings to a tailgate party, I love these new recipes that can be a great addition. Like myself, others like to try new recipes and all new recipes don't have to be introduced at one time. One or two freshen things up and they keep the fare from being the same old boring mayonaisse, meat laden dishes. Sometimes, a little change is good, desirable and healthy. : )

Thanks so much for all the positive feedback -- what an amazing community!

Hello,How might I Post Tailgating Food Photos and Recipes? Twice weekly from mid-August to early November I am involved in Team Family Tailgating- that is, after each game we feed a team, coaches, staff, families, and fans for anywhere up to one hundred and fifty people, and we do this on the road. I also include these in my blog: Spiced Peach Blog.com

Technically it's spring here in Australia, here we have months of picnics, BBQs and rooftop parties to come! Thanks for the inspiring recipes :) I don't know which one to cook first! Keep up the good work.

Move on Leigh, move on...You've only just signed up recently and already you're bleating!!...it's just as quick to sign off, so go for it!! Haters not needed, it's a food site for goodness sake, and a very good one at that! Cheers FOOD 52, and thanks heaps for all the effort and hard work you do, much appreciated!

I think you're a little delusional, Ms Segel. I LOVE seeing something different at tailgates! Sounds like you either need to find a new group of friends who care about the food instead of what they're drinking. AND Guacamole is always a hit; just as someone else added, it doesn't last long enough to turn brown. THANKS Food 52 for your awesome recipes!

Touchdown! All these dishes look great. I can't decide which one to try first. It's this kind of creativity and fresh ideas that keeps me coming back to the the FOOD52 blog again and again. Keep it up!

Judging from Ms. Segel's comments and vernacular, she would do well to find another food website. This is the first time I have seen such a vulgar posting on FOOD52.

We just put a slight amount of fresh lemon or lime juice mixed into our guacamole to keep it from turning brown. Diced tomatoes work too. Also putting the pit in the center works too from what I have read.
Everything looks delicious, however, I don't think I would take seafood as it can degrade quickly and cause illness unless it is kept extremely cold, (40 degrees or less I think). Also, it seems that everyone is photographing burnt food. Makes a nice photo but burned protein is not healthy from my research.
Everything else looks great and I especially love tomato and corn salad, beautiful. Thanks for posting.

Undoubtedly this site offers suggestions for a higher level crowd than the one you are accustomed to. Just choose a different site. I enjoy all of the recipes and items sold through here and wouldn't think of "sammiches" as an offering unless I'm having a party for my college age children and their friends. To each his own.

I have made several of the recipes - they are great. My neighbors LOVE the things I bring to parties and usually the recipe comes from here! I can't think of the last time I even considered serving "chips and dip". Maybe I am not in my right mind but I am searching for something fun, totally different and gourmet to take to an Army/Navy football kick off tonight (GO NAVY). We will all be drinking wine and artisan home brew - we are not 25 so it won't be a drunken bash. I am looking at the Greek grilled skirt steak and will use tomatoes from my garden and my own pickled peppers - 52 recipe, of course : ) I actually considered the lobster rolls in "mini" form but don't have time today. Being from CA and growing up with avocado trees in my yard - I always serve guac - a little taste from home on the East coast. It actually never sits around long enough to turn brown : ) It is fun to not serve simple and expected. Thank you Food52 for all the fabulous recipes, insight and great ideas... I use them everyday (it has made me famous on this Army post). Please don't dis those of us that love to cook, create and enjoy.

All of these recipes disappoint. I can't think of anyone who is going to make lobster rolls for a tailgate party of drunken neighbors @ $10-$15 per sandwich. You're delusional. And if you should bring these particular burned chicken kebabs to a party, it's a surefire way to get yourself uninvited to your friends home permanently. Guacamole usually turns brown at a party, too. Think Chips and Dip. Sammiches, Hot wings. Beer. Sorry but nobody in their right mind would offer any of this other crap at a football tailgate party.