The aroma of delicious dishes in every corner of the house. The sound of laughter, good-natured jokes and “game talk,” shared in energetic conversation. There’s nothing like game day excitement.
Any great host knows the key to a winning game day celebration rests on fantastic game day recipes. Traditional game day food favorites include standard backyard barbecue favorites like grilled burgers or hot dogs, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box while gathering recipes for the big game.
It’s best to serve simple, flavorful dishes which are simple to eat, require little time in the kitchen or over the grill, and provide plenty of variety. The big game will last a few hours, so be sure to plan accordingly. You’ll want to serve a good mixture of heartier and lighter fare, and to help you pull off a great game day, we’ve put together a list of Winning Game Day Plays for you.
Delightful Dips
A truly stellar dip is practically a requirement for any game day. Consider cut red and green bell peppers, fresh broccoli and cauliflower florets, and cherry tomatoes for a healthier option. In addition to tortilla chips, choose a few types of crackers, or even dipping bread. We recommend any (or all) of these crowd-pleasers:
Few things spell “game day food” like a mouth-watering, well-crafted slider. Whether you prefer a traditional beef burger slider or something a little more creative, sliders are the right choice. They are simple to make, easy to eat, and great to grab during a commercial break. There are thousands of incredible slider recipes, but we curated a few of our favorites for you today:
Sure, you could order a stack of pizzas from the nearest pizza joint, but where’s the fun in that? Step outside of the box and choose an elevated pie option for this game day. Slice and serve in traditional pizza slice form, or slice smaller pizza bite sizes with toothpicks. If you’re located in the Midwest or South, be sure to serve a dish of ranch dressing for dipping.
Burgers might be standard game day fare, but why not take your burger game to the next level and serve them in a burger bar? Prepare two or three types of burgers, and serve with an assortment of toppings. Be sure to include the standards: cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, ketchup, mustard and mayo. Don’t be afraid to set out some unexpected options, also. Consider pineapple, jalapenos, avocado, coleslaw, barbeque sauce, hot sauce, steak sauce, and even onion straws.
It may seem like a more formal entree, but there are several ways to incorporate surf and turf into your game day recipes. Why not try a surf and turf taco bar? Prepare your steak, beef and/or seafood, and serve taco bar style with rice, refried or black beans, chopped lettuce, tomatoes, onions, olives, avocado, salsa, sour cream, cheese, and any other toppings you enjoy.
Whether your team wins or loses, with our help your game day celebration is guaranteed to win! Tell us who you’re cheering for in the comments below!
