Make-Ahead Tailgating Recipes For an Epic Game Day

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com.

Add this collection of easy make-ahead recipes to your tailgating menu to guarantee an epic game day! From drinks to snacks to classic game day finger food, this game day menu has it all!

Football season is upon us which means it's time to tailgate!  Lots of people choose to tailgate at home, aka homegating, but true tailgaters are ready to park and party in parking lots across the country.

When you're planning for a true tailgating adventure, a little planning is key to ensure a relaxing, fun-filled day before the game.  The most important thing to plan ahead for is your tailgating menu!  Tailgating is nothing without some good game day grub!

Making your tailgating menu ahead of time is a great way to up your tailgating game when it's time to head to the stadium.  I've got some great ideas for a delish menu that can be prepared in advance so you can sit back and enjoy the tailgating scene, sans stress.

With a little bit of planning and preparation (and a few of your favorite brands!), you can make this year you best tailgating season yet!

KEEP IT SIMPLE WITH MAKE-AHEAD SLOW COOKER DISHES

Now, I know when you think of tailgating, you're probably thinking about foods cooked on the grill, like burgers, brats, and dogs.  If grilling's not your thing and simple tailgating recipes are what you're looking for, go for a slow cooker dish!

I used the NEW Simply™  Roasted Garlic Sauce from RAGÚ to make the easiest, tastiest, tailgate-perfect sausage, peppers, and onions that you've got to try.  The rich taste of roasted garlic, tomatoes, and onion from the Simply™ Roasted Garlic Sauce mingles with Italian sausages and fresh veggies to make a sandwich that will have your tailgating neighbors wishing they were having what you're having!

SLOW COOKER SAUSAGE, PEPPERS, AND ONIONS

INGREDIENTS

1 cup RAGÚ Simply™ Roasted Garlic Sauce (made with 100% olive oil and no added sugar)
5-8 Italian sausages (hot or mild your choice)
2 small bell peppers, cut into strips (any color you like)
1 small onion, cut into strips (sweet onion or red onion would work)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place the Italian sausages into your slow cooker. 
2. Top with the peppers and onions. 
3. Pour the sauce over the top. 
4. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or high for 6-8 hours, stirring halfway through the cook time.  Serve on rolls and top with shredded mozzarella cheese, if desired.

NOTES

I suggest making this dish the day before the game, refrigerating overnight, and then reheating in your slow cooker the day of the game.  You can get an inexpensive power inverter to power the slow cooker with your car if there is no electricity available to you at your tailgating destination. Prep ahead tailgate recipes for the win!

SAVE TIME WITH PREP-AHEAD FINGER FOOD

When you think football food, chicken wings come to mind, amirite?  Nothing says touchdown like a big pile of buffalo wings!

This is the thing, though.  Classic chicken wings don't really lend themselves to tailgating.  Unless you make them my way, that is!  I combined Brazil’s Original Hot Sauce from Légal (pronounced Lay-Gal) with butter to make a finger-licking-good buffalo sauce that is tossed with make-ahead wings that are finished on the grill.

Yup, this one is for all you tailgaters out there that preach grill or go home.

To take the stress out of the actual grilling process of these wings, they are pre-baked in the oven then tossed with my buffalo sauce before hitting the grill.  You can prep these the day before and then toss them on the grill for just a few minutes to heat them up.  Easy peasy and oh-so-good.  Légal means “cool” in Portuguese and you will for sure be the cool kid at the tailgate if you bring these wings!

GRILLED BUFFALO WINGS

INGREDIENTS

2-3 lbs chicken wings (first and second sections)
4 tablespoons Légal Hot Sauce (handmade in Brazil from Malagueta Peppers, carrots, vinegar and salt)
4 tablespoons butter (salted or unsalted)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cook the chicken wings in your oven at 425 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until cooked through.
2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter and Légal Hot Sauce. Cook until the butter is melted.
3. Pour the sauce over the cooked chicken wings and toss to coat.
4. Refrigerate until ready to grill. Grill for 3-4 minutes per side.

NOTES

I suggest making this dish the day before the game, refrigerating overnight, then finish on the grill the day of the game. Going grill-less and still want to make these wings at your tailgating soiree?  Just ask your tailgating neighbor if you can borrow a corner of their grill in exchange for a few wings. Problem solved!

You guys are going to LOVE the Brazilian Légal Hot Sauce.  Buy 1 Get 1 Free with Code: TAILGATE (valid through September 30, 2019)

MUST HAVE GAME DAY MUNCHIES

When you're tailgating, an absolute essential is chips!  I suggest a chip that will outshine all other chips on game day...popchips!

Buffalo Ranch Ridges from popchips are the ultimate game day snack!  They are bold, crunchy, and baked, not fried.  (That means half the fat compared to fried chips!)  These babies are SO good and I'd be willing to bet you can't eat just one!  They have an authentic buffalo ranch flavor, are gluten free, and are only 120 calories per serving.  Yes!  Popchips are a legit healthy snack that will truly make your tailgating menu pop.

Popchips are absolutely amazing on their own or served with a dip.  Their tangy taste lends well to a cool dip, so I like to up the ranch flavors and serve them with a creamy ranch dip.  Yum!

BUFFALO RANCH RIDGES popchips AND CREAMY RANCH DIP

INGREDIENTS

1 (5 oz) bag Buffalo Ranch Ridges popchips
1 (1 oz) packet ranch dressing mix
2 cups plain greek yogurt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Mix together the ranch dressing mix and greek yogurt in a bowl until well combined.
2. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
3. Serve with Buffalo Ranch popchips for dipping.

NOTES

This Creamy Ranch Dip is best made in advance. Letting the dip sit in the refrigerator overnight allows the ranch flavor to really shine when you serve it!

Here's a special discount just for you! Use code 25BUFFALO on amazon.com to get 25% off your order of buffalo ranch ridges from popchips!

DON'T FORGET THE MAKE AHEAD DRINKS

Beer is so last year.  Your tailgating party needs a premium beverage!  Hellooooooo, bloody marys!

Bloody marys made with bloody mary mix from Mr & Mrs T a stellar choice for tailgating and will WOW everyone you see during your tailgating day!

Think of it, you could have a boring beverage or you could have a salt-rimmed bloody mary garnished with celery, bacon, olives, and more.  Make them your own and let the fun begin!

You can whip up a batch to serve a crowd before you arrive at the game and simply pour and garnish when you get there.  Classy, delicious, and so easy!  Not planning on serving a crowd?   Pick up some of the single-serving cans and make just one bloody mary in less than a minute.  Boom!  Done and done.

GAME DAY BLOODY MARYS

INGREDIENTS

1 (1 liter) bottle Mr & Mrs T Bloody Mary Mix
7 oz vodka
garnishes of your choice (olives, pickles, cocktail onions, tomatoes, bacon, etc.)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine the Mr & Mrs T Bloody Mary Mix and vodka in a pitcher. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. Pour the pre-mixed bloody marys over ice (makes approx. 7 drinks).
3. Garish as desired and serve.

NOTES

Get creative! The fresh taste of Mr & Mrs T Bloody Mary Mix is amazing on its own, but can be garnished with all kinds of goodies to make a fun tailgating cocktail!

If you want to make your tailgating adventure fun, fresh, and stress-free, a make-ahead menu is the way to go.  If you try any of these recipes for game day, I'd love to know what you think in the comments below.

Enjoy and happy tailgating!