30 Winning Recipes for the Ultimate Game Day Spread

Forget chips and salsa! Game day food needs to win before kickoff. These recipes bring smoky, cheesy, sticky, bacon-wrapped glory straight to the parking lot (or your backyard).

Fire up the grill, pop open a cold one, and let’s turn your football spread into the MVP of the season.

Potato Stacks with Jalapeno Popper Cream Cheese

Layers of thin potatoes with creamy jalapeño popper filling, baked into irresistible stacks. Cheesy, spicy, and perfect for party snacking.

Get the Recipe: Potato Stacks with Jalapeno Popper Cream Cheese

Smoked Fireball Whisky Meatballs

These smoky, juicy meatballs are loaded with beef, pork, and bacon, then smothered in a fiery Fireball whisky BBQ sauce that keeps fans coming back for more.

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Grilled Blooming Onion

A grilled twist on the classic blooming onion; crispy, golden, and perfect for pulling apart with friends while you wait for kickoff.

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Bacon Wrapped Chicken Wings

Crispy bacon wrapped around juicy chicken wings makes the ultimate game day mash-up. Smoky, salty, and sticky, they’ll disappear before halftime.

Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Chicken Wings

Juicy, smoky, saucy BBQ meatballs

These grilled BBQ meatballs are smoky, saucy, and bursting with flavor. Perfect as a hearty appetizer that will keep your crew fueled all game long.

Get the Recipe: Juicy, smoky, saucy BBQ meatballs

White Queso Dip

This creamy white queso dip tastes just like the kind from your favorite Mexican spot; smooth, cheesy, and ideal for dunking endless chips.

Get the Recipe: White Queso Dip

Grilled Coconut Shrimp with Dipping Sauce

Crunchy coconut shrimp grilled to perfection and paired with a sweet, tangy sauce. They bring tropical flavor with tailgate snack convenience.

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Best Grilled Shrimp on the Planet

Thanks to one secret ingredient, these smoky grilled shrimp are juicy, savory, and ready in just 15 minutes. Ideal for a pre-game feast.

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Irresistibly Crispy Grilled Chicken Wings

Tired of soggy wings? This recipe unlocks perfectly crispy, golden skin and juicy meat using a single dry rub trick – no frying required.

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Smoked Bratwursts with Beer-Braised Cabbage and Onions

Classic brats meet smoky flavor with beer-braised onions and cabbage. The result is rich, juicy, and perfect for hungry tailgaters.

Get the Recipe: Smoked Bratwursts with Beer-Braised Cabbage and Onions

Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends

Tender pork belly cubes caramelized into sticky, smoky perfection. These melt-in-your-mouth bites are barbecue candy for grown-ups.

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Grilled Sticky Tennessee Honey Wings

Glazed with Jack Daniel’s Honey whiskey and hot sauce, these sweet and spicy wings are sticky, smoky, and dangerously addictive.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Sticky Tennessee Honey Wings

Smoked Philly Cheesesteak Dip

All the beefy, cheesy, pepper-packed flavors of a Philly sandwich transformed into a creamy dip that pairs perfectly with an ice-cold beer.

Get the Recipe: Smoked Philly Cheesesteak Dip

Pork Belly Candy (Baby Pork Belly Burnt Ends)

Bite-sized pork belly burnt ends caramelized with smoky sweetness. These little nuggets of BBQ bliss are impossible to eat just one.

Get the Recipe: Pork Belly Candy (Baby Pork Belly Burnt Ends)

Loaded Baked Potato on a Grill

Smoked potatoes stuffed with leftover brisket, pulled pork, or mac and cheese. Hearty, cheesy, and guaranteed to be a fan favorite.

Get the Recipe: Loaded Baked Potato on a Grill

Grilled Street Corn Dip (Elote Dip)

Mexican street corn turned into a creamy, cheesy dip. It’s spicy, smoky, and ideal for scooping while the game heats up.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Street Corn Dip (Elote Dip)

Perfectly Smoked Chicken Wings

Juicy smoked chicken wings with crispy skin and bold flavor. They’re simple, crave-worthy, and a guaranteed touchdown at any party.

Get the Recipe: Perfectly Smoked Chicken Wings

Smoked Shotgun Shells: 5 Filling Ideas

Pasta tubes stuffed with seasoned meat and cheese, wrapped in bacon, then smoked to perfection. These meaty bites are tailgate showstoppers.

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Smoked Cream Cheese Crack Dip

Cream cheese smoked low and slow, then mixed into a creamy dip so addictive your friends will demand you bring it to every game.

Get the Recipe: Smoked Cream Cheese Crack Dip

Twice-Smoked Raspberry Chipotle Lil Smokies

Twice-smoked lil smokies coated in a raspberry chipotle glaze that’s sweet, smoky, and just spicy enough to keep things interesting.

Get the Recipe: Twice-Smoked Raspberry Chipotle Lil Smokies

Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas

Gooey cheese, grilled chicken, crispy bacon, and ranch cream cheese layered in tortillas. These quesadillas are handheld perfection.

Get the Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas

How to cook chicken wings on a griddle

No smoker? No problem. These wings get perfectly crispy skin and juicy centers right on your griddle. Tailgate approved!

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Smoked Chex Mix

Add smoky BBQ flair to classic Chex Mix by seasoning it with your favorite rub and cooking it low and slow on the smoker. Addictive!

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Grilled Grape Jelly Meatballs

A nostalgic favorite gets an upgrade with smoky heat from the grill. Sweet, tangy, and saucy, these meatballs are always a party hit.

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How to make smoked cream cheese

Learn how to smoke cream cheese, then dress it up with 12 irresistible sweet and savory flavor combos for the ultimate dip spread.

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Ancho Glazed Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Award-winning shrimp wrapped in bacon and glazed with smoky ancho chili sauce. These bites get perfect scores from BBQ judges.

Get the Recipe: Ancho Glazed Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Smoked Beer Cheese Brat Balls

Bratwurst rolled into smoky meatballs, drenched in rich beer cheese sauce. They’re bite-sized, cheesy, and perfect for football parties.

Get the Recipe: Smoked Beer Cheese Brat Balls

Grilled Shrimp Meatballs with Garlic Lime Aioli

Smoky shrimp and bacon meatballs paired with zesty garlic lime aioli. Bold, unexpected, and guaranteed to impress your crew.

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How to Make Garlic Knots

Fluffy knots of garlicky bread grilled until golden. Easy, shareable, and the ultimate sidekick to any smoky appetizer spread.

Get the Recipe: How to Make Garlic Knots

How to make guacamole for tacos and chips

This bold, creamy guacamole comes together in seconds. Pile it high with chips, tacos, or nachos and watch it disappear fast.

Get the Recipe: How to make guacamole for tacos and chips