• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Smoked Meat Sunday
  • Smoked Meat Recipes
    • Beef
    • Chicken
    • Poultry
    • Pork
    • Seafood
    • Appetizers
    • Dessert
    • BBQ Sides
  • BBQ Tips
  • Thermometers
  • Newsletter

45 Of My Favorite Tailgate Food Recipe Ideas

Jan 9, 2025 · 1 Comment

Love what you see? Share this BBQ!

731 shares

Are you cooking for the big game? Maybe you just have a big group of friends coming over for a backyard bbq? Or maybe you're sitting at home with your family watching the game on the couch. No matter the situation, you're gonna need some good tailgate food recipes.

This list of 45 tailgate food recipes is a list of some of my favorite bbq recipes. It includes appetizers, main courses, and desserts that are loaded with smoky delicious flavor.

I hope you love this list of tailgate party recipe ideas! If you end up cooking one of these recipes for the big game, take some pics and tag me on social media @smokedmeatsunday

45 smoked tailgate and game day recipes
Love this post? Pin this image!

Table of Contents

  • Smoked appetizers perfect for the game
  • Bacon Wrapped Armadillo Eggs
  • Crispy Chicken Wings
  • Chipotle Smoked Pig Shots
  • Pork Belly Burnt Ends
  • Smoked Queso With Poblano And Pepper Jack
  • Poor Man's Burnt Ends
  • Smoked Meatballs
  • Bacon Candy
  • Smoked Chex Mix
  • Jalapeno Poppers
  • Buffalo Chicken Dip
  • Smoked Little Smokies
  • Smoked Shotgun Shells
  • Ten Minute Sweet and Spicy Shrimp
  • Loaded Pulled Pork Nachos
  • Stuffed Mushrooms
  • Smoked Rosemary Bacon
  • Hasselback Potatoes
  • Corned Beef Brisket Burnt Ends
  • Smoked Beer Cheese
  • Spicy Peanut Butter Chicken Wings
  • Bacon-Wrapped Brussel Sprouts
  • The main event
  • Smoked Brisket
  • Pulled Pork
  • Over the Top Smoked Lasagna
  • Shredded Beef Tacos
  • Baby Back Ribs
  • Chicken Thighs
  • Smoked Chorizo Stuffed Peppers
  • Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs
  • Chuck Roast Chili
  • Smoked Beer Can Chicken
  • Juicy Lucy's
  • Korean Style Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends Tacos
  • Smoked Pot Roast Recipe
  • Hatch Chili Mac and Cheese
  • Rib Sandwiches
  • Beef Chuck Ribs
  • Desserts for game day
  • Smoked Bacon Wrapped Oreos
  • Smoked Oreo Cheesecake
  • Smoked Apple Pie
  • 3-Ingredient Smoked Peanut Butter Cookies
  • Smoked Peach Cobbler
  • Looking for a game day drink?
  • Spicy Smoked Pineapple Margarita
  • Smoked Ice Cubes
  • The Ultimate List of Game Day Foods and Appetizers

Smoked appetizers perfect for the game

Everyone loves some good ol' finger foods to munch on while tailgating or watching the big game with friends. Check out some of my favorites!

Bacon Wrapped Armadillo Eggs

Smoked armadillo eggs on white plate

Stuffed jalapeños wrapped in pork sausage...wrapped in bacon....yep!

Crispy Chicken Wings

smoked chicken wings
Who doesn't love a pile of chicken wings

Chicken Wings are great, but smoked chicken wings are better. This is by far my most requested meal by friends and family.

Chipotle Smoked Pig Shots

Chipotle smoked pig shots

Pig shots you say? Yes- and every bite is packed with flavor.

Pork Belly Burnt Ends

pork belly burnt ends

If you haven't tried pork belly burnt ends yet, you're missing out.

Smoked Queso With Poblano And Pepper Jack

Smoked queso in cast iron pan

Smoked queso has become a favorite in many households, try this one with a different blend of cheeses!

Poor Man's Burnt Ends

poor man burnt ends

They're called poor man's burnt ends, but the flavor is rich and delicious.

Smoked Meatballs

Stuffed Meatballs on white platter

Meatballs stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon. What else needs to be said?

Bacon Candy

Smoked Candied bacon in metal holder.

It is what it is...bacon....candy. This is so easy and so addicting.

Smoked Chex Mix

Smoked Chex mix

This snack mix is the ultimate game day snack. You can customize it to your liking but this recipe will feed the entire gang and then some.

Jalapeno Poppers

a tray of Smoked Jalapeno Poppers great for game day

You need some jalapeno poppers on your menu...always. These bad boys are made with smoked beef stew meat as the starter!

Buffalo Chicken Dip

smoked buffalo chicken dip

Take all the flavors off buffalo chicken and turn it into this amazing, warm, and cheesy dip!

Smoked Little Smokies

little smokies in pan

Ah..these little smokies are a classic. Easy, a crowd pleaser, and delicious.

Smoked Shotgun Shells

Smoked shotgun shells great for tailgating

Have you tried this phenomenon yet? DO IT!

Ten Minute Sweet and Spicy Shrimp

ten minute sweet and spicy shrimp

Want a little seafood on the menu? These sweet and spicy shrimp are really easy and flavorful.

Loaded Pulled Pork Nachos

pulled pork nachos on a baking sheet

Pulled pork nachos are such a great way to feed the entire crew. Top them with all of your favorites.

Stuffed Mushrooms

low carb stuffed mushrooms

Stuffed mushrooms make a great addition to the spread.

Smoked Rosemary Bacon

candied bacon with rosemary

If you couldn't tell already...I like bacon. Every form. And this recipe does not disappoint.

Hasselback Potatoes

hasselback potatoes

These potatoes are a great side dish.

Corned Beef Brisket Burnt Ends

corned beef brisket burnt ends

Like burnt ends? You need to try this version!

Smoked Beer Cheese

Smoked pretzels and beer cheese

Need I say more? Pretzels and beer cheese.

Spicy Peanut Butter Chicken Wings

spicy peanut butter chicken wings on a cutting board

You can never have enough chicken wings for game day and these are a favorite!

Bacon-Wrapped Brussel Sprouts

bacon wrapped brussels sprouts

These brown sugar bacon wrapped Brussels sprouts from Hey Grill Hey are a nice option especially if you feel the need for some vegetables.

The main event

If you are feeding a crowd or just want to have a hearty meal, check out some of these favorite smoked main dishes.

Smoked Brisket

smoked brisket
Everyone loves a perfectly smoked brisket

Brisket is a smoked meat staple. If you're serving brisket at your tailgate or Super Bowl watch party, the people will be happy.

Pulled Pork

pulled pork sandwich
Pulled pork and a beer? Yes please!

Pulled pork is a great tailgate party recipe. It's a versatile cut of meat, and people absolutely devour it.

Over the Top Smoked Lasagna

smoked lasagna

Meaty lasagna cooked the way we like it....sauce made over the top style then everything cooked in the smoker.

Shredded Beef Tacos

Smoked and Shredded Beef Tacos
Who doesn't love a good shredded beef taco?

Similar to pulled pork, shredded beef is versatile and delicious. Serve it with corn tortillas and watch the meat disappear.

Baby Back Ribs

pork baby back ribs
Smoked Ribs? Yes Please!

Baby Back ribs are great tailgate food. They're easy to serve, and you can eat them with one hand...

Chicken Thighs

Smoked Chicken Thighs

One of my favorite things to make on a smoker. Chicken Thighs are so damn tasty, and the perfect simple tailgate party recipe.

Smoked Chorizo Stuffed Peppers

Smoked chorizo stuffed peppers

Like stuffed peppers? Give this chorizo version a try.

Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs

bacon wrapped hot dogs from Traeger

Everything is better wrapped in bacon.

Chuck Roast Chili

Smoked Chili Recipe

If the temps have dropped, this hearty chili is just what you need.

Smoked Beer Can Chicken

beer can chicken recipe

Making a whole chicken is a great way to feed a crowd. This beer can style chicken is moist, juicy, and flavorful!

Juicy Lucy's

Juicy Lucy's loaded with mushrooms and swiss cheese

Burgers are better when they are stuffed with mushrooms and swiss cheese.

Korean Style Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends Tacos

korean style smoked pork belly burnt ends

Ready for a flavor explosion? Here it is. These tacos are a favorite around here.

Smoked Pot Roast Recipe

smoked pot roast

Nothing is more comforting or warming than a hearty pot roast. And just wait until you make it on the smoker for the most tender fall part meat ever.

Hatch Chili Mac and Cheese

smoked mac and cheese with hatch chiles and bacon

This mac and cheese recipe is by far one of my favorites.

Rib Sandwiches

homemade mcribs

A homemade McRib sandwich... yes my mouth is watering typing this.

Beef Chuck Ribs

beef chuck ribs

These beef ribs will knock the socks off your family and friends. Great for game day for sure.

Desserts for game day

Okay everyone needs a little something sweet, too. Men and women alike will enjoy some of these desserts made on the pellet grill!

Smoked Bacon Wrapped Oreos

bacon wrapped smoked Oreos

Okay it may catch you off guard at first. But the combo of bacon and Oreos is actually amazing and something a little different to snack on.

Smoked Oreo Cheesecake

whole smoked oreo cheesecake

This Oreo cheesecake is awesome. That is all.

Smoked Apple Pie

Smoked apple pie on plate

A classic pie made on the smoker. And it is easier than you think and delicious.

3-Ingredient Smoked Peanut Butter Cookies

peanut butter cookies

These smoked cookies are incredibly easy to whip up and great for snacking.

Smoked Peach Cobbler

Spoon in peach cobbler

This is one of our favorite desserts...ever. And your friends will thank you for this one.

Looking for a game day drink?

Spicy Smoked Pineapple Margarita

smoked pineapple margarita

Need something to drink to wash down all the amazing food? This margarita starts with a smoked pineapple and jalapeño.

Smoked Ice Cubes

smoked ice cubes

Smoked ice cubes add so much flavor to drinks and cocktails... try this pineapple rum cocktail!

The Ultimate List of Game Day Foods and Appetizers

Whoa! If you made it this far, congrats! I would have clicked away to one of these delicious recipes about halfway through.

The next time you're cooking for a tailgate party or just a big group of friends or family, come back to this list and pick one of these great tailgate food recipes!

Do you have some other tailgate party ideas I missed? Let me know in the comments!

More Tips

  • Inside of a Dirty pellet Grill
    How to Clean A Pellet Grill
  • Sliced flank steak on a cutting board
    Skirt Steak vs. Flank Steak: What’s the Difference?
  • how to make a bacon weave
    How To Make A Bacon Weave
  • sliced brisket
    12 Best Meats to Smoke

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Smoked Meat Sunday

I've been barbecuing for 25 years and Smoked Meat Sunday is a collection of my experience and recipes.

Beyond the smoker, I love to travel, learn about new cuisines, and incorporation those traditions into my cooking.

Footer

Contact Us

Have a Question? Email us! chris@smokedmeatsunday.com
Boat Safe BBB Business Review
Trustpilot
DMCA.com Protection Status
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Affiliate Disclaimer
  • About
  • eBook & Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2026 Smoked Meat Sunday on the Seasoned Pro Theme