Get ready for the big game with a fun (and delicious!) tailgate party! Printable party decor and easy tailgating foods make a simple spread that will definitely impress your guests!
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Albertsons. All opinions are 100% mine.
How to Plan a Tailgate Party
Tailgating is a great way to make an ordinary game even more fun! We have a long-standing tradition of watching certain games with family and friends, and it’s something we look forward to every year!
One of my favorite things about tailgating is that you can keep things simple or go as fancy as you’d like with the food! For a random weeknight game, we might cook some simple sliders or meatballs, serve veggies with ranch dip and call it good.
When we are hosting friends for a championship game or a big rivalry, we definitely step up our game! Here’s how to make your next tailgate party a smashing success!
Easy Tailgating Party Food Ideas
The best way to keep things simple for a tailgate party is to make a delicious tailgating menu with foods that are already prepared, or ones that are easy to prepare.
My local Albertsons store has a variety of delicious and convenient snacks, appetizers, and treats. They do all the hard work for me, so I can just relax and enjoy the game!
Here’s a list of crowd-pleasing tailgate food ideas that are easy to prep and perfect for game day – some savory, some sweet!
- Buffalo Chicken Dip – Spicy, cheesy, and scoopable with chips or veggies.
- Sliders – Mini burgers, pulled pork, or chicken sandwiches for easy handheld bites.
- Chili – A warm, hearty classic that you can serve in bowls or over hot dogs.
- Potato Salad & Pasta Salad – Two simple tailgate recipes to make-ahead!
- Tortilla Chips & Salsa/ Guacamole – Always a hit and easy to set out.
- Loaded Nachos – Pile them high with cheese, meat, beans, and all the toppings.
- Chicken Wings – Grilled or baked, wings are a must-have for any tailgate.
- Pigs in a Blanket – Classic, easy-to-make finger food everyone loves.
- Grilled Hot Dogs/ Sausages – Brats, hot dogs, or sausages on the grill with buns and toppings.
- Spinach Artichoke Dip – Another creamy dip perfect for chips or bread.
- Taco Bar – Set out shells, meat, toppings, and let people customize their tacos.
- Skewers/Kebabs – Grilled chicken, beef, or veggies on skewers for easy eating.
- Quesadillas – Cheesy, crispy, and perfect for dipping in salsa or sour cream.
- Pulled Pork Sandwiches – BBQ pulled pork served with coleslaw on soft rolls.
- Potato Skins – Loaded with cheese, bacon, and sour cream.
- Deviled Eggs – A tasty bite-sized option that’s easy to make ahead.
- Pretzel Bites & Beer Cheese Dip – Soft pretzels with a cheesy dip to match.
- Fruit & Veggie Platters – Lighter options for balance, with dip on the side.
- BBQ Meatballs – Easy to make ahead and serve on toothpicks.
- Cookies & Brownies – Sweet treats to round out the day.
Create an Appetizing Arrangement
Lay out everything your guests will need so that it’s easy to walk thru the line and fill their plates. Don’t forget paper goods and utensils!
Make it Festive
I love serving all the food and snacks in coordinating bowls and platters. You can dress up your tailgate party food table with some cute food labels, cupcake toppers, and a printable banner.
Painting white “laces” on brown paper bags is a fun way to serve chips, candies, and other treats! It takes just a few minutes to do, but these bags looks so cute, don’t they?
Tailgating Party Printables
To grab the printables we used for our tailgate party, enter your name and email address in the form below.
Planning the perfect tailgate party is easy and fun, and a great way to enjoy time with friends and family. Albertson’s stores have high-quality, freshly prepared meals and produce that will make cheering for your team easy and delicious!
I love how creative and cute these are, perfect for football season!
Thanks Lily!
Such great ideas! I loved your darling ID tags (tears of our rivals and penalty flags – lol!!!). And, I love the suggestions for foods to buy pre-made, so that I can spend more time making my spread look as darling as yours does. Hurray for football season – and YUMMY tailgate parties, too!
Thanks Shelley!
I love this idea! I can’t wait to use this for parties!
Thanks!