22 Easy, Portable Recipes For A Tailgate On The Road

No matter how well your team plays, having these recipes at your tailgate spread is sure to score.

Although it doesn’t hurt, you don’t need a fancy rig to pull off a great tailgate on the road. All it takes is a little advance planning, careful packing, and recipes that travel well or that can be cooked on-site. When transporting food to a game, always keep hot food hot and cold food cold.

Transport cold dishes like coleslaw or potato salad in an ice-packed cooler serve them by nesting the serving bowls inside larger bowls of ice. Keep hot foods likes baked beans or chicken wings hot by transporting them in a slow cooker (if you have access to an outlet).

It’s always good to round out your menu with a few non-perishable snacks that don’t require refrigeration like pretzels, chips, snack mixes, and nuts. No matter how well your team plays, your tailgate spread is sure to score.

10 Things Southerners Won’t Tailgate Without, According To Our Readers

Cheese Slaw

Instead of cabbage, this Cheese Slaw is made with—well—cheese, making this recipe surprisingly portable. Still, it’s best to keep this slaw cool in an airtight container, and enjoy with your favorite corn chips, crackers, or crudité.

Texas Twinkies

You’ll be the MVP at the tailgate with these Texas Twinkies, no matter how far you’re traveling for the game. These bacon wrapped jalapeños are baked enough to crisp up the bacon around the sides, and they hold together well to travel. Smoky bacon, spicy jalapeño, creamy cheese and Cheddar, and tangy barbecue sauce make this recipe a fan favorite.

Candied Bacon Crackers

A little sweet, a little smoky, buttery and a hint of heat from black pepper, these candied bacon crackers are an easy crowd favorite. While they’re best served warm, they transport well and pair beautifully with tailgate favorites.

Best-Ever Brownies

These are the ultimate chewy, chocolatey, dense brownies. Once they’re cool, you can cut them into fun shapes—or even into bite sizes—for a little extra flair at your tailgate.

Pepper Sauce Watermelon Wedges

This twist on the salt and watermelon trick makes for a unique and addicting snack that is the perfect vinegary bite.

Copycat Publix Buffalo Chicken Dip

We all know and love the Publix buffalo chicken dip, and now you can make this tailgate classic on your own. This recipe is even better than store bought and easy to make for a true crowd pleaser.

Dry-Rubbed Smoked Chicken Wings

Bringing your smoker to the party? Try these incredible dry-rubbed chicken wings from our barbecue cookbook, South’s Best Butts. The recipe, from Butts To Go in Pell City, Alabama are coated with a Memphis-style dry rub and cooked low and slow for the most tender, finger-licking results.

Pimiento Cheese Stuffed Pepper

Pimiento cheese is a true Southern staple, and these stuffed peppers and the perfect bold bite for any tailgate. Quick to make and delicious to eat, these snacks are the best small snack for a long day. You’ll be popping them in your mouth as you take on challengers at the cornhole board.

Hasselback Sausage Bites

Everything about these sausage bites is made for the road: The sausage can stay warm and not loose any texture, and the dipping sauce is even better after sitting a while. Back these in an aluminum foil container, and they’ll be warm and ready when you get to the party.

Smoky Snack Mix

This recipe can be doubled or tripled easily, which we highly recommend. Don’t skip the white Cheddar cheese crackers—their buttery richness makes them the MVP of this hard-to-resist mix. Use paper cones to make this snack mix easier to grab and enjoy.

Mini Muffulettas

These sandwiches are small but they’re stuffed with layers of cheese, cold cut, and pickled vegetables. Prepare the muffulettas the day before the game, store in zip-top plastic freezer bags, and refrigerate overnight.

Texas Caviar

We love this party staple because it can be served cold or at room temperature and as a side dish or a dip with tortilla chips.

Buffalo Chicken Bites

You just might replace your usual chicken wing recipe with these easy-to-eat boneless chicken bites that are sure to disappear long before the big game.

Bacon Bow Tie Crackers

You might want to double this recipe, because these easy-to-take-along bow tie crackers won’t last long at any tailgate.

Basic Deviled Eggs

There’s no occasion that doesn’t get tastier when a tray of deviled eggs is involved. This classic take will wow your tailgate crowd.

Sweet-And-Salty Snack Mix

Whether your tailgate starts at the crack of dawn or lingers into late afternoon, this snack mix will satisfy everyone’s craving.

Georgia-Style Boiled Peanuts

Nothing tastes better with a cooler of cold beer than a classic boiled peanut. Make them in a slow cooker and haul it over to the tailgate to keep the boiled peanuts warm all day.

Stove-Top Bacon Popcorn

Get creative with your popcorn game. Bacon? And popcorn? It doesn’t get much better than that. Wrap your popcorn in snackable-sized paper. Extra points if it’s coordinated with your team’s colors.

Ham-And-Cheese Sliders

You know a tailgate dish is going to be a hit when Hawaiian rolls are involved. These sliders are perfect to please a crowd.

All-Time Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

Round out your spread with a chocolate chip cookie that’s earned the right to be called the best of the best.

Smoked-Tomato Salsa

With this flavorful dip, your tailgate buddies will want to know what brand of salsa they’re snacking on. Get ready for their reactions when you say it’s homemade.

Extra Crispy Fried Saltines

Just two ingredients and fabulously delicious. For tailgating, we love pairing these crispy buttery saltines with a creamy goat cheese and bacon jam spread, but they’re versatile to just about any game day dip. The best part is that they travel well: make them up to a week in advance.