Everything’s bigger in Texas, and that includes our tailgates! We love our food and our football, and when those two worlds collide, magic happens. From the Friday-night lights to cheering on your alma mater or NFL team, you need to stay fueled through every second of the game. Here, eight winning recipes for game day.
Tex-Mex Chili
Football season and chili go hand and hand. The jalapeños and chipotle chiles turn up the heat in this chili from Pati Jinich that offers a spiced-up Tex-Mex take on the classic fall dish. Let your guests serve themselves and garnish with a variety of toppings like sour cream, cilantro, shredded cheddar cheese, tortilla chips, and green onions.
Smoked Brisket Sandwiches with Pickled Vegetables
This sandwich will be a crowd-pleasing favorite at your next Texas-style tailgate, and it’s easy to make at home. Food & Wine’s recipe breaks down how to smoke a brisket into simple steps so it’s not as intimidating as it seems! Top your sandwich with cilantro and pickled vegetables for even more of a Tex-Mex vibe.
Fajita Bar
Feeding a crowd is easy with this fajita bar from De Su Mama, which lists out how to outfit your spread with the best fajita toppings and sides. Grill up the meat of your choice or make it even easier with John Soules Foods ready-to-eat beef or chicken fajita strips.
Gochujang Wings
Buffalo wings are always a fan favorite, but if you’re in the mood to switch it up, try this Korean spin. Instead of hot sauce, these spicy wings from MARS Mobile Kitchen in San Antonio are made with gochujang, a rich red chile paste that’s savory, sweet, and spicy.
Baked Spicy Corn and Chicken Dip
Whether your team is playing or not, you’ll win the day with this loaded creamy dip that hits all the same notes of elote. Made with sweet corn, spicy serranos, gooey cheese, lime, cilantro, and chicken, this Goodtaste original recipe can be made in advance and then popped in the oven as your guests arrive.
Pizza Fries
Pizza + fries: the combination you never asked for, but never knew you needed. These over-the-top pizza fries from sports bar haven Scruffy Duffies in Plano are a fast-food dream. Saucy and cheesy, load these up with your favorite pizza toppings for the ultimate game day mash-up.
Bean Chili Plantain Chip “Nachos”
Give your Tex-Mex favorite a healthy upgrade with fiber-rich plantain chips. This recipe from Goya Foods is made easy with an ultra-quick stovetop chili that’s dolloped with layers of shredded cheese. Another plus? The plantains are thicker than corn chips so they can hold up to the heft of the toppings.
Brisket Loaded Mac & Cheese
No Texas tailgate is complete without barbecue! This hearty recipe from Killen’s BBQ in Pearland brings gooey cheese, bacon, and chopped brisket together for an over-the-top mac-and-cheese! The creamy cheese and smoky brisket go together perfectly.
Hello Tanji,
You’re a genuine and special human being with a unique personality and charisma.
Love watching your show. Thank you for all your recipes and ideas. Football season is here and everyone is ready for tailgating and celebrating with friends, good food, cool refreshing drinks and cheering their favorite teams. Life is too short, enjoy family and friends. Cheers to life, health, happiness and football
Julius-Your kind message truly made my day. Thank you and thank you for watching! Cheers 🙂