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Tailgating

Tailgating is more than just a pre-game party--it's a serious business combining friends, food, and football.

Tailgating Tips

Arrive 3 to 4 hours before the game
Fly a flag so friends can locate you
Decorate your tailgate site
Meet your tailgate neighbors
Leave the area clean

Tailgating Trivia

According to the American Tailgaters Association, 30% of tailgaters never see the inside of the stadium.

The first inter-collegiate tailgate party was in November 1869, when Rutgers played Princeton.

Tailgating Essentials

Bottle opener and corkscrew
Trash bags for clean-up
Paper towels, plates, napkins and utensils for serving
A slicing knife and cutting board
Meat thermometer
Foil, plastic wrap and re-sealable bags
A "tailgate tablecloth"
Extra cooler and ice
Frozen bottles of water (You can use less ice in the cooler)
First Aid kit
Chairs, tables, and blankets
Radio or TV to hear the play-by-play

Sideline Sippers

Post-Game Sweets

Fire up the grill, drop those tailgates, and put out some tasty delights. You and your fellow fans will have a great time, no matter what the final score!

Plan your winning menu strategy with our complete collection of fun football foods.

Tailgating Recipe Collection

Kick-Off Appetizers and Snacks

Pack lots of potato chips, tortilla chips, peanuts, pita chips and crackers.

Gridiron Grilling

Don't forget condiments: ketchup, mustard, relish, sauerkraut, steak sauce and any other favorite seasonings.

Fan Sandwiches and Sides

When you're not up for grilling, prepare these hearty sandwiches and side dishes ahead of time. Dedicate a small cooler for transporting hot foods.

Touchdown Soups and Chilis

Nothing's more warming on a chilly fall day.

More Tailgating Ideas

Score big with these crowd-pleasing recipes to feed your football frenzy.

Big Game, Big Food

Comments

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Jennifer Paidosh

Sep. 11, 2009 6:30 am

We are going to the first home game at the new TCF Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus tomorrow! We're ready to tailgate and this will get us going with ease!

Teresa's Favorite Recipes

Sep. 30, 2009 12:00 pm

I'm creating a Family recipe book for my niece and her fiance and thought about adding these tips and grill recipes.

jpepp

Feb. 24, 2010 5:35 pm

All football fans i see! Horserace season is coming and i need good recipes for that type of event. I am tired of the same spread we do every spring race season. Any suggestions. It has to be ok to be outside for a while so no mayo.

CookinGood

Sep. 19, 2010 5:57 pm

My son and I are race fans and in order to claim our spot and be close to the same neighbors every time, we get to the track at 6 AM for the night race. This means breakfast in the parking lot, so, we need some new ideas for tailgate breakfast. Love to hear from Y'all.

Marv

Sep. 21, 2011 1:29 pm

We still have a Drive In Theater here in Lake County, California that still plays 2 movies on Friday and Saturday in the summer - We arrive as soon as the gates open (actually about a half hour before so we get a good spot) and do a tailgate dinner prior to the start of the movie which is when it turns dark. Usually there are several couples and we park the cars leaving a space between where we put our chaise lounges and sit back and enjoy - these hints, etc will help make it ever more enjoyable. Thanks, ~Marv~

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