Game Day Food: 31 Incredible Recipe Ideas

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When the big game is right around the corner, then you’ll want to be ready with the best Game Day Food ever. These are some of my favorite grilled and smoked recipes to be sure your party is the party is talked about for years.

Collage of dishes, including chicken wings with dip, baked potatoes, cheese dip, jalapeño poppers, and bratwurst. Text reads "31 Incredible Game Day Food Ideas".

Game Day Appetizers

You’ll want appetizers ready to go before kickoff so your guests can snack right away. Here are a few game day food appetizers I highly recommend when you need something tasty prior to the game:

Smoked shotgun shells next to cup of dipping sauce.

Smoked Shotgun Shells

These Smoked Shotgun Shells are so meaty they could be an entree. Manicotti stuffed with a spicy sausage, wrapped in bacon, and then cooked on the smoker for a savory, smoky delight.

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Pico de Gallo in bowl with tortilla chips for game day food cravings.

Easy Pico de Gallo

All the zesty, chunky tomato goodness you crave from salsa, with no cooking, my Easy Pico de Gallo is the fresh and vibrance our salty chip needs.

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Smoked candied bacon on black cutting board.

Smoked Candied Bacon

It won’t matter who wins when you’ve got my Smoked Candied Bacon. It’s the best food of all time (bacon) made even better with a sweet coating of maple syrup, brown sugar, and of course, my Sweet Rub.

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Buffalo chicken dip in skillet.

Smoked Buffalo Chicken Dip

Layers of cream cheese and pepper jack melted under smoked buffalo chicken, my Smoked Buffalo Chicken Dip is amazing. Grab some chips, then you’re set.

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Bacon wrapped carrots on grill grates.

Bacon Wrapped Maple Glazed Carrots

These Bacon Wrqpped Maple Glazed Carrots will steal the show at game time. They’re sweet, and savory, and have just the right amount of crispiness to make every bite a win.

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Skillet bacon queso stretching from bowl to corn chip.

Skillet Bacon Queso Dip

When the game’s underway, then you’ll be happy you have my Skillet Bacon Queso Dip. I mean, it’s bacon queso. You can’t go wrong.

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Pasta salad in black bowl is a sneaky good game day food snack.

The Best Pasta Salad

For a salad that can hold its own, even if it’s game day, look no further than The Best Pasta Salad. With homemade Italian dressing, it’s light and refreshing, but hearty enough for a crowd.

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Game Day Food

Now that you’ve got your guest started, let’s move on to the main course of game day food. When all your guests are surrounding the television, you want to have some good, hearty food to fill their bellies to keep spirits high:

Grilled chicken thighs on plate with lemon wedge.

Grilled Chicken Thighs

These Grilled Chicken Thighs are one of my favorite things to cook on the grill. They’re moist and tender with a fresh herb flavor. Chicken thighs grill up in less than 15 minutes, making them the perfect weeknight dinner for yourself and your loved ones.

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Poor man's burnt ends stacked on wooden cutting board.

Poor Man’s Burnt Ends

If you don’t want to cook up a whole brisket to make burnt ends, then these Poor Man’s Burnt Ends are a tasty cheat for a great game day snack.

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Beer brats on buns with mustard dip as an example of a game day food.

Smoked Brats with Beer Onions

Move over hot dogs, my Smoked Brats with Beer Onions are ready to take centerfield at the big game. They’re large and in charge and pack a big flavor punch.

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Brunswick stew in bread bowl next ti pot of stew.

Brunswick Stew

My Brunswick Stew is the stew you never knew you needed. It’s hearty, it’s delicious, and it’s a perfect way to use up leftover BBQ for your game day foods.

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Easy homemade chili in bowl next to spoon on cloth.

Easy Homemade Chili

Whether you’re looking for a little spice for the big game, you can’t go wrong with my Easy Homemade Chili recipe. Add your favorite toppings and you’re in for a cheesy, meaty, delicious treat that can’t be beat.

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Smoked pulled pork with meat claws on wooden cutting board.

Simple Smoked Pulled Pork Shoulder

My Simple Smoked Pulled Pork Butt (Smoked Pork Shoulder) is a go-to when you’ve got a hungry crowd to feed and don’t want fuss. With 3 ingredients, you’re looking at classic BBQ with plenty of flavor.

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Finger Foods for the Game

I’m all about having a variety of finger foods available when watching the big game. Many of these recipes can be served as-is or with some toothpicks to make snacking easy.

Hot dog burnt ends in cast iron skillet.

Hot Dog Burnt Ends

My Hot Dog Burnt Ends are like the best cocktail wieners you’ll ever have. They’re also awesome if you’re on a budget or you’ll have kids attending the party.

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Deviled eggs, placed on a a serving dish and then seasoned.

Smoked Devil Eggs

My Smoked Deviled Eggs are incredibly simple to make and a big-time crowd favorite. Make extra, they’re more popular than you think.

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Grilled asparagus on grill grates.

Grilled Asparagus

My Grilled Asparagus is the perfect accompaniment to any meal. With a crisp lemon and savory garlic flavor, this asparagus is simple, quick, and absolutely delicious.

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Brisket burnt ends on wooden cutting board.

Beef Brisket Burnt Ends

This Beef Brisket Burnt Ends recipe comes straight from the pitmasters in Kansas City’s biggest BBQ joints. Slow smoked brisket point is cubed and braised in a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce for the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth bites of meat candy.

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Twice baked potatoes, a single-bite game day food.

Twice Bake Potatoes

Rich and creamy inside with a crispy bite on the outside, my Twice Baked Potatoes have everything you’re looking for. If cheesy, velvety smooth potatoes stuffed in a savory skin and topped with crunchy bacon are what you crave, look no further.

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Game Day Wings

Wings are the ultimate game day food. They’re the perfect finger food, and they’re bursting with flavor. Grab the wet napkins; these wings are gonna be messy and delicious.

Crispy buffalo wings being tossed in sauce to be enjoyed as a game day food.

Crispy Buffalo Wings

Crispy, bite-through skin on juicy, tender wings, slathered in rich Buffalo sauce bursting with flavor and heat, my Crispy Buffalo WIngs on the grill are a must for any wing lover.

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Grilled chicken wings on plate with sauce cups.

Grilled Chicken Wings

These Grilled Chicken Wings are the ultimate game day snack. When I’m looking to feed a crowd, these wings (with 3 different dipping sauces) are quick, easy and beyond tasty.

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Honey BBQ wings up close.

Honey BBQ Wings

If you want something sweet for your wing lovers, then my Honey BBQ Wings are always a major crowd-pleaser. They’re sweet and tangy and great for celebrating touchdowns.

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Garlic Parmesan wings on plate.

Garlic Parmesan Wings

If you want to leave everyone licking their fingers and asking for more, then grill up a batch of my Garlic Parmesan Wings. Grilled to fall-off-the-bone perfection and seasoned in a simple garlic Parmesan wing sauce, these wings are ready for your tailgate party.

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Smoky and spicy wings next to dipping sauce.

Smoky and Spicy Jerk Wings

When you want a good spicy and smoky wing, bring a little heat (and lots of flavor) with these Smoky and Spicy Jerk Wings.

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Smoked wings on a white game day food platter.

Smoked then Fried Chicken Wings

Sometimes you can’t decide whether you want smoked or fried wings, and I understand. That’s why I created this recipe for Smoked Then Fried Chicken Wings. It’ll give you the best of both worlds so you don’t have to settle.

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Jalapeño Game Day Recipes

Lastly, what would game day be without some jalapeños? If you want heat and flavor, then my jalapeño recipes will spice up your game.

Grilled jalapeño poppers on plate.

Grilled Jalapeno Poppers

These Grilled Jalapeno Poppers are awesome appetizers for your game party. If you have snackers, then you might want to make double.

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Bacon wrapped meatballs on cutting board, perfect for game day food snacking.

Cheesy Jalapeno Bacon Smoked Meatballs

Bacon, jalapeños, and cheddar all in the most delicious meatballs ever in my recipe for Cheesy Jalapeno Bacon Meatballs. If you like a lot of flavor, then this one is for you.

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Bacon wrapped chicken poppers on black plate.

Bacon Jalapeño Popper Chicken Bombs

These Bacon Jalapeño Popper Chicken Bombs are packed with so much flavor, you might need to lie down after. Creamy cheese in a spicy jalapeño stuffed in a juicy chicken thigh wrapped in crispy bacon, then smoked to perfection.

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Hot corn dip being enjoyed as a game day food on a corn chip.

Smoked Bacon Jalapeño Hot Corn Dip

If you want a dip with some kick, then my Smoked Bacon Jalapeno Hot Corn Dip should do the trick. Made with bacon, jalapeños, cream cheese, and then smoked corn on the cob, it’s exploding with awesome flavor.

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Smoked jalapeño poppers puled on black cutting board.

Smoked Jalapeño Poppers

If you want the perfectly flavorful appetizer for game day, then these Smoked Jalapeño Poppers will score big with your guests.

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Apple jalapeño smoked ribs on cutting board.

Apple Jalapeno Smoked Ribs

These Apple Jalapeno Smoked Ribs are one of my most popular recipes. They’re just the right amount of sweet and spicy, so your guests will quickly go head over heels for these ribs.

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Bacon wrapped jalapeños on white plate.

Grilled Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapenos (AKA The Bomb Bombs)

Take your jalapeño poppers to the next level with my Grilled Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapenos. They’re filled with a meaty sausage and cheese filling that is to die for.

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Game Day Food Everywhere

Making some epic BBQ for the big game should be easy, and Hey Grill Hey is here to help. We’re all about helping you make better BBQ, feed the people you love, and of course, become a backyard BBQ hero. If you want to see more recipes, tips, and behind the scenes action, then follow along on our social channels. You can find us on InstagramFacebook, and, of course, YouTube.

You find all of these amazing recipes in the Hey Grill Hey app. All in all, we’ve got 0ver 500 awesome BBQ recipes for you. Many have how-to videos, and all of them have easy, step-by-step instructions for you to follow along while mastering the grill.


Game Day Food Recipes Video

About

FOUNDER/BBQ BOSS LADY

Susie is the BBQ Brain behind the Hey Grill Hey website. Her passion for smoked meats and developing fun, new recipes have landed her on the Food Network, cooking turkeys with Shaq, and on a couple of Guinness World Records. When she’s not grilling, she is hanging out with Todd and their three kids, preferably outdoors!

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