Game Day Food: 31 Incredible Recipe Ideas
On February 02, 2024 (Updated May 07, 2024)
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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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Jalapeno Poppers
These Grilled Jalapeno Poppers are awesome appetizers for your game party. If you have snackers, then you might want to make double.
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.
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.
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.
Smoked Jalapeño Poppers
If you want the perfectly flavorful appetizer for game day, then these Smoked Jalapeño Poppers will score big with your guests.
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.
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.
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 Instagram, Facebook, 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.
