posted January 29, 2020
31 Incredible Game Day Food Ideas
When the big game is right around the corner, you’ll want to be ready with the best Game Day Food ever. Today, I’m covering my favorite grilled and smoked recipes to ensure your party is THE party people want to attend every single year.
Game Day Appetizers
Let’s start out with some starters, shall we? On game day, you’ll want to have some appetizers ready to go before kickoff so your fellow fans can start to snack first thing. Here are a few game day food appetizers that I highly recommend:
Smoked Salmon Dip
This Smoked Salmon Dip is creamy and dreamy with fresh smoked salmon and bright lemon. Pair it with crackers, bread, and crunchy vegetables for an awesome appetizer.
Smoked Salsa
Chips and salsa are always a great appetizer for any occasion, and my Smoked Salsa is an amazing way to enjoy classic salsa infused with smoky flavor.
Smoked Candied Bacon
It won’t matter if your team wins or loses if you’ve got my Smoked Candied Bacon at the party. This recipe takes the best food of all time (bacon) and makes it BETTER with a sweet coating of maple syrup, brown sugar, and my famous sweet rub seasoning.
Smoked Buffalo Chicken Dip
A layer of cream cheese and pepper jack is melted under smoked buffalo chicken for the most amazing Smoked Buffalo Chicken Dip ever. Simply grab some chips or crackers, and you’re all set.
Pineapple Cream Cheese Pig Shots
These Pineapple Cream Cheese Pig Shots are bite sized bacon wrapped sausages topped with cream cheese and pineapple. They make great, unique appetizers when you’re looking for something a bit different.
Skillet Bacon Queso Dip
When the big game gets underway, you’ll be happy you have some of this Skillet Bacon Queso Dip on hand. I mean…. it’s bacon queso. You really can’t go wrong with cheesy bacon goodness.
BBQ Chicken Nachos
For an appetizer that doubles as a meal, these BBQ Chicken Nachos are hearty and filling. Having some of these on hand for game day will help to keep your fellow fans happy and full.
Game Day Food
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. Check out a few of my favorites below:
Smoked Chile Verde
This Smoked Chile Verde is easy to make and off-the-charts delicious. Perfect for the big game, you can eat it as-is, or serve it in tacos, burritos, and so much more.
Poor Man’s Burnt Ends
When you don’t want to cook up a whole brisket to make burnt ends, these Poor Man’s Burnt Ends are a tasty alternative that make for a great game day snack.
Grilled Bratwurst
When you’re short on prep time, but you still want something hearty and tasty to eat during halftime, my Grilled Bratwurst are the perfect option.
Smoked Mississippi Pot Roast
Perfect for feeding a crowd during the big game, this Smoked Mississippi Pot Roast is easy to make and bursting with unique and amazing flavors.
Smoked Chili
This Smoked Chili is smoked and topped with crispy jalapeno rings for a spicy twist on the good ol’ chili recipe.
Cider Brined Pulled Pork
This salty, sweet apple Cider Brined Smoked Pulled Pork is made from a slow smoked brined pork shoulder that is cooked to tender, fall-apart perfection.
Game Day Finger Foods
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
Hot Dog Burnt Ends are like the best cocktail weiners you’ll ever have. They’re also awesome if you’re on a budget or you’ll have kids attending the party.
Bacon Wrapped Chicken Lollipops
These Bacon Wrapped Chicken Lollipops are handheld pops of smoked meat candy. They’re perfect for snacking while cheering on your favorite sport’s team.
Grilled Sweet Potatoes
If you’re looking for an awesome side to go with all your meaty good food, these Grilled Sweet Potatoes are quickly grilled and served with a chipotle lime dipping sauce for easy snacking.
BBQ Smoked Pork Belly
Cube up this BBQ Smoked Pork Belly and serve with toothpicks for the perfect one-bite finger food while everyone enjoys the game.
Sweet and Spicy Smoked Snack Mix
Coated with a Cholula caramel, this Sweet and Spicy Smoked Snack Mix is perfect to have on the coffee table during the entirety of the game for your guests to enjoy (assuming it even lasts to halftime!).
Game Day Wing Recipes
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 Smoked Chicken Wings
Baking powder is the secret ingredient to get the skin on these Crispy Smoked Chicken Wings crisp while they’re smoked on the grill to give them a best-of-both-words bite.
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 Heat Smoked Chicken Wings
Sweet, smoky, spicy, and fall-off-the-bone tender, you can’t go wrong with these Honey Heat Smoked Chicken Wings at your game day party.
Beer Brine Chicken Wings with Sticky Sweet Buffalo Sauce
Bursting with juice from the beer brine with stick-to-your-fingers goodness, my recipe for Beer Brine Chicken Wings with Sticky Sweet Buffalo Sauce are what messy wings aspire to be.
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.
Jalapeno Game Day Recipes
What would the big game be without a jalapeno recipe or two? They’re full of heat and flavor, and they’ll keep all your guests full while they enjoy the game.
Grilled Jalapeno Poppers
These Grilled Jalapeno Poppers are awesome served as appetizers at your game watch party. They’re the perfect size for snacking, and you might want to make a double batch, because these guys go FAST.
Cheesy Jalapeno Bacon Smoked Meatballs
Bacon, jalapenos, meatballs, and cheddar come together to make the most delicious meatballs ever in my recipe for Cheesy Jalapeno Bacon Meatballs.
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Chicken
This recipe for Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Chicken is the jalapeno popper you know and love in a chicken and bacon blanket. It’s filling and satisfying; perfect fuel for a long game.
Smoky Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese
Jalapenos, meet pasta. Once you’ve had my Smoky Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese, regular old mac and cheese just won’t cut it anymore. It’s creamy, cheesy, spicy, and so much more.
Raspberry Cream Cheese Jalapeno Poppers
If you love classic jalapeno poppers, you’ll love these Raspberry Cream Cheese Jalapeno Poppers. They’re your favorite popper with a sweet twist from the raspberry jam.
Apple Jalapeno Smoked Ribs
These Apple Jalapeno Smoked Ribs are one of my MOST popular recipes on my site. They’re just the right amount of sweet and spicy. Your guests will quickly go head over heels for these ribs.
Grilled Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapenos (AKA The Bomb Bombs)
Take your jalapeno poppers to the next level with my Grilled Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapenos (AKA The Bomb Bombs). They’re filled with a meaty sausage and cheese filling that is to die for.
Making some epic BBQ for the big game should be easy, and Hey Grill Hey is here to help! I’m all about helping you make better BBQ, feed the people you love, and become a backyard BBQ hero. If you want to see more of my recipes, tips, and behind the scenes action, follow along on my social channels. You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube!
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