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Top Tips for your Tailgate

Football season is finally here! And whether you're rooting for your favorite professional, college or high school team, there's one thing all football fans enjoy: tailgating. Spending a few hours enjoying finger food, burgers or barbecue with your friends and family before the game is a great way to get your energy and spirits up to help cheer your team to a victory. Here are some of our favorite ideas for a tailgating feast.

Group of friends enjoying grilled food in the stadium parking lot.

Every good tailgating meal starts with appetizers. Serve this Charleston cheese dip with crackers, bagel chips or corn chips. Of course, you can also choose these fried mac and cheese balls or grilled bacon jalapeno wraps.

For a warm dish that'll fill you up, try this boilermaker tailgate chili, made with beef chuck and Italian sausage, or chicken and two bean chili, made with black beans and great northern beans.

Do you want a burger, but you still want to snack on other food? Then why not make some hearty barbecue bacon sliders ━ they're just as good! Other delectable dishes are crunchy onion chicken wings or grilled Hawaiian teriyaki chicken skewers with a side of purple potato salad.

While a lot of people think of meat when they think of tailgating, there's no reason you can't enjoy vegetarian dishes. Start with this chunky guacamole that gives just a little more bite than regular guacamole or these crunchy pretzel bites with a spicy cheddar cheese spread. If you enjoy comfort food, deep-fried mozzarella sticks with a coating of seasoned breadcrumbs and served with spicy marinara sauce are a delicious option.

Instead of a regular burger, try this stellar quinoa burger with guacamole and tomato chutney. You could also serve these scrumptious zucchini fritters with a soy dipping sauce or make deep-fried red pepper falafel.

And don't forget dessert! Pumpkin spice cupcakes or apple slab pie are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. If you're craving a bit of crunchiness, why not make this yummy chocolate popcorn? For a lighter, more tangy taste to cleanse your palate after dinner, these lime bars are a great snack to make ahead of time.

Football and tailgating go hand in hand ━ so load up all your groceries in, fire up your grill and be prepared to score a big win with your friends and family!


Family in the kitchen.

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