Getting ready for a big game this weekend? Whether you’re tailgating at the game or enjoying it with family and friends in the comfort of your own home, Football season is food season here in the South and no one wants to miss out on the fun by being in their kitchen!
Below you’ll find a collection of quick and easy recipes to enjoy on your game day. Visit each one to find a full photo tutorial on how to make it as well as a print friendly button in each post to print them out and take them with you. You’ll also find some quick tips from me as well!
Have a GOOD GAME!
1. My number one tip anytime you entertain is this: Cook as much as you can ahead of time. Everyone wants to enjoy the big game so planning ahead can keep you out of the kitchen and with your guests.
This photo is from last fall but it works! Notice the junk on top of the refrigerator, just keepin' it real for y'all ~winks~
2. Slow Cookers are your best friend! Slow cooking makes tender and juicy meat, perfect for sandwiches and BBQ plates. Many new models are easily portable, too!
Try this: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork BBQ (Click for recipe)
Click here to browse through Side Dish recipes on Southern Plate.
3. When it comes to desserts, think “grab and go”. Cookies, bar cookies, pound cakes, and brownies are great desserts to have on hand. They are sturdy, travel well, and easy to walk around with at tailgating events.
Try these: Peanut Butter Brownies with Peanut Butter Fudge Icing (Click for recipe)
4. Don’t forget the iced tea! No matter the season, Sweet tea is always the beverage of choice in the South. Here is my recipe for perfect sweet tea every time! To view a video of how to make it , click here.
Sweet Tea
- 5 regular size tea bags (orange pekoe is what we generally use)
- 3/4 cup sugar
Makes 2 quarts
Place tea bags in sauce pot fill about three inches and bring just to a boil, then remove from heat.
Fill pitcher 1/2 of the way with cool water and add sugar. Stir. Add hot tea, stir. Add more water, if necessary, to make two quarts. Serve over ice.
*It is important to add the cold water first and then the sugar before adding in the hot tea to prevent the sugar from being scorched and having a bitter flavor.
5. Enjoy your day! I’d love to hear about your favorite games and teams in the comments below. I’m team neutral myself so let me know your team and I’ll root for all of them!
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it
is like wrapping a present and not giving it.
— William Arthur Ward. Submitted by Jennifer. Got a great quote to add? We’d love to have it! Please click here to go to our quote submission page.
More great tips and exclusive recipes for family meals and entertaining are in my new cookbook! It will be on store shelves October 5th, pre order now!
I am completely sports illiterate but growing up in Cleveland- I guess I am a Browns fan!
I wanted to thank you for your Pulled Pork recipe! My husband’s family is Cuban and they KNOW pork. We recenly celebrated his mother’s birthday and I was asked to make a dish. I immediately thought of your pulled pork and gave it a try with amazing results! They loved the pork so much they skipped the buns and ate it straight from the dish! They all demanded the recipe! Thank you!!!!
I like to put the sugar in the tea water while it is hot to melt the sugar!
and btw….RRRROOOOLLLLLLLLL TTTTTIIIIIDDDDDDDEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
you go girl. roll tide
Our St. Louis RAMS have been pretty bad since Kurt Warner moved to Arizona, but that’s ok – we don’t feel bad missing the game action while we are stuffing our faces with ribs, nachos, and hot wings!! 🙂
Thanks for more great recipes, Christy!
Thanks again for some great game day recipes, but I’m from Ohio, went to Ohio State, so my favorite team is OSU. Since alabama is picked to be No. 1 this year, and OSU # 2, this might be the only time I’ll write you until January!! Make that the last of January!! Still love you tho! LOL
Veronica
Favorite pro team is the Pittsburg Steelers, who are gonna kick but this weekend (in case you wondered who was playing Cristy hehe) Like Veronica, I’m from Ohio so gotta root Buckeyes (also gives me a reason to make some really good candy ~wink~) for the college games!! I plan on making the BBQ stew for the Super Bowl.
Pulling for Green Bay this weekend. College is Alabama……Roll Tide! Of course, we did pull for the other school from Alabama during the national championship….go Auburn! Doesn’t the state of Alabama have great college football???? We are a football house with twin boys playing high school level. Fall Friday nights are tailgating at high school games and Saturday afternoon is food and football. Sundays are church and rest. Weekends in the South…..doesn’t get any better than this!