There’s nothing worse than missing kickoff because you’re stuck prepping all of the important game day snacks and meals. The best tailgate food is the kind you can prep ahead, throw on the grill (or in the slow cooker), and to feel confident and ready to take on game day.
Whether you’re hosting in the backyard or packing up for the stadium parking lot, these easy game day recipes will help make feeding a game day crowd simple.
Brat & Veggie Foil Packs
You’ll Need:
- Gartner’s Original or Jalapeño Brats
- Bell peppers
- Yellow onion
- Baby potatoes
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Salt & pepper
Prep Ahead:
Slice the vegetables, toss them with a little olive oil and seasonings, then divide everything into foil packets with the brats. Refrigerate overnight.
Game Day:
Place the foil packs on the grill for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through. Serve with your favorite mustard and toasted brat buns.
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
You’ll Need:
- Gartner’s Pork Shoulder Roast
- Your favorite BBQ sauce
- Slider buns
- Coleslaw (optional)
Prep Ahead:
Cook the pork low and slow the day before until it’s fall-apart tender. Shred it and store it in the cooking juices.
Game Day:
Reheat everything in the slow cooker and let everyone build their own sliders.
Marinated Beef or Chicken Kabobs
You’ll Need:
- Gartner’s Marinated Beef or Chicken Kabobs
Prep Ahead:
Simply swing by Gartner’s and pick up your favorite kabobs. Store them in the fridge until it’s time to cook!
Game Day:
Grill for about 8–12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the meat reaches the correct internal temperature.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
You’ll Need:
- Shredded cooked chicken
- Cream cheese
- Buffalo sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Prep Ahead:
Cook and shred your chicken ahead of time. Mix everything together in a baking dish and refrigerate.
Game Day:
Bake until hot and bubbly or warm it in a slow cooker. Serve with tortilla chips, crackers, celery, or carrots.
Italian Sausage Pasta Salad
You’ll Need:
- Gartner’s Italian Sausage
- Rotini pasta
- Cherry tomatoes
- Mozzarella pearls
- Black olives
- Pepperoncini
- Italian dressing
Prep Ahead:
Slice the sausage, toss everything together and refrigerate overnight.
Serve cold and enjoy!
Breakfast Tailgate Burritos
You’ll Need:
- Gartner’s Breakfast Sausage
- Scrambled eggs
- Hash browns
- Shredded cheese
- Flour tortillas
Prep Ahead:
Cook breakfast sausage, scrambled eggs and hash browns. Assemble the burritos, wrap them in foil, and refrigerate.
Game Day:
Warm them on the grill until heated through.
Marinated Short Ribs
You’ll Need:
- Gartner’s Marinated Short Ribs
Prep Ahead:
Honestly… nothing. They’re already marinated and ready to go.
Game Day:
Grill over medium-high heat for about 2-4 minutes per side. Let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
Pair with potato salad, grilled corn, or a bag of kettle chips and you’ve got an easy, delicious dinner.
Keep It Simple with Brats
Sometimes the easiest option is the best one.
Pick up your favorite Gartner’s brats, slice some onions and peppers the night before, pack your buns and condiments, and let everyone build their own. Quick, easy and delicious!
Smoked Sausage Snack Board
Need something people can snack on while the grill heats up?
Slice up a variety of Gartner’s Smoked Sausages and serve them with cheese cubes, crackers, pickles, grapes, and a couple different mustards. It comes together in minutes and is sure to keep people happy while waiting for the rest of your game day spread to be complete.
A Few Tailgate Tips
A little prep the night before makes game day so much easier.
- Chop your veggies ahead of time
- Marinate meats overnight when needed
- Pack everything into coolers so you’re ready to go
- Don’t forget serving utensils, paper plates, napkins, and plenty of drinks
Stock Up at Gartner’s Before Kickoff
Whether you’re grilling brats, kabobs, or heating up pulled pork for sliders, starting with quality meat makes all the difference.
Stop by Gartner’s before game, stock up on your favorites, and spend less time cooking and more time enjoying time with family and friends.