Ultimate Game Day Menu
Conquer the food with this ultimate game day menu designed to be easy yet satisfying, with a mix of familiar classics and little twists to keep things fun and interesting. From snacks, drink ideas, simple mains, and fun dessert options, we’ve got it all covered here.
Snacks and Starters
For a classic game day vibe, go relatively heavy on your starters and snacks. This ensures guests can graze when they want to, and lets you satisfy a wide range of appetites and preferences by offering variety here.
- Pinto Bean Nachos – a hearty yet meatless spin on a classic.
- Homemade Blender Salsa and Guacamole – for extra credit on those nachos!
- Pineapple Salsa or Mango Avocado Salsa – for a fun, fruity option that pairs so well with salty tortilla chips.
- Chipotle Street Corn Dip – one of my most-requested party foods.
- BBQ-Glazed Bacon Chicken Bites or 3-ingredient Crockpot Meatballs – for the carnivorous attendees.
- Puff Pastry Pizza Bites or an assortment of flatbreads – BBQ chicken, pesto, and pepperoni pizza are my favorites for a casual party.
- Caprese Skewers – a classic crowd-pleaser.
- Homemade Honey Mustard Pretzels or Rye Chip Chex Mix – gotta have a crunchy item.
- Football Snack Tray – one fun themed appetizer goes a long way!
Make it Fun!
Set the stage with a turf table runner. No quicker, more affordable way to make a bold impact and it would also be great for any golf, spring, or soccer-themed gathering.
Drinks
Obviously, don’t forget an assortment of drinks, including some fun non-alcoholic options to complement any beer, wine, or cocktails. We always have sparkling waters on hand, and the range of NA beers is really growing and improving in quality all the time.
Football Party Main Dish Ideas
For a game watch, keep your main dish options simple. You want to opt for something guests or family members can serve themselves easily and potentially eat while standing — and cheering, you hope!
- Chili is always a good idea – we love a classic blue ribbon beef chili or white bean chicken chili for the omnivores, and sweet potato black bean or pumpkin chili are just as satisfying for their vegetarian friends. For a large crowd, pick two types of chili and set out toppings to include shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, corn chips, cilantro, thinly-sliced jalapenos, etc.
- Crockpot BBQ Chicken – another fantastic game day option! Serve this straight from the slow cooker with buns for sandwiches or bowls with simple add-ons like coleslaw and pickles.
- Instant Pot Carnitas – make a big batch of carnitas and keep them warm to let guests make tacos or bowls on demand. This is a dream pairing with pineapple salsa and simple tortillas or white rice. You could also do the same type of spread with a big batch of barbacoa or shredded Mexican chicken. Yum!
Desserts
Don’t let the savory side have all the fun! A few fun sweet options:
- Football Cupcakes.
- Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies with M&Ms to match team colors.
- Nutella or one-bowl chewy chocolate brownies.
- Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats – literally always popular.
- A fruit tray for a lighter sweet treat.
If you try any of these ideas, leave a comment below and let us know your favorites! I love hearing how these ideas turn out in your kitchen, and it helps other readers, too.
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