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It’s no secret that football fans are willing to sacrifice and suffer to support their favorite teams. They fight the sweltering heat during the first half of the season and endure the icy blast of winter as the season comes to a close. As games get more important, tailgating and bleacher-sitting gets more unbearable—oftentimes because you’ve inadvertently become a human icicle.
Luckily, we’ve compiled a short list of tailgate recipes for cold weather that will boost your spirits while you wallow in your truck bed waiting for kickoff. Here’s a countdown of our five must-have foods for tackling tailgating in the frozen tundra:
5. Tuna Salad Sandwiches
Firing up a charcoal grill can be incredibly difficult in cold conditions, so it’s important to come prepared with a backup, premade meal that don’t require heat. For a fast and filling meal, bring tuna salad to your tailgate. Grab a few tuna cans, mayo, apples, onions and celery. Dice up the ingredients, mix them all together and enjoy! The best aspect of this tailgate option is its convenience—a batch of tuna salad sandwiches can be whipped up in mere minutes!
4. Chili Queso Dip
No tailgate, regardless of weather, is complete without chips and dip. We suggest adding some Southwestern spice to your tailgate with this fantastic chili queso cheese dip. A chip’s perfect companion, this queso dip will melt in your mouth and provide you with a little extra meat for fuel.
3. Breakfast Tacos
This is a great option for tailgaters who are brave enough to bring out their grills and are looking for energy before a chilly morning game. To get started, whip up some scrambled eggs in a skillet and toast a package of tortillas. Bring a variety of pre-cut toppings in baggies and let the whole tailgate customize their tacos! A huge plus to this option is the taco’s portability. You can move amongst tailgates at will with the contents of your taco wrapped securely in a tortilla!
When you set up, keep in mind the position of your grill relative to the wind—you don’t want your smoke to bother neighboring tailgates.
2. Frito Pie
Heat up your crockpot and take your tailgate to a whole new level with some delicious Frito pie. This family favorite is easy to make—simply cook ground beef alongside beans and tomatoes on the stove or in a crockpot. For the finishing touch, add cheese and some delicious Frito corn chips! Check out our favorite Frito chili pie recipe here.
1. Chicken Soup
Chicken soup is the go-to winter weather food for moms everywhere—you can’t go wrong. Grab a large, family-size thermos and store your piping hot, pre-prepared soup safely inside. Our favorite chicken soup recipe is easily better than the Campbell’s variety and includes onions and celery.
Don’t worry about having to eat tepid soup at your tailgate—most thermoses trap in warmth for five to seven hours.
These foods will help make chilly pre-game parties more enjoyable! Comment below with your favorite cold weather tailgating foods!
