30 Easy Recipes for Game Day Tailgating in Your RV
Who’s ready for football season, tailgating parties and cooler weather? We sure are! We’ve rounded up some tasty tailgating recipes, because what’s a football game without food?
Recipe Ideas to Elevate RV Tailgating on Game Day
I didn’t even really know that RV tailgating was a thing until we started RVing. But it makes so much sense! You get to bring all the comforts of home with you. You have your kitchen, you can cook inside or outside, you have your own bathroom and shelter from the weather. Could tailgating get any better than that? We don’t think so.
We asked some blogging colleagues to submit their favorite tailgating recipes and did they ever deliver! From meatballs and beer brats to sliders and dips galore, you’ll have no problem putting together a game day menu.
Tailgating Appetizers
It’s good to have a few appetizers ready to go so football fans have something to snack on while the main dishes are being prepared. Or maybe you’re like us and the appetizers are the main dishes. Either way, these tailgating appetizers are sure to please a crowd.
Bacon Cheeseburger Bites
Are you looking for a low carb, keto, grab and go appetizer for game day? Try a platter of bacon cheeseburger bites that are the perfect party food.
Check out this Bacon Cheeseburger Bite recipe from Keto Cooking Christian.
Garlic Ranch Pretzels
What do you get when you mix pretzels, ranch dressing mix, olive oil and garlic powder? A tasty snack perfect for game day eatin’. Check out this simple Garlic Ranch Pretzel recipe from Pumpkin ‘n Spice.
Crispy Fried Pickles
Make room for these fried pickles on your snack table because they definitely deserve a spot! Whip these up in a skillet or air fryer. You can use this Crispy Fried Pickle recipe from Cadry’s Kitchen.
Mini Pigs in a Blanket
You can’t go wrong with pigs in a blanket! They are a definite crowd-pleaser for kids and adults alike. Make these with crescent rolls or puff pastry, sprinkle on some sesame seeds, and you have the perfect party appetizer. Plus, they only take about 15 minutes and should cook up well in most RV ovens.
I recommend following this Mini Pigs in a Blanket recipe from Masala Herb.
Sour Cream Dip for Chips and Veggies
You can’t go wrong with a classic sour cream dip recipe. Gameday watchers will love dipping their veggies and chips in this super easy to prepare appetizer.
This simple Sour Cream Dip recipe is a great choice for game day prep.
Texas Caviar
For this Texas gal, football and Texas Caviar go hand in hand. You may also know this dish as Cowboy Caviar.
This recipe is quite similar to the dishes I’ve enjoyed from other great cooks. It features blackeyed peas, corn, bell pepper, and cilantro. You can jazz it up with avocado and Rotel, if available.
Serve Texas Caviar with chips, warm flour tortilla bites, or as a taco topping. If you haven’t made this dish before, check out this simple Texas Caviar recipe from The Comfort of Cooking.
Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks
You only need two ingredients for this tasty snack. Buy some toothpicks and use a grill to make these super easy appetizers. Between the salty bacon and the melty cheese, you might just have to fend off your RV tailgating neighbors.
Are you drooling? Check out the Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella recipe from Let’s Camp S’more.
Mexican Tortilla Pinwheels
If you’re looking for an appetizer that requires no baking and little room for prep, these pinwheels are it.
All you have to do it mix up the cream cheese mixture, spread it on the tortillas, roll up and cut into slices. So easy!
Want to know more? See all the details in this Mexican Tortilla Pinwheel recipe.
Marinated Cheese Pepper and Olives
This appetizer takes almost no time to make, travels well so you can make it ahead of time and the flavors sound incredible! Serve this with crackers or just shovel it in your mouth with a spoon – either is acceptable in my opinion.
You hardly need a recipe for this simple dish. But, I like having one on hand for a shopping list. So, here you go. Review this Marinated Cheese Pepper and Olives recipe.
Charcuterie Board
Well doesn’t this look like perfection? If you’ve never made a charcuterie board, doing one for a tailgating party is the perfect time to try.
This elevates game day by several notches. Check out the image below from The Rising Spoon for inspiration.
7 Layer Black Bean Dip
7 layer bean dip is one of my most favorite things to serve and eat at a football party, but, it requires quite a bit of ingredients.
I’d definitely recommend making this 7 Layer Dip recipe a day before the big game. It keeps well in the fridge.
Easy Game Day Snack Mix
You can’t go wrong setting out a snack mix like this one for your tailgating party. Plus, it doesn’t get much easier than this! You throw everything in a bowl, mix and eat.
When you need some ideas for what to put together, use the Snack Mix recipe from Grits and Pinecones.
Slow Cooker Tailgating Recipes
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken & Bacon Sliders
These sliders are topped with tender chicken, sliced cheddar cheese, thinly sliced red onion and BBQ sauce. After popping them in the oven for a few, the cheese is melty, the buns are soft and they’re ready for consumption.
We follow the Creamy Chicken & Bacon Slider recipe from Who Needs a Cape.
Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs
Only four ingredients and these are made in the crockpot. To me, that makes this the perfect RV-friendly tailgating recipe. Throw in your four ingredients, set it and forget it. Enjoy tasty, saucy meatballs in just a few hours.
Try this very simple recipe for Grape Jelly Meatballs.
BBQ Braised Rib Tacos
Tacos are a great option for a game-day menu because, well, they’re tacos and tacos are a gift to mankind. Now when we say elevate game day tailgating, braised rib tacos takes it to a whole new level.
Either set up a taco bar where people can make their own or prepare ahead of time, wrap in foil and they can easily grab one to eat while watching the game.
Check out this BBQ Braised Rib Taco recipe from Orchids and Sweet Tea.
Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken BBQ Sliders
You can never have too many sliders at a tailgating party. This Chicken BBQ Slider recipe is great for RV tailgating because it’s made in the crockpot.
That means you can prep ahead so you’re not cooking during game time. Also, sliders are the perfect grab and go dish. So everyone in your party can simply serve themselves.
Bourbon Whiskey BBQ Meatballs
How does 5-minutes of prep work sound? Fantastic, I know! Whip these up quickly, throw them in the crockpot and then serve with toothpicks when they’re ready to devour.
I can pretty much guarantee people will make these disappear in a few seconds. Consider making a double batch using this Whiskey BBQ Meatballs recipe from Midwest Foodie.
Instant Pot Tailgating Recipes
Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
If you come to my tailgating or football party, you’ll without a doubt see BBQ pulled pork sandwiches out and ready to devour.
They are my favorite grab and go menu items, especially done in the Instant Pot. Add to this a homemade tangy BBQ sauce and you have a fantastic game-day option to add to your menu.
Check out the Pulled Pork Sandwich recipe from My Kitchen Love.
Functionality includes pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, saute, yogurt maker, and sterilizer, among other settings. Multiple sizes available (3QT, 6QT, 8QT).
- Programmable settings allow you to set and forget
- Quick and easy clean up for RV cooking
- Built-in safety features to prevent overheating
Keto Instant Pot Chili Queso Dip
If you need an appetizer that’s low carb, gluten-free and prepared in the instant pot or slow cooker, this recipe is for you. Chili Cheese Queso Dip has a little bit of a kick and is the perfect dip for celery, chicken or veggies.
Inspired? Try this Chili Queso Dip recipe from Beauty and the Foodie.
Loaded Baked Potato Soup
If there’s one thing I make over and over again during the fall and winter months in our RV, it’s baked potato soup in the Instant Pot.
During our 17 months of full-time travel, I often made potato soup. It always made the family happy. So, if you’re tailgating where it’ll be a little chilly while watching the game, this soup will warm you right up.
Here’s a great Loaded Baked Potato Soup recipe by Homemade Food Junkie.
Instant Pot Honey Buffalo Chicken Wings
I avoided including any recipes that required long cooking time in an oven because well, a lot of RV ovens are glorified microwaves. At least ours is.
And RV ovens also heat up the RV quickly and nobody wants to be sweltering and uncomfortable when cheering on the home team!
So when you find a great Honey Buffalo Chicken Wing recipe made in the Instant Pot, you don’t look back. Perfect! Wings and football do go hand in hand.
Instant Pot Artichoke Dip
Here’s another set-and-go easy peasy RV tailgating recipe. Serve this dip with tortilla chips, slices of baguette, celery, or crackers.
If you don’t yet have a go-to recipe for this side dish, try the Artichoke Dip recipe from Aileen Cooks.
Functionality includes pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, saute, yogurt maker, and sterilizer, among other settings. Multiple sizes available (3QT, 6QT, 8QT).
- Programmable settings allow you to set and forget
- Quick and easy clean up for RV cooking
- Built-in safety features to prevent overheating
Healthier Tailgating Recipes
Mexican Corn Black Bean Salad
If you’re looking for a side dish on the healthier side, this Mexican Corn Black Bean Salad recipe is perfect.
It has a light dressing and features Mexican spices to give it a little kick. You could chop up the tomatoes smaller and even serve this as a salsa with chips.
Greek Orzo Pasta Salad
Whip up this salad ahead of time so you have one less thing to worry about on gameday. Make the orzo then combine with veggies and a simple dressing then chill until it’s time for kick off.
This dish is quick to make and features a homemade vinaigrette. Check out the simple Greek Orzo Pasta Salad recipe from Girl With The Iron Cast.
Camp Stove and Grill Tailgating Recipes
Hawaiian Roll Ham and Cheese Sliders
Break out the camp stove or grill to make these tasty and simple sliders. They feature ham, mustard, melty provolone cheese served on soft Hawaiian rolls. Assemble in a foil baking pan and then place on the camp stove or over the grill. Easy peasy.
You hardly need a recipe these are so simple. But, to get you started, review this Ham and Cheese Slider recipe from The Spicy Apron.
Blue Cheese Burgers
Fire up the portable grill to whip up these tasty burgers. The blue cheese is mixed in with the meat and once they’re grilled, the cheese melts into the burger patty. Yes, please!
Add your favorite toppings and get ready to watch the game with a smile on your face. I originally got the idea for this lunch meal by using the Blue Cheese Burger recipe from Girl With The Iron Cast.
Cilantro Lime Shrimp Skewers
These tasty shrimp only take 2 to 3 minutes on the grill. And with ingredients like garlic, paprika, cumin, and cilantro, you know they are bursting with flavor. I’m hungry now. Are you hungry?
Try this Cilantro Lime Shrimp recipe. The instructions specify cooking in an air fryer, but the appetizer turns out perfect on the grill.
Grilled Beer Brats
These brats are simmered in beer, onions, and garlic and then finished off on the grill. To make these RV tailgating friendly, marinate the brats in beer the night before.
Try the Grilled Beer Brats recipe from Bowl Me Over.
Sriracha Chicken Kabobs
Although the recipe calls for baking these in the oven, you can whip these up on the grill as well. The marinade has a sweet, spicy, tangy flavor explosion. Sounds good to me!
Mama Cooks offers up this tasty Sriracha Chicken Kabob recipe.
Tailgating Desserts
No-Bake Truffles with Whoppers Candy
When it comes to preparing a menu in the RV, my two favorite words are no-bake. I always like to have a bowl of candy at a game-day party, but this recipe kicks the candy option up a notch.
These are easy to prepare and surprisingly kind to your budget. Try the No-Bake Truffle recipe from Dancing Through The Rain.
What an amazing list of tailgating recipes, am I right?!
We truly hope these recipes help you enjoy football season from the comfort of your home on wheels.
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Julie specializes in helping you whip up delicious meals in your tiny RV kitchen, as well as RV organization tips and helping fellow RVers make their RV feel like home. Her favorite RVing spot is in Banff National Park in Canada where yes, the water really is that blue and the people really are that nice.
