3 Tailgating Recipes

Changing seasons from summer to fall means shorter days, cooler nights and plenty of tailgating. Feed your tailgaters right with these yummy tailgating recipes that will keep spirits up and bodies warm. The key to making the perfect tailgate food is choosing comfort over the wow-factor. A tailgate recipe that sticks to your ribs is a surefire hit with the crowd.

Here are some of the best tailgating recipes:

Sweet Chipotle Spareribs

Ingredients for rub:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tbsp. mixed pork spice
• 1 tsp. ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp. oregano

Ingredients for sauce:

• 1 cup spicy barbecue sauce
• 3 puréed cooked peppers
• 1/4 cup red vinegar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup brown sugar

Additional ingredients:

• Apple juice
• 3-4 racks of pork ribs

Combine all ingredients for the rub in a bowl. Arrange ribs on a baking sheet and generously rub the pork spice on both sides. Pour 1/4 cup of apple juice in the pan and cover ribs with foil. Bake ribs for two hours at 300 degrees. Uncover and let cool. Cut the ribs and pack for the tailgating party. Place on the grill, brushing both sides with sauce. Grill until browned. 

Hungry Man Baked Potato

• 4 large baking potatoes
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
• 8 pieces of bacon, cooked, crispy and crumbled
• 1/4 cup chopped chives
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of pepper
• 1/2 cup of salsa

Bake potatoes in oven at 400 degrees for an hour. Allow potatoes to cool and cut lengthwise. Scoop out the inside and place in a medium bowl. Mash the potatoes with milk, sour cream, butter, salt and pepper. Fold in 1/2 cup of cheddar and monterey jack cheese and bacon. Spoon mixture back into potato shells and bake at 400 for 15 minutes. Top with leftover cheeses, chives and salsa.

Mint Cream Chocolate Cake

Cake:

• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (plus more for pan)
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 3/4 tsp. baking powder
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted (plus more for pan)
• 3/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Frosting:

• 2 large egg whites
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened and cut into tablespoons
• 2 1/2 tbsp. creme de menthe
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 12 Peppermint Patties
• 36 white sprinkles

Prepare and bake the cake first. Butter a cake pan (8-by-12-inch) and line the bottom with parchment paper. Butter the paper and dust with cocoa powder. Combine cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda and powder and salt in a large bowl. Whisk and stir in eggs, warm water, milk, sour cream, butter, and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Pour batter into pan and bake at 400 degrees for 40 minutes.

For the frosting, mix whites and sugar in a mixer bowl over simmering water. Whisk until sugar dissolves and remove from heat. Whisk until stiff peaks form and add butter, tablespoons at a time. Add creme de menthe and vanilla, and beat for two minutes. Cut a football shape out of each patty and press three sprinkles into each, using frosting as glue. Frost cake once cooled and add footballs for decoration.

Whatever the sport, tailgating a festive and fun way to show your support and spend time with friends and family. For even easier tailgating food ideas, have each tailgater bring his or her favorite appetizer and make it more of a cocktail hour before the big game. Also try making your favorite chili tailgating recipe and bring a bunch of toppings to avoid the mess of multiple dishes.