Game Day Recipes for the Perfect Football Sunday

When it comes to game day, having the perfect food lineup is just as important as the game itself. I’ve compiled my favorite game day recipes to ensure your spread is a hit.

These dishes are quick, delicious, and perfect for sharing with friends and family. Whether you’re hosting a football watch party or enjoying a cozy Sunday at home, these football party food ideas are guaranteed crowd-pleasers.

This post is all about the perfect game day recipes.

---

1 | Mouth Watering Cowboy Caviar

Cowboy Caviar is a staple on my game day table. It’s colorful, fresh, and packed with flavor and so easy to make ahead.

Ingredients:

For the Caviar

• 1 can black-eyed peas (other type of beans work well too), drained and rinsed
• 1 can shoe peg corn, drained and rinsed
• 2 ripe avocados, cubed
• 2 fresh tomatoes, seeded and cubed
• 1 bunch cilantro, minced
• 1 bunch green onions, minced
• 1 lime, juiced
• Garlic salt, to taste

For the Dressing

• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Fresh ground pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the black-eyed peas, corn, avocados, tomatoes, cilantro, and green onions.
2. Squeeze the lime juice over the mixture and sprinkle with garlic salt to taste.
3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, cumin, and fresh ground pepper until well combined.
4. Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and gently stir until everything is evenly coated.
5. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips and enjoy! I personally love it with Tostitos or Fritos Scoops

2 | Crowd-Pleaser Barbacoa Tacos

These insanely easy two-ingredient barbacoa tacos are juicy, flavorful, and perfect for game day dinner ideas. This slow-cooked beef is tender and rich, ideal for taco lovers.

Ingredients:

• 2.5 pounds chuck roast, cut into large cubes
• 1 jar roasted tomatillo salsa (fresh or store-bought)
• Garlic salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)

For serving:

• Street-size corn tortillas
• Optional toppings: chopped onion, cilantro, pickled onions, lemon juice, guacamole

Instructions:

1. Season the Meat: Sprinkle garlic salt and black pepper evenly on all sides of the chuck roast cubes.
2. Sear the Meat: Set the Instant Pot to the Sauté setting. Once hot, sear the meat cubes on all sides until browned. This will add extra flavor to the meat.
3. Add the Salsa: Add all the seasoned, seared meat back to the pot. Pour the roasted tomatillo salsa over the meat, ensuring it’s well-covered. No water is needed—just the salsa provides enough liquid for cooking.
4. Pressure Cook: Secure the lid, set the Instant Pot to Manual (or Pressure Cook) for 50 minutes on high pressure. Allow the pressure to naturally release once the cooking time is done.
5. Shred the Meat: Carefully remove the meat cubes from the pot and place them in a bowl. Use two forks to shred the meat, or for quicker results, cut the meat into smaller pieces.
6. Optional – Strain the Broth: To create a smoother broth, strain out the salsa chunks and any large pieces from the cooking liquid. This will leave you with a silky, flavorful broth.
7. Return Meat to Pot: Transfer the shredded (and optionally chopped) meat and broth back to the Instant Pot. Set to Keep Warm until ready to serve.
8. Assemble the Tacos: Warm the street-size corn tortillas. Fill each tortilla with the barbacoa meat, then top with your choice of chopped onion, cilantro, pickled onions, a squeeze of lemon juice, and guacamole.

Note: The meat will be very juicy! Be sure to use tongs for easy serving.

3 | Loaded Nachos

Nachos are a classic choice for game day appetizers. This loaded version combines layers of cheese, meat, and fresh toppings.

Ingredients:

• 1 bag tortilla chips
• 1 lb ground beef or steak
• Taco seasoning | salt, pepper
• 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack)
• Diced tomatoes
• Sliced jalapeños
• Sour cream
• Guacamole
• Optional chopped cilantro, onions and salsa.

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Spread a layer of tortilla chips on a baking sheet.
3. Add the cheese on top of the chips.
4. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
5. Cook the ground beef with taco seasoning (or steak seasoned with salt and pepper, cut into small cubes).
6. Once the cheese is melted, remove the baking sheet from the oven and layer the cooked meat over the chips and cheese.
7. Top with tomatoes, jalapeños, sour cream, guacamole and other toppings before serving.

4 | Corn Ribs

Corn ribs are a fun twist on traditional corn and make for unique game day snacks. They’re buttery, smoky, and irresistible.

Ingredients:

• 4 ears of corn, quartered lengthwise
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted salted butter
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Combine olive oil or melted butter with all the spices.
3. Brush the corn ribs with it until fully coated.
4. Bake for 20 minutes or until slightly charred.
5. Serve with optional toppings: grated cheese, tajin, lime, parsley.

5 | Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie board is a versatile option for football party food. It’s customizable and offers something for everyone.

Ingredients:

• Assorted cheeses (cheddar, brie, gouda)
• Cured meats (salami, prosciutto, pepperoni)
• Crackers and bread
• Fresh fruits (grapes, berries)
• Nuts and olives
• Sweet treats
• Spreads and Dips

Instructions:

1. Arrange cheeses and meats on a large platter.
2. Add crackers, bread, fruits, and nuts around the edges.
3. Garnish with fresh herbs for a touch of color.

Get creative! When it comes to assembling a charcuterie board, the possibilities are endless—there are no rules, just delicious fun!

6 | Chips, Guacamole, Salsa, and Quesadillas 

This board is a Tex-Mex dream and perfect for game day food lovers. It’s a combination of flavors and textures.

Ingredients:

• Tortilla chips
• Guacamole
• Salsa
• Cheese quesadillas (corn, flour or both!)

Instructions:

1. Prepare guacamole and salsa in separate bowls.
2. Cook cheese quesadillas and slice them into wedges.
3. Arrange everything on a large board for easy serving.
4. Complement with lime wedges, and charred chilies!

7 | Ciabatta Torta

This ciabatta torta is flavorful, satisfying, and perfect for football Sunday food.

Ingredients:

• Ciabatta torta bread (I love the one from Costco)
• Olive tapenade spread
• Dijon mustard and mayo
• Turkey deli meat
• Salami
• Tomato slices (seasoned with olive oil, oregano, and flaky salt)
• Cheddar cheese
• Pickled jalapeños

Instructions:

1. Toast the ciabatta bread.
2. Spread olive tapenade, Dijon mustard, and mayo on the bread.
3. Add cheddar cheese to allow it to melt slightly.
4. Layer turkey, salami, tomatoes, and pickled jalapeños.
5. Slice into triangles for easy grabbing.

8 | Viral Trader Joe’s Pizza

This viral Trader Joe’s pizza is packed with bold flavors and is a game day favorite.

Ingredients:

• Trader Joe’s pizza dough or flatbread pizza crust
• TJ’s garlic spread
• Pesto Rosso spread
• 1 ball of fresh mozzarella
• Marinated mini mozzarella balls
• Pepperoni
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Arugula
• Balsamic glaze
• Hot honey

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Spread garlic spread and Pesto Rosso on the pizza crust.
3. Add fresh mozzarella, marinated mozzarella, pepperoni, and sun-dried tomatoes.
4. Bake for 8 minutes (flatbread) or 12–15 minutes (pizza dough) until edges are golden brown.
5. Toss arugula in marinated mozzarella oil and place on top of the pizza.
6. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and hot honey before serving

9 | Honey Whipped Goat Cheese (Half Baked Harvest)

If you’re looking for a delicious game day appetizer, this Honey Whipped Goat Cheese with Marinated Olives from Half Baked Harvest is the perfect choice.

The creamy goat cheese paired with sweet honey and tangy marinated olives creates a delightful contrast of flavors. It’s a crowd-pleasing dish that’s easy to make and will impress your guests! Get the full recipe and details on their website here.

10 | Mexican Street Corn Dip (Half Baked Harvest)

Another amazing recipe I’ve tried from Half Baked Harvest is their Mexican Street Corn Dip. This dip is a perfect blend of creamy, spicy, and tangy flavors, inspired by the classic Mexican street corn dish.

It’s ideal for any gathering, and the combination of grilled corn, creamy cheese, and zesty seasonings will have everyone coming back for more! You can find the full recipe on their website here.

With these game day recipes, your football Sunday is set to be a hit. Each dish is packed with flavor and easy to prepare, ensuring your game day food spread is nothing short of spectacular.

This post was all about the best game day recipes.