32 Homegating Recipes That Bring Tailgating Home to You

Barbecued Burgers

I can’t take all the credit for these winning burgers. My husband’s uncle passed down the special barbecue sauce recipe. We love it on everything…it was only natural to try it on, and in, burgers. Add cheese and bacon to take them over the top. —Rhoda Troyer, Glenford, Ohio

Meat Lovers’ Snack Mix

Everyone will go wild for this crunchy, savory go-to on game day! My husband especially loves that it features all of his favorite foods: salted meats, salted nuts and hot sauce. —Gina Myhill-Jones, 100 Mile House, British Columbia

Italian Sausages with Provolone

Here’s an easy recipe everyone will rave about. These tangy sausages with their pepper and onion topping will go quickly. Better make a double batch! —Shelly Bevington-Fisher, Hermiston, Oregon

Cinnamon-Raisin Banana Bread Pudding

My family likes to change the toppings for this luscious dessert. We use berries, chopped nuts or fruit, ice cream, whipped cream or caramel topping. If I’m making the dessert for adults only, I love to add a little rum to the milk mixture to give the pudding extra flavor. —Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho

Buffalo Chicken Sliders

I got the idea for these Buffalo chicken sliders from my mom and dad, who’d made a similar version for a family get-together. It’s a versatile recipe, and I sometimes use several different styles of Buffalo sauce and let guests mix and match their favorites. —Christina Addison, Blanchester, Ohio

Pressure-Cooker Cheddar Bacon Ale Dip

My tangy, smoky dip won the top prize at our office party recipe contest. Use whatever beer you like, but steer clear of dark varieties. —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Tacos on a Stick

Teens like assembling these creative kabobs almost as much as they like devouring them. The whole family is sure to love the sensational Southwestern flavor of this twist on beef shish kabobs. —Dixie Terry, Goreville, Illinois

Yogurt Cornbread

My husband doesn’t like traditional Texas cornbread, so I came up with this recipe. This is the only kind he’ll eat. Yogurt makes this variation different from most. —Amanda Andrews, Mansfield, Texas

Beef Taco Chili

This one of my husband’s absolute favorite dishes. It was also voted Best Chili in our county’s autumn Harvest Festival. If you like less broth, use just 1-3/4 cups water and 1-1/2 tsp. bouillon. —Dana Beery, Ione, Washington

Savory Cracker Snack Mix

A Taste of Home recipe inspired this one! Because I love everything bagel seasoning, I decided to give this a try. A friend later suggested I make the mix more versatile with something other than oyster crackers, and now it’s a deliciously addictive snack! —Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida

Sweet Ginger Ribs

People ask what’s in the marinade of my glazed sweet ginger ribs with ginger, garlic and peach preserves. Now you know! Psst: It works on steaks and chicken, too. —Grace McKeone, Schenectady, New York

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies

Here’s a different version of a traditional recipe. I love these soft peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. —Clarice Schweitzer, Sun City, Arizona

White Bean & Chicken Enchilada Soup

I made this soup to please my daughters’ craving for creaminess, my husband’s for spice and mine for white beans. Garnish with jalapenos, sour cream and green onions. —Darcy Gonzalez, Palmdale, California

Hot Antipasto Subs

Hot or cold, these loaded sandwiches are always a family hit. They blend all the robust flavors of antipasto into an easy-to-eat bun. —Sharlene Lander, Lake Placid, Florida

Simple Marinated Grilled Pork Chops

This pork chop marinade is so simple that I use it on all kinds of meat. For a more robust flavor, let the meat marinate in the refrigerator overnight. —Lori Daniels, Beverly, West Virginia

Buffalo Pulled Chicken

This slow-cooker dump dinner is one of my go-to’s. The lighter chicken is a nice alternative to pulled pork. —Kim Ciepluch, Kenosha, Wisconsin

Turkey White Chili

Growing up in a Pennsylvania Dutch area, I was surrounded by excellent cooks and wonderful foods. I enjoy experimenting with new recipes, like this change-of-pace chili. —Kaye Whiteman, Charleston, West Virginia

Spicy Almonds

Almonds are extremely nutritious, and when dressed up with a wonderful blend of spices, they go from ordinary to awesome! —Gina Myers, Spokane, Washington

Beef & Veggie Sloppy Joes

I’m always looking for ways to serve my family healthy and delicious food, so I started experimenting with my favorite veggies and ground beef. I came up with this favorite that my three kids actually request! This healthy take on sloppy joes reminds me of my own childhood. —Megan Niebuhr, Yakima Washington

Creamy Red Pepper Veggie Dip

I received this, my go-to veggie dip recipe, from a college roommate. Thick and creamy with just a touch of sweetness, it’s always a winner. —Lynne German, Woodland Hills, California

Grilled Pepper Jack Chicken Sandwiches

Basic, yet packed with flavor, this sandwich gets a kick from zesty cheese and savory bacon. It’s a great meal. —Linda Foreman, Locust Grove, Oklahoma

Jen’s Baked Beans

My daughters wanted baked beans, so I gave homemade ones a shot. With mustard, molasses and a dash of heat, I made these beans absolutely delicious. —Jennifer Heasley, York, Pennsylvania

Cookout Caramel S’mores

These classic treats make a fabulous finish to an informal meal. Toasting the marshmallows extends our after-dinner time together, giving us something fun to do as a family. —Martha Haseman, Hinckley, Illinois

Sloppy Joe Meatball Subs

A mashup of two favorite recipes, these sloppy joe meatball subs are certainly unique. I love to make them on a lazy afternoon and freeze leftovers for an easy weeknight meal. —Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York

Walking Tacos

These Walking Tacos are great for an on-the-go dinner, campfire meal or easy game night supper. The ingredients transform a bag of chips into a taco in a bag! —Beverly Matthews, Pasco, Washington

Can-Can Chicken

Here’s a tasty take on the popular beer-can chicken. Once the bird is on the grill, the work’s basically done. And cleanup is a cinch—a must for a guy like me. —Steve Bath, Lincoln, Nebraska

Black Bean & Pumpkin Chili

This is my kind of chili – thick and hearty. Try sweet potato or butternut squash instead of pumpkin, and serve over quinoa, barley, brown rice or farro. —Jean Ecos, Hartland, Wisconsin

Bourbon Brat Skewers

When the executive decision was made to marinate veggies in a tasty bourbon sauce and serve with grilled bratwurst, this recipe made our VIP party list. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Columbia, South Carolina

Tailgate Sausages

You’ll need just a handful of ingredients to fix these tasty sandwiches. Fully cooked sausages are placed in buns with cheese and topped with giardiniera, then wrapped in foil so they’re easy to transport and a breeze to grill. —Matthew Hass, Ellison Bay, Wisconsin

Soft Beer Pretzels

I’m always looking for new ways to combine fun flavors, and what goes together better than beer and pretzels? Not much that I can think of. That’s why I put them together into one delicious recipe. —Alyssa Wilhite, Whitehouse, Texas

10-Minute Zesty Salsa

The view from our mountain home includes Pike’s Peak, so we frequently dine on our wraparound porch in good weather. During family get-togethers, we often savor this salsa with chips while we feast on the natural beauty all around us. —Kim Morin, Lake George, Colorado

Pressure-Cooker Hearty Pork & Black Bean Nachos

My husband and I are both graduate students right now, so we don’t have a lot of time to cook dinner. Our family loves coming home to this incredible nacho platter, and I love how easy it is to prepare. —Faith Stokes, Chickamauga, Georgia