19 Best Crock-Pot Tailgate Recipes That'll Stay Warm All Game Day
Make, transport, and serve all in one handy dandy vessel.
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It's just a fact that when you're planning on tailgating, game day food is just as important as football itself. Because while you might not be on the field, you still have to fuel up for hours of cheering on your team. Plus, tailgate food is part of the whole experience. You get to hang out with your friends and family, root and heckle and laugh (and maybe cry) through four quarters, all while noshing on quintessentially American food. What's better than that?
But of course, tailgating takes planning. You either need to bring no-cook tailgate foods or plan on how to make and keep food warm. And that's where your handy dandy slow cooker comes in! There are plenty Crock-Pot tailgate recipes that allow you to cook, transport, and serve all in one vessel, while keeping the food warm for hours. As long as you've got a power source among your tailgate essentials, you'll surely have a touchdown on your hands.
Here, you'll find plenty of ideas from warm cheese dips like queso and buffalo chicken dip to hearty chili recipes to warm your body even on those blustery days. Make ribs, pulled pork, BBQ chicken, and more―no grill or complicated tools required. All you need to do is plan a bit ahead, make sure you've got utensils and serveware (disposable is probably best), and your game day will be a total winner. Hopefully, your team will be, too!
Slow Cooker Ribs
There's nothing quite like smoky, sweet ribs after hours on the grill. Well, you can have that exact experience but let your slow cooker do that work for you!
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Ribs recipe.
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
Is it even football season without buffalo chicken dip? Its creamy, cheesy, and just the right amount of spicy. Serve with side of celery and carrots, tortilla chips, or crackers.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
This shredded pork gets its flavor from apple cider, brown sugar, mustard, thyme, and a low and slow cooking method that makes it super tender. Serve it on buns or make tacos!
Get the Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe.
Slow Cooker Beef Brisket
Brisket actually benefits from a low and slow cooking method, turning a tough cut of meat into a sensationally tender bite. Serve it up as is or pile it high on buns.
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Beef Brisket recipe.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
Saucy, smoky shredded chicken coming right up! And thanks to your slow cooker, it's mostly hands-off. This makes a perfect topping for salads, sandwiches, nachos, and more.
Get the Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken recipe.
Queso Dip
No game day would be complete without a vat of queso! The best part is that using the slow cooker method means you can keep it warm for hours while your fans dig in.
Get the Queso Dip recipe.
Slow Cooker Chili
Chili is another one of those must-haves for colder game days. This is a classic beef and bean recipe that takes the hours of stirring out of your hands and into your Crock-Pot.
Get the Slow Cooker Chili recipe.
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is as American as football itself! This version is extra gooey thanks to a combination of cheddar, gouda, and American cheese. Plus you don't have to boil the noodles separately.
Get the Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese recipe.
Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip
Much like the game itself, spinach artichoke dip never goes out of style. Ree combines cream cheese, pepper jack, feta, and parmesan for an extra cheesy experience. Serve with pita wedges, veggies, or chips!
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip recipe.
Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole
Got an early game? Serve a hearty breakfast! This sausage, egg, and hash brown casserole is even better when topped with fresh pico de gallo. You can even start it the night before.
Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
In some places, it gets darn cold towards the end of the season. Warm up the best way possible: with some mugs of hot chocolate! You can spike it, too, if you're an adult. Hint, hint.
Get the Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate recipe.
Slow Cooker Chipotle Beef Chili
If you want to switch up your chili game, try this smoky version. It goes big on flavor with tender beef, chipotle chiles in adobo, and smoky bacon. The corn chips are optional, but are they really?
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Chipotle Beef Chili recipe.
Beer Cheese Dip
Beer and cheese are probably two of the most popular items at a tailgate. So why not combine them into an addictive dip that's sure to be a hit? Serve with pretzels, veggies, or any other dippable snack.
Get the Beer Cheese Dip recipe.
Cocktail Meatballs
Meatballs are another versatile option. You can serve 'em cocktail party style with toothpicks or throw them on rolls for a saucy sandwich. Bonus: You only need four ingredients to make these.
Get the Cocktail Meatballs recipe.
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
There's no such thing as too much chili. And this version is a bit leaner and healthier thanks to the turkey. But don't worry, it's still hearty enough for every fan to enjoy it.
Get the Slow Cooker Turkey Chili recipe.
Slow Cooker Drip Beef Sandwiches
Once you try Ree's drip beef, you'll never want a boring ol' deli sandwich again. It's tender, hearty, and just begs for some melty cheese on top.
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Drip Beef Sandwiches recipe.
Slow Cooker Refried Beans
Serving tacos, nachos, or chips? Then make some refried beans! They are easy as can be when made in the slow cooker and then can stay warm for endless snacking.
Get the Slow Cooker Refried Beans recipe.
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Ribs
Try something a little different come game day with sticky-sweet teriyaki ribs. It's actually really easy to make the sauce yourself and let the machine caramelize it to perfection.
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Teriyaki Ribs recipe.
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Really score some points with the tailgate crowd and make this chili next game day. It's nicely spiced without being overwhelming and has a nice kick of heat thanks to green chiles.
Get Ree's Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili recipe.
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