It’s my favorite season – college football!
Being born, raised, and still living in the South, college football is more than a sport. It’s a religion. You choose your path early and don’t dare stray away from the SEC (Southeastern Conference).
The sport itself is a wonder. The strategy. The players. The coaches. The mind-blowing plays.
The only thing more impressive than Alabama head coach Nick Saban is football food. There is no better spread (with maybe the exception of Thanksgiving) than a tailgate. From wings and burgers to soups and dips, football food can make even the most sports-averse person become a fan.
Whether you’re tailgating or enjoying the sport from the comfort of your home, I’ve got some recipes and dishes for your next game. If football isn’t your thing, that’s OK! These ideas are great for noshing any time.
Julie’s Football Favorite Apps and Snacks
Apps
Guacamole
While I’m no professional chef, I consider myself a guacamole connoisseur. I almost always have ingredients on hand to make guac and usually serve it with tortilla chips or Trader Joe’s Elote Corn Chip Dippers. Here’s my recipe:
- 3 ripe avocados (put avocados in a paper bag and close to speed up the ripening process)
- 1 Roma tomato, chopped
- 2 tbsp red onion, diced
- 1/2 – 1 jalapeno, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp cilantro, chopped
- A dash of lime juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cut open the avocados and remove the pits. Score the avocado and place it into a bowl. Add all remaining ingredients (or just the ones you like) and mash with a fork. I like using a fork because I prefer my guacamole a little on the chunkier side. You can mash to your desired consistency. Serve immediately or chill until serving.
Queso
You can’t serve guac without its cousin, queso. I am Team White Queso, but all queso is football food-worthy. I typically buy queso from the dairy case in the grocery store. However, I have two new queso recipes I really like.
The first is from my everyday cooking coach, Bri McKoy. Her queso recipe is part of her Homemade Crunchwrap Supreme. It’s tasty and easy to make. While you’re making it, you might as well go ahead and make the tacos, too.
I also love this more macro-friendly version from Elyse Ellis of Macro Friendly Food. This Greek Yogurt Queso allows me to eat more!
Buffalo Chicken Dip
This dip may technically be a dip, but let’s be honest, we can make a Girl Dinner out of this. Skinny Taste is always a favorite of mine for any healthy and delicious recipe. This Buffalo Chicken Dip does not disappoint. I prefer carrot sticks over celery, but you won’t be disappointed no matter the vehicle you use for the dip. (Need something quick: Trader Joe’s also makes a great Buffalo Chicken Dip!)
Snacks
French Onion Beef Sliders for a Crowd
I got this recipe from an episode of one of my very favorite podcasts, The Big Boo Cast. It truly does feed a crowd! Plus, it’s very customizable. If you don’t like onion, leave it off. Feel free to substitute your favorite cheese for the Swiss. It’s more about the method than the recipe. And it will leave everyone very happy!
Rachael Ray Nacho Soup with Chicken and Broken Tacos
Y’all know Rachael Ray taught me to cook and holds a very special place in my heart. If you’re not serving nachos, serve nacho soup! It’s so good, and when partnered with other apps and snacks, it can go a long way as a small side.
My birthday was last week, and one of the gifts I received was the Official SEC Tailgating Cookbook. This book pairs college football and tasty food in the very best way, highlighting recipes and tailgating tips from each of the SEC universities. I may be an all-Bama girl at heart, but when it comes to food, I am not afraid to work another team’s tailgating recipes into my football-watching. Some of the recipes I’m looking forward to trying out are:
- Cheese Grits and Greens Casserole – ask my friends, I love collard greens (from Bama)
- Sloppy Joe Dip (with some Scoops or Trader Joe’s Corn Chippers) – from UT
- Super excited for when we play LSU: Creole Gumbo and Mike’s Maque Choux salad