Get ready to score big with the ultimate playbook of game day recipes that are sure to make your taste buds do a victory dance. From touchdown-worthy chicken wings to crowd-pleasing sides, irresistible dips, and desserts it’s time to huddle up and tackle your hunger with flavors that are bound to become fan favorites.
Get ready to kick off the feast and let the flavor-packed festivities begin just in time for America’s biggest sporting event of the year!
Best Game Day Snacks & Sides
Game day is all about snacking, and there’s no better way to make them than on the Traeger.
Philly Cheesesteak Shotgun Shells
Elevate your game day menu with these Philly Cheesesteak Shells that transform a classic sandwich into a bite-sized favorite. Sauteed steak, bell peppers, and onions get cozy inside jumbo pasta tubes, all smothered in a rich cheese sauce. It's a fusion of comfort food and game-day spirit that'll have your guests cheering for more.
Pull-Apart Meatball Sliders
For a touchdown of taste, serve flavorful meatball sliders during your tailgate (or homegate) party. Each slider is a bite-sized masterpiece, featuring perfectly seasoned meatballs nestled in soft Hawaiian rolls, and generously topped with melted cheese.
Bacon Brown Sugar Wrapped Smokies
A game day party wouldn’t be complete without lil’ smokies. Try out this sweet and savory twist on the classic co*cktail weenie. Each bite-sized sausage is enveloped in crispy bacon and coated with a caramelized brown sugar glaze, creating a flavor explosion that's as easy to make as it is to devour.
Soft Pretzel with Beer Cheese Sauce
Pretzels and cheese are a match made in heaven, and when they’re infused with wood-fired flavor, this game day recipe is taken to a whole other level.
The pretzels boast a golden-brown exterior and a soft, doughy interior, making them the ideal vessel for dipping. The velvety cheese sauce, infused with the robust flavors of your favorite beer will be a winning combination that'll have your guests doing a happy end-zone dance.
Traeger Bacon Poppers
With a fiery fusion of jalapeños, cream cheese, and savory bacon, these Traeger MVP’s are sure to be a hit. These poppers are wood-fired to perfection, resulting in a smoky kick that perfectly complements the creaminess of the cheese filling.
For optimum wood-fired flavor, make sure to smoke these poppers over our bold Mesquite pellets.
Smoked Pig Shots
If you’ve never heard of Smoked Pig Shots – a finger-licking combination of bacon-wrapped sausage and a savory cream cheese filling, make sure to read all about them and then serve them next time you watch the game. Smoked to perfection, these little flavor bombs bring a sweet and smoky taste that packs a punch.
Smoked Deviled Eggs
Give a classic appetizer a smoky twist with these smoked deviled eggs. Hard-boiled eggs take on a flavorful edge as they absorb the rich, wood-fired essence. The creamy yolk filling, with a hint of tang and spice, brings a new dimension to this timeless favorite, making it a game day recipe that's both familiar and unexpected.
The trick that gives these devilled eggs their edge? Apple cider vinegar and hot sauce mixed in with the filling.
Best Game Day Dips
Amp up your game day spread with Traeger's best dips, whether it's the spicy kick of buffalo chicken or the irresistible layers of seven-layer, ensuring your snacking game is in a league of its own.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Spice up your game day spread with this buffalo chicken dip that combines the bold flavors of tangy buffalo sauce, creamy ranch, and shredded chicken. Baked to golden perfection on the Traeger, this gooey and flavorful dip is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Learn more on how to make this delicious dip here.
Ultimate Game Day Dip
Dive into the Ultimate Game Day Dip, a savory sensation featuring layers of cream cheese, sour cream, and Traeger-smoked cheddar. Topped with crispy bacon, green onions, and a drizzle of barbecue sauce, this dip is a flavor-packed touchdown. For an extra kick, thinly slice jalapeños and throw a few on top.
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Creamy, smoky, and savory, this wood-fired spinach artichoke dip is a must-have once it’s game time. Whether you serve it with veggies, pita bread, or crackers, it’ll be a favorite around the table. For ultimate flavor, use fresh artichokes.
Guacamole
Fresh, vibrant, and bursting with flavor, this Traeger smoked guac is the perfect accompaniment to any game day gathering. Mashed avocados are mixed with diced tomatoes, red onions, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice, creating a zesty and creamy dip that's impossible to resist.
The Traeger twist? Smoking the avocados, poblano peppers, and corn, on the grill to achieve delicious wood-fired flavor.
Smoked Trout Dip
Another healthy, yet delicious, option is a smoked trout dip. Once you’ve brined the trout in a homemade concoction, grill, and then combine it into the creamy dip.
Cowboy Caviar
Easy, yet impressive, cowboy caviar is a great dip option to bring or serve at your next get-together. Made with black beans, corn, jalapeños, etc. This 20-minute recipe will not only fill your belly, but will not take away any attention from the game.
Chili Con Queso
You can’t go wrong with the Scheiding Chili Con Queso – a smoky and cheesy dip that takes the classic to a whole new level. Loaded with Traeger-smoked sausage, chili, and a blend of gooey cheeses, this queso is a flavor explosion.
Best Mains
Follow these tasty apps with equally delicious wood-fired mains. Read on to gather inspiration for your next football feast.
3-2-1 Baby Back Ribs
Achieve rib perfection with the 3-2-1 method, creating tender and flavorful baby back ribs that fall off the bone. Seasoned with a smoky rub, these ribs spend time on the Traeger for that signature wood-fired flavor before getting wrapped and then glazed with a barbecue sauce that caramelizes to sticky perfection. With these delicious ribs being served, who knows what will be more popular – the game or the ribs?
Pro Tip: With the long cooking time for these ribs, make sure to use the MEATER so you can monitor the internal temp from the comfort of your couch in front of the game.
Over-the-Top Chili
Warm up your game day with this over-the-top chili that takes classic comfort food to the next level. Topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, and green onions, it's a bowl of hearty goodness that'll have everyone cheering for seconds.
Wood-Fired Pizza
Football Sunday is all about sharing, and what better way to do that than with a delicious wood-fired pizza? The crispy, wood-fired crust is the canvas for your culinary masterpiece, topped with fresh tomato sauce, gooey mozzarella, and your favorite toppings. It's a slice of perfection that brings the artisanal pizzeria experience right to your backyard.
To learn how to make a pizza on your Traeger, read our article for expert tips.
Traeger Pulled Pork
Elevate your pulled pork game with this pulled pork, turning a humble cut of meat into a succulent, smoky masterpiece. The pork butt is generously rubbed with a flavorful spice blend, slow-cooked on the Traeger for hours, and then pulled into tender shreds. Whether piled high on a sandwich with tasty toppings or served alongside your favorite sides, this pulled pork is a taste of barbecue perfection that's worth the wait.
Make sure to smother it in one of our delicious BBQ sauces so that it’s Traeger through and through. Read for more pulled pork recipes here.
Best Game Day Wing Recipes
Is it truly game day without chicken wings? Score big with Traeger chicken wing game day recipes – whether you’re a fan of tangy, sweet, or spicy.
BBQ Wings 3 Ways
Transform your wings into smoky sensations 3 ways, and here’s the kicker - it's not just one flavor, but a trio of tempting tastes. This chicken wing recipe(s) takes your taste buds on a thrilling adventure, as the wings are coated in our Traeger Chicken Rub, zesty Sriracha, and fiery buffalo sauce. Each bite is a journey from crispy perfection to a saucy, finger-licking finale with flavor options to win over everyone.
Buffalo Wings
Embrace the classic tangy heat of buffalo wings with this Traeger recipe that elevates the iconic appetizer to new heights. Wood-fired to perfection, these crispy wings are bathed in a spicy buffalo sauce that strikes the perfect balance between spicy kick and buttery smoothness.
Garlic Parmesan Wings
Elevate your wing game with Traeger’s garlic parmesan wings. These wings are generously coated in a savory Traeger spice blend, creating an irresistible combination of crunchy, savory, and downright delicious. Make sure to add fresh parsley on top for a hint of citrus and earthiness.
Chili Smoked Wings
Break away from tradition and savor the unique heat of chili smoked wings. These grilled wings combine the warm taste of chili with the aromatic wood-fired flavor that’s bound to make a lasting impression on your taste buds.
Dry Rub Smoked Wings
Every football fan needs a dry rub for their chicken wing spread. These savory wings will make you reconsider your love of sauces with their crispy exterior and moist middle. For best results, include our Traeger Rub in the dry rub recipe.
Get inspired with some other chicken wing recipes and how to grill them on the Traeger.
Best Nachos
Another classic game day treat are nachos. Whether you make a traditional batch with all the fixings or class it up a bit with burnt ends, they’re always a fan favorite.
BBQ Chicken Nachos
BBQ chicken isn’t exclusive to wings! Add a unique twist to your game day nachos by adding shredded chicken coated in Traeger BBQ sauce. Served on top of chips with all the traditional toppings, this flavor fiesta will add a sweet touch to your savory snack selection.
Pulled Pork Shoulder Nachos
Experience nacho perfection with these pulled pork nachos, as succulent smoked pork shoulder mingles with the richness of melted cheese and a burst of fresh toppings. These wood-fired nachos redefine comfort food, offering a savory symphony in every loaded bite. Learn the best way to smoke pork, and other leftover pulled pork recipes by reading our expert articles.
Ultimate Loaded Nachos
Indulge in the ultimate nacho experience with Traeger's loaded nachos, featuring three different meats: kielbasa sausage, shredded chicken breast, and tri-tip; the ultimate game day feast. Top with fresh salsa, jalapeños, cheddar cheese, and anything else your inner football fan desires.
Best Game Day Desserts
After a day of feasting and cheering on your favorite team, nothing tastes as good as a sweet treat.
Chocolate Brownie Cookies
Satisfy your sweet tooth with chocolate brownie cookies, a decadent treat where the rich, fudgy goodness of brownies meets the classic charm of cookies. Baked to perfection, these indulgent bites promise to be the MVP of your game-day dessert lineup.
Dan Patrick Super Bowl Sundae****
Score big with the Dan Patrick Super Bowl Sundae, a towering masterpiece of ice cream, chocolate, and caramel goodness. By lightly smoking your homemade cream mixture and bananas in the Traeger, you’ll get a uniquely sweet treat that’ll be the ultimate touchdown for your party.
Boozy Bacon Marshmallow Treats
Boozy Bacon Marshmallow Treats, are a delightful blend of sweet, smoky, and a hint of booze. An adult twist on a childhood classic. Wood-fired bacon and marshmallows take the classic treat to new heights, making these indulgent squares the perfect finale for your festivities.
Traeger Chocolate Chip Cookies
Wrap up your game day feast with wood-fired chocolate chip cookies, where the classic favorite gets a soft smoky flavor. With a perfect blend of crispy edges and gooey centers, these cookies bring a smoky depth that'll leave your guests reaching for seconds—bringing a sweet end to your celebration.
Now that you have your playbook of delicious game day recipes, try them out so you can have a flavor touchdown.
