Whether it’s Saturdays back on campus or the cathedrals of pro football on Sunday, let Traeger’s simple and easy-to-make game day recipes and smoked tailgate ideas help you win your tailgate this season.

Best Tools for Tailgating

A great tailgate is only as good as its tools. Before you load up the truck, make sure to pack your rubs, sauces, BBQ tools, and wood pellets. Of course, you also need a good tailgating grill. Traeger offers top-of-the-line portable grills so you can enjoy wood-fired flavor anywhere at anytime.

1. Tailgater Portable Grill: First up is the Traeger Tailgater which delivers top smoker performance in a compact package. With 300 square feet of grilling space, you can comfortably cook up dips, apps, mains, and more. Shop now!

2. Ranger Portable Grill: An even more compact grill option is the Traeger Ranger. Though it might appear smaller, it still delivers a punch of wood-fired flavor. With a versatile temperature range, you can smoke, bake, and sear just about anything.

Best Tailgate Recipes

A great tailgating recipe should be easy to share, full of flavor, and simple to eat on the go. You want something that's quick to prep, whether ahead of time or in the lot, and guaranteed to fire up the crowd. The best game-day grub is delicious, portable, and perfect for grabbing between plays.

The best way to kick off your tailgate is with Traeger's Ultimate Game Day Dip. Cream cheese, cheddar, parmesan, jalapenos, and bacon come together into one flavorful dip to keep you fueled all day.

Read our article for more party dip recipes and ideas.

Another easy game day dip idea is smoked guacamole. By smoking avocados, roasting corn on the cob, and carrying fresh poblanos, you can have a delicious and fresh dip that will keep you going all of game day.

Chicken wings are another tailgate staple - and these chicken wings made 3 different ways on the Traeger are a fan favorite. Don't forget the Traeger Original Hot Sauce to give these wings an extra kick.

Make sure to check out our smoked chicken wings guide and best chicken wings recipes for more wing inspo.

If chicken wings aren't your thing, cheesy pull-apart meatball sliders are an easy and great choice for tailgating. With a quick half-hour cook time, you can make them in the lot or before the big game at home.

Ditch the regular Cheez-Its and give them an easy wood-fired boost with a little bit of Worcestershire, Blackened Saskatchewan Rub, and garlic. These Blackened Cheeze-Its are the perfect snack to grab between plays.

For another game day snack, these Bacon-Wrapped Smokies with brown sugar are the perfect balance of savory and sweet, making them an instant crowd pleaser. They’re easy to prep and even easier to eat, which makes them a game day essential.

Another game-day pork favorite is Cowboy Candy Ribs—sticky, smoky, and irresistibly sweet. Trust us, you’ll want to pack plenty of napkins for these mouthwatering ribs!

Curious on how to make the best pork ribs? Read our article to become a pitmaster.

A good BBQ burger is another classic tailgate main. Not only is it delicious, but it cooks up in an easy 15 minutes and you can feed a whole crowd. To give it an extra Traeger kick, make sure to make the homemade ketchup.

Make sure to read our master guide to smoked hamburgers before game day.

This Nacho Skillet Dip is the ultimate game day appetizer, loaded with layers of cheesy goodness, smoky flavor, and just the right amount of heat. It’s perfect for tailgates—easy to share, crowd-pleasing, and made for dipping between plays. Whether you’re grilling at home or at the lot, this dip is guaranteed to be the MVP of your snack spread.

Texas Twinkies are a game day showstopper, combining smoky brisket, cream cheese, and jalapeños, all wrapped in crispy bacon. These spicy, savory bites by Matt Pittman are the perfect addition to any tailgate—easy to grab, packed with flavor, and sure to be a hit with the crowd.

For the sake of time, we recommend making these the day before and heating them up at the tailgate.

There’s no such thing as too much bacon, especially on game day. Matt Pittman’s pig shots are a must-try for your tailgate spread. We recommend prepping them the night before, and with just a 45-minute cook time, you’ll have them hot off the grill and ready to serve by kickoff.

Buffalo wings are a game day classic, and Traeger's smoked version takes them to the next level. With just the right amount of heat and that signature wood-fired flavor, these wings are sure to be a fan favorite. Prep them ahead of time and toss them on the grill right before kickoff for a tailgate snack that’s always a winner.

Make sure to read our grilled chicken wing guide for some last-minute guidance.

If you’re craving that classic buffalo wing flavor but want to switch things up, try this Buffalo Chicken Dip instead. Loaded with tender shredded chicken, tangy buffalo sauce, and melted cheese, it delivers all the flavor of wings in a creamy, scoopable dip. It’s the perfect alternative when you’ve already got wings on the menu but still want to bring that buffalo kick to your tailgate spread.

Matt Pittman’s Pork Belly Burnt Ends are bite-sized, flavor-packed nuggets of tender, smoky pork with a caramelized, sticky glaze. These melt-in-your-mouth morsels are perfect for game day, offering big barbecue flavor in a shareable, finger-food format. Serve them alongside your other tailgate staples for a spread that’s guaranteed to be a hit.

This Boneless Rib Sandwich is another delicious BBQ game day food, packed with tender, smoky ribs smothered in a tangy sauce and served on a soft bun. For the best results, prep the ribs the day before so all you have to do is grill and assemble on game day.

Whether you're a Bears fan or just hot dog fan, these easy Chicago hot dogs are a must for the tailgate. With a quick grill time of 15 minutes, you can take your attention off the grill and focus on the game.

Take a look at our guide on how to grill hot dogs before the big day!

Check out a new game day winner: Ham and Cheese Sliders. These sliders combine savory ham, melted cheese, and a tangy, buttery sauce, all baked to a perfect golden brown. They're straightforward to prepare and sure to be a hit at your tailgate

It's hard to imagine that there could ever be leftover pulled pork, but if you happen to have any, a BBQ pulled pork sandwich is an easy crowd favorite for game day. Make sure to bring enough toppings for your guests.

Though these competition ribs take more time to cook, they're completely worth the effort for game day. Learn how to make them blue ribbon-worthy by reading our competition pork ribs guide.

Last, but certainly not least, is Doug Scheilding's famous chili con queso. This game day dip has been a favorite since it was published for a reason. With spicy pork sausage, creamy cheese, and chiles, this smoked queso will have your friends and family coming back for seconds and even thirds.

Check out more game day recipes and football desserts perfect for tailgating.

Best Tailgating Grilling Tips

You have the best tools, and best tailgate recipes, now you need the best tips:

1. Always plan ahead - Planning ahead is crucial for a successful tailgate. From prepping your menu to organizing your gear, getting everything ready before game day ensures a smooth setup and allows you to focus on enjoying the event.

2. Brine, brine, brine - The key tip for chicken wing success is brining. This not only enhances the flavor, but it makes the wings extra juicy. Make sure to do this step the day before.

3. Dry skin + high temp = crispy skin - For the perfect crispy skin for your chicken wings, make sure to pat the wings dry before cooking to remove any excess moisture. Then, crank up the heat to crisp up the skin without overcooking. themeat.

4. Carryover cooking is key - Carryover cooking is a game-changer for tailgating, letting your food finish cooking even after it's off the heat. Pull your dishes a little early, and they’ll hit the perfect doneness while resting, making timing and serving a breeze.

5. Membrane must go - Avoid chewy ribs by removing the tough membrane on the back so that are fall-off-the-bone tender and packed with smoky goodness.

6. More smoke, less foil time - For perfect tailgate ribs, minimizing the foil time and partially cooking ahead will streamline the process and give the rips a deep, flavorful taste. Then you can finish them off at the tailgate the next day.