How to Tailgate + 5 Game Day Recipes

History of the Tailgate
The first tailgate actually took place during the Civil War at the Battle of Bull Run in 1861. If an active and deadly war zone doesn't seem like a particularly appropriate place to cheer on your favorite team, we agree with you. That, however, didn't stop civilians from coming out by the masses with picnic baskets to support the Union army. 

The chuckwagon was invented in Texas in 1866 (five years after the Battle of Bull Run) by a cattle rancher named Charles Goodnight. He recognized that soldiers needed to eat regardless of their position on the battlefield, and he converted an old U.S. Army transport wagon into a mobile food wagon. These horse-drawn wagons were equipt to carry food and the means to cook it. The chuckwagon can be credited with being an early version of what we now use to tailgate: a truck with a grill in the back.

The first known sporting event where fans of the game brought food and drink in celebration was for the 1869 inaugural football game between Princeton and Rutgers. Today, tailgate parties are just as popular as they were a century ago and continue to provide fans with a sense of camaraderie.

Time to Party  
The die hard tailgater usually starts early, around 8 or 9 in the morning. Since most football games start anywhere from 1-4 in the afternoon, tailgaters usually try to make the most of the day and will start in the morning and go right up until the game starts. In many cases, die hard tailgaters will even come back and continue the party after the game is over. 

Tailgating season generally holds out as long as the football season does, although most fans participate in the fall when the weather is still relatively warm.


Resources: 
A Brief History of the Tailgate by Huckberry.com
The Origins of Tailgating by tailgatefan.cbslocal.com
Chuck Wagon History by National Cowboy Symposium & Celebration, Inc.

For easy, shareable recipes you can make ahead of time for a party, check out these 17 Addictive Pull Apart Bread Recipes

The next time you're gearing up to host a tailgate party, use this handy checklist. You'll have everything you need to make sure the party goes off without a hitch! For a printable version of this checklist, click here!

- spatulas
- bottle openers + wine keys
- tongs
- can opener
- toothpicks
- wooden skewers
- basting brush
- mini flashlight
- paper towels
- trash bags (It's super uncool to leave a mess, plus they come in handy for covering things if it rains. Bring more than you think you'll need!)
- paper towels
- plastic cups
- tin foil
- straws
- wet wipes
- hand sanitizer
- sunscreen
- poncho(s)
- plastic zip bags
- a black felt tip marker
- masking tape
- condiments, spices, and seasonings


Pro Tip: Pack an empty tool box. Most of these items can fit in each of the drawers making packing a breeze!

Who doesn't love cheese? Check out these 6 Champion Cheese Dip Recipes

1. Skewer and marinate kabobs (chicken, steak, shrimp, etc.) the night before. Pack them in a tin foil container and store them in the fridge before you pack them in your cooler the next day.

2. Shape and pack burger patties between sheets of wax paper the night before.

3. Pre slice and pack burger toppings (tomatoes, onions, lettuce, cheese pickles).

4. Designate a cooler for drinks and label it so people can find drinks easily.

5. Pack condiments in a 6-pack holder.

6. Bring extra charcoal or an extra 1-pound tank of LP gas (liquefied petroleum).

7. Turn a cooler into a warming oven using foil and hot bricks.

8. Consider wind direction when positioning your grill.

9. Cook eggs for breakfast burritos on your grill using a skillet.

10. Set up a bloody mary bar for the adults and a Frito pie station for the whole gang. For burgers and hot dogs, make sure you have a table of condiments and garnish available.

11. Use cupcake liners (in your team's colors) for "lids" on you cups. Poke a hole in the middle for a straw!


Pro Tip: There's a lot that goes into setting up the perfect tailgate. For the best results, and to make sure you don't forget anything, you should start prepping and planning at least a week in advance. Enlist the help of your fellow comrades so all the work doesn't fall on you!

Learning how to tailgate comes with its own set of rules. Since you're essentially preparing an outdoor kitchen, it's important to make sure you're being as safe as possible. From food prep to clean up, follow these tips and be safe at your next tailgate party.

If you're cooking food in advance, cook it thoroughly. Bacteria grow at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F. This means cold foods must be stored at 40°F or below, while hot foods should be stored (and eaten) at 140°F or higher. If you've prepared all your food at home, let it cool and then keep it below 40°F, both in your refrigerator and your cooler until you're ready to either eat it or reheat it.

Properly pack your cooler. Pack all perishables in a well-insulated cooler. Make sure no food is spoiled before you leave. Make sure you have enough ice to keep foods at a safe temperature (40°F or below). Tightly seal meat to avoid any juices from spilling out and contaminating other foods in the cooler.

Bring a first aid kit. You never know who might cut or burn themselves. Better to be safe than sorry!

Bring a portable fire extinguisher. Never set your grill up super close to your car (keep about 6 feet of distance). Never leave your grill unattended while it's hot, and keep children and pets at a safe distance. When you're ready to leave, make sure any coals are fully extinguished and no longer red before throwing anything out or packing anything up.

Don’t rush your food off of the grill. Pack a food thermometer and check to make sure that your meat is cooked fully to the recommended temperatures before serving it to anyone. When removing food from the grill, place it on a clean serving platter. Do not reuse the same dish that held your raw meat and make sure your hands are clean when transferring meat. Sometimes, it's worth it to use latex gloves but tongs will usually be your best option for serving.

When in doubt, wash your hands. Further, Don't eat anything that's been sitting out for more than 30 minutes, especially if it's a hot and sunny day. Try to eat foods as they're cooked, and save non-perishables for snacking.



For more food safety tips, visit: https://www.foodsafety.gov/

From tacos to brats, this list of easy tailgate grilling recipes will take your game day party to the next level. Think beyond the plain old hot dog and hamburger route and try some of these tasty, gourmet versions that will make your parking lot neighbors wish they had your awesome grilling chops!

For even more grilling tips you can use the next time you go tailgating before the big game, check out this handy article from our friends at DIYIdeaCenter: Beginner Grilling: A DIY Grilling Guide.


1. ​Foil Pack Cheesy Grilled Potatoes

2. ​5-Ingredient Grilled Italian Sausage Kabobs

3. ​Cheesy Brats With Fried Pickles

4. ​Chicken & Teriyaki Pineapple Skewers

5. ​Grilled Flank Steak Tacos

Have you ever been curious about how to keep leftovers for later? Check out these Easy Freezer Cooking Tips and 21 Freezer Meal Ideas

If you liked this tailgating article, you might also enjoy our camping article:  Camp Cooking 101