We’re breaking out our best Black folks’ tailgate food roster on this game day with these insanely delicious and hearty Southern soul food tailgate recipes!
These game-day food classics and new delicious ideas will spice up your tailgating menu, from easy appetizers to hearty meat dishes, sweet desserts, and finger-licking dips.
Why is it called tailgate food?
In American football, the stadium parking lot is called the tailgate lot.
The concept of tailgating is to have a picnic before the game. People used this concept and started eating at the stadium before the game. Since the food is consumed in a tailgate lot, it’s called tailgate food.
Is tailgating an American thing?
Tailgating is a way of life for many people in the United States. It’s a way for people to socialize by dining outside in the stadium parking lot.
Thus, food culture in the United States has been influenced by tailgating at the stadiums.
What is an HBCU tailgate event?
HBCUs are historically Black colleges and universities founded with the mission of educating African American students.
Historically, HBCUs are also higher learning institutions for African Americans, embodying Black culture and Black excellence.
HBCU tailgating is an event (mainly in the fall and spring) that encourages students to come together for food, fun, music, and fellowship through the best classic soul food recipes and Southern grilled foods.
For most HBCUs, tailgates are usually sporting events, but others are centered around the arts and culture.
How do you have a good tailgate party?
The essentials include:
- Food
- Family & friends
- Music
- Team color attire or decorations
- Countertop appliances or a grill
Pro tip: Serious tailgaters will also say you need an electric generator!
With the above essentials, there’s nothing like a collegiate HBCU cookout or Southern tailgate food party with people you know, things you love, and as much food as you can eat!
HBCU tailgates are traditions that are unique, dynamic, and varied. An event that promotes unity, bonding, and fellowship among students, alums, and friends of the HBCU.
Tailgate parties bring friends and family together to enjoy the festive atmosphere and share their passion for their favorite teams.
It’s a great way to do the traditional pre-game food and drink while having the most fun and fanfare together.
What is good football food?
Because game day food is the main attraction of pre-kickoff, you don’t have to set up tents on your front lawn to host or have a good time.
You can, however, include these Southern tailgate food recipes. A mix of classic Southern dishes with new takes like soul food seasoned air fryer BBQ chicken, Instant Pot Southern low country boil, grilled soul burgers, or a slow cooker easy gumbo recipe.
Can you grill on your tailgate?
Grilled foods and cookout recipes were traditionally at the heart of any Southern tailgate food party.
How do you tailgate without a grill?
Today, with innovative appliances that travel well to keep food warm, like Instant Pots and air fryers, tailgate food does not necessarily have to be prepared on the grill.
What food is good for tailgating?
Since tailgating is a type of game day party where people get together before the game with the food as the center point of the get-together, the food should be easy to eat and carry in an outdoor setting.
That’s why finger foods and foods you can easily scoop into a paper cup or bowl are often best for tailgating recipes.
What is considered a finger food?
Small, individual portions of food that are eaten out of hand and ideally do not create a mess and do not require utensils such as knives, plates, and forks.
Finger foods are optimal for tailgating because they’re easy to eat while standing up.
What are 5 finger foods?
- Burgers & sandwiches
- Hot dogs
- Cracker mixes
- Fruit
- Pizza
What should you bring to a tailgate party?
Check out this list of the best Southern tailgate food ideas.
Southern tailgate drinks
Southern tailgate food appetizers
Southern tailgate food main dishes
Southern tailgate food sides
Southern tailgate food desserts
Southern tailgate food FAQs
What is the most popular tailgate food?
Tailgate food is always a big topic of conversation among sports fans. So many people go to the game just for the food!
The most popular tailgate food is barbecue. Of course, hot dogs and hamburgers are also prevalent. But anything BBQ’ed is sure to be the first pick!
What is the most eaten food on Superbowl Sunday?
Hands down chicken wings- or should I say hands filled with chicken wings? Americans consume over 1.5 billion wings on Superbowl Sunday!
What are the 5 most popular Superbowl foods?
- Chicken wings
- Meatballs
- Guacamole
- Chips & salsa
- Chili
How do you keep food warm at a tailgate?
What’s the worst thing to happen at a tailgate?
Nobody eats because there are lukewarm hot dogs, hamburgers, and cold chicken wings!
Wondering how you heat food at a tailgate?
If you’re a tailgater, here are a few solutions to keep your food warm throughout the party.
- Make sure you use disposable foil and trays to insulate your food through transport.
- Use an Instant Pot, Crockpot, or air fryer appliance to keep food hot at home or your tailgate if you have electricity.
- Coolers can also keep hot food hot by trapping and retaining heat.
What is American tailgate food?
American tailgating is about having fun with friends and family while enjoying delicious food and drinks.
There are plenty of American tailgate party foods to choose from, so you can easily find something to please everyone, especially among these flavorful soul food Southern tailgate food recipes!
What’s your favorite tailgate food recipe?
Comment below and lemme know.
Then subscribe HERE for all the soul food!
Like this post? Pin the below image to your Pinterest “Soul Food Recipes” board!
Equipment
- Instant Pot electric pressure cooker (optional)
- Air fryer, Instant Pot Omni Plus oven/air fryer, or conventional oven
Ingredients
- 12 chicken wings
- 2 tablespoons seasoning salt Famous Dave’s Country Roast Chicken Seasoning or similar (Contains soulful flavors such as paprika, mustard seed, garlic powder, onion powder, bell pepper, and lemon zest all in one!)
- 2 tablespoons garlic & herb seasoning Weber Seasoning Roasted Garlic & Herb, or similar
- 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce Homemade BBQ sauce recipe HERE!
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the chicken seasoning and the garlic & herb seasoning.
- Rub the seasoning mixture on the chicken pieces to coat them.
- Then use a basting brush to coat the chicken with the BBQ sauce.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil, or if you have an air fryer tray or baking sheet, line it with parchment paper and then spray the paper.
- Place the chicken wings in or on the air fryer basket or tray.
- Air fry at 350 degrees F for a total of 30 minutes.
- Halfway through, after about 15 minutes, flip the wings over in the air fryer and return to cooking.
- Air fry at 350 degrees for the remaining 15 minutes.
- Serve this Southern soul food BBQ chicken wings recipe right away, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
How do you make soft BBQ chicken?
Optionally, you can use the below instructions and marinate the chicken in a buttermilk brine to tenderize it before adding the BBQ sauce. This additional step is easiest with an Instant Pot electric pressure cooker.Instructions for a buttermilk marinade chicken brine
- To make homemade buttermilk, use 3 cups of milk and 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. In a medium-sized bowl, stir the two ingredients together and let them sit for 5 minutes.
- Open the Instant Pot lid and add the buttermilk and 1 teaspoon of salt to the stainless steel inner pot.
- Add the chicken pieces, skin-side up, to the pot with the buttermilk. (No Instant Pot? No problem! – allow the chicken to marinate in the buttermilk for 4 hours to overnight.)
- Close the Instant Pot lid (make sure the valve is in the sealing position – up) and pressure cook on high for 20 minutes.
- When the cooking time is finished, allow a natural pressure release for at least 10 minutes.
- To open the Instant Pot lid, move the valve to ‘venting’ and manually release any remaining pressure, if applicable.
- Remove the chicken from the Instant Pot (you can discard the buttermilk) and set the chicken pieces aside on a rimmed baking sheet to cool off to the touch.
What can you substitute for the poultry and herb seasonings?
You can use your favorite all-purpose seasoning or a combination of these soul food seasonings to make 4 tablespoons. Homemade soul food chicken seasoning:- Paprika
- Mustard seed
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Red pepper flakes
- Grated bell pepper
- Lemon zest
- Salt
- Black pepper
I appreciate you sharing this blog post. Thanks Again. Cool.