Easy No Frill Tailgate Recipes for the Family
Fall is prime tailgating season. Maybe in years past, you’ve focused mostly on tailgating for the adult crowd, but convenient, family-friendly recipes seem to be a big focus currently. So, we’ve rounded up some healthy, fun recipes with sweetpotatoes that can work for the whole family, kids and all.
Many of these recipes are convenient and comforting, meaning they are great options for cozy, healthy dishes for an easy weeknight dinner, or for entertaining a crowd on the weekends. Utilize your crockpot, cook casseroles in bulk, and opt for freezing doubles or leftovers to reduce time in the kitchen now and in the future. That way you can spend less time cooking and more time with your friends and family.
Incorporating vegetables, such as sweetpotatoes, alongside some of the classic high-fat, high-sugar tailgating dishes, can help increase your fiber intake and increase satiety and fullness, which can lead to less snacking throughout the day. Sweetpotato recipes can be great for picky eaters as well, as sweetpotatoes generally adapt to a variety of flavors. Therefore, family-friendly tailgate ideas can also be great for increasing veggie consumption among kids.
Lastly, sweetpotatoes add a natural sweetness to any dish and are ideal for both sweet and savory dishes. These recipes offer a great way to add more nutrition to your typical tailgating spread, or upgrade your favorite family-friendly options.
Don’t forget about food safety when food is left outside for hours. Things to remember:
- Clean surfaces often. Wash your hands and utensils when cooking and mixing foods.
- Separate raw meat from cooked foods and fresh produce
- Use a food thermometer to make sure foods are cooked to an internal temperature that kills germs (145 degrees F for pork and ham, 160 degrees for ground beef, 165 degrees for poultry).
- Keep hot foods at 140 degrees F or warmer and cold foods at 40 degrees F or colder.
- Aim to refrigerate perishable foods and leftovers within 2 hours, or within 1 hour if the food is exposed to temperatures above 90°F (like a hot car or summer picnic).
Tailgate Breakfast Options
Apps and Sides
- The Best Grilled Sweetpotatoes
- Sweetpotato Hummus
- Spinach Sweetpotato Tater Tots
- Sweetpotato Skillet Nachos
- Chipotle Sweetpotato Salad
- Sweetpotato Bacon Salad
- Peanut and Lime Sweetpotato Slaw
Main Meals & Entrees
- Sweetpotato Chicken Kebabs
- Sweetpotato Turkey Meatballs
- Vegan Sweetpotato Chili
- Maple Mustard Sweetpotato Chicken Skewers
- Kale and Sweetpotato Mac and Cheese
- Slowcooker Sweet Potato Mexican Quinoa
- Sweetpotato Burger Casserole
- Sweetpotato White Bean Burgers
Desserts
