5 Recipes for Tailgating, But Make Them Elevated
Michelin-star quality, without the Michelin-star work.
Published On
Welcome to Forkcast—our weekly meal plan with five recipes, a grocery list, and tips to keep dinner easy. This week’s lineup comes from our editor, Kelly.
It’s tailgating season—only this time, we’re going a little gourmet. Call it Michelin-star vibes without the Michelin-star effort. Because yes, I’ve obviously been binging way too many episodes of our favorite kitchen drama on DIRECTV, especially because the MyEntertainment Genre Pack gives me more than 50 live channels, plus Disney+, Hulu and HBO Max.
And these recipes can be prepped ahead, pull double duty for lunch or dinner, and still hold up for the first tailgate… and the second… maybe even the third.
Scroll down for full grocery list and tips.
The Plan
Breakfast: Chilaquiles Verdes
This is a delicious, easy, comfort-foody recipe. Putting the veggies under the broiler gives it a wonderful smoky taste.
Food | Recipes
Featured Video
Lunch 1: Salad Nachos
Much like Salad Pizza, the appeal of Salad Nachos is in the marriage of hot and cold—hot, cheesy nachos with cool, crisp greens.
It’s everything you want for a cookout or tailgating. It’s super easy, so you can make it ahead and bring it in a Tupperware. Or prop a cast-iron pan on the beach flames and make it right there and then.
Food | Recipes
Are you always on the lookout for quick and easy weeknight dinners that you feel good about feeding yourself and your family? This one is crazy simple and, helpfully, really good.
Food | Recipes
Dinner 2: Bacon, Brie & Jam Sliders
These appetizer-ready mini sandwiches feature slices of crispy bacon, creamy Brie, sweet blackberry preserves, and buttery, toasted Sara Lee Artesano Steakhouse Dinner Rolls—perfect for parties, game days, and more.
Food | Recipes
Grocery List
Produce
- 1 bunch Swiss chard
- 12 ounces sugar snap peas
- 1–2 avocados
- 3 Persian cucumbers
- 3 pounds tomatillos
- ¾ cup grape or cherry tomatoes
- 4–5 cups romaine lettuce
Dairy & Eggs
- 1 cup queso fresco or shredded Monterey Jack
- ½ cup crumbled cotija cheese
- ½ cup yogurt
- 1 pound shredded cheddar and pepper jack cheese
- 6 ounces Brie
Meat & Fish
- 1 pound chicken or pork sausage
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 8 slices bacon
Pantry
- 1 13-ounce bag tortilla chips
- 12 corn tortillas
- 12 dinner rolls
- 1 16-ounce can cannellini beans
- 1 cup black beans
- 1 cup refried beans
- 1 small jar blackberry jam or preserves
The Pointers
The Pointers
- If you fancy tackling a dessert, Noah just made a clear (yes, clear) key-lime pie in the latest episode of Noah Tackles—watch it here.
- To meat up (pun intended) your salad nachos, add ground beef or pork, leftover chicken, or any other protein of your choice.
- Prep the yakult-style dressing in bulk and use it throughout the week on other veggies.
- If you don’t have brie on hand, any soft cheese will do in a pinch.
- Try the blackberry jam on the nachos, too. Trust me.
- 1
5 Summery Meals That Start with Rice
Soak up the sun (and sauce) with these recipes.
- 2
5 Italian Comfort Meals for Binging Your Favorite Shows
Eat like your favorite waste management family.
- 3
Introducing Forkcast: Your Weekly Meal Plan & Grocery List
Cozy pastas, spring soups, and everything you need to cook this week—plus how to subscribe.
5 Easy Meals That Sneak In the Veggies
With a little prep, these veggie-packed dishes will save your week.