It’s Wild card weekend, What better way to enjoy a weekend of football than with regional recipes of each teams fan base! Score Big with these recipes for Gameday Gridiron Grub!
Get ready for Wild Card Weekend with a lineup of touchdown-worthy recipes! From crowd-pleasing appetizers like spicy buffalo dip and marinara zucchini bites to hearty main courses like green chili burritos and Cubanos, our gameday eats will keep your wild card weekend party fueled and your guests cheering all weekend long.
Wild Card Weekend always brings the heat with thrilling matchups and terrific football. To fuel your adrenaline and make your watch party unforgettable, this blog post features regional recipes inspired by each game. But Wild Card Weekend is more than just cheering for your team; it’s a chance to explore the diverse culinary landscapes of America. So, whether you’re glued to the screen or simply a fan of delicious football food, try out these recipes and let us know which city reigns supreme in the kitchen. Grab your jerseys, fire up the grills and ovens, and get ready to tackle these epic eats throughout the weekend, one thrilling matchup at a time!
Saturdays Games:
Recipes: Chargers vs Texans
- Houston: Texas is the home of Tex Mex cuisine, so saddle up for some Tex-Mex goodness with sizzling grilled fajitas. Seasoned chicken, steak, or shrimp combined with bell peppers and onions, served on warm tortillas with all the fixings – guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, and salsa. Nothing is more Tex Mex than a fresh fajita. Prefer Tex Mex in a one pot meal? Try our Tex Mex chicken and vegetables.
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- Los Angeles: While the Chargers may have relocated, their roots run deep in San Diego. To honor their Southern California heritage, we’re sharing a recipe that celebrates that city: fish tacos. Click the link below to savor our delectable Monkfish Tacos, a flavorful tribute to the Chargers’ original home base!
Seafood Tacos with Grilled Monkfish
Difficulty: EasyA light and delectable seafood taco prepared on your grill. Perfect to up the ante at your Summer BBQ or cookout.
Tex-Mex Chicken and Vegetables
Difficulty: EasyA delicious Tex-Mex one pot meal filled with summer-time vegetables, black beans and melted cheese.
Recipes: Steelers vs Ravens
- Pittsburgh: Cheer on the Steelers with a taste of Pittsburgh! Our Parmesan-crusted zucchini bites are a game-day appetizer that honors the Italian traditions found in this old city. These crispy, savory bites feature a cheesy crust that perfectly balances the sweetness of the fresh marinara sauce. You won’t be able to resist these finger-licking treats!”
- Baltimore: Old Bay seasoning is synonymous with the city of Baltimare. Unleash this flavor with Old Bay Stuffed Chicken! Juicy, tender chicken breasts coated with Old Bay and stuffed with spinach, mushroom and Swiss. Each bite is a touchdown of comfort and a taste of Baltimore.
- How do you make this Old bay stuffed chicken? Click the link for stuffed chicken breast below. Just be sure to coat the chicken with Old Bay seasoning after you stuff them and before you sear them in a hot pan. Forget greasy wings and soggy chips – these flavorful fowl will be the MVPs of your party, easy to prepare and guaranteed to leave your flock begging for more. So fire up the oven and let the Old Bay stuffed chicken feast begin!
Healthy Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Bites
Difficulty: EasyA healthy, simple, quick and delicious side using zucchini, an abundant summer vegetable
Spinach and Mushroom Stuffed Chicken Breast
Difficulty: EasyA simple modification to chicken dinner that is easy, healthy and delicious.
Sunday’s Games:
Broncos vs Bills
- Buffalo: Go all-in on the Buffalo theme with a legendary buffalo chicken dip. Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with chunks of tender chicken and a fiery kick – it’s the ultimate dip for your chips, pretzels, pitas or even carrots and celery sticks.
- Denver: While green chile burritos may have New Mexican origins, they’re an absolute must-have for any Broncos game day. Elevate your gameday menu with green chilis burritos made with our ‘Better Than Chipotle’ Burrito recipe, then top them off with a homemade green chile sauce that can be made a day in advance. To make the sauce, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of flour, stirring constantly for about 3 minutes. Add 1 clove of minced garlic and stir briefly. Slowly whisk in 1.5 cups chicken broth. Add 0.5 teaspoon cumin, a small can (about 4 ounces) of diced green chiles, 1 teaspoon oregano, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1/3 cup cheese (cheddar or your favorite) and sour cream (optional). For extra heat, add your favorite hot sauce to bring the heat to your desired level.
Buffalo Red Hot Chicken Dip
Difficulty: EasyCreamy, spicy with chunks of blue cheese and chicken. Serve with chips or veggies.
Better than Chipotle Turkey Burritos
Difficulty: EasyThese perfectly seasoned, cheesy, and bold flavored burritos are healthier than store bought and will have your family and friends asking for more, and the recipe!
Packers vs Eagles
- Green Bay: Go all-in with the ultimate Wisconsin game-day treat: beer-soaked red hot brats! Grilled to juicy perfection, these brats are piled high with caramelized onions infused with Frank’s RedHot and melted cheddar cheese. [Click here for the recipe] Not a fan of spice? No problem! Grill your brats and enjoy them simply with classic toppings like mustard and sauerkraut.
- Philadelphia: Everybody thinks Philly cheesesteak when they think of Philadelphia football food, but we took a different path and went with a Stromboli. Pizza rolls can be filled with Italian meats such as pepperoni, salami, ham capicola and provolone. An alternative option is our Stromboli stuffed with sausage, your choice of spinach or broccoli and capped off with mozzarella and pecorino Romano. If you prefer meat, simply replace the filling in our recipe with your favorite Italian meats and some provolone.
Stromboli
Cooks in 60 minutesDifficulty: EasyStromboli is a pizza roll up into a loaf with your favorite toppings as the filling.
Commanders vs Buccaneers
- Tampa Bay: Go tropical with a Cuban sandwich. Layers of juicy roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard pressed on toasted Cuban bread. Tampa’s version of this sandwich can include salami in place of the ham. Our recipe recommends ham. To get the Tampa version, simply replace the ham with salami. Whichever version you make, you get a taste of the Sunshine State in every bite.
- Washington D.C.: Fuel your game day with a Washington classic: the chili dog! We recommend making a big batch of our hearty chili con carne the day before. Then on gameday, grill up your favorite hot dogs, place them in buns, and top with a generous portion of chili and a sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese. It’s a simple yet satisfying game-day treat
Cubano (Cuban Sandwich)
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyA healthier version of the classic Cubano or Cuban sandwich.
Shredded Beef Chili con Carne
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyA simple and delicious chili recipe made with beef and beans in a tomato based sauce.
Monday’s Game
Vikings vs Rams
- Los Angeles: Bring the fiesta with tacos galore! Chicken, Carnitas, al pastor, barbacoa – the options are endless. Don’t forget the fixings: pico de gallo, guacamole, and a mountain of cilantro. Our Mexican chicken tacos are loaded with Mexican flavors and can be served with hard or soft taco shells. We prefer soft corn tortillas.
- Minnesota: True Viking fans know that cheeseburgers are best enjoyed with a unique twist – the cheese goes inside! We recommend trying our recipe for Nashville Burger with Horseradish, then instead of the traditional method, create a unique patty: place a slice of cheese on one patty, then top it with another patty, sealing the cheese inside. Grill this meat and cheese sandwich to perfection for a spicy burger with a molten cheese center that will truly impress your fellow Vikings fans.
Chicken Tacos
Difficulty: EasyCreate chicken tacos in minutes when made with our crockpot Mexican chicken.
Nashville Burger with Horseradish
Difficulty: EasyA sharp, spicy and savory alternative to the classic grilled burger.
Don’t forget the drinks!
Stock up on your favorite beverages, whether it’s beer, soda, or non-alcoholic options.
Enjoy the Game!
Most of these recipes can be made ahead of time. Make sure to prepare the day before so that you can; enjoy the games! Also, don’t make everything. Pick a couple and ask if any of your guest can help out. Be sure to share our website so they can make one of our recipes. Also, check our instagram to vote for your favorite gameday recipe for each game.
With these delicious recipes in your arsenal, you’re ready to host an unforgettable Wild Card Weekend party. So gather your friends, fire up the grill, and enjoy the game!
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