Healthy Tailgating Recipes for Game Day

Game day just got a whole lot healthier — and tastier. Whether you're cheering from the stadium parking lot or hosting a watch party at home, tailgating doesn't have to mean sacrificing your wellness goals. We've created four crowd-pleasing, nutrient-packed recipes that bring all the flavor and none of the guilt to game days. These recipes will help keep you feeling great long after the final whistle.

Greek Chicken Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce and Whole Wheat Pitas. 

Servings: 16 snack size

‍Ingredients.

Meatballs:

• 1/4 medium red bell pepper
• 1/4 medium red onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 lb ground chicken breast
• 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1Tbsp lemon zest
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh mint
• 2 tsp dried oregano (or 1 Tbsp fresh)
• 1 tsp dried parsley (or 2 tsp fresh)
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp dried dill (or 2 tsp fresh)
• 2 tsp salt

Tzatziki Sauce:

• 1 cucumber, divided
• 1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh dill
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh mint
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Pinch black pepper
• 1 tsp salt

Sandwiches:

• Thinly sliced 3/4 cucumber
• Tomato, diced
• Red onion slices
• Whole wheat pitas, cut in 4

‍Instructions.

1. Heat oven to 375° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone baking sheet. 
2. In a food processor, pulse bell pepper, onion, and garlic until finely diced. Add to a bowl with remaining meatball ingredients (chicken through salt). Stir (or use your hands) to mix well.
3. Roll mixture into 1-inch balls. Place one inch apart on prepared baking sheet and bake 12-18 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted into the center reads 165° F.
4. While meatballs are baking, make tzatziki sauce. Grate 1/4 cucumber onto a mesh strainer or paper towel and squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Add to a bowl with remaining ingredients. Stir to combine and refrigerate until ready to serve.
5. Serve meatballs with sauce or as sandwiches. For the sandwiches, divide meatballs among pitas. Add cucumber slices, tomatoes and onion slices. Top with sauce

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites with Ranch Dressing.

Servings: 12 

Ingredients.

Cauliflower Bites:

• 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into bite size florets
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tsp granulated garlic
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, ground
• 1/3 cup Frank’s Red Hot Wings Sauce, buffalo
• 1 tsp butter1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Ranch Dressing:

• 2/3 cup plain fat free yogurt
• 2 Tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 clove garlic, minced or grated
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 2 Tbsp minced herbs (parsley, tarragon, chives, basil) or 2 Tbsp ranch dressing powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions.

1. Prepare 1-2 sheet pans to easily fit the cauliflower florets without touching. Use parchment paper or nonstick pan with nonstick spray. Preheat oven to 425° F.
2. Mix together the flour, water, granulated garlic, and salt in a medium bowl. Add cauliflower florets and mix until evenly coated. Place on sheet pan so they are not touching. Bake for 15 minutes and turn over. Return to oven for 8 minutes until tender.
3. Melt Butter in a medium bowl, add hot sauce and stir together. Remove pan from the oven. Cool slightly. Place all of the cauliflower in the hot sauce bowl and toss until evenly distributed. Return to the sheet pan and bake for an additional 8 minutes or until the sauce is absorbed and the cauliflower begins to crisp. Let cool for at least 10 minutes, best at room temp.
4. Combine yogurt, garlic, buttermilk, herbs and mayonnaise. Add salt and pepper. 

Greek Salad on a Stick.

Servings: 16

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber, sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 1 cup whole kalamata olives (or black olives)
• 1 cup grape tomatoes
• Lettuce
• Fresh mint leaves
• 1 cup feta cheese cubes
• Greek salad dressing

Instructions.

1. Put vegetables and cheese on skewer.
2. Brush or drizzle with salad dressing.

Banana Chocolate Cookies.

Servings: 12 cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 medium banana
• 1 cup natural almond butter
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 cup demerara or raw sugar
• 1/4 cup old fashioned oats, pulsed in the food processor for a few seconds
• 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
• 1 cup chopped dark chocolate, at least 70%

Instructions.

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Mash the banana in a large mixing bowl. Add the almond butter, egg, vanilla, baking soda, sugar, oatmeal and salt, stirring to combine. Fold in the chocolate. Dough will be loose.
2. Drop heaping teaspoons of the dough on a parchment lined baking sheet, placing the cookies about 1 1/2” apart. They will spread and become thin. Bake them for 8-10 minutes, or until cookies are lightly golden brown and set

Tailgating doesn’t have to be a cheat day. With these healthy recipes in your playbook, you can enjoy every bite without worrying about your health goals. Celebrate every game day with food that fuels the fun and your health!

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