15+ High-Protein Tailgate Recipes

Celebrate game day with some of these tasty recipes that are perfect for tailgating! These dishes are high in protein, which can help support muscle growth and repair and also keep your body energized. Try options like our Kickin’ Hot Chili or our Caprese Pasta Salad with Salami for a game-worthy bite that everyone will love!

Air-Fryer Buffalo Wings

A sports bar favorite comes home with these deliciously crispy chicken wings in the air fryer, which require just 10 minutes of active prep time.

Kickin’ Hot Chili

Christine Ma


If you like your chili seriously hot, this hot chili recipe is for you. For an even bigger kick, use the whole teaspoon of cayenne pepper.

Artichoke, Chickpea & Mozzarella Pasta Salad

Jen Causey

This healthy pasta salad draws inspiration from a traditional antipasto platter. Artichoke hearts and pepperoncini add briny flavor, while fresh mozzarella lends a creamy note. Serve this pasta salad at your next dinner party or backyard get-together.

Caprese Pasta Salad with Salami

Jacob Fox

Tomatoes—both cherry and heirloom—are the star of the show in this pasta salad. This easy summer dinner includes salami for its rich savory flavor, but you can skip it or sub in white beans to make this dish vegetarian. Recipe adapted from Tomato Love by Joy Howard.

Honey Glazed Cajun Chicken Wings

These oven-baked wings are designed to be cooked ahead, taken to a tailgate or picnic, and reheated on a charcoal or gas grill. We love the sweet-spicy glaze–just be sure to pack plenty of napkins!

Black Bean, Corn & Avocado Pasta Salad

Jen Causey

Serve this colorful, veggie-packed pasta salad at your next outdoor gathering. From creamy avocado to crunchy bell peppers, this pasta salad is full of texture and flavor. A homemade herb-lime vinaigrette ties everything together.

Chipotle Chicken Satay with Grilled Vegetables

Plan ahead before you prep the grill for this grilled chicken recipe: marinating the chicken in a mix of peanut butter, lime, and chipotle peppers results in tender meat and bold flavors.

Buffalo Chicken Casserole

Photography / Fred Hardy, Styling / Ruth Blackburn / Audrey Davis

We took the classic flavors of Buffalo wings–hot sauce, blue cheese, carrots and celery–and created a finger-licking-good casserole. Serve this dish during football season to a hungry crowd and it’s sure to be a hit. 

Shrimp, Scallop & Pineapple Skewers with Cilantro Aioli

Fire up the grill and make these delicious citrusy seafood skewers.

Chicken “Carne” Adovada

Here we braise chicken thighs in a brick-red chile sauce. This dish is even tastier the next day. Serve with flour tortillas and, though it’s not traditional, we like the contrast of creamy avocado with it.

Mixed Grill with Balsamic-Mustard Vegetables

This healthy dinner recipe is perfect for using up whatever fresh vegetables you have on hand. Just pay attention to cook time: denser vegetables, such as peppers and onions, take a bit longer than softer ones like zucchini and squash. Smaller ones, like cherry tomatoes, may need to be cooked in a grill basket.

Blackened Salmon Sandwich

Blackened salmon is great in a sandwich with a spread of mashed avocado and low-fat mayonnaise plus peppery arugula leaves, cool tomato slices and zesty red onion. We grill our Cajun-style salmon so there is no need for any added cooking oil. Catfish makes an excellent stand-in for the salmon but you’ll want to use a grill basket if you have one to keep the fish from breaking apart.

BBQ Ranch Wraps

Pack these yummy wrap sandwiches for an easy meal on the go.

Grilled Lemon-Herb Chicken

Marinating is a healthy way to add terrific flavor to foods. It also adds a make-ahead step to a recipe. Marinate the meat in the morning, then cook it at night.

Hearty Beef Chili

For a fall open house, make this beef chili in the slow cooker. As guests arrive, set out chips and cheese and let them help themselves to a bowl.

Slow-Cooker Chicken Enchilada Dip

A quick fresh-made blender enchilada sauce makes all the difference in this slow-cooker recipe for Mexican cheese dip. Serve it straight from the crock pot, with tortilla chips, to keep it warm and gooey.

Steak & Vegetables with Chimichurri Sauce

Originally from Uruguay and Argentina, chimichurri is a sauce or marinade with the main ingredients being fresh parsley and garlic. In this recipe it is paired with grilled steak, zucchini and tomato skewers.

Gazpacho with Scallop Skewers

Jason Donnelly

We give this classic summer soup a protein-packed upgrade by pairing it with skewers of grilled scallops seasoned with citrusy compound butter. Make a little extra to spread on grilled bread to serve alongside.

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