Whether you’re tailgating before the big game or couchgating from the comfort of home, food is a huge part of the football viewing experience. While pizza is great in a pinch, it gets old Sunday after Sunday. Or depending on how much of a die-hard fan you are, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday AND Monday.  Get creative in the kitchen and tackle (pun intended) some of these delicious recipes for a gameday spread that leave your guests cheering for more. 

Heart & Liver Bison Chili:

Warm up on game day with a bowl of Heart & Liver Bison Chili. This recipe, by the lovely and talented Mary “The Paleo Chef,” uses our special heart & liver ground bison blend for an even tastier treat, but you can use regular ground if you prefer. Make a side of freshly baked cornbread, set up a chili dog station, or serve it on a bed of lettuce. Have an array of fresh toppings and garnishes so guests can create their own customized bowl!

Homestyle Meatballs:

Perfect as an appetizer, these homestyle bison meatballs are as easy to make as they are delicious. Top them with your favorite sauce (try classic BBQ, traditional marinara, or hot and spicy) or create a sauce bar and let guests choose their own flavor. Make these easy to grab and eat by inserting a toothpick into each one before serving. 

Steak & Veggie Skewers:

Take your football food to the next level with some grassfed bison steak! One of our favorite tricks is simply taking our favorite steak  – you can really use any cut you like: flank steak, sirloin, rib-eye –  and turning it into steak and veggie skewers. It’s so simple, you don’t really even need a recipe to make this. Steak, veggies, a little olive oil, sea salt and pepper is all you need, then throw the skewers on the grill. If you want to get a little fancy, you can marinate your skewers first. 

Bison Burgers: 

This one really needs no introduction. Burgers are as all-American as football itself. Grab some of our ground bison and make a batch of homemade burgers. Or take the (slightly) easier way out and snag some of our pre-made bison burgers. Sliders, lettuce wraps or big, juicy two-handed pub-style burgers – no matter which way you go, your guests won’t leave hungry. 

Grilled Brats:

Fire up the grill for some mouthwatering bison brats. Serve them up with some freshly baked buns and top with a side of homemade sauerkraut or grilled peppers and onions. 

Looking for more football food ideas and game day snacks for you and your fellow football fans? Visit our Pinterest page and check out our “Game Day Recipes” board. 

MVP Party Tips:

Delicious food isn’t the only thing that will make your football party a winner. Here are our top tips for hosting a fun-filled gameday:

Suit Up! Wear your team’s colors proudly and tell your guests to wear their game day gear, too. 

Pull Up a Chair: No one likes standing room only, so make sure you have plenty of seats for your guests to relax in. If you’re worried you won’t have enough seating, ask friends to bring a camping chair with them! 

Cheers! Make sure you have a variety of beverages for all of your guests. Chill some beer, wine, bottled water, and cans of sparkling water or get creative with football-themed drinks. Make sure your guests have a good time, but most importantly, make sure everyone has a sober ride home.

Take it Outside: Set up an outdoor projector and a comfortable viewing area so guests can watch the big game inside or outside.

Game On: While the players take a halftime break, grab your group and play a 20-minute scrimmage in the backyard to work up an appetite for the second half!  

Need more tips? Check out these 11 tips for hosting a football party from the Food Network.