Budget-Friendly Tailgate Recipes

Minute Read

Great food doesn’t have to mean a great big grocery bill. These tailgate recipes include low-cost ingredients to create a winning dish. Plus, you can modify recipes to save money. Is your grocery store running a special on ground turkey this week? Substitute the turkey for ground beef in your recipe. Even without a sale, you can whip up all six of these appetizers, sides and main courses for less than $2 per serving—an estimate we calculated based on current prices at Giant.

Appetizers

Deep Fried Pickles

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Serving size: 6
Recipe cost: $1.41 per serving

Everyone loves pickles! You can pick sweet or dill pickles—and the instructions include an air fryer option. Find the full recipe here.

Rotel Dip

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Serving size: 12
Recipe cost: $1.39 per serving

Tailgating usually involves chips, so we recommend having a dip on hand. You can turn this hearty tailgating staple vegetarian by skipping the beef. Find the full recipe here.

Side Dishes

Loaded Tater Tot Skewers

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Serving size: 12
Recipe cost: $1.06 per serving

Tater tots get tastier when you pair them with bacon. Buy store-brand tater tots and cheese to save even more money. Find the full recipe here.

Mac ‘N Cheese

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Service size: 6
Recipe cost: $1.83 per serving

What’s a tailgate without mac ‘n cheese? This classic recipe draws on several ingredients you already have on your shelves, like cornstarch. You can cut the cost per serving nearly in half if you skip the dried mustard. Find the full recipe here.

Main Courses

Ham and Cheese Hawaiian Roll Sandwiches

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Serving size: 12
Recipe cost: $1.46 per serving

Use pantry staples, including mustard and Worcestershire sauce, to cook up these crowd favorites. Increase your savings by swapping out the Havarti cheese in the recipe for more economical cheddar. You’ll enjoy the same sharp taste for about half the price. Find the full recipe here.

Crock Pot Chili Cheese Dogs

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 3 hours in a slow cooker
Serving size: 8
Recipe cost: $1.80 per serving

Hot dogs and buns are two of the cheapest ingredients you can use to build a meal. Combine that with the time savings you gain when you purchase already-made canned chili, and you can have this inexpensive dish prepped in a flash. Find the full recipe here.

Use a Members 1st Visa Credit Card to Buy Ingredients

This fall, cheer on your team with a full stomach and a full bank account. Remember, you can earn rewards such as 2% back on grocery purchases when you use a Members 1st Visa. If you don’t have one, compare options for our credit cards and apply today.

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