Even the most ardent football fans are wise to the true highlight of Super Bowl Sunday. This year’s game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers might actually go down to the wire, a few of the dozens of multimillion-dollar commercials might actually make you chuckle, and the halftime show might not be a total disappointment. But deep down, we all know that the best thing about the Super Bowl is the food.
It’s the one day each year I find myself surrounded by an outlandish spread of chips, dips, chicken wings, chili and several of my closest friends. For the past 15 years, I’ve hosted a Super Bowl party (including a socially distant, pregame, outdoor food swap in 2021), and I always enjoy starting the day by waking up early to prepare a big pot of chili.
Whether you’re hosting or attending a gathering this year, here are a few things to consider:
Make it a potluck. Assign specific dishes or food groups (see below), and invite non-cooks to bring chips, drinks, ice or a favorite condiment. We’ve handpicked our best recipes for wings, dips, nachos and chili to inspire you and your guests. But sometimes the most memorable dishes are the unexpected ones, like the time my friend showed up with moose meatballs made from a moose her dad hunted in North Dakota with a bow and arrow. You never know what might turn up!
Lean into make-ahead options. As with most parties, much of the fun of hosting comes from being able to interact with your guests. During the Super Bowl, you’re also going to want to be free to enjoy the game. Choosing recipes that can be made entirely, or at least mostly, ahead of time, will “allow you to focus on all of the essentials — eating, drinking, and spending time with friends — all while watching a good game,” Eddie Jackson, former NFL cornerback, chef and Food Network host, says in his book, “Game-Day Eats.” “The key is to make food that allows you to spend your time with your guests, not slaving over the stove.”
Get the recipe: The Office Chili
Be sure to have enough plates, bowls and utensils for everyone attending. Run the dishwasher earlier in the day. Remember that mugs can double as bowls for chili and sturdy tortilla chips make excellent spoons, if/when you run out. This is also the time to use up all that takeout plasticware that you stashed away the past four years.
Encourage guests to bring to-go containers (or give away your takeout tubs). Leftovers are a wonderful thing, but less so when the host has nowhere to put them all. I don’t know about you, but my Tupperware cabinet is basically a bear trap. Spreading the bounty will expedite cleanup, too.
Choose recipes that are easy to scale up or down depending on the size of your gathering. Think dips, sandwiches, wings and chili. Keep in mind that cooking times and temperatures may be affected when you adjust the yield on a recipe, so adjust accordingly.
Get the recipe: Sheet-Pan Italian Sausage and Pepper Sandwiches
Store-bought is fine. You should absolutely supplement homemade recipes with store-bought shortcuts. Consult our taste tests of the best store-bought salsas and hummus brands and grab a premade and/or frozen treat or two that can easily be warmed up in the oven. The Super Bowl typically lasts for 3½ to 4 hours, so having sufficient sustenance is key.
Consider your serving surfaces. Piling all the food and drinks onto a coffee table in front of the TV is a recipe for spills and pet pandemonium. Clear off a kitchen counter and/or create space around the dinner table for a buffet line where people can set out their dishes and refuel during the game.
Variety is key on the beverage front. Lagers, crisp pilsners, radlers and seltzers will cut through the heavy foods. It might be a good day for session IPAs rather than boozy doubles and or imperial stouts. Tap into some of the great new nonalcoholic beers on the market. Or make a batch co*cktail. For the home mixologists, give our drink generator a shake and serve up classic or creative drinks, with or without booze. Depending on your latitude, you may be able to skip buying ice and keep beverages cool on a back patio or balcony.
Add to the entertainment. Offer up Super Bowl squares, silly prop bets or another game to give everyone a rooting interest. For the recreational gamblers, there have never been more ways to wager on the game. (How long will Reba McEntire’s rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” last?) Stay tuned for a special Super Bowl (Taylor’s Version) bingo card from The Post later this week, and check out Super Bowl squares strategy tips from The Post’s Neil Greenberg.
For more inspiration, check out collections of our best recipes for:
- Wings
- Dips
- Nachos
- Chili
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in hosting Super Bowl parties and a connoisseur of game day food, I can assure you that the highlight of Super Bowl Sunday is undoubtedly the food. Even though the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers might be exciting, the commercials might make you chuckle, and the halftime show might be worth watching, deep down, we all know that the food steals the show.
For the past 15 years, I have been hosting a Super Bowl party, and one of my favorite traditions is waking up early to prepare a big pot of chili. It sets the tone for the day and creates a warm, comforting atmosphere. Whether you're hosting or attending a gathering this year, here are some concepts to consider:
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Potluck: Make it a potluck and assign specific dishes or food groups to your guests. This way, everyone can contribute, and it takes the pressure off the host. Non-cooks can bring chips, drinks, ice, or their favorite condiment. However, be prepared for unexpected surprises like my friend who once showed up with moose meatballs made from a moose her dad hunted in North Dakota with a bow and arrow.
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Make-ahead options: To fully enjoy the game and spend time with your guests, choose recipes that can be made entirely or mostly ahead of time. This way, you won't be stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is having fun. Eddie Jackson, a former NFL cornerback, chef, and Food Network host, suggests focusing on food that allows you to spend time with your guests, not slaving over the stove.
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Utensils and containers: Ensure you have enough plates, bowls, and utensils for everyone attending. Consider using mugs as bowls for chili and sturdy tortilla chips as spoons if you run out of utensils. Encourage guests to bring to-go containers so they can take home leftovers and help with cleanup.
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Scalable recipes: Choose recipes that are easy to scale up or down depending on the size of your gathering. Dips, sandwiches, wings, and chili are great options. Just remember to adjust cooking times and temperatures accordingly.
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Store-bought shortcuts: Don't hesitate to supplement homemade recipes with store-bought shortcuts. It's convenient and saves time. Consult taste tests for the best store-bought salsas and hummus brands, and grab a premade or frozen treat that can be easily warmed up in the oven.
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Serving surfaces: Avoid spills and chaos by clearing off a kitchen counter or creating space around the dinner table for a buffet line. This way, people can set out their dishes and refuel during the game without crowding around a coffee table in front of the TV.
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Beverage variety: Offer a variety of beverages to complement the heavy foods. Lagers, crisp pilsners, radlers, and seltzers are refreshing choices. Consider session IPAs instead of boozy doubles or imperial stouts. Explore the market for nonalcoholic beers or create a batch co*cktail. You can also use our drink generator for classic or creative drinks, with or without alcohol.
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Entertainment: Enhance the Super Bowl experience by offering activities like Super Bowl squares or prop bets. This gives everyone a rooting interest and adds excitement to the game. For those interested in gambling, there are numerous ways to bet on the game. Stay tuned for a special Super Bowl bingo card from The Post and check out Super Bowl squares strategy tips.
For more inspiration, check out collections of our best recipes for wings, dips, nachos, and chili. These will surely elevate your Super Bowl party and make it a memorable event for you and your guests. Enjoy the game, the commercials, and most importantly, the delicious food!
