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.
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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 enthusiast and expert in the realm of food and entertaining, I can confidently say that I have a deep understanding of the concepts related to hosting gatherings, preparing delicious meals, and creating a delightful ambience for social events. I have extensive experience in hosting various events, including Super Bowl parties, where the focus is not only on the game but also on the culinary delights that bring people together.
This article focuses on the essence of Super Bowl Sunday, emphasizing the significance of food, socializing, and creating a memorable experience for guests. The key concepts covered in the article include:
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Hosting a Super Bowl Party: The article delves into the experience of hosting a Super Bowl gathering, highlighting the joy of preparing a wide array of dishes, including chips, dips, chicken wings, and chili, to accompany the game. It emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming environment for friends and family.
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Potluck and Make-Ahead Options: The concept of a potluck is encouraged, where specific dishes or food groups are assigned to guests. Additionally, the article recommends choosing make-ahead recipes to allow the host to interact with guests and enjoy the game without being tied to the kitchen.
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Logistics and Cleanup: Practical tips are provided, such as ensuring there are enough plates, bowls, and utensils, as well as encouraging guests to bring to-go containers to manage leftovers and expedite cleanup.
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Scalability of Recipes: The article suggests choosing recipes that can be easily scaled up or down based on the size of the gathering, ensuring that cooking times and temperatures are adjusted accordingly.
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Incorporating Store-Bought Items: It advocates for supplementing homemade recipes with store-bought shortcuts and provides recommendations for store-bought salsas, hummus, and other convenient options.
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Beverage Selection and Entertainment: The article emphasizes the importance of offering a variety of beverages to complement the food and suggests incorporating entertainment elements, such as Super Bowl squares and prop bets, to engage guests.
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Recipe Collections: The article provides links to curated collections of recipes for wings, dips, nachos, and chili, catering to the diverse palates of Super Bowl party attendees.
Overall, the article focuses on creating a festive and enjoyable atmosphere for the Super Bowl, combining the love of football with the pleasure of good food and social interaction.
