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 hosting Super Bowl parties, I have amassed a wealth of knowledge and practical experience over the years. For the past 15 years, I've been the proud host of Super Bowl gatherings, continuously refining the art of creating an unforgettable food experience for my guests. This has involved mastering the art of preparing classic game day dishes like chili, wings, and dips, as well as embracing the unexpected, such as incorporating unique ingredients like moose meatballs from a friend's hunting adventure. My expertise extends beyond just recipes; I understand the importance of creating a seamless and enjoyable experience for both hosts and guests, from encouraging potluck contributions to ensuring there are enough plates and utensils for everyone.
Now, let's delve into the concepts used in this article and provide relevant information:
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Potluck and Food Groups: The concept of potluck involves assigning specific dishes or food groups to guests, allowing non-cooks to contribute in a meaningful way. This not only eases the burden on the host but also introduces a diverse array of dishes to the gathering. It's important to provide guidance on what to bring, such as chips, drinks, ice, or a favorite condiment, and handpick the best recipes for wings, dips, nachos, and chili to inspire the guests.
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Make-Ahead Options: Hosting a Super Bowl party requires planning and foresight, especially when it comes to food preparation. Opting for make-ahead recipes allows the host to interact with guests and enjoy the game without being tied to the kitchen. It's essential to select recipes that can be made entirely or mostly ahead of time to ensure a stress-free hosting experience.
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Scaling Recipes: Flexibility is key when it comes to accommodating varying party sizes. Choosing recipes that are easy to scale up or down depending on the number of guests ensures that there's enough food without excessive waste. However, it's important to consider that cooking times and temperatures may be affected when adjusting recipe yields.
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Store-Bought Supplements: Incorporating store-bought shortcuts alongside homemade recipes is a practical approach to catering for a Super Bowl party. It's beneficial to consult taste tests of the best store-bought salsas and hummus brands and to have premade or frozen treats that can be easily warmed up, ensuring that there's sufficient sustenance throughout the event.
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Beverage Selection: Offering a variety of beverages, including lagers, pilsners, radlers, seltzers, and nonalcoholic options, complements the array of food served at the party. It's important to consider the duration of the event and the need for appropriate refreshments that cut through the heavy foods, as well as the availability of space for serving and storing beverages.
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Entertainment and Activities: Enhancing the Super Bowl party experience with games, prop bets, or other activities, such as Super Bowl squares or bingo, adds an extra layer of fun and engagement for guests. It's essential to consider the preferences of the attendees and provide options for them to participate in the event beyond just watching the game.
By incorporating these concepts and insights into the planning and execution of a Super Bowl party, hosts can ensure a memorable and enjoyable experience for themselves and their guests, elevating the event beyond just a game day gathering to a celebration of food, camaraderie, and entertainment.
