Tailgate Menus

This time next week I will definitely be pouring over my menu for the first football Saturday! I can't wait!! Likewise, Sadie's First Birthday party will also be a tailgate of sorts and I' trying to finalize a menu to feed a crowd. Here are a few of my tailgate (or "watching the game on your couch") recipes:

1. Pulled Pork in the Slow Cooker

A family favorite around here--I make this at least once a month. If you aren't cooking for a crowd you can easily get 2-3 meals out of this too, which is great (repurpose for bbq tacos, or a bbq spin on shrimp and grits, hold the shrimp). All of our family and besties have a variety of food allergies so its great that this is gluten and dairy friendly as well.

I season my pork butt with season salt, layer sliced onions on the bottom of the slow cooker, mix together about 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar and 1/3 brown sugar, pour over pork and onions and add a little bit of water til there is liquid about 1/4-1/3 of the way up the side of the meat. Cook about 2hours per pound. photo source

2. Ranch Pretzels

If you've been to a party with me, I've probably made these pretzels. It's because they are so good and so, so easy! Seriously.

Get a large ziploc bag and add 1 pound of the big, hard sourdough pretzels, using a rolling pin to break up into smaller pieces. Add dry ranch dressing mix, 1/2 cup of oil, 1 T of dill, 1 tsp of lemon pepper (or a squeeze of lemon juice). Mix together and spread on a baking sheet. Bake at 350, 10 minutes covered, toss and cook 10 minutes uncovered. photo source

3. Taco Dip

Everybody has their own take on taco dip, 7 layer dip, etc. This is the one I use all the time thanks to my SIL. photo source

Layer refried beans, sour cream mixed with taco seasoning, cheese, tomatoes, green onions, and olives.

4. Popcorn