Football season serves up some of the best mouthwatering comfort food of the season! The Ultimate Vegan Tailgating Guide delivers on the foods we love from the grill, Mexican flavor, burgers and more!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.
Football season has arrived and with it the delicious, lip-smacking ‘football foods’ to enjoy at home or tailgating before your favorite team’s game. There isn’t anything more fun than hanging out with friends over great food and drink at a tailgate party; unless you are vegan. Generally, most tailgating fare is meat-focused or with cheesy overtones that leave our meatless friends hoping for a vegetable platter at best.
This doesn’t have to be the case and in fact I’ve rounded up the Ultimate Vegan Tailgating Guide for recipes that are vegan-friendly but that everyone will love! Note for gluten-free readers: modify non BoulderLocavore.com vegan recipes (linked recipes) as needed.
The Ultimate Vegan Tailgating Guide
Chili
A tailgating classic, chili always hits the spot. Another great thing about chili is it actually tastes best when the flavors are given time to meld together so is a perfect make-ahead dish for the day before. Heat it up at the game.
Slow Cooker Tangy Baked Bean Chili delivers mouthwatering flavors and is perfect to make the day beforehand.
Slow Cooker 3 Bean Winter Chili is full of hearty plant-protein and chunks of sweet potato too offering a great sweet contrast to the spicy flavors.
From the Grill
Burgers are always a main feature at a tailgate party and should still be center stage for the ultimate vegan tailgating guide. Step it up from ho-hum vegie burgers with some of these superstars:
My all-time favorite is a Portobello Mushroom Burger. With a ‘meaty’ filling texture and loads of flavor, even carnivores will be asking for seconds of these.
Jackfruit is on trend as a fantastic meat replacement with shredded meat-like texture and absorbing what it’s cooked in. Everyone will love these BBQ Jackfruit Sliders!
There is always a place for tangy ‘buffalo’ flavored foods at a tailgate party and Buffalo Chick Pea Burgers serve up flavor-packed burgers in style.
Step up bean burgers with these Cajun Red Bean Burgers with Fried Green Tomatoes. Mmm….
For skewer and kabob lovers, my vote is for Vegetable Kabobs that can be assembled beforehand and grilled on site.
Ooey, Gooey Mexican Food
Mexican food is always on point at football celebrations and there are vegan options that are filling and add a spicy flare to pre-game get togethers.
Slow Cooker Vegan Pinto Bean Enchiladas are easy and can the beans can be prepared at home the day before.
Is there anyone who does not love nachos? Fully Loaded Vegan Nachos are great for a crowd!
Vegan Burrito Bowls are a filling option and easy to eat at a tailgate party. Add in some Mexican Fiesta Cauliflower Rice for a grain-free option that’s bursting with flavor.
Having taco fixings ready for self-serving is always a win and Quinoa Taco Meat is a perfect vegan ingredient for a protein-packed ingredient.
Dips
Fresh Pico de Gallo is great as a dip as well as a relish or topping to other dishes.
All the Mexican goodness we love is in this Guacamole Roasted Jalapeno Vegan Queso.
Black Bean Green Chile Hummus offers a spicy spin on the Mediterranean favorite with some southwest flavors.
If you are feeling up to some home prepared chips, Baked Smoked Paprika Chips are a spicy chip great for dipping.
Drinks
It’s easy to cart along canned or bottles drinks but a fun alternative is a big batch of Sangria. It can be made beforehand in a glass jar with a spigot and set out for self-serve. Tropical Fruit Sangria, Summer Fruit Sangria and Autumn Sangria are all great choices. Sparkling Apple-Pear Mock Sangria is a tasty choice for those preferring no alcohol (the recipe has an option to spike it as well).
For games in the sweltering heat making Tequila Sunrise Freezer Pops and keeping them in a cooler on ice is another cocktail option that is easily portable and refreshing.
Dessert
Chocolate Chip Cookie Stuffed Brownies for the win! Soft chocolate chip cookies stuffed into fudgy brownies are irresistible. Make a pan the day before and bring them cut to the party.
To celebrate the party theme, Chocolate Pumpkin Football Brownies are a cute and tasty treat!
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robin rue says
My sister in law is a vegan, so I am sure she will appreciate these ideas. I will bookmark it for the next time they come to our house to tailgate 🙂
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Wow! I have to be honest, I never think “vegan” when I think “tailgating”. You made a believer out of me, though! All of these dishes are perfect for tailgating! They’re so robust and hearty. Perfect!
Mitch says
Thank-you for this great list of ideas for vegan tailgating, I would never have considered going vegan at a tailgate, but it makes sense!
Melissa Chapman says
I love this post because my family is trying to be vegan. These are some great ideas that we can incorporate into our routine, Will refer to this often.
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
I skipped breakfast and haven’t had lunch yet I could go for all of those options right about now, especially that Portobello Mushroom Burger! NomNomNom!
Jen Temcio says
I have to run up to get rosemary and shallots, then I’m making the grilled portabella mushrooms. I drink Silk every day but have not tried the yogurt. ! just added that to my list as well.
Jeanette says
This is definitely a good thing to know. I am not a vegan but I have friends that are in when they come over I want to have some food but they will enjoy.
Mary Ann says
Great ideas! I can’t imagine what a challenge things like parties can end up being. I don’t know a lot of vegans, so this challenge hasn’t really presented itself to me, yet. But, I love these ideas and they look really delicious, I will keep them in mind!
Catherine Sargent says
Thanks for the guide! All of the food looks yummy and I would like to try the BBQ Jackfruit Sliders!
Theresa says
These are all tasty options for vegan tailgaters! I am always amazed when people think that I eat “crap” tasting foods when I say I am vegetarian, but this goes to show that there are plenty of scrumptious options that don’t include eating meat.
Toni Dash says
I agree. I think anyone would love these flavor-packed recipes!
Shell says
So many different vegan options! I love portobello burgers. I could eat those all the time.
Liz Mays says
The quinoa taco meat alternative would be amazing for so many Mexican meals and would definitely be good for some tailgating food. These are such great options.
Claudia Krusch says
I am always looking for vegan recipes to make. I am looking forward to trying the slow cooker Tangy Baked Bean Chili. We are having a BBQ this weekend I will have to make a batch for.
Lisa Bristol says
I love using my slow cooker. It is great for keeping the food warm all day when you have a get together. I will have to get the ingredients I need to make the Tangy Baked Bean Chili this weekend.
AnnMarie John says
Awesome ideas for tailgating when you’re a vegan. I definitely love the idea because it also means a healthier spread of dishes! I’d love to give that chili a try and see if my kids notice a difference.
Randa says
I’m not vegan but I do try to eat plenty of plant based meals so these are perfect for me. I’m ready for our next day of tailgating!
Amy Desrosiers says
I love eating vegetarian dishes too! While I do eat meat, I actually prefer to eat non-meat foods.
Carol Cassara says
I am not vegan although I’m trying to get used to eating fruits and veggies and no meat at all, because I’m following my diet for more than 6 months now! I love these ideas, they’re perfect for someone like me!
Jenn Mitchell says
I never knew that there was so much tasty vegan dishes out there. All of this sounds incredible!
Angela Milnes says
We aren’t vegan but I always have friends who come over that are. These are some splendid ideas to better include them!
Wendy Polisi says
I have to share this with some of my friends! And Those burgers; ugh they looked amazing!
k says
I love that you are offering so many tasty vegan recipes for tailgating. I do love a good portabello burger!
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place says
I enjoy vegan recipes especially since they’re healthier! I think these are perfect and I’m sure my kids won’t even notice! I would love to give these recipes a try even if we’re not tailgating!
Brianne says
I’m trying to eat more veggie based and these is great. Those portobello mushrooms look like really burgers!
Becky Willis says
I just love all of your great ideas! That chili looks so good and your ideas for different choices to have a vegan tailgating party are awesome! You have given me some great ideas as my many of my daughter’s friends are Vegan and I am never sure what I can offer. Now I do.
Pam says
My daughter has a good friend who is vegan and I always wonder what to make for cookouts and tailgates. Great list here!
Lisa Favre says
With guides like this, becoming vegan is not hard at all! Wonderful recipes and really enticing meals – so many of my friends would truly enjoy this.
Kristin says
Love these! I’m a vegetarian so these recipes are a must for us!
Cinny says
We love chili, those are some great ideas. I may have troubles getting my hubby to play along though!
travel blogger says
This is awesome! We have a friend that is vegan, and we always struggle trying to decide what to serve her when we have football parties. We will have to try some of these! It all looks amazing especially the chili.
Tess says
Cant wait for football food! I love the vegan option.
Patty says
That looks like a party I’d be more than happy to attend. My husband would love the portobello burgers. They sound like they’d be delicious. I’m not a mushroom fan but I like to cook to make him happy.
Sinisa says
The food looks so delicious. I would try it all
Kiwi says
Vegans deserve to tailgate too! so many people are going vegan so this is a helpful guide of things to eat and drink for them. I would love the Fruit Sangria Pops!
Crystal says
I’m not the biggest sports fan, but, man, do I love tailgating! Your tailgating foods will make it even better to cheer on the home team (whoever they are)!
Shannon Gurnee says
I have friends who are vegans and they struggle sometimes to find yummy foods at get-togethers. This is a great guide!
reesa says
I have a few vegan friends. I am saving this awesome guide for the next time we get together!
Autumn Reo says
As a meat-eater I was thrown off by the title of this post! But after seeing all the recipes, I think I could go to a tailgate with these things and not even know that I had a vegan tailgate experience! Sko Buffs!
Toni Dash says
I too am a meat-eater Autumn and it struck me how vegan unfriendly traditional tailgating food is! I was sure there were delicious options that were vegan but that anyone would love. I hope this guide accomplished that! And yes Sko Buffs!
Tara says
What a fantastic selection of vegan recipes to choose from. I’m not vegan but it’s always good to have options available for guests.
Our Family World says
These recipes are worth sharing with my vegan friends. I don’t want them to feel left out when they go tailgating with non-vegan friends.
Annemarie LeBlanc says
Thanks for sharing these tailgating food ideas. One of close friends is a vegan. Now I can invite her over and I know she’ll enjoy these vegan food I can prepare for her.