It's the one day of the year when I'm surrounded by a fancy selection of chips, dips, chicken wings, chili and some of my closest friends. For the past 15 years, I've hosted a Super Bowl party (including an outdoor pre-game food exchange in 2021) that doesn't involve social distancing, and I always enjoy starting the day by getting up early to make a large pot of chili.
Whether you are hosting or attending a gathering this year, here are some things to keep in mind:
Make it a potluck. Assign specific dishes or food groups (see below) and ask non-cooks to bring chips, drinks, ice cream 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 most memorable, like when my friend showed up with moose meatballs made from a moose her father had hunted with a bow and arrow in North Dakota. You never know what will come of it!
Use make-ahead options. Like most parties, the most fun of hosting is being able to interact with the guests. During the Super Bowl, you also want to have the freedom to enjoy the game. Choosing recipes that can be made entirely, or at least mostly, in advance “allows you to focus on all that matters — eating, drinking and spending time with friends — while watching a good game,” Eddie Jackson said. the former NFL cornerback, chef and Food Network host says in his book “Game-Day Eats.” “The key is to prepare food that allows you to spend time with your guests without having to slave away at the stove.”
Make sure there are enough plates, bowls, and utensils for all participants. Run the dishwasher earlier in the day. Remember that cups can double as bowls for chili, and sturdy tortilla chips make excellent spoons if you run out. This is also the time to use up all the plastic take-out dishes you've been stashing away for the past four years.
Encourage your guests to bring to-go containers (or give away your take-out containers). Leftovers are a wonderful thing, but less so when the host has nowhere to put them. I don't know about you, but my Tupperware cabinet is basically a bear trap. The distribution of the bounty will also speed up the cleanup effort.
Choose recipes that can be easily scaled up or down depending on the size of your gathering. Think dips, sandwiches, wings and chili. Keep in mind that cooking time and temperature can be affected when you adjust the yield in a recipe. Therefore, adjust them accordingly.
Store bought is fine. Be sure to supplement homemade recipes with store-bought shortcuts. Check out our taste tests of the best store-bought salsas and hummus brands and grab one or two pre-made and/or frozen treats that reheat easily in the oven. The Super Bowl typically lasts 3½ to 4 hours, so adequate nutrition is crucial.
Consider your serving surfaces. Piling all your food and drinks on a coffee table in front of the TV is a recipe for spills and pet pandemonium. Clear out a kitchen counter and/or create space around the dining table for a buffet where people can place their dishes and fortify themselves during the game.
When it comes to drinks, variety is key. Lager beer, crisp pilsner, shandy and seltzer stand out from the heavy dishes. It might be a good day for session IPAs rather than boozy doubles and/or imperial stouts. Try some of the great new non-alcoholic beers on the market. Or make a batch cocktail. For the mixologists at home: Shake our drink generator and serve classic or creative drinks, with or without alcohol. Depending on your latitude, you may be able to forego purchasing ice and keep your drinks cool on a back patio or balcony.
Contribute to entertainment. Offer Super Bowl squares, silly side bets, or another game to pique everyone's interest. For recreational players, there have never been so many ways to bet on the game. (How long will Reba McEntire's rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” last?) Stay tuned for a special Super Bowl bingo card (Taylor's version) later this week from The Post and check out Super Bowl squares strategy tips from Neil at The Post to Greenberg.
For more inspiration, check out the collections of our best recipes for:
