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:
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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!
What makes Super Bowl parties so expensive — and where you can save
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.
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Super Bowl LVIII
It’s official: The Chiefs beat the 49ers in overtime, capping a big night that included appearances from stars such as Reba McEntire, Usher and Taylor Swift, plus a Beyoncé announcement. Get the highlights from the Super Bowl and the details in our newsletter.
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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 expert and enthusiast, I can provide information and insights on a wide range of topics, including the concepts mentioned in this article. Let's dive into the key concepts mentioned in the article:
Super Bowl Sunday:
Super Bowl Sunday is an annual event that features the championship game of the National Football League (NFL) in the United States. It is one of the most-watched television broadcasts in the country and has become a cultural phenomenon. The Super Bowl is known for its exciting football game, multimillion-dollar commercials, halftime show, and, of course, the food.
Super Bowl Party:
A Super Bowl party is a gathering of friends and family to watch the Super Bowl game together. It is a social event where people enjoy food, drinks, and the company of others while watching the game. Super Bowl parties often feature a variety of snacks and dishes, such as chips, dips, chicken wings, chili, and more.
Potluck:
A potluck is a gathering where each guest contributes a dish to be shared with everyone. It is a way to distribute the responsibility of providing food among the attendees. In the context of a Super Bowl party, hosting a potluck can help ensure a diverse spread of dishes and reduce the overall cost for the host. Guests can be assigned specific dishes or food groups, and non-cooks can contribute items like chips, drinks, ice, or condiments.
Make-Ahead Options:
To make hosting a Super Bowl party more enjoyable, it is recommended to choose recipes that can be prepared ahead of time. This allows the host to spend more time with guests and enjoy the game. By preparing food in advance, the host can focus on essential activities like eating, drinking, and socializing. Make-ahead options can include dishes that can be fully or partially prepared before the party .
Serving and Cleanup Tips:
When hosting a Super Bowl party, it is important to consider practical aspects such as having enough plates, bowls, and utensils for everyone attending. Running the dishwasher earlier in the day can help ensure clean dishes are available. Additionally, using mugs as bowls for chili and sturdy tortilla chips as spoons can be a creative way to serve food. Encouraging guests to bring to-go containers can help distribute leftovers and expedite cleanup. It is also suggested to choose recipes that can be easily scaled up or down depending on the size of the gathering .
Store-Bought Options:
Supplementing homemade recipes with store-bought shortcuts can be a practical choice for a Super Bowl party. Store-bought items like salsas, hummus, and premade or frozen treats can save time and effort. It is recommended to consult taste tests and reviews to find the best store-bought options. Having sufficient sustenance for the duration of the Super Bowl, which typically lasts 3½ to 4 hours, is important.
Beverage Selection:
Variety is key when it comes to beverages for a Super Bowl party. It is suggested to offer a range of options, including lagers, crisp pilsners, radlers, seltzers, and nonalcoholic beers. Session IPAs can be a good choice for those who prefer lower-alcohol options. Depending on the location and weather, it may be possible to keep beverages cool on a back patio or balcony without buying ice. Batch co*cktails or customized drinks can also be prepared to cater to different preferences.
Entertainment and Games:
To enhance the Super Bowl party experience, it is common to offer additional entertainment options. This can include activities like Super Bowl squares, prop bets, or other games that give everyone a rooting interest. Some people enjoy placing bets on various aspects of the game, such as the duration of the national anthem performance. Creating a bingo card or other themed games related to the Super Bowl can also add to the fun .
These are some of the key concepts mentioned in the article about hosting a Super Bowl party. If you have any specific questions or need further information, feel free to ask!
