Tailgate Cookbook

What Are We Looking For?

We’re on the hunt for the best tailgate recipes from our Eagle Nation! We want the boldest, tastiest, most crowd-pleasin’ dishes you’ve got, the kind that turn heads and keep fans coming back for seconds.

Sure, we all know how to toss burgers and dogs on the grill (and we love a classic!), but we’re looking for those show-stopping, flavor-packed favorites that bring serious game-day energy. Think big flavor, easy prep, and major sideline swagger.

Some ideas to spark your submission:

Drinks

Tailgate-ready sips for warm afternoons or crisp fall mornings.

  • Spiked lemonade or Arnold Palmers
  • Bloody Mary bar mixes
  • Apple cider bourbon punch
  • Mocktail spritzers (pomegranate, cucumber mint, etc.)
  • Moscow mule or mule-style mocktail
  • Team-colored slushies or punch
  • Cold brew coffee mix
  • Hot cocoa with toppings bar
  • Jell-O shots (Eagle red preferred!)
  • Sangria with fall fruit
  • Tailgate tea (sweet or spiked)

Appetizers

The pre-game MVPs — make-ahead, handheld, and totally snackable.

  • Dips
  • Sliders
  • Jalapeño poppers
  • Nachos
  • Deviled eggs (classic or with a twist)
  • Loaded potato skins
  • Pretzel bites with beer cheese
  • Meatballs (BBQ, teriyaki, or Swedish-style)
  • Skewers
  • Tailgate pinwheels or wraps

Main Dishes

Fuel for the fans — hearty, delicious, and tailgate-friendly.

  • Smoked ribs or brisket
  • Chili (beef, chicken, or vegetarian)
  • Pulled pork sandwiches
  • Street tacos (carnitas, grilled chicken, etc.)
  • Chicken skewers
  • Sausage and peppers
  • Game-day mac & cheese
  • Tailgate breakfast burritos
  • Bratwursts or beer-soaked sausages
  • Loaded baked potatoes
  • Sloppy Joes or BBQ chicken sandwiches
  • Sheet pan quesadillas

Desserts

Sweet treats to celebrate a win (or ease the loss).

  • Team spirit sugar cookies
  • Brownies or bars (think s’mores, peanut butter, etc.)
  • Apple hand pies
  • Chocolate-dipped pretzels
  • Tailgate trifle cups
  • No-bake cheesecake jars
  • Mini cupcakes or muffins
  • Fall-themed dessert dip (pumpkin pie dip, caramel dip)
  • Popcorn mix (sweet and salty)
  • Eagle red velvet cupcakes
  • Whoopie pies or sandwich cookies

Quick Recipe Submission Guidelines

Thank you for sharing your recipe with us! To help us create a high-quality, easy-to-follow collection of tailgate favorites, please review and follow the guidelines below when submitting your recipe.

Ingredients & Measurements

  • Use exact measurements (e.g., “½ cup diced onion” NOT “one small onion”).
  • Stick to standard U.S. measurements (cups, tbsp, oz, etc.).
  • For drink recipes, use ounces (e.g., “1 oz vodka,” not “1 shot”).
  • Suggested drink serving size: 8–12 oz

Instructions

  • Use bullet points.
  • Write steps in chronological order.
  • Group steps by component, if needed (e.g., sauce, garnish, meat).
  • Keep instructions clear and simple — tailgate-ready!

Servings

  • Submit recipes that serve 6–8 people.
  • No need for scaling formulas — just one set of full instructions.

Other Tips

  • Test your recipe if possible.
  • Choose recipes that are tailgate-friendly (easy to prep, transport, or cook onsite).

1) Contact Information

Name(Required)
Are you an Eastern alumni?
Have you ever had a tailgate spot?

2) Recipe Details

Fun names encouraged!
Accepted file types: jpg, jpeg, heic, heif, Max. file size: 8 MB.
Category(Required)
6-8 preferred

3) Ingredients & Measurements

One per line, with exact measurements as outlined in the guidelines above.

4) Instructions

Group by components if needed (meat prep, sauce, garnish)

5) Agreement Consent

By submitting your recipe, story, and/or image(s) to the EWU Tailgate Cookbook project, you grant Eastern Washington University the right to edit, modify, and publish your content, in whole or in part, in both print and digital formats. Submissions may be edited for clarity, length, formatting, or consistency with EWU brand standards. EWU also reserves the right to omit or adjust content to ensure appropriate tone, accessibility, and alignment with the overall vision of the cookbook. By participating, you acknowledge that:
  • EWU may use your submission for promotional, educational, or fundraising purposes related to the cookbook project.
  • Submission does not guarantee inclusion in the final publication.
Consent(Required)