3 tips to beef up your tailgate game

(BPT) – With football season excitement mounting, people are already planning what to make for their next tailgating event. While cooped up at home last year, you may have had time to beef up your current tailgate recipes or try out something new. Now that you can reunite with friends and family before the big game, it’s time to put your best tailgate spread out on the 50-yard line.

Like any star player, your tailgate platter isn’t born a champion; it’s made a champion. While it doesn’t take much to score a touchdown with your pre-game food, with these tips from the experts at Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. and the Beef Checkoff, you can take your all-star dish to the playoffs if:

1) It’s easy to eat

When it comes to tailgate recipes, finger foods will play a role in your winning strategy. So whatever you decide to bring, make sure it’s mini and edible using your hands. From potluck-style roast beef sandwiches to beef pinwheels and beer-infused cheese spread sliders, it’s easy to take your tailgate game to the next level. Plus, with minimal prep, recipes like these make sure you have time to step away from the kitchen and join in on the tailgating fun.

2) There’s enough for everyone

Stadium parking lots can open as early as 6 a.m., so between the time everyone gets there and kick-off, there’s no doubt your crew will be hungry. When creating your game-winning tailgate cuisine, make enough of it so you don’t run out. Get a proper headcount of everyone who plans to be there and make sure each person can have at least a few servings. If you end up with leftovers, give them to your fellow game day patrons or save them for lunch.

3) It goes well with bourbon beef cheese dip

Nothing makes for a winning tailgate quite like beef, bourbon and cheese — and why not put them together? “Not only is this dip delicious, but it’s also easy, says Chef Alex Reitz, manager of culinary for the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. brand. “With simple ingredients like deli Roast Beef and cream cheese, this dip comes together quickly and packs in 8 grams of protein to keep your crowd happy and full of energy to cheer on the team!”

Beef is more than what’s for dinner, it’s the flavor of game day. If you’re looking to add this dip to your roster, this recipe can get you started:

Ingredients:

8 ounces deli roast beef
8 ounces cream cheese
6 ounces white cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup Romano cheese, shredded
1/2 cup sour cream
4 strips cooked bacon, finely chopped
2 Roma tomatoes, diced
2 tablespoons bourbon
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon ­style mustard
1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons granulated garlic

Cooking:

1) Pre­heat oven to 350°F.
2) Set aside 1 tablespoon parsley, 1 tablespoon chopped bacon and 1 tablespoon diced tomatoes for garnish.
3) In a standing mixer, combine cream cheese, white cheddar cheese, bacon, deli roast beef, sour cream, Romano cheese, tomatoes, paprika, garlic, mustard, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, bourbon and pepper until well incorporated.
4) Remove bowl from mixer and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until ready to bake.
5) Spread the dip into an 8″ cast iron or oven­proof skillet.
6) Bake in a 350°F oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown and edges are bubbling.
7) Remove from oven and top with remaining bacon, parsley and tomatoes. Serve warm with crackers, toasted bread or celery and carrots — it’s the ultimate finger food for a cold day!