Oh, the weather outside is frightful … but tailgating is so delightful. And while we are marching steadily toward the end of the NFL season, we’ve still got the postseason, and the tailgating opportunities it’ll bring, ahead of us.
Cold-weather teams like the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots will be hosting playoff games, and who knows what kind of weather January will bring. With a little planning and prep, you can make sure you and your fellow fans at the party stay toasty and have fun, even in the depths of winter.
Here’s everything you need to know for a perfect cold-weather tailgate.
You need shelter from the elements
Look, nobody expects that the weather will be perfect throughout the NFL season. But it’s a good idea to have some shelter to duck under in case of rain or snow, or just to trap some heat inside if it’s frigid outdoors.
Whether you opt for a tent featuring your favorite team’s colors and logo, or you spring for a fully enclosed tent, this is key to a great tailgate. Make sure it’s large enough to fit several comfortable chairs, a table for the food and accoutrements, a TV or two, and if it’s really cold and you want to be the star of the tailgate scene, bring some team-themed blankets and rechargeable hand warmers to share.
Spice up your menu for maximum warmth
I wouldn’t recommend overdoing the spiciness when you’re cooking for a crowd at a tailgate because everyone has different palates and some folks can’t handle spicy food. But leaning toward the hotter side is a great call when it’s cold.
The best dishes are things like chili, buffalo chicken dip, pulled pork or chicken, or anything else that can easily be kept in and served from a crock pot. Walking tacos (seasoned ground beef and all the fixings, presented in a single-serve bag of Frito’s) are a fantastic option, because they’re so portable, and it creates less trash than using disposable bowls.
It’s harder to deal with some other classic tailgating options like Buffalo wings or sliders in cold weather — for one, it’s harder to keep a smoker or grill at temp when it’s cold outside, which makes it harder to get the results you want; two, people have to take off their gloves to eat them, so they’re messy AND cold; and three, these things will get cold, and thus less appetizing, fast. Stick with things you can eat with a spoon or on a chip or cracker.
Hot cocoa, hot apple cider, and other hot drinks are a godsend on a cold day — bring along some toasty beverages!
Let the (tailgate) games begin
It’s ideal to have some shelter to warm up in, like I mentioned above, but where’s the fun in spending the whole tailgate huddled in a tent? Bring along some outdoor games, and you can stay warm by staying active.
Obviously play the hits, like cornhole and horseshoes, and you can bring along games like Giant Jenga or Giant 4 in a Row (a very big version of Connect 4). You can even just toss around a football with your family and friends to keep you warm and entertained while you wait for kickoff. If the weather is too bad for outdoor games, bring a couple of decks of cards to keep the crew entertained.
What are your tips for winter tailgating? Share them in the comments!
