10 Southern Dishes That Are Perfect For Game Day

Game day is so much more than who's battling it out on the gridiron this Sunday. The grub you serve at your fan fest is just as important as ensuring the TV is tuned in before kickoff. So, what makes a Southern dish perfect for game day, anyway? Well, food and football are hard-wired into this regional culture and your typical snacks just aren't going to make the cut. Soul satisfying cuisine boosts morale when your team is a field goal behind and brings friends and family together to celebrate that big win.

Football season is in full swing, and it doesn't matter if you're cheering on the Atlanta Falcons or the Seattle Seahawks, you're going to love these Dixie delights. To make planning your Sunday grub a bit easier, we put together this guide of our favorite down-yonder tailgating traditions that you can make at home. From finger foods to full on meals, here's a collection of 10 of our favorite Southern dishes that are perfect for game day.

Fried chicken has some pretty deep roots in the south and classic recipes like this transcend mealtimes from breakfast to dinner. This scrumptious dish is invitingly synonymous with comfort and hospitality, which is exactly why you need to serve this ultimate soul food specialty at your next pigskin party. But the recipe isn't your normal Monday night standby. Southerners take great pride in serving a hearty home cooked meal, and Florida State fried chicken stacks the roster with crispy drumsticks and a heapin' helping of honey.

The Seminole's university has a longstanding tradition of serving players this honeyed fried chicken the night before a game. This dream dish was cooked up by the school's Chef John Wiggins in 1991, and it's still a top draw for new recruits today. Rumor has it, this Southern dish is eat-the-whole-pan worthy. To make this recipe, you're going to need to season the chicken with savory spices like onion and garlic powders, paprika, cayenne, and of course, salt and black pepper. Let the drumsticks soak up the yummy flavors in your fridge for at least two hours, then coat the chicken in flour and fry until it's a crispy, golden brown. Now the pièce de résistance: Drizzle them with locally sourced honey and take it all the way to the end zone with a heaping helping of mac 'n cheese and a slice of buttered cornbread on the side.

Not every place can lay claim to a signature hot dog. Sure, Chicago-style makes the list, but this Southern game day staple is more than just a poppy seed bun and sport peppers. If you're gracious enough to host a crew of ultras, throw down a tray full of Alabama hot dogs. Ya'll better not dig around the fridge for that ketchup bottle either, because these doggies are covered in a mouthwatering mayo-based barbecue sauce you can eat with a spoon.

Alabama hot dogs are loaded with Yellowhammer State specialties, from Wickles Original pickle relish to a toasted brioche bun. Don't try to pass off any old hot dog as the MVP of this Southern dish, either. The recipe for this handheld affair calls for a genuine Alabama Conecuh sausage. This hickory-smoked Crimson Tide culinary favorite has been around for more than 75 years, but if you can't get your hands on the real deal, it's okay. It's acceptable to swap it out for a 100 percent all beef hot dog, but consider it emergency rations.

Fire up your backyard barbecue on game day and start by whipping up a sauce no ravenous fan can resist. You're going to need a few bold ingredients for this signature Alabama dressing, like apple cider vinegar, horseradish, Worcestershire, mayo, and hot sauce. Once your sausages develop a bit of charred bark, bun 'em up, add a generous spoonful of sauce, and serve it next to a few hush puppies.

After a savory meal of hot dogs and fried chicken, most fans want a sweet chaser to cleanse their palate. A few mouthwatering Kentucky bourbon balls gets a big thumbs up from our team. There's one key ingredient to get this treat just right: Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. We suggest Rabbit Hole's Dareringer, because this double barrel bourbon languished in a sherry cask picking up complimentary notes of sweet cherries like a fumble recovery. But don't sweat the small stuff. There are loads of best-selling whiskey brands in the U.S. that would fit the bill, too, like Maker's Mark and Wild Turkey bourbons.

Start by crushing vanilla wafers and real Southern grown pecans, then mix in the butter, corn syrup, vanilla, and bourbon, plus your dry ingredients: Powdered sugar, cocoa, and salt. Chill the dough for half an hour, then roll into whatever sized balls make sense to you. Top these irresistible booze-infused treats with powdered sugar or melted chocolate, and don't worry about sending your snack squad home a little tipsy. There's only a ¼ cup of bourbon in the whole batch, yet this Southern game-day dish still tastes like victory.

We love serving Cajun gumbo on game day. A warm bowl of this classic Southern comfort food fills the bill on a chilly Sunday afternoon because it's just as heartwarming as chili, with a French-influence. This dish is loaded with plenty of old fashioned ingredients straight from Louisiana, but don't confuse this recipe with your distinctly Creole-style meal. For the most authentically Cajun version, you need to ditch the tomatoes and stir in some tail-off shrimp alongside slices of smokey andouille sausage, succulent crab meat, and shredded chicken thighs.

Quintessential Cajun gumbo is more than merely a game day carnivorous feast. This rice-rich dish also delivers plenty of veggies thanks to the Cajun holy trinity of green peppers, onions, and celery, plus okra and a slew of spices. Depending on the sensitivity of your tastebuds, a few dashes of Cajun seasoning (or more) will do the trick. This flavorful regional blend features pantry staples you probably have on hand, like paprika, cayenne, oregano, red pepper flakes, and both onion and garlic powder. Just remember, it's not seasoned if you're not sneezing. One of the best things about this New Orleans staple is that you can make it the night before and reheat it in your crock pot before the crowd descends. Famished fanatics are going to need a bowl and spoon for this hearty sit down meal, but hey, you've got a dish washer for a reason, right?

Football and pizza go together like cleats and turf, but you don't need to place an order for delivery to wow your game-day guests. West Virginia is home to Mountaineers football, and this state certainly knows how to satisfy a crowd of field goal foodies. You can whip up these pepperoni rolls in under an hour and the results are worth it: A pepperoni-stuffed roll that's easy to devour before the play clock runs down. This Southern dish is hearty enough to satisfy a coal miners' colossal appetite, after all, and bonus: You can eat them one-handed. That means your guests have a free paw for that brew-filled red SOLO cup.

Just think twice before buying your ingredients at the dollar store. You want to focus on quality fixin's for the best results here, otherwise you might end up with a snack that tastes like a cheap, store-bought frozen pizza roll. The list of essential West Virginia pizza roll ingredients is slim, but satisfying: Mozzarella cheese, frozen dinner rolls, pepperoni, and herbed butter. If your team's defense is more like a pillow fight than a relentless storm, go ahead and eat another one. You'll feel better, we promise.

Beer and cheese are another pair of essential elements in many a Southern game day celebration, and here we combine these two magical party favors into one delectable dip. Fondue is one of those vintage foods that is perfect for football Sunday. It's an ideal combination for watching football because your guests won't have to take their eyes off the big screen during a once-in-the-season play. They can conveniently help themselves to a tasty snack and mingle whenever the hungries strike.

This Southern game-day dish originated in central Kentucky, and it's super easy to put together, even for a busy host. You can get it out during half time, and who's going to pass up on a pot of warm, melted cheese? Start with a German lager, then add some robust flavors, like a cheddar and cream cheese blend, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder. If you want your fondue to pack some heat, score an extra point with a dash of cayenne pepper and smoked paprika. Then, gather some dunk worthy sidekicks to spear, like crusty bread, green apples, and broccoli florets. Now you're all set to start dipping.

If you're rushing to put together an unstoppable home or tailgating party, serve a tray of these goodies. With a name like "gator bites," you know this Southern treasure is going to be finger lickin' good, and you don't need to be a Gamecocks fan to serve these bite-sized dippers on game day. This chicken nugget upgrade doesn't actually contain any alligator meat. Instead, it features dark meat thighs for an extra dose of fat-enriched goodness.

It's the Carolina sauce that's the real MVP of this Southern dish. This stuff is liquid gold, and you definitely want to crack into your secret mustard stash for this flavor formula. Carolina Gold dipping sauce is a zesty yellow barbecue blend that's been around for 300 years. With its German roots, this flavorful legacy originated in South Carolina's low country and it couldn't be more different than its sweet, tomato-based North Carolina cousin. Set aside 10 minutes to make this dip a splash play. You'll need honey, sugar, apple cider vinegar, and seasonings to taste. The recipe calls for one cup of this yellow condiment, but measure with your heart here and grab your bibs, 'cause double-fried gator bites with Carolina Gold dipping sauce is going to be messy.

Aw. Ambrosia salad. It's about as Southern as grits and collard greens and, frankly, the perfect game day eats aren't always fried or stuffed with meat. While a creamy fruit salad may be a bit unconventional for game day eats, it's loaded with delicious chunks of fruit. With luck, this Southern Thanksgiving tradition won't put you in a food coma by the end of third quarter.

Work a little ambrosia magic in your kitchen with tons of whipped cream, mini marshmallows, and mixed fruit (pineapples, mandarin oranges, and maraschino cherries are classics). Using canned fruit will save you some prep time or you can always opt for fresh. We're pretty sure mama would roll over if she knew you used the can-venience kind, but you don't want to be accused of a delay of game, either. The key to its yum factor is letting ambrosia salad chill in the fridge. Some Southern chefs say it should marinate for an hour, while others recommend you leave it alone for six. So, plan to make this heavenly dish early or even the night before the big game.

It's football Sunday and you need to rustle up some Southern-style grub for game day. Well, how about this stand-out portable crowd pleaser: Mini muffulettas. Handheld dishes like these are a real game changer when you want to serve something simple yet satisfying, and this recipe came right off the front porch. In New Orleans, that is, where cured meat is a Sicilian staple. This miniature sandwich is one of our favorites, because it's as versatile as a linebacker. You don't even need a paper plate to serve them, and they're so easy to make, you can toss them together during the pre-game show and serve them with a bag of chips. Score!

Just layer a dinner roll with ham and salami (or your go-to deli meat), provolone cheese slices, and slather on the fixin's. The best recipes call for a generous coating of tasty dressing on both sides of the bread. The traditional Southern sauce is made from pickled veggies, pimiento-stuffed Spanish olives, and a drizzle of oil and vinegar to replicate that authentic flavor of the Big Easy.

Football is big in Texas, where even high school teams are a billion dollar business, and so are the flavors you'll savor in this cowboy pasta salad. This Southern dish is a simple, refreshing meal — add it to a buffet table and let the tailgaters go wild. It's a fiesta in your mouth thanks to loads of lip-smacking taco-esque ingredients, like seasoned ground beef, jalapeños, cilantro, black beans, and corn. You don't even need to go to the grocer for pasta. Whatever you've got (save spaghetti) will probably do, like elbow macaroni, penne, or bow ties.

Game-day cowboy pasta salad is better than a red zone rumble, and it's a good thing there's enough for everybody in this recipe's 16-cup batch. Serve it chilled in a big old bowl and don't forget the ladle. Yeah, a typical serving spoon isn't going to cut it here. Seriously "I'm full as a tick" is music to any Southern cook's ears. So, go ahead and fix yourself a plate of this Tex-Mexcellent feast. It delivers plenty of protein and fiber that'll keep your guests jumping off the couch over every bad call.