28 Healthy Tailgate Foods That’ll Make You Feel Like a Winner

Read Time: 13 mins

28 Healthy Tailgate Foods That’ll Make You Feel Like a Winner1/28 Sesame Pulled Pork Sandwiches 6 Reviews Sesame Pulled Pork Sandwiches Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 45 min Servings 12 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I wanted to build a better pork sandwich, and this Asian-style filling was a huge hit with my husband and coworkers. Bring on the wasabi mayo. —Jennifer Berry, Lexington, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 324 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 756mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean

meat, 2 starch

meat, 2 starch. 2/28 Fresh Fruit Bowl 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 15 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The glorious colors of the fruit make this a festive salad. Slightly sweet and chilled, it makes a nice accompaniment to a grilled entree. —Marlon Kirst, Troy, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 56 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 14mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit. 3/28 Turkey Chili 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time

It’s a favorite, especially in fall and winter

6 hours 50 min Servings 12 servings (3 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I’ve taken my mother’s healthy turkey chili recipe and made it thicker and more robust. It’s a favorite, especially in fall and winter. —Celesta Zanger, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 200 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 535mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 8g fiber), 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1 starch. 4/28 Watermelon Mint Salad 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Watermelon Mint Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 8

It was quick to prepare and disappeared from their plates even quicker

servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I invented this refreshing fruit salad one sultry afternoon while my friends were gathered around my pool. It was quick to prepare and disappeared from their plates even quicker. The kids loved it too! —Antoinette DuBeck, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 56 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 2mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 fruit. 5/28 Simple Guacamole 8 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Simple Guacamole Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 1-1/2 cups Go to Recipe

From the Recipe Creator: Because avocados can brown quickly, it’s best to make this guacamole just before serving. If you have to make it a little in advance, place the avocado pits in the guacamole until ready to serve. —Heidi Main, Anchorage, AK Nutrition Facts: 2 tablespoons: 53 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 51mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. 6/28 Strawberry-Rhubarb Ice Pops 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Strawberry-Rhubarb Ice Pops Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 8 pops Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These cool,

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch

creamy pops are a deliciously different way to use up the bounty from your rhubarb patch. —Donna Linihan, Moncton, New Brunswick Nutrition Facts: 1 pop: 72 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 18mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch. 7/28 Ruby Raspberry Slaw 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Give ordinary coleslaw a “berry” tangy twist. It’s sure to get raves at your next picnic or potluck. —Deborah Biggs, Omaha, Nebraska Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup:

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 vegetable

122 calories, 11g fat (1g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 144mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 fat, 1 vegetable. 8/28 Chipotle Carnitas 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Abbey Littlejohn for Taste of Home Total Time 10 hours 28 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Here’s a terrific recipe for your next weeknight dinner. Set out various toppings and garnishes so your family members can customize their own tostadas with the lime-kissed shredded pork. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 tostada: 269 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 76mg

cholesterol, 279mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 23g protein

cholesterol, 279mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 medium-fat meat, 1/2 starch. 9/28 Barley Corn Salad 8 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A terrific alternative to pasta salad, this colorful side dish adds refreshing herb flavor to corn, barley, and red and green peppers. Bring it to your next get-together and see how fast it disappears! —Mary Ann Kieffer of Lawrence, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup: 156 calories, 5g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 202mg

sodium, 26g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 4g fiber), 3g protein

sodium, 26g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 4g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat. 10/28 Avocado Bean Dip 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 15 min Servings 2 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love guacamole! But I add beans to boost the amount of fiber in this version. It has a texture similar to hummus and is perfect for dipping chips, pita or veggies. —Raquel Haggard, Edmond, Oklahoma Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup (calculated without chips): 80 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 143mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 4g fiber), 3g protein.

Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat

Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 11/28 Bacon & Swiss Chicken Sandwiches 14 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Bacon & Swiss Chicken Sandwiches Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I created this chicken sandwich recipe based on a meal my daughter ordered at a restaurant. She likes to dip her sandwich in the extra honey-mustard sauce. —Marilyn Moberg, Papillion, Nebraska Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 410 calories, 17g fat (6g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 667mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 3g fiber), 34g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean

meat, 2 starch, 2 fat

meat, 2 starch, 2 fat. 12/28 Chunky Banana Cream Freeze 5 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved GRACE NATOLI SHELDON FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 15 min Servings 6 servings (3 cups) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Everyone loves ice cream, but we all know it doesn’t make a great after-school snack. Until this! With its sweet banana-almond flavor and chunky texture, this appealing banana peanut butter “ice cream” is a crowd-pleaser. People who ask me for the recipe can’t believe how easy it is to make. —Kristen Bloom, Okinawa, Japan Nutrition Facts: 1/2 cup: 181 calories,

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1 fat, 1/2 starch

7g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 35mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 4g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1 fat, 1/2 starch. 13/28 Shrimp Avocado Salad 5 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The delicious taste and smooth texture of avocados and the crisp shrimp salad create a heavenly combination. Serve it as a cool and satisfying lunch or a light, quick and easy dinner. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup avocado mixture: 252 calories, 16g fat

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 fat, 2 lean meat, 1/2 starch

(2g saturated fat), 115mg cholesterol, 523mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 17g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 fat, 2 lean meat, 1/2 starch. 14/28 Peanut Butter Dip 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Crunchy Peanut Butter Apple Dip Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 2-1/2 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My mom got this peanut butter dip recipe from a neighbor years ago. She always made it for us kids in the fall when apples were in season. Now I make it for my children. —Juli Meyers, Hinesville, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 2

It’s perfect as a side for fresh spring meals

tablespoons (calculated without apples): 126 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 115mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein. 15/28 Tarragon Asparagus Salad 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved MARK DERSE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love asparagus, and I love it even more when drizzled with my light, lemony vinaigrette dressing with a touch of tarragon. It’s perfect as a side for fresh spring meals. —Linda Lace, Winter Park, Florida Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 77 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0

cholesterol, 387mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein

cholesterol, 387mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable. 16/28 Baked Apple Surprise 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved JIM WIELAND FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 45 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This sweet-savory recipe is a favorite. Use Brie instead of blue cheese if you like things creamier. My tip? Bake the apples in a muffin tin so they won’t roll around. —Jessica Levinson, Nyack, New York Nutrition Facts: 2 filled apple halves: 181 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 141mg sodium, 39g

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

📣 Join Our Community