K-State Extension Food Safety
Tailgating Food Safety

Don’t let food safety mistakes spoil your tailgating party.  Keep the enthusiasm for football and tailgating with these food safety and time-saving tips:

  • Seasonal>TailgatingPlan the menu with game time in mind. If grilling is on tap for a pre-game lunch, plan post-game snacks – cookies, fruit, veggies and dip or a snack mix – that don’t need cooking. 
  • Plan party foods for the number of guests expected to minimize leftovers and food storage before, during and after the game. 
  • Chill salads and sides – deviled eggs, for example – well before transferring them to an ice chest or cooler. And, fill ice chests just before leaving home.
  • Keep raw foods separate from cooked foods. If marinating steaks, chops or chicken for grilling at the stadium, do so in a disposable re-sealable plastic bag. 
  • Shade ice chests and coolers; cover with a blanket if no shade is available. 
  • Planning to pick up a bucket of chicken or pizza on the way to the stadium? Make that the last stop before the stadium to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. 
  • Use a food thermometer to check cooked temperatures. 
  • Wait to remove salads and sides from ice chests and coolers until ready to eat. 
  • Shade the serving table, if possible.
  • Wrap and stow leftovers in the ice chest or cooler or discard them. For example, if extra hamburgers are cooked, but not eaten, wrap and store them in a cooler for a later meal or snack. If food is left out for two hours or more (one hour or more if the temperature is 90 degrees or above), it should be discarded. 
  • Use disposable paper products, tableware and food containers to minimize cleanup. 
  • Tuck in extra utensils, serving spoons and a roll of paper towels and trash bags. Make a “tailgating kit” with the most used utensils and extra supplies for every game.
  • Make sure cooking appliances or equipment is shut down and cooling or otherwise stowed appropriately before going to the game to reduce the risk of fire hazards. 
  • Lighten party planning by asking guests to share responsibilities. For example, ask out-of-towners to bring less perishable items such as chips and salsa or help out on food cost.