Fare for every team: The ultimate culinary guide to cook your way through football season

Whether you’re a football fanatic or don’t know the difference between a cornerback and a quarterback, everyone can get behind the snack bar at a football game. Nachos and dips have their rightful place on the table, but if you’re hosting a watch party, consider taking it up a notch for the foodies in the room. 

If you’re feeling bold, lean into the competition and serve your rival team’s signature dish for a culinary experience that takes your taste buds across America this football season. 

Read along for recipe inspiration to pair with your team’s weekly match-ups and bring your football season to the next level of deliciousness. 

AFC East

Buffalo Bills: Already a classic football snack, you can’t go wrong with buffalo chicken wings or buffalo chicken dip. 

Miami Dolphins: Prepare a Cuban sandwich tray and no-bake key lime pie minis for dessert! 

New England Patriots: Clam chowder, of course. 

New York Jets: How can you choose between New York style pizza and a bagel bar with fixings? 

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens: A true Maryland crab boil would be spectacular, but a crab dip with extra Old Bay also works. 

Cincinnati Bengals: Cook up a big pot of Cincinnati style chili.

Cleveland Browns: Turn up the grill for a hotdog style kielbasa sandwich called a Polish Boy. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: Pierogies are a crowd-pleaser, especially for the Pittsburgh natives in attendance. Don’t forget the sautéed onions and sour cream! 

AFC South

Houston Texans: Smoke a Texas style BBQ brisket with homemade sauce. 

Indianapolis Colts: Shrimp cocktail with a homemade (and very spicy) sauce. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: With seafood a main cuisine in Florida, try serving shrimp and grits or a seafood stew. 

Tennessee Titans: Nashville hot chicken is a favorite for Titans fans. 

AFC West

Denver Broncos: Have a pot of green chili simmering on the stove! 

Kansas City Chiefs: Iconic for their own unique barbeque style and sauce. 

Las Vegas Raiders: A classic shrimp cocktail is the way to go for this team. 

Los Angeles Chargers: A sushi bar would be a fun nod to the city’s long Pacific coastline. 

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys: Tex-Mex will be a crowd pleaser and is endlessly customizable. 

New York Giants: Not up for a New York style pizza again? Try a streetcorner style hotdog. 

Philadelphia Eagles: A Philly Cheesesteak of course, but will your meat be sliced or chopped, and what type of cheese will you choose? 

Washington Commanders: Serve chicken wings and french fries with a classic D.C. mumbo sauce. 

NFC North

Chicago Bears: Iconic and delicious deep dish pizza! 

Detroit Lions: It seems that everyone has their twist on pizza, and thankfully Detroit is no different! 

Green Bay Packers: Go simple with a cheese platter or bring on the grease to make your own cheese curds. 

Minnesota Vikings: The only thing more comforting than a casserole dish is a casserole dish topped with tater tots! Try the Minnesota hotdish when you rival the Vikings.  

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons: Classic southern food is your winner here. Try fried chicken, a hot honey chicken biscuit, or shrimp and grits. 

Carolina Panthers: Wood-smoked barbecue and iconic tangy barbecue sauce is your game day play for the Panthers. Don’t forget the rolls or cornbread.

New Orleans Saints: Jambalaya, gumbo, red beans and rice, oh my! And beignets for dessert, with extra powdered sugar. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A Tampa Bay twist on a classic Cuban sandwich. 

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals: This isn’t your ordinary hotdog, it’s a Sonoran Hot Dog. 

Los Angeles Rams: If you want to skip the sushi for this L.A. team, try an L.A. style French Dip sandwich.  

San Francisco 49ers: A hearty and delicious Fisherman’s stew made popular in San Francisco would be perfect for a cool fall evening. 

Seattle Seahawks: Oysters on the shell (and luckily they’re in season!) and salmon are some of the foods that shine in Seattle. Try party-friendly salmon cakes! 

Is your mouth watering already? Football season is ready for your culinary adventure. May your team be victorious, unless they’re playing the New Orleans Saints.