Ina Garten's Super Bowl Menu Is Golden

You can always count on the Barefoot Contessa to offer up the best advice for your next special occasion. From tips on how to become a better host to mouthwatering, yet manageable, dinner menus, Ina Garten is constantly suggesting the most fantastic food plays from the sidelines, now including her favorite Super Bowl appetizer dishes.

This year, Garten shared a game day menu to Instagram that features crispy, creamy and savory appetizers, as well as a refreshing and citrusy cocktail. The lineup of finger foods looks tasty enough for an exciting football viewing party, with flavors that are still warm enough for a winter tailgate.

“Why not make a few really good classics for the Super Bowl this year,” Garten writes in her caption. We love that Garten always goes back to fan-favorite dishes for her gatherings. After all, they’re called classics for a reason. She writes, “Margaritas, wings, dip, and nachos sound like a good lineup, even if you’re only in it for the half-time show and the commercials!”

Here’s what Garten is making for her Super Bowl party—plus some of our favorite alternatives to help you customize the spread. 

Real Margaritas

Would it be a Barefoot Contessa menu if it didn’t include a cocktail? And what better drink to include for the Super Bowl than her frozen Real Margaritas? It’s a lemon-lime party in your mouth with a delicious salt rim. 

Turn this drink into a smooth, tart treat with our recipe for Frozen Key Lime Pie Margaritas. Or, switch it up and make another one of Ina’s cocktails with her Pomegranate Gimlets.

Buffalo Chicken Wings

A mandatory party classic: Buffalo Chicken Wings. Garten brushes the wings with a butter mixture infused with cayenne, hot sauce and salt, and broils them on a sheet pan until crispy.

Served with a tangy homemade blue cheese dip and celery sticks, this recipe might warrant a double batch for the get together.

For a more veggie-packed take on the dish, show up to the Super Bowl get-together with our Vegan Cauliflower Buffalo Wings. If you want to keep the meat and swap the heat for zest, try our Crispy Oven-Baked Lemon-Pepper Chicken Wings instead. 

Pan-Fried Onion Dip

Pinch some cayenne pepper over some beautiful caramelized onions in a luscious cream cheese dip, and you’ll have Garten’s three-step Pan-Fried Onion Dip. Garten serves the dip with crisp carrots and celery or her favorite potato chips, a combo we’re sure will have everyone asking for the recipe. One person in the comments calls it the “best onion dip on the planet!”

As a hot and melty alternative, make our easy, dump-and-go Slow-Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip. Or ditch the cheese completely for our Tequila Guacamole to pair with your boozy marg.

Fresh Crab Nachos

For the seafood component, Garten is making a pan of Fresh Crab Nachos. Layers of corn tortilla chips are topped with a creamy crab mixture, shredded cheese and pickled jalapeños, ensuring every bite will be flavorful. Not to mention, the entire pan is finished with another layer of avocado, onion and tomato for a good touch of freshness.

Looking out for our best interests as usual, Garten advises us in her recipe: “​​Be sure to wash your hands after handling the chiles and pickled jalapeños so you don’t get the spicy oils in your eyes.” A much appreciated reminder to help us all avoid a kitchen foul.

For a more satisfying pan of spicy and cheesy nachos, make our healthy and delicious Chicken Nachos. Using fiber-rich canned black beans and easy shredded chicken, everything’s out of the oven and ready to serve in 30 minutes flat.

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