Consuming food prior to drinking alcoholic beverages is vital to safe and successful tailgating. Make food ahead of time and keep warm or serve chilled. Bring a grill and throw on your steaks or brats for a true tailgating celebration.

And remember, it takes at least one hour for your body to fully process one drink. Drinking coffee, taking a cold shower or chugging water will not speed that up. Plan ahead, and always drink responsibly.

Other Recipes

Easy Steak Marinade

1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons Dijon-style prepared mustard
1 onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced

In a medium bowl, combine the oil, soy sauce, vinegar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, ground black pepper, mustard, onion and garlic. Mix well.

Simmered Beer Brats

10 brats
2-12 ounce bottles or cans of beer
1 large onion chopped
10 brat buns

Condiments: ketchup, brown mustard, sauerkraut

Start charcoal. After 20-30 minutes, place a pot on the grill with the beer, onion and brats. Bring beer to a simmer (do not boil). Simmer brats for 20 minutes.

Discard beer and onion mixture.

Place brats on grill and cook until golden brown. Place brat in bun and serve!

Potato Salad

2 pounds red potatoes
3 1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
4 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
2 green onions, sliced

Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 20 minutes or until tender. Drain and cool. Cut potatoes into cubes.

In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, horseradish, parsley, pepper and remaining salt. Stir in the potatoes, bacon, eggs and onions. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours.

Snack Mix

1 cup peanuts
1 cup M&Ms
1 cup popcorn
1 cup cheese crackers
1 cup pretzels

Mix and serve!

Easy Chili

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef or turkey
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 envelope (1 3/4 ounces) chili seasoning mix
1/2 cup water
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, undrained
1 tablespoon brown sugar

Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet. Cook ground beef or turkey and onions over medium heat. Stir in chili seasoning mix, then add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve with cornbread or crackers.