Football and food go hand in hand. Tailgating in the parking lot with good eats and drinks before the big game is a beloved tradition for many fans. Stadiums are packed with concession stands selling hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, beer and more to hungry attendees. Watching at home typically involves ordering pizza or wings, whipping up a batch of loaded chili or nachos, or grilling up burgers and brats. But what is the number one food that Americans associate with football?
Most Popular Football Foods
There are certainly some front runners when it comes to popular game day grub. Here are some of the foods most associated with football:
- Hot dogs – This classic stadium snack often tops the list of popular football foods. Hot dog sales spike during football season, with people consuming around 20 billion hot dogs per year.
- Pizza – Pizza is a favorite for feeding crowds on game day. It’s easy to pick up or have delivered and keeps well throughout the game.
- Wings – Chicken wings are a go-to appetizer for football parties. Fans eat around 27 billion wings each year.
- Nachos – Chips, cheese, salsa, and all the fixings make nachos a shareable crowd-pleaser.
- Chips and dip – Game day staples like potato chips, pretzels, and tortilla chips pair perfectly with dips and salsa.
- Burgers and brats – Grilled hamburgers and sausages are a natural fit for football tailgating.
While all of these foods can claim football fame, one tops them all as the number one food associated with football in the United States.
The Number 1 Football Food
The number one food that Americans associate most with football is chili. This savory, protein-packed dish hits the spot on cool fall game days. Fans enjoy chili while tailgating, watching at home, or ordering it at the stadium.
According to a survey by Harris Poll, chili takes first place as the food most associated with football season in the U.S. The poll asked over 2,000 adults aged 18 and over about foods that come to mind when they think of football. Chili came out on top with 27% of the vote, followed by pizza at 17% and wings at 15%.
So why has chili become so iconic when it comes to football? Here are some reasons this hearty dish owns the number one spot:
Tradition
Chili has long been a part of football food culture. As early as the 1940s-1950s, people were cooking up pots of chili to fuel them through football games. Chili fits right in with classic tailgating grub like hot dogs, burgers and sausages.
Hearty Comfort Food
Chili is the ultimate comfort food, making it perfect for chilly autumn football games. It warms you from the inside out and provides a dose of protein, carbs, veggies and spice.
Shareability
A big pot of chili can feed a whole crowd, which is ideal for teams, families and fans watching the game together. It also reheats well, so leftovers can be enjoyed throughout football season.
Customizability
Everyone likes their chili a little different. Fans can customize their bowls with desired toppings like cheese, onions, sour cream, and oyster crackers.
Portability
Chili travels well in a slow cooker or thermos, making it handy for football tailgates, potlucks and parties.
Its winning combination of flavor, appetite appeal, and football tradition make chili America’s number one football food.
Chili Consumption on Game Days
Chili is a huge hit on football game days based on sales numbers. According to a National Restaurant Association survey, over 18 million Americans eat chili while watching football. During big sporting events like the Super Bowl, Americans consume around 50 million pounds of chili!
Here are some statistics that highlight chili’s popularity on football game days:
- An estimated 118 million pounds of chili is consumed during football season from September to January.
- Chili sales in grocery stores spike by over 60% on big football weekends.
- On Super Bowl Sunday alone, Americans eat around 15 million pounds of chili.
- Over 50% of takeout orders on Super Bowl Sunday include chili.
- Sales of chili ingredients like ground beef, beans, tomatoes, onions, and peppers see major increases leading up to football season and big game days.
This data shows that millions of fans fuel up on chili while watching football each year. Whether cooking it at home or ordering it from a restaurant, chili is a clear winner on game day menus.
Regional Differences in Chili Preferences
While chili is loved nationwide, tastes and preparations vary by region. Here is a look at some regional chili styles across the U.S.
| Region | Style | Key Ingredients/Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | Texas Red | Beef, chili powder, cumin, garlic, oregano, onion, beans optional |
| Midwest | Five-Way Chili | Spaghetti, chili, beans, onions, shredded cheddar cheese |
| Pacific Northwest | Green Chili | Roasted green chiles, tomatillos, poblanos, cilantro |
| Southwest | New Mexican Red | Red chiles, pork, potatoes, paprika |
Other popular regional styles include Cincinnati chili with chocolate and cinnamon, white chicken chili using white beans, and chili verde with green tomatillos.
Regional Chili Preferences
Harris Poll surveyed over 2,000 U.S. adults to determine regional preferences when it comes to chili.
- Northeast: Prefers chili with beans (43%) over chili without beans (29%)
- South: Prefers chili without beans (43%) over chili with beans (31%)
- Midwest: Prefers chili with beans (45%) over chili without beans (28%)
- West: Prefers chili with beans (39%) chili without beans (36%)
The survey found chili with beans had broader appeal nationwide, topping chili without beans as an overall preference.
Tailgating Chili Recipes
Half the fun of chili is customizing recipes to suit your tastes. Here are 3 top-rated tailgating chili recipes to fuel up for game day.
Classic Beef Chili
Thiseasy recipe uses common pantry ingredients for a crowd-pleasing traditional chili.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 1-2 cups beef broth
Instructions:
- Brown ground beef with onions and garlic in large pot.
- Stir in spices and cook 2 minutes.
- Add crushed tomatoes, beans, tomato paste and 1 cup broth.
- Simmer 20-30 mins until thickened, adding more broth if needed.
- Adjust seasonings to taste before serving.
- Top with desired garnishes like cheese, onions, etc.
White Chicken Chili
This lighter chili recipe swaps chicken for beef and uses cannellini beans.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (15 ounce) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles
- 32 ounces chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: avocado, cilantro, cheese
Instructions:
- Dice chicken and saute with onions and garlic.
- Add remaining ingredients and simmer 20 minutes.
- Shred chicken with forks and continue simmering until thickened.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Top bowls with desired toppings.
Slow Cooker Chili
This hands-off chili cooks low and slow in the crockpot for maximum flavor.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 (15 ounce) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions:
- Brown ground beef with onions in skillet.
- Place in slow cooker along with remaining ingredients.
- Cook on low 6-8 hours.
- Adjust seasonings before serving.
- Serve topped with any desired extras.
Chili Topping Bar Ideas
Set up a topping bar with a variety of mix-ins to allow guests to customize their chili.
Proteins
- Shredded cheddar
- Crumbled queso fresco
- Cooked ground beef
- Diced chicken
- Crumbled bacon
- Sliced hot dogs
- Sour cream
- Greek yogurt
Vegetables
- Chopped onion
- Diced tomato
- Sliced scallions
- Shredded lettuce
- Sliced jalapenos
- Sliced radishes
- Guacamole
- Corn chips
Seasonings
- Hot sauce
- Chili powder
- Grated cheddar
- Chopped cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Oyster crackers
Get creative with your chili toppings and let guests build their perfect bowl!
Chili Safety Tips
When cooking and serving chili, follow these food safety guidelines:
- Cook raw meat thoroughly to safe internal temperatures. Use a thermometer to check.
- Cool chili fully before packing it in a slow cooker or thermos for transport.
- Keep chili hot – at 140°F or above.
- Discard any leftovers that have been left out over 2 hours.
- Store leftovers in shallow containers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat chili thoroughly until steaming hot, at least 165°F.
- Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces after contact with raw meat.
Follow safe food handling practices when making and serving chili for your football events.
Conclusion
Chili takes the top spot when it comes to foods associated with football in the U.S. Fans eagerly cook up pots of their favorite chili to fuel them through tailgates and games. Regional tastes lead to delicious variety in chili styles across the country. With flavorful ingredients and endless topping options, chili is the number one food for fueling football season. Just be sure to follow food safety guidelines when preparing this beloved game day staple.