food
Wings, ribs and Taylor Swift
By Stephanie Cain
Published Feb 1, 2024
Additional reporting by
Katherine Gillen
Katherine Gillen/Dinner at the Zoo
If there’s one thing Chiefs fans know about (well, besides football), it’s barbecue. Kansas City, Missouri, is famed for its smoky, tangy slow-roasted meats, and we are here for it. Whether you’re tuning in on February 11 to catch every play of Super Bowl 2024, you’re on T. Swift watch (no judgment) or you’re just in it for the snack spread, it’s time to ready yourself for wings, ribs, burgers and all the sides. (Don’t worry, we included mac and cheese too.) Ta-da: 17 Super Bowl recipes Chiefs fans will gobble up.
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- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, beginner-friendly
Let’s start with the basics: a tried-and-true barbecue sauce recipe from a Kansas City local. It’s the ideal balance of sweet, tangy and smoky. Serve it brushed over slow-cooked ribs (ahem, see below) or as an alternate wing topper to the usual Buffalo sauce.
2. Oven Pork Ribs with Barbecue Sauce
- Time Commitment: 2 hours, 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
Once you’ve mastered the sauce, you’ll want to put it to good use. These pork ribs get slow-roasted in the oven so they’re as easy to make as they are delicious.
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
3. Baked Mac-and-Cheese Bites
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
What goes best with your K.C. barbecue? The side dish to end all side dishes. (And we made ’em bite-sized, because who needs forks?)
Get the Recipe
Erin McDowell
4. Oven-Baked Buffalo Wings
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients
It’s not really a football game-watch without copious amounts of Buffalo wings, is it? (Don’t forget to make extra sauce for dipping.) Whether you like ranch or blue cheese, these beginner-friendly bites will please everyone.
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5. Copycat Stroud’s Cinnamon Rolls
- Time Commitment: 2 hours, 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients, vegetarian
These sweet bites—made famous by the Kansas City institution Stroud’s—are like a cross between a dinner roll and a cinnamon bun. You won’t be able to stop at just one.
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, vegetarian
Missouri is home to many a dairy farm. Pay homage with a plate of these melty nuggets made from squeaky cheese and dipped in a crisp beer batter. (Choose something light, like a pilsner, for best results.)
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell
7. Light and Tangy Coleslaw
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients, gluten free, vegetarian
Balance out all the smoke and spice of your barbecue-inspired spread with bites of this mayo-free sweet and crunchy coleslaw. The dressing is made with vinegar and a touch of Greek yogurt, so it’s just creamy enough.
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Cauliflower
8. Crispy Baked Cauliflower ‘Wings’
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: vegan, vegetarian, <10 ingredients
Got a vegan on your couch? They won’t be left out of the fun, thanks to these as-good-as-the-real-deal cauliflower “wings.” (The secret ingredient is smoked paprika.)
Get the recipe
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, vegetarian, gluten free
If you’re all about the sides, you might want to make a double batch of this tasty potato salad, which features cucumbers and hard-boiled eggs. It’s cool and creamy—ideal for pairing with a rack of ribs.
10. Fried Chicken BLT with Jalapeño Honey
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, high protein
With this incredible sandwich on the menu, no one will even be paying attention to the commercials. It’s a labor of love to fry the chicken, but one bite and you’ll realize it was worth the effort.
Get the Recipe
Photo: Eric Moran/Styling: Erin McDowell
11. Slow Cooker Baked Beans
- Time Commitment: 6 hours, 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, make ahead, crowd-pleaser, <10 ingredients
OK, we know K.C. folks are picky about their baked beans. If you’re an absolute beginner, here’s a basic slow cooker recipe to get you started. (Besides, you’re using your oven for wings tonight.)
Get the Recipe
12. Burnt Ends
- Time Commitment: 23 hours
- Why We Love It: make ahead, <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser
Natives will need no introduction to burnt ends, but for the uninitiated, they’re basically the best part of a beef brisket. Think tender, juicy meat with just the right ratio of crispy edges. Plan ahead so it’s ready when your party starts.
Katherine Gillen
13. Baked Chicken Wings with Chipotle Hot Honey
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, gluten free
What’s the secret to crispy chicken wings in the oven? Baking powder. It helps the skin brown faster and will fool everyone into thinking they’re fried. (Try making a second batch with that homemade barbecue sauce.)
Get the recipe
Katherine Gillen
14. Everything Bagel Pigs in a Blanket with Cheater’s Aioli
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly
Whether or not your guests are Chiefs or 49ers fans, one thing is certain: They’re all fans of pigs in a blanket. (Who isn’t?) Everything bagel seasoning classes them up a touch.
Get the recipe
15. Instant Pot Baked Creamed Cheesy Corn with Ham
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: Instant Pot recipe, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes
If you’re not serving your barbecue with a side of cheesy corn, well, you must not be a K.C. native. And good news, it also makes an excellent dip.
Katherine Gillen
16. Puff Pastry Pizza Bundles
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser, <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
These flaky bundles look fancy but take all of 10 minutes to put together (and will disappear from your party in even less time).
Get the recipe
Katherine Gillen
17. Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Time Commitment: 2 hours, 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: slow cooker recipe, crowd-pleaser, make ahead
It’s cheesy, spicy and a given for any game-watch party, but our version has a secret: You can make it ahead. Just break out that slow cooker and let it do the hard work.
Get the recipe
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Stephanie Cain
Freelance PureWow Editor
read full bio
Katherine Gillen
Senior Food Editor
Katherine Gillenis PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City...
read full bio
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or expertise. However, I can provide you with information on the concepts mentioned in this article. Here are some details related to the concepts mentioned:
Kansas City Barbecue:
Kansas City, Missouri, is renowned for its barbecue. The city has a distinct style of barbecue characterized by slow-cooked meats, smoky flavors, and tangy sauces. Kansas City barbecue is often associated with dishes like ribs, pulled pork, burnt ends, and brisket. The barbecue sauce used in Kansas City is typically sweet, tangy, and smoky [[1]].
Super Bowl 2024:
The Super Bowl is an annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL) in the United States. Super Bowl 2024 refers to the specific edition of the game that took place on February 11, 2024. It is a highly anticipated event that attracts millions of viewers and is known for its halftime show, commercials, and game-day snacks [[1]].
Taylor Swift:
Taylor Swift is a popular American singer-songwriter. She is known for her narrative songwriting style and has achieved significant success in the music industry. Taylor Swift has a large fan base and her music spans various genres, including pop and country [[1]].
Barbecue Sauce:
Barbecue sauce is a condiment commonly used in barbecue cooking. It adds flavor and moisture to grilled or smoked meats. The article mentions a homemade barbecue sauce recipe from a Kansas City local. This sauce is described as a balance of sweet, tangy, and smoky flavors. It can be used as a glaze for slow-cooked ribs or as an alternative wing sauce [[1]].
Oven Pork Ribs with Barbecue Sauce:
This recipe involves slow-roasting pork ribs in the oven and using barbecue sauce as a flavoring. The ribs are cooked for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, resulting in tender and delicious meat [[2]].
Baked Mac-and-Cheese Bites:
Baked mac-and-cheese bites are a popular side dish. The recipe mentioned in the article involves making bite-sized portions of macaroni and cheese, which are baked until golden and crispy. This dish is described as a crowd-pleaser and is suitable for both beginners and kids [[3]].
Oven-Baked Buffalo Wings:
Buffalo wings are a classic dish often enjoyed during football games. The recipe mentioned in the article involves baking the wings in the oven until crispy and then tossing them in Buffalo sauce. These wings are described as beginner-friendly and suitable for pleasing a crowd [[4]].
Copycat Stroud's Cinnamon Rolls:
Stroud's is a Kansas City institution known for its cinnamon rolls. The article mentions a recipe for copycat Stroud's cinnamon rolls, which are described as a cross between a dinner roll and a cinnamon bun. These sweet treats are said to be irresistible [[5]].
Beer-Battered Cheese Curds:
Beer-battered cheese curds are a popular appetizer. The recipe mentioned in the article involves dipping cheese curds in a crisp beer batter and frying them until golden and melty. This dish is associated with Missouri's dairy farms and is described as a crowd-pleaser [[6]].
Light and Tangy Coleslaw:
Coleslaw is a side dish made with shredded cabbage and a dressing. The article mentions a light and tangy coleslaw recipe that is mayo-free. The dressing for this coleslaw is made with vinegar and a touch of Greek yogurt, resulting in a sweet and crunchy slaw [[7]].
Crispy Baked Cauliflower 'Wings':
Crispy baked cauliflower "wings" are a vegetarian alternative to traditional chicken wings. The recipe mentioned in the article involves coating cauliflower florets in a seasoned batter and baking them until crispy. Smoked paprika is mentioned as a secret ingredient for added flavor [[8]].
Classic Potato Salad:
Classic potato salad is a popular side dish often served at barbecues and picnics. The recipe mentioned in the article features potatoes, cucumbers, and hard-boiled eggs, resulting in a cool and creamy salad [[9]].
Fried Chicken BLT with Jalapeño Honey:
This recipe combines fried chicken, bacon, lettuce, and tomato to create a flavorful sandwich. The article describes it as a special occasion-worthy dish with high protein content. The chicken is fried to perfection, resulting in a delicious sandwich [[10]].
Slow Cooker Baked Beans:
Baked beans are a classic side dish often associated with barbecue. The article mentions a slow cooker recipe for baked beans, which is described as a crowd-pleaser. The recipe takes approximately 6 hours and 10 minutes to cook and requires fewer than 10 ingredients [[11]].
Burnt Ends:
Burnt ends are a popular barbecue dish made from the flavorful, well-done edges of a beef brisket. The article mentions that burnt ends are considered the best part of a brisket, with tender, juicy meat and crispy edges. This dish requires a longer cooking time, approximately 23 hours, to achieve the desired texture and flavor [[12]].
Baked Chicken Wings with Chipotle Hot Honey:
This recipe involves baking chicken wings in the oven and glazing them with chipotle hot honey. Baking powder is mentioned as a secret ingredient to help the skin brown faster and create a crispy texture. The wings are described as a crowd-pleaser and beginner-friendly [[13]].
Everything Bagel Pigs in a Blanket with Cheater's Aioli:
Pigs in a blanket are a popular appetizer consisting of sausages wrapped in dough. The article mentions a recipe that adds an everything bagel seasoning twist to this classic dish. The recipe also includes a cheater's aioli for dipping. Pigs in a blanket are described as a crowd-pleaser and beginner-friendly [[14]].
Instant Pot Baked Creamed Cheesy Corn with Ham:
This recipe involves using an Instant Pot to make a creamy and cheesy corn dish with ham. The article mentions that this dish is a crowd-pleaser and can also be served as a dip [[15]].
Puff Pastry Pizza Bundles:
Puff pastry pizza bundles are a quick and easy appetizer. The recipe mentioned in the article involves assembling flaky bundles with puff pastry and pizza toppings. These bundles are described as beginner-friendly and a crowd-pleaser [[16]].
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip:
Buffalo chicken dip is a popular party dip. The article mentions a slow cooker recipe for this dip, which is described as cheesy, spicy, and a crowd-pleaser. The recipe allows for making it ahead of time, making it convenient for game-watch parties [[17]].
Please note that the information provided is based on the concepts mentioned in this article.
