Tailgate Party Power Stack (Printable)

Hearty layers of sausage, turkey, cheeses, veggies, and dips for easy sharing at events.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 12 oz smoked sausage, sliced
02 - 8 oz roasted turkey breast, sliced
03 - 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
04 - 8 oz pepper jack cheese, cubed

→ Carbs & Crackers

05 - 1 large crusty baguette (12 oz), sliced
06 - 2 cups sturdy pretzel chips
07 - 2 cups pita chips

→ Vegetables & Pickles

08 - 1 cup baby carrots
09 - 1 cup celery sticks
10 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes
11 - 1 cup dill pickle spears
12 - 1 cup pickled banana peppers

→ Dips & Spreads

13 - 1 cup ranch dip
14 - 1 cup spicy mustard
15 - 1 cup roasted red pepper hummus

→ Garnishes

16 - ½ cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
17 - ½ cup mixed nuts

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast for 8-10 minutes until crisp. Allow to cool.
02 - On a large serving board or platter, arrange pretzel chips, pita chips, and toasted baguette slices as the foundational layer.
03 - Stack smoked sausage, turkey breast, sharp cheddar, and pepper jack cheese cubes in alternating layers for an appealing presentation and easy serving.
04 - Nestle baby carrots, celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, dill pickle spears, and pickled banana peppers evenly around and between the protein layers for balanced distribution.
05 - Place ranch dip, spicy mustard, and roasted red pepper hummus in separate small bowls and position them securely among the stacks.
06 - Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and mixed nuts over the platter for added color and crunch. Serve immediately, replenishing layers as needed throughout the event.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's endlessly customizable—swap proteins, add your favorite pickles, and nobody will know you didn't spend hours planning
  • Built for movement and sharing, so it actually survives the chaos of a real tailgate without looking picked-over
  • The savory-salty-tangy combination keeps people reaching back for just one more bite, even when they think they're done
  • You can prep it almost entirely in advance, leaving you free to enjoy the game instead of sweating in the kitchen
02 -
  • Cold proteins matter—if your sausage and turkey are still warm when you stack them, they'll soften and slide. Let them cool completely, even if it means assembling this right before the party starts.
  • The order of stacking affects how people eat it. If you want the cheese to get equal attention, sandwich it between the meats rather than stacking all cheese together. People eat with their eyes first.
  • Moisture is your enemy here—keep pickle juice from pooling anywhere, and if vegetables start weeping, pat them dry. A soggy board looks sad after twenty minutes, no matter how good it tasted.
03 -
  • Prep everything the night before and keep it in containers in the fridge—you can assemble the actual board thirty minutes before people arrive, which means you're not sweating in the kitchen when the fun is happening
  • Use parchment paper or cheesecloth under your board if you're concerned about stains—it also keeps things from sliding around as much
  • Toast your baguette the morning of and store it in an airtight container so it stays crisp. Soft bread defeats the whole purpose of this platter.
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