Super Bowl spreads should have something for everyone. If you’re heading to a potluck gathering this Sunday, you’ll need to bring your A game. Over the years, we’ve shared a roster of standout recipes that are guaranteed to earn you bragging rights — and likely, a few requests to bring your contribution to the table next year. With a bit of seasonal adjusting, these five archived favorites offer the perfect blend of local flavor and game-day reliability. You can keep the secret of where you found them just between us.
1. Chicken Wings with Springs Fireplace Tesuque Sauce
For a wing that genuinely stands out, look to the unusual peppers grown, harvested, and bottled by Greg and Lauren Kessler of Springs Fireplace. Their Tesuque hot sauce — made from a bright, fruity, medium-heat pepper initially from the Tesuque Pueblo — is a game-changer. Its vinegar base acts as a natural tenderizer, making it the ultimate marinade and glaze for crispy wings that offer far more complexity than your standard Buffalo sauce.
Chicken wings made with Tesuque hot sauce from Springs Fireplace and baked crap dip with sweet corn made for winning warm finger foods on Game Day. (Photos by Doug Young and Dane Tashima)
2. Lidey Heuck’s Baked Crab Dip with Sweet Corn
“I always am torn between making three times the recipe because people devour it so quickly,” says Lidey Heuck, Ina Garten’s alumnus and author of Cooking in Real Life. This dip isn’t your grandmother’s 1970s casserole; Heuck refreshes the retro classic with jalapeño, scallions, and sweet corn (canned or frozen works perfectly here in the winter). It’s the ultimate “delicious and doable” appetizer that feels elevated without breaking a sweat. And who doesn’t love a cheesy crab dip?
3. L&W Market’s Beet Hummus
Football fans might initially scratch their helmets at a bright pink dip, but this electric fuchsia beet hummus from Bridgehampton’s L&W Market is a certified head-turner. Chef Jason Weiner at Almond (L&W’s sister operation) has made this earthy, healthy twist a local standard. It’s the perfect vibrant counterpoint to a table otherwise dominated by brown chili and beige chips, appealing to both the die-hard fans and those who are just there for the snacks and the halftime show.
Up your chips and dips ante with a beet hummus, create a killer cheeseboard for ultimate snacking, or keep it classic with an award-winning bowl of chili. (Photos by Doug Young)
4. The Ultimate Curated Cheese & Charcuterie Board
A successful spread relies on things that work best at room temperature. To build a world-class board, aim for a mix of textures and local milk types. Start with Mecox Bay Dairy (in Bridgehampton) or Catapano Dairy Farm (in Peconic) for artisanal staples, and supplement with finds from Cavaniola’s (with locations in both Sag Harbor and Amagansett) or King Andrew Cheese on Shelter Island. Don’t forget the “extras”: Balsam Farms beach plum preserves, zingy pickled dilly beans from Sagaponack Farm Distillery, and seasonal radishes for that essential crunch.
5. Chef Phil Capobianco’s Award-Winning Chili
Bragging rights come standard with this recipe from Café Volo in Westhampton Beach. Chef Phil Capobianco’s secret to his acclaimed short rib-and-chuck-based dish is all about creating depth. By searing the seasoned ribs and blooming the paprika and spices before adding liquids, he extracts a level of flavor that makes standard ground-beef chili look like junior varsity. Use a pressure cooker to cut down on prep time without sacrificing that slow-simmered soul.
Let’s be honest: Super Bowl Sunday is the only day of the year when “grazing” is an Olympic sport. Whether your team is hoisting the trophy or you’re just checking your watch until Bad Bunny takes the stage, these recipes are the one thing everyone can agree on. Grab a plate, find your spot on the sofa, and remember—in the world of game-day snacks, there are no penalties for going back for thirds. See you at the table.
