Tailgate Power Stack (Printable)

Hearty platter with smoked sausage, turkey, cheeses, veggies, and dips, ideal for sharing at parties.

# What Goes In:

→ 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 to 10 minutes until crisp. Remove and let cool.
02 - On a large, sturdy board or platter, layer pretzel chips, pita chips, and toasted baguette slices as the foundation.
03 - Stack smoked sausage, turkey breast, cheddar, and pepper jack cubes in alternating layers for visual appeal and easy serving.
04 - Distribute baby carrots, celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, dill pickle spears, and pickled banana peppers around and between the protein layers evenly.
05 - Spoon ranch dip, spicy mustard, and roasted red pepper hummus into separate small bowls and nestle them securely among the stacks.
06 - Sprinkle chopped parsley and mixed nuts over the platter for added color and texture. Serve immediately and replenish layers as needed.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • One platter that handles 10-12 hungry people without running out or looking sad halfway through the game
  • Built to survive being passed around, nudged, and attacked from all angles—no delicate arrangement to worry about
  • The layers mean every grab gives you a little bit of everything: meat, cheese, crunch, and fresh vegetables in one satisfying handful
02 -
  • Toast that bread. I learned this the hard way after one soggy game day—soft bread is the quickest way to make an otherwise great platter feel disappointing.
  • Use a board big enough that everything doesn't shift when people reach in. A wobbly platter is a defeated platter.
  • Keep your dips in their own bowls rather than spreading them directly on the board—they migrate, they soak into everything, and people lose trust.
03 -
  • Make a small test stack the day before—this teaches you exactly how much vertical real estate you have and prevents last-minute surprises
  • Chill your board in the cooler for 30 minutes before departure so everything stays cool and fresh, especially if you're dealing with warm weather
  • The dips are your insurance policy against a boring platter—don't skimp on variety or quality here
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