Tailgate Power Stack Platter (Print View)

Hearty layers of meats, cheeses, veggies, and dips make this platter ideal for casual entertaining.

# Components:

→ Proteins

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

→ Carbs & Crackers

05 - 1 large crusty baguette (approx. 12 ounces), 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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet and toast for 8 to 10 minutes until crisp. Allow to cool.
02 - On a large sturdy board or platter, layer pretzel chips, pita chips, and toasted baguette slices evenly to form the base.
03 - Arrange smoked sausage, turkey breast, cheddar, and pepper jack cubes in alternating layers atop the base for visual appeal and easy grabbing.
04 - Tuck baby carrots, celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, dill pickle spears, and pickled banana peppers around and between the protein layers, ensuring even distribution.
05 - Place ranch dip, spicy mustard, and roasted red pepper hummus in separate small bowls and nestle them securely among the stacks.
06 - Sprinkle chopped parsley and mixed nuts over the platter. Serve immediately and replenish layers as needed during the gathering.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's built for real life—sturdy enough to survive the tailgate crowd while staying delicious
  • Everyone finds something they love without you having to cook individual orders
  • The visual drama of all those layers stacked together actually impresses people, even though it takes maybe 25 minutes
  • It travels well and tastes just as good an hour in as it does fresh, which is basically the tailgate promise
02 -
  • Toast your bread no matter what—room temperature baguette slices will turn into sad, floppy things within minutes. The toasting step isn't optional; it's survival.
  • Use a board that won't tip easily. A flimsy cutting board becomes a heartbreak when someone's plate goes sideways. Weight and stability matter more than size.
  • Add your dips in their own vessels, not directly on the board. That way if someone's dip gets contaminated or depleted, you're not rebuilding everything. It's a small choice that saves the whole operation.
03 -
  • Prep everything the morning of—slice your meats and cheeses, cube your vegetables, toast your bread. At game time, it's just assembly, which means you're actually at the party instead of in a cooler with a cutting board.
  • Keep your board in a cooler until the last moment. A cold board keeps meats and cheeses fresh-tasting longer, and people appreciate that difference more than you'd think.
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