Tailgate Power Stack (Printable Version)

Savory layers of smoked sausage, cheeses, vegetables, and dips make a flavorful, durable platter.

# 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

→ Carbohydrates & 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

# Steps:

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 platter, layer pretzel chips, pita chips, and toasted baguette slices to form the base.
03 - Alternately stack smoked sausage, turkey breast, sharp cheddar, and pepper jack cubes to build height and visual appeal.
04 - Nestle baby carrots, celery sticks, cherry tomatoes, dill pickle spears, and pickled banana peppers evenly throughout the layers.
05 - Place ranch dip, spicy mustard, and roasted red pepper hummus in separate small bowls and secure them among the stacks.
06 - Sprinkle chopped parsley and mixed nuts over the platter for added color and texture.
07 - Present immediately, replenishing layers as necessary during the gathering.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks more impressive than it actually is to make, which means you stay relaxed while everyone thinks you're a hosting genius.
  • Everything is grab-and-go, so your guests can eat with one hand while cheering on their team or catching up with friends.
  • The mix of textures—crispy, creamy, savory, tangy—keeps people coming back for more without getting bored.
  • You can prep it in under an hour, leaving you time to actually enjoy the party instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
02 -
  • Toast your bread no matter how much of a hurry you're in—fresh bread on a grazing board gets soggy within minutes, and toasting extends its life by hours. This single step is the difference between success and disappointment.
  • Pat your pickles dry with a paper towel before arranging them. Moisture from pickle brine will travel to neighboring ingredients and turn your beautiful presentation into a soggy mess within an hour.
  • Choose a board that's genuinely sturdy. A flimsy cutting board will warp and crack under the weight and the jostling, and you'll end up explaining to your guests why everything is sliding sideways.
03 -
  • Use a platter with a slight lip or edge—it keeps everything from sliding off when you're transporting it or when guests are reaching across it. A flat cutting board works, but a platter with sides is genuinely better.
  • Arrange everything the night before except for the fresh parsley garnish, cover it, and refrigerate. Just add the parsley thirty minutes before serving for maximum visual impact and to keep it from wilting.
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