Poker Night Menu Ideas
Poker night is more than just a night of playing card games. We all know that it’s a night of fun with the boys and girls while sharing delicious food and drinks.
I bet there’s even some tips and creative nuggets you’ve never seen before! From the menu and food, to the outdoor table setup, I’ve partnered with Bed Bath & Beyond to cover all the bases. While I primarily focused on adult game night ideas with friends, most tips are universal and can be used for all ages, showers, and parties. Different people will have different ideas for the perfect drink for poker night, so you should have a few options. Classic cocktails like the martini is a must, as well as beer and perhaps some spirits for those who want to emulate an underground mafia poker evening. If you want great poker party ideas for drinks, look up casino themed cocktails.
When it comes to food for poker night, it’s easy to fall into the trap of serving the usual salty, fatty, or sugary fare that ends up on the table.
In most cases, most people won’t mind. However, if you want to have that one poker night to remember or become the undisputed “best poker night host”, you’d better upgrade your poker game night snacks.
Lucky for you, we are here to help.
Food for Poker Night Recipes
We have scoured the internet for the best game night snack ideas so you don’t have to. Don’t worry these recipes won’t require the skills of a gourmet chef since they’re relatively easy to prepare. However, you can trust that they’re downright delicious.
Without further ado…
Philly Cheesesteak Nachos (Prep Time: 20 mins.)
When it comes to poker game snacks, it’s hard to go wrong with serving nachos. Upgrade the traditional nachos by combining it with a fan-favorite sandwich, the Philly Cheesesteak.
Check out this bound-to-be-favorite nacho recipe from All Recipes:
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 large onion, diced
- 1/2 pound shaved rib-eye, chopped
- 1 (18 ounce) package restaurant-style tortilla chips
- 1 (8 fl. oz.) jar processed cheese spread (such as Kraft® Cheez Whiz®)
- 2 fresh jalapeno peppers, sliced
Directions:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Cook rib-eye in the same skillet, stirring occasionally, until browned and juices have evaporated, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir onion back into the skillet.
- Place a handful of tortilla chips on each plate. Spoon rib-eye and onion mixture over chips; top with cheese spread and jalapeno slices.
If jalapenos are not available, you can use pickled jalapenos as a substitute.
Chicago Italian Beef Sandwich (Prep and Cook Time: 3 hrs. 40 mins.)
If you want to serve something with more bite, this recipe for the Chicago Italian Beef Sandwich from none other than Guy Fieri of The Food Network fame should get the job done.
Be sure to start preparing and cooking earlier because this recipe takes a lot of time.
Ingredients:
- 4 pounds, top round with fat cap
- 3 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 3 tablespoons bacon fat, or canola oil
- 3 yellow onions, chopped
- 1 cup garlic, whole cloves
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup beef stock
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 sourdough baguette rolls halved, toasted
- 1 cup chopped giardiniera vinaigrette vegetables
- 1 cup jarred red sweet peppers
Directions:
- Rub meat with dry ingredients, cover and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours.
- Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.
- Add meat to a roasting pan with bacon fat, add onions and garlic, sauté for 15 minutes, deglaze with wine, and add Worcestershire sauce, beef stock, and bay leaves.
- Place roasting pan in the oven and cook for 3 hours, uncovered, or until an instant-read thermometer registers 135 degrees F in the center. Remove, let cool, then slice very thin.
- Cool broth in roasting pan and remove the fat that rises to the top. Strain.
- Reheat the broth, and add the sliced meat. Place some meat on each toasted roll, ladle with some broth and top with giardiniera vegetables and red peppers.
Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken Tacos (Prep and Cook Time: 4 hrs. 15 mins.)
This is not the tacos that we all know and love. Instead of the ever-familiar salsa, we will be using ranch.
This recipe from Who Needs a Cape is guaranteed to be a hit with your poker buddies.
Ingredients:
- 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (or 1 packet of taco seasoning)
- 1 packet of ranch seasoning
- 8-10 small taco-sized flour tortillas
- ranch dressing, to taste
- 2-3 cups of cole slaw, without sauce
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
- Optional: shredded cheese, diced avocado, diced tomato
Instructions:
- Place chicken breasts in slow cooker. Pour in water, then sprinkle chicken with taco seasoning and ranch seasoning. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-7 hours.
- About 20 minutes before serving, use a slotted spoon to transfer chicken to a bowl, shred with 2 forks, then return to slow cooker and stir.
- When ready to serve, fill tortillas with shredded chicken, then drizzle with ranch dressing.
- Top with slaw, red onions, cilantro, and any additional desired toppings such as shredded cheese, avocado, or tomatoes. Serve immediately.
Feeling Hungry Yet?
All of these poker snacks are guaranteed to be delicious and will make your guests ask for more. These foods for poker night recipes are very easy to prepare and cook, and the ingredients are all easy to get.
What do you think of these recipes? Do you have a favorite poker night snack recipe? Feel free to share in the comments!
For more fun articles and tips about card games, visit CardGameInfo for a great collection of card game blogs.
You really can’t top a casino night when it comes to themed parties. It’s a great chance to throw yourself straight into the glitz and glamour of Monte Carlo or the wild vibrancy of Las Vegas without ever having to travel. If you decide that a Poker or Casino themed party is the one for you this Halloween then there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind to make sure your party hits the jackpot.
First off, pick your theme. High society Montecarlo, Al Capone style gangster theme or casino theme with poker tables and casino games a plenty. If you’re hosting any type of casino party it’s essential you know what you’re doing. Check out this site to get yourself acquainted with the casino experience. You may even want to give your guests a shot on one of the virtual tables to win real cash live!
Next, prepare your cocktail menu. These casino themed cocktails will have you winning big on the party stakes!
Ritz Fizz
Fancy putting on the ritz? Well, this cocktail will have your guests feeling like a million dollars. Made with champagne it offers a touch of class to the proceedings.
Amount Ingredients
0.5 measure Disaronno amaretto
0.5 measure Blue Curaçao
0.5 measure Lime Juice
Top up Champagne
Ante Cocktail
This rich and sophisticated twist on a classic is the perfect accessory to bring with you to the poker table. No we’re not bluffing. It really is worth betting on.
AmountIngredients
2 measures Calvados or Apple Brandy
1 measure Dubonnet Rouge
0.5 measure Premium Orange Liqueur
1 dash Classic Bitters
If you’re a fan of Brandy check out this unique blend hailing from Greece
Lady Luck
Will Lady Luck be on your side at Poker Night?
Amount Ingredients
Poker Night Menu Ideas Finger Foods
2 measures Hendricks Gin
1 measure Blue Curaçao
Top up Orange Juice
High Roller
Are you cut out to be a high roller? A martini glass is the ultimate suave casino accessory. Why not fill yours with a High Roller?
Amount Ingredients
1 measure Hendricks Gin
0.5 measure Triple sec
0.5 measure Apricot Brandy
1 measure Nolly Prat Dry
Monte Carlo
It really wouldn’t be fair to have a casino themed cocktail list without the Monte Carlo. We’ve shown it in a high ball glass but for added sophistication, why not serve it in a flute? Bring the glamour with this champagne cocktail fit for winner.
Amount Ingredients
0.5 measure Gin
0.25 measure Lemon Juice
Poker Night Menu Ideas
0.25 measure Crème de Menthe
Top up Champagne
Poker Night Menu Ideas
If rum based cocktails are the jackpot for you then grab some advice here on how to make the perfect Mai Tai. This cocktail is so versatile that it fits as perfectly in the casino as it does on the beach.