Why The Masters Is About More Than Golf In Our House
Every April, the Masters brings together the best golfers in the world — and some of the best food you’ll ever find at a sporting event. From those famous $1.50 pimento cheese sandwiches to Georgia peach ice cream sandwiches, Augusta National knows that great food makes everything better.
Whether you’re hosting friends for the final round or just settling in on the couch, these recipes will make your watch party feel like you’ve got your own spot on Magnolia Lane.
Enjoy!
Donya’s Tips For The Perfect Masters Watch Party
- Make it ahead. Almost everything on this menu can be prepped the night before — potato salad, coleslaw, deviled eggs, and dips all taste better after sitting overnight in the fridge.
- Start the pulled pork early. Whether you’re using the crock pot or the smoker, get it going first thing in the morning. By the time the leaders hit the back nine, it’ll be ready.
- Set up a sandwich station. Put out the pimento cheese, egg salad, ham salad, and white bread, and let everyone make their own. That’s how they do it at Augusta — simple and classic.
- Keep snacks out all day. The Masters is an all-day event, so your food should be too. Cheese straws, stuffed celery, and that spicy cracker mix are perfect for grazing between shots.
- Don’t skip the peach dessert. It’s Georgia — peach ice cream or that icebox cake is non-negotiable. Make it the night before, and it’s one less thing to think about on Sunday.
- Use your slow cooker. Between the pulled pork, spinach artichoke dip, and Mississippi chicken sliders, your crockpot is the MVP of this menu. Let it do the work so you can watch the tournament.
The Iconic Masters Sandwiches
If you’ve ever been to Augusta or watched the coverage, you know — pimento cheese and egg salad sandwiches are THE food of the Masters. I’ve got you covered with homemade versions that are even better than what they serve on the course.
Southern Pimento Cheese
Rich, creamy, and ready in just 15 minutes. This is the real deal — sharp cheddar, mayonnaise, and pimento peppers the way it’s meant to be made. Spread it on white bread for the classic Masters sandwich, or serve it with crackers for snacking between holes.
Mom’s Best Egg Salad Sandwiches
Creamy, simple, and made with just a few ingredients. The mustard gives it that little tang that makes it perfect on soft white bread — just like they do it at Augusta. Cut them into triangles and you’re ready for the first tee.
Southern Ham Salad
Classic Southern Ham Salad is so delicious and easy to make! It's perfect for sandwiches, on crackers, and makes a yummy dip. Turn leftover holiday ham into something amazing with this simple recipe.
Ham Jam Sandwich
Augusta serves their famous ham and cheese on rye, and this Ham Jam Sandwich is my take on an elevated version — ham, jam, and a smear of cheesy spread on crusty bread. It’s the kind of thing that feels special without any fuss.
Appetizers & Snacks (For the Front Nine)
The Masters is known for their cheese straws, chips, and finger food you can eat without missing a shot. These are perfect for grazing all day long.
Puff Pastry Cheese Straws
Augusta’s Southern cheese straws are legendary. My version uses puff pastry, Parmesan, and house seasoning for little twists that are crispy, buttery, and totally irresistible. They disappear fast — I recommend making a double batch.
Pimento Cheese Bites
Crispy phyllo cups filled with creamy pimento cheese and topped with red pepper jelly. They bake in about 10 minutes and are the perfect bite-sized appetizer for your watch party.
Creamy Southern Deviled Eggs
A must-have for any Southern gathering. These are creamy, tangy, and the kind of finger food that everyone reaches for first. No watch party is complete without a plate of these.
Outrageously Good Stuffed Celery
Celery stuffed with homemade pimento cheese is a classic Southern twist that’s easy to make ahead and perfect for snacking through 18 holes.
Antipasto Skewers: The Ultimate Appetizer or Side Dish
No cooking required — just thread your favorite Italian ingredients onto skewers and you’ve got a beautiful, flavorful appetizer in 10 minutes. Perfect when you’d rather be watching the tournament than standing in the kitchen.
Spicy Cheese Cracker Snack Mix
This Spicy Cheese Cracker Snack Mix is the perfect combination of crunch and bold flavor. It's a savory party mix that's a must for game days or casual snacking. Every bite is packed with just the right amount of seasoning, and it’s so much better than store-bought.
Dips (Because You Need Something to Scoop)
Pimento Cheese Sausage Dip
Creamy pimento cheese meets savory sausage in one warm, gooey dip. Serve it with tortilla chips or crackers and watch it disappear before the back nine.
Classic Crock Pot Spinach Artichoke Dip
Set it and forget it while you watch the tournament. Rich, cheesy, and loaded with spinach and artichokes — the slow cooker does all the work.
Sausage Jalapeño Popper Dip
Warm and spicy with sausage and jalapeños. This one’s for the folks who like a little kick with their golf.
3-Ingredient Spicy Sausage Dip
Just 3 ingredients and it comes together in minutes. The perfect quick appetizer when you don’t have time to fuss.
BBQ & Heartier Fare (For the Back Nine)
When the leaders hit Amen Corner and the afternoon gets serious, you need something more substantial. These are the recipes that’ll keep everyone fed and happy through the final round.
6-Ingredient Crock Pot Pulled Pork
Start this in the morning and by the time the leaders make the turn, you’ve got tender, flavorful pulled pork ready to pile high on buns. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
Carolina Vinegar BBQ Sauce
The perfect tangy sauce to drizzle over your pulled pork. Augusta is in the heart of the South, and this sauce belongs right there with it.
Air Fryer Chicken Wings
Extra crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside — and you don’t need a deep fryer. These are ready in about 30 minutes, which is about the time it takes to play 3 holes.
Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders
Sweet heat from honey, cayenne, and hot sauce coating crispy air-fried chicken. If you want something with a little more fire than the traditional Augusta fare, these are it.
Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken Sliders
Tender, tangy chicken piled on slider buns with melted cheese. Another set-it-and-forget-it recipe that lets you actually enjoy the tournament.
Southern Sides (Every Plate Needs These)
Southern Potato Salad
Tangy mustard and hard-boiled eggs make this the Southern potato salad everyone loves. It’s a must for any cookout or watch party spread.
Cheese Grits Casserole
Rich, cheesy baked grits that are pure Georgia comfort food. Augusta is in Georgia, after all — you can’t have a Masters party without grits on the table.
Creamy Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
Deviled eggs meet pasta salad — tender macaroni, eggs, and bacon tossed in a creamy dressing. It’s a long-time favorite for cookouts and it fits right in at a Masters party.
Carolina BBQ Red Slaw
Tangy, vinegar-based slaw that’s a perfect match for BBQ. If you’re serving pulled pork, this belongs right next to it.
Creamy Coleslaw Recipe
Cool, creamy, and the perfect partner for pulled pork. Make it ahead so it’s chilled and ready when you need it.
Southern Pimento Cheese Grits
Quick-cooking grits with rich, gooey pimento cheese stirred right in. This is where two Masters icons come together in one bowl.
Sweet Treats (The 19th Hole)
Augusta is famous for their Georgia peach ice cream sandwiches and pecan caramel popcorn. These desserts bring that same Southern sweetness to your party.
No Churn Peach Ice Cream
Just 5 ingredients, no ice cream maker needed. This is pure Georgia in a bowl — sweet, creamy, and full of fresh peach flavor. Scoop it between two cookies and you’ve got your own version of Augusta’s famous peach ice cream sandwiches.
Easy Homemade Caramel Corn
Enjoy Caramel Corn at home with this easy recipe and just 6 simple ingredients. This is the perfect addition to any party or family gathering and a great afternoon or evening snack.
Best Lemon Pound Cake
Dense, sweet, and tender with a lusciously smooth lemon glaze. This cake is a showstopper that I come back to over and over. It’s the kind of dessert that makes everyone ask for the recipe.
Buttermilk Pound Cake With Brown Butter Icing
Creamy buttermilk and brown butter icing take this pound cake to a whole new level. Slice it up for the dessert table and watch it disappear.
Southern Candied Pecans
Sweet, crunchy, and addictive — these are my version of Augusta’s famous Georgia pecan caramel popcorn. Set out a bowl and they won’t last long.
Drinks
Bourbon Basil Lemonade
Cool, refreshing lemonade with a Southern flair thanks to fresh basil and bourbon. This cocktail is great for parties, Derby Day or whenever you’d like to sit back and “chill” on a warm summer day!
Easy Refreshing Homemade Lemonade
Made with fresh-squeezed lemon juice and simple syrup — cool, refreshing, and perfect for sipping on a warm April afternoon. Add strawberries, raspberries, or a splash of vodka for an adult version. Augusta’s Azalea cocktail is vodka, grenadine, and lemonade — so you’re already halfway there.
My Masters Watch Party Game Plan
Here’s how I’d set up the perfect Masters Sunday spread:
Morning (Practice Rounds & Coverage): Egg salad sandwiches, pimento cheese on crackers, cheese straws, deviled eggs, and a big pitcher of lemonade.
Afternoon (The Final Round): Pull out the crock pot pulled pork with coleslaw, potato salad, wings, and a couple of dips with chips. Keep the pimento cheese sandwiches coming.
The 19th Hole: Peach ice cream, pound cake, candied pecans, and cheesecake bars.
The beauty of this menu is that almost everything can be made ahead of time. Start the pulled pork in the morning, prep the sides the night before, and you’ll spend tournament Sunday watching golf — not stuck in the kitchen.
If you tried any of these recipes for your Masters watch party or any other gathering, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
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Mimm Donya, you have helped me in so many ways with your recipes. I live alone now. My wife has been in the nursing home for over two years, so I have had to learn to cook. Your recipes have been a Godsend. I am in the process of making your peach ice cream, but all I have are strawberries I saved in the freezer. Thank you so very much. Love Ron.