Delicious, crowd-pleasing Potluck Recipes are important when deciding what to bring to a gathering with friends and/or family. Whether you are cooking for a funeral luncheon, bringing a dish to share at a picnic, or a family reunion, a tasty recipe is key.
I usually volunteer for desserts, but casseroles, appetizers, and sides are always welcome. I’m here to provide some tasty inspiration and tips for the next time you are asked to bring food to an event.
Pot Luck Basics
Before you decide what recipe to prepare for an event, check with the hostess or planner to see what is needed. Often an entree is provided and appetizers, sides, salads, and desserts are suggested to help round out the menu.
- Ask about dietary restrictions such as allergies.
- Check what the host is providing.
- See if they have any refrigerator or freezer space.
- Ask specifically what you can bring.
- Bring hot dishes already heated and cold dishes well chilled.
- If you don’t like to cook, offer to bring paper plates, napkins, and plastic silverware.
- Ask how many are attending and/or how many servings are needed for the dish you are providing.
- Bring a bottle of wine or another hostess gift as a thank you.
- Below are some suggestions for all those categories.
Best Appetizers for a Potluck Dinner
Since these appetizers will be eaten first, it’s not imperative that they be kept warm unless an item is very perishable. If you know your appetizer needs to be reheated, check with your host before arrival. If you can avoid serving an appetizer that needs a fork, that is encouraged. Check out all these tasty options!
Easy Spinach and Muenster Pinwheels made with store-bought puff pastry.
Fruit Kabobs are a healthy starter! And you can offer these with a sweet Mascarpone Dip if you dare!
I make this every year for a big 4th of July gathering! It’s a winner!
Hoagie Dip is delicious smeared on baguette slices!
Sausage Pinwheels can be made ahead and are super easy and delicious!!!
An addictive snack mix that’s great for any gathering!
This Sour Cream Spinach Dip is perfect paired with a crudite tray!
If you love Reuben sandwiches, these sliders will disappear in a flash!!!
You’ll love this layered taco dip with guacamole, tomatoes, cheese, olives and more!!
Classic Deviled Eggs garnished with smoked salmon, capers, and a sprig of dill!
Offer a cheese board with 2-3 favorite cheeses, crackers, fruit and jam for an elegant starter.
A tasty of Italy in every bite with these refreshing melon and Prosciutto skewers!
Best Salad and Sides for a Pot Luck Meal
There is a huge range of side dishes that are popular at potlucks from green salads to fruit salads to baked beans. Provide serving utensils if needed. You may want to label them so you get them back if they’re left behind.
This twist on a spinach salad has a variety of fresh berries, almonds tossed in a flavorful vinaigrette.
This Fresh Corn and Black Bean Salad also has Avocado Chunks and is tossed with a Lime Vinaigrette.
These haricots vert with sauteed cherry tomatoes are a flavorful, refreshing vegetable side dish!
Ina Garten’s Buttermilk Corn Muffins! Delicious smeared with cool butter!
A classic pasta salad with fresh vegetables, cheese and a yogurt dressing.
Cool, healthy and delicious this veggie-packed salad is light and refreshing.
With crunchy vegetables and a vinaigrette flavored with honey, soy sauce and sesame oil, this coleslaw is a fun twist on your typical slaw.
This famous salad from Aspen, Colorado has cornbread croutons, fresh corn, tomatoes, almonds and even dates! I
This refreshing pasta salad with both Mozzarella and Fontina is irresistible!
If you’re looking for a delicious new salad recipe, this out-of-the-ordinary strawberry spinach salad always gets rave reviews.
The classic trio of fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella is enhanced by sweet summer blueberries in this tasty twist on a Caprese salad.
If you have access to fresh summer corn and tomatoes, you’ll love this fabulous corn salad recipe.
A vibrant fresh fruit salad tossed with fresh lime juice, honey and poppyseeds,
A lighter potato salad with green beans, new potatoes, and a Dijon vinaigrette!
The classic broccoli salad with Craisins instead of raisins, bacon, and cheese!
Best Casseroles or Entrees for a Pitch In Dinner
If you’re asked to bring a main dish to a gathering, casseroles are a good bet. Anything made in a 9 x 13 pan will help feed 8 or more, depending on what else is offered for the meal. Here are some of our favorite main dish recipes ideal for potluck dinners.
Grilled Honey Glazed Kabobs with Pineapple and Bell Peppers
I’ve nixed the canned soup in my version of this classic casserole! Less sodium, but still a tasty, comforting main dish.
There’s no canned soup in this tuna casserole, but you won’t miss it one bit! It’s perfect for gatherings in Lent.
Roast or grill a pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon for an easy way to serve a crowd. Serve with gorgonzola sauce for special occasions!
Marinating and then grilling pork tenderloin adds loads of flavor to this lean cut of pork. Served with sauteed apples is a magnificent pairing.
This is my go-to pulled pork recipe and it’s delicious on buns with optional toppings of BBQ sauce or coleslaw.
This penne with a quick sausage sauce is family-friendly and full of flavor!
These Teriyaki Kabobs are packed with flavor. Add some vegetables and you’ve made a meal!
Best Desserts for a Pot Luck
It’s best to aim for less messy desserts since napkins may be at a premium. Cookies and brownies are always a good bet, but nobody can resist a slice of homemade pie or cake!
All the flavors of s’mores in a tasty cookie cake!
These irresistible chocolate peanut butter oatmeal cookies are cooked on the stovetop and don’t require turning on the oven!
Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies are enhanced with a box of instant vanilla pudding! They’re soft, chewy and delicious.
These Magic Cookie Bars, 7 Layer Bars, or Hello Dollies are enhanced by bits of toffee and caramel!
If you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert, this pavlova is a large chocolate meringue topped with sweetened whipped cream and vibrant fresh strawberries.
This retro recipe for frosted brownies is made with Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup which provides moisture and flavor. They’re baked in a jellyroll pan and will serve a crowd.
This Apple Slab Pie has all the delicious qualities of a double-crust pie, but it will serve a crowd.
At our house, frosting makes every dessert better! These frosted brownies fit the bill.
If you are a fan of cheesecake, chocolate and caramel, this is your dream dessert!
If you want to dazzle the crowd, this decadent Caramel Cheesecake will do the trick!
This dense, delicious fine-crumb pound cake is tasty when served with a dollop of whipped cream, sweetened berries or a scoop of ice cream.
An updated version of a rich caramel brownie except it’s made from scratch!
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Frequently Asked Questions
A potluck is a meal when numerous people provide a dish. Whether you like the menu or not is up to the luck of the draw; it depends on the contributions brought by those bringing food. Other variations of the term include a pitch-in dinner, picnic dinner, barbecue, and clambake.
Don’t bring soup or another dish that needs something other than a plate to eat. Also, a dish that requires assembly may inconvenience the host so bring your contribution ready to eat, in or on a serving dish with any utensils needed.
Yes! Just make sure it is of good quality and fresh. Many grocery stores have nice deli counters with tasty salads and side dishes.
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