Popular potluck dishes: perfect for sharing
After food to feed a crowd? Try these popular potluck dishes which include sides, mains and more. They’re guaranteed to please!

Potlucks: invented as a cunning way for people to come together and share in a meal without one exhausting themselves in a whirlwind of cooking and cleaning.
It’s also a way to show off your culinary skills: maximum exposure with minimum effort.
For many years, my potluck contribution was a layered garden salad straight out of the 80s. It may be retro, but it’s still delicious!
These days, with my husband’s abhorrence of eggs and love of sweet treats, I’m inclined to whip up a trifle or two.
My theory with potluck dishes is to always make something you really like, so you know you have at least one dish you’ll enjoy.
If you’ve yet to nail down what that specific potluck dish is, well, you’re in luck.
Here, you’ll find a collection of potluck sides, potluck dinner recipes and potluck desserts.
And in case you still want more, you might want to check out these summer salads and cookout sides.
Potluck side dishes
Antipasto is a traditional Italian first course that typically consists of cured meats, olives, peppers and other vegetables that are sometimes marinated in olive oil and vinegar. This zesty antipasto is all of the best parts of traditional antipasto but in easy make ahead salad form.
A hearty and flavorful pasta salad made with avocado buttermilk dressing and bacon.
With a rich and creamy dressing and the perfect amount of crunch, this salad is made with broccoli, red onion, almonds and fresh grapes.
Brussels sprouts slaw with maple mustard vinaigrette has thinly sliced raw brussels sprouts and cabbage, plus apple and a maple mustard dressing for added sweetness. This slaw is topped with chopped pecans for extra crunch. It will be a hit at your gathering.
This caprese orzo pasta salad is the perfect light pasta salad that mixes together orzo with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, fresh basil and is tossed in a light balsamic vinegar dressing. You can make this salad as part of your weekly meal-prep or make it ahead for a big get together. Guests always love this fresh salad at parties.
This chicken quinoa salad recipe has great texture, flavor and color. It’s filled with fresh veggies like cucumber, bell pepper and red onion. Plus, you’ll get a large helping of fiber from hearty quinoa and velvety black beans. And don’t forget the boost of protein that comes from perfectly seasoned, juicy baked chicken. Top everything with a simple, homemade lemony dressing for next level deliciousness!
Are you looking for the ultimate side dish for BBQ season? Or you’ve got leftovers of corn on the cob? Try this fantastic corn and avocado salad with feta, cilantro, red quinoa and lime with a touch of habanero heat. It’s a dreamy, refreshing salad, plus looks fantastic and balanced.
This creamy corn casserole recipe is super-easy, yet it’s made entirely from scratch, without Jiffy corn muffin mix. It's really easy to prepare, tastes deliciously sweet and buttery, and is guaranteed to be a hit every time.
You’ll love these crockpot funeral potatoes for an easy dish that will be a big hit at any potluck. It’s the richest and most creamy side dish you will ever make, and the slow cooker does all the work.
An easy Italian pasta salad with balsamic dressing! 20 minutes and a few simple ingredients are all you need to enjoy this great balsamic pasta salad. Minimum effort, mega taste
This easy Greek orzo salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, BBQs and get togethers. Whenever you need an easy and healthy side dish, that is guaranteed to disappear first, make this gorgeous Greek orzo salad.
Made with fewer than 10 ingredients with only about 10 minutes of active prep work, this Mexican pasta salad is the cool, creamy side dish every laid-back potluck needs.
Italian pasta salad is a cold summer salad perfect for picnics, potlucks or grilling dinners. Full of fresh vegetables and herbs, salami, mozzarella cheese, tossed in an easy homemade Italian dressing. It’s easy and delicious.
This KFC coleslaw recipe is very easy to make and a good side dish for potlucks.
Kisir, Turkish bulgur salad, is definitely a crowd pleaser. Bulgur is combined with herbs, flavored with tomato paste, spices, lemon juice and olive oil.
These marinated heirloom tomatoes are bright, bold, and delicious. They’re a flavorful and easy side dish for any potluck.
This pumpkin couscous salad is a Mediterranean-inspired pasta salad made with Israeli couscous and feta. Add roasted pumpkin, dried apricots, and toasted pine nuts and you have the perfect pasta salad for a potluck.
This Mexican street corn salad recipe (also known as esquites) is packed with fresh flavors and cotija cheese. This is the perfect side dish that turns the classic Mexican street food into a delicious and easy to make salad.
This vibrant and delicious orzo arugula salad is filled with juicy grapes, toasted pine nuts, feta, and asparagus tossed in an easy lemon vinaigrette.
Pesto pasta salad with chicken is a quick, easy, and wildly flavorful pasta salad recipe! It's a great option for potlucks, picnics, BBQs.
This recipe for scalloped potatoes with heavy cream or au gratin potatoes is foolproof! Just another reason to love it.
These amazing sweet and spicy Instant Pot baked beans are hearty enough to be a meal, but make for a mind-blowing side dish too! We took regular baked beans and kicked them up a notch…or ten!
Chilis, soups, and barbeques need this sweet cornbread cast iron skillet recipe! Baking in a hot cast-iron skillet gives each piece of cornbread crispy edges and the perfect tender crumb. This egg-free recipe is sweetened with just the right amount of maple syrup and coconut sugar – you’ll want to keep coming back for more once you try it!
This green bean, potato and tomato salad with creamy mozzarella and tangy lemon mustard vinaigrette is a healthy, make-ahead dish everyone loves.
The flavors of potato salad get a serious upgrade when combined with a loaded baked potato salad! Stuffed full of bacon, cheese, herbs, and green onion the flavor of this red skin potato salad is just unbeatable. This potato salad is made with simple ingredients and is a delicious American classic.
Potluck recipes
In this Indian chickpea curry, tender chickpeas are simmered in a onion, garlic and tomato sauce which is flavored with aromatic spices
Crispy sweet potatoes mingle with a tangy feta salad in this deceptively simple but tasty dish.
This simple pasta bake makes enough for a crowd and is so easy to put together.
Make this Instant Pot chili under an hour. Loaded with layers of umami & spicy flavors and textures, this easy beef and beans chili will be a potluck hit!
This slow cooker BBQ pulled beef is tender and juicy shreds of beef smothered in sweet and tangy BBQ sauce. It's super versatile for your next potluck.
A classic dish that’s great for small and large crowds. This recipe is quick and easy and always is a huge hit with family and friends.
This crock pot corn casserole puts an easy twist on this traditional Southern holiday season culinary staple that's always a hit at potlucks.
This easy chicken macaroni salad recipe is quick to prepare, bursting with flavor, and perfect for any occasion.
This spinach feta rice casserole is loaded with easy ingredients and full of awesome flavor.
Mexican macaroni salad (a.k.a. ensalada de coditos) is a favorite easy Mexican dish for potlucks and cookouts. Made with fewer than 10 ingredients with only about 10 minutes of active prep work, this Mexican pasta salad is the cool, creamy side dish every laid-back summer BBQ needs.
This quick and easy four bean salad is simple and delicious. With a tangy vinaigrette it's perfect for a bbq, pot luck or a picnic to feed a crowd.
This kimchi mac and cheese is loaded with drool-worthy melty cheese, an irresistibly crunchy topping, and of course bursts of refreshing kimchi that beautifully cut through the richness of cheese for a beautiful balance.
Easy to make and very tasty, this stew based jollof rice is fairly spicy and bursting with flavors. It’s perfect for a potluck party.
Pesto pasta salad with chicken is a quick, easy, and wildly flavorful pasta salad recipe! A great option for potlucks, picnics, BBQs, or as a light summer meal.
Craving a delicious, light, and refreshing dish for your next potluck? Introducing this super delicious potluck rice noodle salad.
With toasted ramen, nuts, two kinds of cabbage, and a sweet and savory dressing, this Ramen Noodle Salad recipe is easy to make and pairs well with anything you can grill up. It's perfect for barbecues and potlucks!
This Spanish classic is a vibrant, aromatic dish that can be made easily in the comfort of your own home. With its rich flavors and striking presentation, this seafood paella recipe perfect to enjoy year round.
Chicken and asparagus are roasted in a bath of lemon-garlic oil. Infused with rich flavor, every bite is tender, bright, and juicy.
This warm vegan spinach and artichoke baked ziti is a fun twist on the classic dish with creamy blend of artichokes, spinach, vegan mozzarella and ziti pasta.
This super easy white chicken chili recipe makes a simple potluck dish.
Potluck desserts
Air fryer baklava is one of the best-ever air fryer desserts you’ll come across! Layers of crispy filo are filled with assorted nuts and topped with salty sweet syrup. With this easy recipe, you can make perfect homemade baklava.
This is the best Billy Miner pie recipe for a copycat version of The Keg’s famous dessert. Imagine a mocha ice cream cake on an oreo crumb crust, topped with sliced almonds. Then drizzled with hot fudge and caramel sauce.
This no bake biscoff cheesecake recipe is so easy to make and brings two favorites – biscoff and cheesecake – together in one delicious mouthful!
This delicious tiramisu variation is made with Biscoff cookies and Biscoff cookie butter. No one has to know how easy it was to make.
Lend a jiggly retro vibe to your next potluck with this black cherry jello salad recipe!
This easy, no bake five ingredient Black Forest trifle makes a great potluck dessert.
Cherry cheesecake with chocolate crust is a stunning dessert which can be prepared by following only a few simple steps. The chocolate crumb crust forms a delicious shell for the cheesecake filling and perfectly complements the flavours of the cream cheese and cherries. The quantities in this cherry cheesecake recipe are sufficient for approximately 8 servings.
Chocolate kahlua cake is an easy chocolate bundt cake with a hint of Kahlua coffee liqueur and studded with chocolate chips, and it's made entirely from scratch - no box mix here! It's as perfect to bring to a potluck as it is to serve after a fancy evening or holiday dinner. Moist and rich, this is the ultimate chocolate bundt cake to make.
This no bake banana pudding is the perfect treat to bring to your next pop up. You only need five ingredients and about 15 minutes to whip up a batch.
Banana pudding poke cake takes creamy banana pudding and puts it on top of a buttery yellow cake with crunchy vanilla wafers for a fun twist on classic banana pudding. This is the perfect dessert to share at a potluck, and is so easy starting with a cake mix.
This peach potluck cake recipe is so delicious and can be made any time of the year. Using shortcuts like a boxed cake mix and canned peach pie filling, this cake is easy to make and is popular at gatherings.
Make an irresistible crowd-pleaser with this easy Filipino mango graham float made of seven simple ingredients. This delicious no-bake dessert makes every bite the perfect bite with layers of juicy mango, browned butter graham crackers, & the fluffiest whipped cream.
These fudgy red velvet cake mix brownies are so easy to make with only 4 ingredients. They have white chocolate chips inside and a super moist, chewy texture that melts in your mouth. It's the perfect doctored red velvet cake mix recipe that you won't regret making.
This grain-free coffee cake is amazingly delicious and makes a great potluck dessert.
This Italian lemon olive oil cake uses everyday ingredients but is packed full of delicious fruity flavors. Made with fresh lemon juice and zest, this cake is both light and tender.
This is a really simple recipe and always a big hit with both kids and adults. If you like a chewy, gooey brownie, bake a batch or two, or three! They’re sure to be a big hit with everyone.
This old-fashioned marshmallow fruit salad is an easy dish to take to a party. This potluck favorite is an oldie but a goodie, takes 10 minutes to put together, and is bursting with fruity flavor.
No-bake chocolate peanut butter lasagna, an easy chocolate lasagna dessert recipe perfect for potlucks. This dessert lasagna recipe has a layer of homemade peanut butter filling and a layer of homemade chocolate filling with layers of graham crackers that turn almost cake-like.
Enjoy everything you love about cheesecake without even turning on the oven with this quick and easy no bake option. Add in the strawberries for a fruity addition that allows for a lighter texture that won’t sit heavy in your stomach.
This no bake peach cheesecake with graham cracker crust is full of juicy peach flavor and a pretty peach rose on top. It's beautiful and delicious.
Smooth, sweet, and creamy cheesecake atop a perfect, graham crust that has been piled high with fresh peaches. It's simple, dreamy, and perfectly delicious.
Pineapple upside down cake is a vintage recipe that is so easy to make from scratch. It’s a delicious nostalgic afternoon treat.
This rainbow fruit salad with honey lime dressing is a must have recipe. It's filled with the best fresh combination of fruits and covered in a sweet, tangy dressing that is out of this world. The perfect side dish for potlucks.
These raspberry brownies are intensely fudgy and truffle-like, with a bold raspberry flavor and jammy bits of fruit in each bite. You’ll love my quick and easy recipe for chocolate raspberry brownies.
A 100% homemade, from-scratch, Southern vegan banana pudding: A no-bake recipe with layers of vanilla wafers, banana slices, vanilla pudding, and sweet creamy fluff.
Enjoy any one of these delicious potluck dishes at your next gathering.





