40 Tried-and-True Potluck Recipes (2024)

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40 Tried-and-True Potluck Recipes (1)Sue StetzelUpdated: Feb. 25, 2022

    Searching for the best potluck recipes? Look no further! These are the top-rated, most-loved, tried-and-true recipes according to readers just like you.

    Potluck Taco Casserole

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    This is the dish I take most often to potlucks, and the pan comes home empty every time. It has the irresistible taco taste that everybody craves. —Kim Stoller, Smithville, Ohio

    Strawberry Pretzel Salad

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    Need to bring a dish to pass this weekend? This make-ahead strawberry pretzel salad will disappear quickly at any potluck. —Aldene Belch, Flint, Michigan

    Baked Spaghetti

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    Every time that I make this cheesy baked spaghetti, I get requests for the recipe. It puts a different spin on pasta and is great for any meal. The leftovers, if there are any, also freeze well for a quick dinner later in the week. —Ruth Koberna, Brecksville, Ohio

    Jalapeno Popper Spread

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    Taste of Home

    I've been told by fellow partygoers that this recipe tastes exactly like a jalapeno popper. I like that it can be made without much fuss. —Ariane McAlpine, Penticton, British Columbia

    Raspberry-Rhubarb Slab Pie

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    Taste of Home

    Slab pie is a pastry baked in a jelly-roll pan and cut into slabs like a bar cookie—or a pie bar, if you will. My grandfather was a professional baker and served pieces of slab pie to his customers back in the day. Here is my spin, featuring rhubarb and gorgeous red raspberries. —Jeanne Ambrose, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    Three-Bean Baked Beans

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    I got this recipe from my aunt and made a couple of changes to suit my taste. With ground beef and bacon mixed in, these satisfying beans are a big hit at backyard barbecues and church picnics. I'm always asked to bring my special beans. —Julie Currington, Gahanna, Ohio

    Oat Dinner Rolls

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    These soft rolls are out of this world. The addition of oat makes them a little heartier than other dinner rolls. —Patricia Rutherford, Winchester, Illinois

    Candy Bar Apple Salad

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    Taste of Home

    This creamy, sweet salad with crisp apple crunch is a real people-pleaser. It makes a lot, which is good, because it will go fast! —Cyndi Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa

    Ham and Swiss Sliders

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    My next-door neighbor shared this ham and Swiss sliders recipe with me, and I simply cannot improve it! You can make it ahead and cook it quickly when company arrives. The combo of poppy seeds, ham and cheese, horseradish and brown sugar makes it so delicious. —Iris Weihemuller, Baxter, Minnesota

    Chocolate Chip Cookie Delight

    This is a simple chocolate dessert recipe for any type of potluck occasion, and the pan always comes home empty. —Diane Windley, Grace, Idaho

    Grilled Huli Huli Chicken

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    Taste of Home

    I got this grilled chicken recipe from a friend while living in Hawaii. It sizzles with the flavors of brown sugar, ginger and soy sauce. Huli means "turn" in Hawaiian. This sweet and savory glaze is fantastic on pork chops, too. —Sharon Boling, San Diego, California

    Taco Meatball Ring

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    Taste of Home

    While it looks complicated, this attractive meatball-filled ring is really very easy to assemble. My family loves tacos, and we find that the crescent roll dough is a nice change from the usual tortilla shells or chips. There are never any leftovers when I serve this at a meal or as a party appetizer!—Brenda Johnson, Davison, Michigan

    Tangy Barbecue Sandwiches

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    Taste of Home

    Since I prepare the beef for these robust sandwiches in the slow cooker, it's easy to fix a meal for a hungry bunch. The savory homemade sauce assures I come home with no leftovers. —Debbi Smith, Crossett, Arkansas

    Special Sesame Chicken Salad

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    Taste of Home

    With its delicious mix of crunchy peanuts, tangy dried cranberries and mandarin oranges, this colorful Asian chicken salad is a definite crowd-pleaser. Water chestnuts and a teriyaki dressing give this main dish its Asian flare. —Carolee Ewell, Santaquin, Utah

    Lemon Berry Dump Cake

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    This sweet-tart cake recipe is so much fun to make with my grandkids. They love just "dumping it all in" and watching it magically become a pretty, delicious dessert. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

    Chicken Parmesan Slider Bake

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    Sliders are the perfect finger food for any get-together, and this flavorful chicken Parmesan version won’t disappoint. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado

    Apple Maple Pecan Salad

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    A well-made salad has good taste and pleasing crunch. This one with cabbage, apples and pecans gets high marks in both, with extra points for color contrast. —Emily Tyra, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    Cherry Tomato Bites

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    Taste of Home

    Cherry tomatoes may be small, but these are full of amazing flavor. Plus, they add color to any table. —Rev. David Bostedt, Zephyrhills, Florida

    Chocolate Trifle

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    Taste of Home

    For a fabulous finale when entertaining, this lovely layered chocolate trifle is a winner! Chocolate trifle recipes are a do-ahead dessert that serves a group, and it even tastes great the next day. —Pam Botine, Goldsboro, North Carolina

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    On holidays, a friend serves these creamy, cheesy potatoes when we gather together to celebrate with lifelong friends and grown children. —Carol Blue, Barnesville, Pennsylvania

    Ginger Salmon with Cucumber Lime Sauce

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    Lime with ginger is a favorite flavor combo for me, especially with grilled salmon. So good. Even with the cucumber sauce, this recipe is easy, too. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota

    Buttery Horseradish Corn on the Cob

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    Taste of Home

    For a July Fourth barbecue, I whipped up a butter and horseradish topping for grilled corn. People actually formed a line to get seconds. —Trish Loewen, Bakersfield, California

    Baked Spinach Dip Loaf

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    Taste of Home

    Any round loaf works as a serving bowl for this cream-cheesy dip, with spinach, cheddar, water chestnuts and, yes, bacon. Scoop the dip with the extra bread and veggies—then eat the bowl! —Frieda Meding, Trochu, Alberta

    Honey Chipotle Ribs

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    Nothing is better than having a sauce with the perfect slather consistency. Here's one that will ensure a lip-smacking feast. Go ahead and make the sauce up to a week ahead for an easier grilling experience. —Caitlin Hawes, Westwood, Massachusetts

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    Taste of Home

    Tomato wedges give this salad a juicy bite. It's a great use of fresh herbs and veggies from your own garden or the farmers market. —Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin

    Louisiana Jambalaya

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    My husband helped add a little spice to my life. He grew up on Cajun cooking, such as Louisiana jambalaya, while I ate mostly meat-and-potato meals. —Sandi Pichon, Memphis, Tennessee

    Soft Buttermilk Dinner Rolls

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    Warm, buttery dinner rolls are absolutely irresistible. I save time and use a stand mixer to make my dough. —Jennifer Patterson, Shoshone, Idaho

    Toffee Pecan Bars

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    Curl up with a hot cup of coffee and one of these treats. The golden topping and flaky crust give way to the heartwarming taste of old-fashioned pecan pie. —Dianna Croskey, Gibsonia, Pennsylvania

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    My primo pork is smoky, tender and tastes like it came from a barbecue joint. Without much help from me, it basically shreds itself. —Lauren Adamson, Layton, Utah

    Fontina Asparagus Tart

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    Taste of Home

    This lemony tart is loaded with fontina cheese and fresh asparagus. It's a snap to make but looks really impressive. Be advised…your guests will be vying for the last tasty slice. —Heidi Meek, Grand Rapids, Michigan

    Golden Mashed Potatoes

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    When there's no gravy with the meat, this dish is fabulous to serve in place of regular mashed potatoes. I make it often to take to picnics and church socials. My husband even made it for his family's reunion one year when I couldn't go! —Cindy Stith, Wickliffe, Kentucky

    Slow-Cooked Hoisin Pot Roast

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    One day my husband commented that he loves plums and meat. The next time I put a roast in the slow cooker, I added some plums. He was onto something! —Jackie Cole, Dunnellon, Florida

    Southern Cornbread Salad

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    To feed a crowd, especially when I want to make a good impression, I make this eye-popping cornbread salad. It’s beautiful in a trifle bowl. I love it in summer, when we can make it with our own garden produce. —Debbie Johnson, Centertown, Missouri

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    These colorful little drop biscuits are very easy to put together and yet are packed full of flavor. I serve them warm out of the oven. —Keith Mesch, Mt. Healthy, Ohio

    Mushroom Cheese Bread

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    Taste of Home

    This savory grilled bread is delightful with barbecued steak, baked potatoes and corn on the cob. For variation, we sometimes use half cheddar cheese and half mozzarella. —Dolly McDonald, Edmonton, Alberta

    Barbecued Meatballs

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    Grape jelly and chili sauce are the secrets that make these meatballs so fantastic. If I’m serving them at a party, I prepare the meatballs and sauce in advance and reheat them right before guests arrive. —Irma Schnuelle, Manitowoc, Wisconsin

    Garden Bounty Panzanella Salad

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    My sister gave me fresh tomatoes and basil, so I made a bread salad known as Panzanella. The longer it sits, the more the bread soaks up the seasonings. —Jannine Fisk, Malden, Massachusetts

    Candy Bar Cheesecake Brownies

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    Taste of Home

    I came up with these brownies as a way to use up my son's leftover Halloween candy. You can tint the cream cheese orange for a spooky touch. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grv, Utah

    Homemade Potato Chips

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    Forget buying a bag of potato chips at the grocery store when you can make these at home. This quick and easy recipe will delight everyone in the family. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

    Layered Salad for a Crowd

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    This salad is a favorite of my three sons. I took it to a luncheon honoring our school district’s food service manager, and she asked for the recipe. I like to make the dressing the day before so the flavors blend together. —Linda Ashley, Leesburg, Georgia

    Originally Published: May 23, 2019

    40 Tried-and-True Potluck Recipes (41)

    Sue Stetzel

    Sue has been working with Taste of Home since 2011. When she isn’t writing, she’s answering your burning cooking questions and working with our team of Community Cooks. She spends her free time cooking, crafting, and volunteering for various organizations in her home town.

    40 Tried-and-True Potluck Recipes (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the easiest thing to bring to a potluck? ›

    What to Bring to a Potluck
    1. Greek Potato Salad. ...
    2. Pasta Salad with Black Beans & Avocado Dressing. ...
    3. Vegan Creamy Coleslaw. ...
    4. Apple, Bacon and Sweet Potato Mini Casseroles. ...
    5. Classic Lasagna. ...
    6. Roasted Brussels Sprout & Butternut Squash Salad. ...
    7. Baked Oatmeal With Banana, Raisins & Walnuts. ...
    8. Spinach & Mushroom Quiche.
    Mar 28, 2023

    What to bring to a potluck last minute? ›

    Last-Minute Appetizers
    • Ham and Cheese Tortilla Roll Ups. You can put anything in tortilla pinwheels, like this recipe with ham and ranch seasoning. ...
    • 5-Minute Taco Dip. ...
    • Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese. ...
    • Crockpot Meatballs with Grape Jelly Sauce. ...
    • 5-Minute Black Bean Dip. ...
    • Pimento Cheese. ...
    • Antipasto Platter. ...
    • Homemade Salsa.
    Nov 29, 2023

    How do you make a successful potluck? ›

    How to host the perfect potluck party: 8 tips from a pro
    1. Control your inner control freak.
    2. Keep your guests in the loop about dietary restrictions.
    3. Pick a theme, or don't.
    4. Think about the flow and label the food.
    5. Don't forget plates, cups, napkins and utensils.
    6. Make sure your kitchen is as clean as you can manage.
    Aug 11, 2016

    What is a true potluck? ›

    Potluck dinners are events where the attendees bring a dish to a meal. The only traditional rule is that each dish be large enough to be shared among a good portion of the anticipated guests. Guests may bring in any form of food, ranging from the main course to desserts.

    What is a good finger food to bring to a potluck? ›

    Easy Finger Food Recipes to Make Ahead
    • Fried Pickles. Treat your guests to fried pickles for fun finger food ideas. ...
    • Fried Mac and Cheese Rolls. ...
    • Deviled Eggs. ...
    • Honey Garlic Meatballs. ...
    • Garlic Breadsticks. ...
    • Salted Soft Pretzels. ...
    • Whipped Ricotta Crostini. ...
    • Vietnamese Spring Rolls.
    3 days ago

    What is a good meal to feed a large crowd? ›

    Gather, Share, and Eat: Easy Meals for Large Groups That Won't Break the Bank
    • The Classic Spaghetti and Meatballs. ...
    • Tantalizing Tacos. ...
    • Perfectly Baked Potatoes. ...
    • Pizza Extravaganza. ...
    • Mouthwatering Pulled Pork. ...
    • Fabulous Fajitas. ...
    • Hearty Chili. ...
    • Build-Your-Own Sandwiches.
    Oct 19, 2023

    Can you go to a potluck without bringing anything? ›

    Just be sure to let the host know if you're not bringing food to ensure there are enough dishes to go around!

    What to bring to a potluck easy at work? ›

    35 Easy Potluck Dishes for Work
    • Bruschetta - This is an easy hors d'oeuvre that pretty much goes with any main dish. ...
    • Baked Brie - If you have access to an oven at work, this dish will have to be assembled at the office just before you're ready to eat.

    How do you plan a potluck for 40 people? ›

    A Suggested Menu for a Perfect Potluck of 40 Guests Includes:
    1. 4 People Bringing Appetizers. ...
    2. 5 People Bringing Main Dishes. ...
    3. 8 People Bringing Side Dishes. ...
    4. 4 People Bringing Bread. ...
    5. 4 People Bringing Dessert. ...
    6. 3 People Bringing Beverages. ...
    7. 1 Person Bringing Cups, Plates & Napkins.
    8. 1 Person Bringing Utensils.

    How many portions should you have for a potluck? ›

    As a general rule, plan for one main dish serving and one or two side dish servings per person.

    How many main dishes for a potluck? ›

    So, how many dishes will you need? "People love trying different things at potlucks, so it's best to offer two to three dishes of each category (appetizer, salad, main, dessert)," says Levitt.

    What do Southerners call a potluck? ›

    In the south, “covered-dish supper,” or “covered-dish dinner” is (or was) a more common term for the gathering of folks for a meal in which the attendees bring a dish of their choosing for all to enjoy. Other names I have heard include bring-and-share, bring-a-plate, dish-to-pass, or fellowship meal.

    What is a fancy word for potluck? ›

    potluck dinner (noun as in potluck supper) Weak matches. buffet BYO casseroles clambake covered-dish supper feast harvest supper.

    Can I bring pizza to a potluck? ›

    Generally, when bringing food for a potluck, it's a kind of rule of thumb to provide enough so that everyone can have a serving of a particular dish. So, if you bring pizza, you'd have to make sure everyone got at least one slice. If the gathering is fairly large, you'll have to bring multiple pizzas.

    Is it rude to not bring anything to a potluck? ›

    Yes, it is considered rude to not bring anything to a potluck, as it can seem that you're taking advantage of other people's contributions without giving anything in return.

    Is it okay to not bring anything to a potluck? ›

    Anything More Than Empty Hands Is Acceptable

    It's a fun communal activity that also takes some weight off the poor host. So can you show up to a potluck empty-handed? Heck no. That's the whole point!

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