Potluck food ideas
If you are looking for what to bring to a potluck, the best choice is a dish that travels well, serves a crowd and does not need last-minute work. Here are ideas by category, with notes on what is easy to carry and keep warm.
Main dishes
Mains that hold well in a slow cooker or an insulated carrier are the easiest to share.
- Pulled pork or chicken for sandwiches
- Baked pasta, such as lasagna or baked ziti
- Chili, vegetarian or with meat
- Meatballs with sauce
- Baked chicken thighs
- Macaroni and cheese
Side dishes
- Roasted vegetables
- Mashed potatoes or scalloped potatoes
- Green beans with almonds
- Rice with beans
- Cornbread or dinner rolls
- Baked beans
Salads
- Pasta salad
- Potato salad
- Coleslaw
- Green salad with the dressing on the side
- Fruit salad
- Quinoa or couscous salad
Appetizers
- Vegetables with hummus or a dip
- Cheese and crackers
- Deviled eggs
- Mini quiches
- Chips and salsa
- Stuffed mushrooms
Desserts
- Brownies or blondies
- Cookies, by the dozen
- Fruit crisp or cobbler
- Cupcakes
- Sheet cake
- Fruit with a simple dip
Drinks and extras
- Iced tea or lemonade
- Sparkling water
- A cooler of ice
- Plates, cups and napkins
- Serving spoons
Options for different diets
Ask guests to label what is in their dish. A few simple choices cover most needs.
- Vegetarian: chili with beans, roasted vegetable dishes, pasta salad.
- Gluten-free: rice dishes, roasted potatoes, fruit salad.
- Nut-free: label desserts clearly and avoid nut toppings.
- Dairy-free: fruit crisp with oats, roasted vegetables, rice with beans.
How much of each dish to bring
Think in servings, not in total weight. As a rough guide, a dish for a potluck should serve about eight to ten people. A main dish in a slow cooker, a large casserole dish of pasta, or a large bowl of salad each fills that need.
Food safety in simple terms
Common food safety guidance is to keep hot food hot and cold food cold, and not to leave perishable food out for more than about two hours, or one hour in hot weather. Use slow cookers and insulated carriers for hot dishes, and a cooler with ice for cold ones.
Kid-friendly dishes
- Mini pizzas or pizza rolls
- Fruit skewers
- Baked chicken tenders
- Pasta with butter and cheese
- Vegetable sticks with a mild dip
- Mini muffins
Budget-friendly dishes
- Rice and beans
- Baked pasta
- Chili
- Cornbread
- Pasta salad
- Cookies or brownies from a box, made with care
What to avoid bringing
- Dishes that need to be fried at the last minute.
- Anything that must be served with its own special equipment.
- Very messy foods without napkins or plates.
- Strongly scented dishes in a small room.
- Dishes with nuts, without a label.
Tips for bringing your dish
- Bring it in a container you do not need back, or label it with your name.
- Bring your own serving spoon.
- Keep hot food hot and cold food cold until you arrive.
- Check the sign-up list so you do not bring the same thing as someone else.
Questions
What is an easy dish to bring to a potluck?
Pasta salad, brownies, cookies or a vegetable tray are easy to make and to carry.
How much should I bring?
Plan for a dish that serves about eight to ten people, unless the host says otherwise.
Should I make something new?
Try a recipe first at home if you can. A reliable dish is better than a risky one.
How do I avoid bringing the same dish as someone else?
Look at the sign-up list before you choose, and add what you bring.
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