If you have to be at a potluck in a matter of a few hours, there are plenty of easy potluck ideas that require a minimal amount of time and will still impress the guests — several don't even involve a trip to the store! Whether you're throwing a potluck or attending one, check out our fave easy-peasy potluck recipes that will get you ready to go ASAP.
What are the best foods to bring to a potluck?
The best foods to bring to a potluck are easy-to-make dishes and finger foods like cheese dip, corn on the cob, casseroles, guacamole, slow cooker mac and cheese, potato salad, caprese, charcuterie boards, jalapeño poppers, sliders, pinwheels, and pasta salad. Your potluck dish should be ready to eat when you arrive to the function. Attendees should be able to eat the treat you brought straight off a plate, so soups and stews aren't recommended. We have all the fuss-free recipes you need to prepare for a potluck!
What can I bring to a potluck without cooking?
Store-bought chips and dip, sweet tea, bread rolls, ice cream, fruit salad, charcuterie cheeses and meats, and veggie trays are all fantastic options to bring to a potluck. No cooking necessary! If you're not going the food route for your upcoming potluck, volunteer to bring napkins, cups, utensils, and paper towels. The host will thank you!
What to bring to a potluck last minute?
Easy, quick snacks that you can make without needing to heat up anything are your best bet for last-minute potluck prep. Dips, guacamole, lettuce wraps, salsa, salad, and no-bake finger foods are all great options.
What snacks do you bring to a potluck?
Potato chips, pigs in a blanket, fruit kebabs, hummus and pita bread, roll-ups, bruschetta, cookies, brownie bites, deviled eggs, and potato skins are stellar snacks to bring to a potluck. You want to pick up snacks that are easy to eat and easy to clean up, too.
Pastitsio
This baked pasta dish hails from Greece, and it has a tomato-meat-bechamel filling for a cozy, hearty dish. (via Brit + Co.)
Butter Board
If this TikTok trend is not for serving a crowd, we don't know what is. Smear butter on a small cutting board, then have fun decorating your snack with everything from seasonings to hot honey. (via Brit + Co.)
Green Goddess Salad Easy Potluck Idea
This salad is so easy that you'll be able to fix enough for your guests without a hitch. The cheesy, garlicky, citrus dressing tastes just as good as it sounds, and the *crunch* this salad delivers is out of this world. (via Brit + Co.)
Rainbow Bread
Okay –we already love bread, but rainbow bread? We will never pass up the opportunity to make this colorful recipe. We're pretty sure that your friends will agree, especially if there are children (er, children at heart) involved. (via Brit + Co.)
Citrus Rosé Sangria Recipe
Sangria is a great cocktail for cookouts and potlucks alike because it's super easy to make in large batches. This recipe boasts all your favorite summer citrus fruits, forming a refeshing sip. (via Brit + Co.)
Tomato Basil Orzo
This orzo recipe from Half Baked Harvest is served cold, which means you can make it ahead of time and just keep it in the fridge until you're ready to leave. This is the ultimate easy potluck dish! (via Brit + Co.)
Dirty Soda
Okay, this one might not seem like your average potluck recipe, but considering all you need is soda and coffee creamer to make it, it's too hard to ignore. We loved this potluck-friendly drink. If you like cream soda, we're sure you'll love it too! (via Brit + Co.)
Gluten-Free Baked Avocado “Fries”
We love French fries. We love avocados. This recipe is a match made in heaven. (via Brit + Co.)
Corn On The Cob In The Crockpot
Need to cook 20 cobs of corn for the potluck, but don't have a ton of time? Throw them in your Crockpot and let them marinate in a homemade garlic butter sauce for an easy side dish that comes together without a ton of effort. (via Brit + Co.)
Cauliflower Rice Keto Casserole
If your potluck ends up being on a rainy, chilly day (ie: you'd rather be curled up with a book than anywhere near the out of doors), consider a veggie-packed casserole that will warm everyone up. This healthy recipe features chicken, veggies, and plenty of cheese. (via Brit + Co.)
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio With All-O the Parsley
You will always have something to eat (and share) when you bust out this pasta recipe. It's made of all pantry staples: spaghetti, olive oil, garlic, anchovies, red peppers, and whatever herbs you have. (via Where Cooking Begins / Brit + Co.)
Spicy Sriracha Dip
Dip is the *easiest* potluck snack ever. Whip up this spicy one and load up the plate with veggies, chips, crackers, or whatever you like to dunk! (via Brit + Co.)
Charcuterie Board
This is the perfect large group appetizer, especially if that group is comprised of all your gal pals. There's nothing better than a board slathered with gourmet meats, cheeses, and the best finger foods around. Let's get to snacking! (via Brit + Co.)
Elote Pasta Salad
If you can't get enough of this Mexican dish, try it in pasta form! It still has all the delicious ingredients found in authentic elote, just deconstructed with some pasta added in. Considering we'll eat nearly anything if there are noodles involved, this sounds good to us! (via Brit + Co.)
DIY Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
Among many upsides, slow cookers are also great for making our favorite dish: mac and cheese. It's easy, tasty, reliable, and you'll have a *ton* of macaroni and cheese when you're done. Who wouldn't want that? (via Brit + Co.)
Buffalo Chicken Sliders
These little buffalo sliders are a cinch to make. The secret (and time-saving) ingredient? Rotisserie chicken! (via Brit + Co.)
Mini Baked Potatoes
While these little spuds might take a bit longer than most recipes on this list, they are totally worth it. Both you and your guests will be happy you took the extra time when you taste the robust flavors. (via Brit + Co.)
Spring Salad Recipe
This salad might have "spring" in the title, but don't be fooled: the ingredients will still taste amazing in the summer. (via Brit + Co.)
Layered Fruit “Cake”
Stack rings of watermelon and cantelope, then fill with a sweet yogurt, whipped cream filling for a healthy and refreshing potluck dessert. (via Brit + Co.)
Carrot Hot Dogs
Whip up a bunch of these babies before your BBQ potluck, and just bring all your favorite hot dog toppings in various Tupperware. Assemble, dig in, repeat. (via Brit + Co.)
DIY Cheese Crisps
Swap your potato chips for these crunchy crisps made out of shredded cheese. The jalapeños in the center add an extra kick, but you can remove the seeds to take some of the spice out! (via Brit + Co.)
Keto Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps
You can just grab one head of lettuce at the grocery store, and you'll have enough wraps to feed your whole potluck! Leave out the cheese and walnuts if you prefer plain chicken salad, but we'd recommend at least trying the toppings out. (via Brit + Co.)
Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas
A combo of lime juice, garlic, salt, and spices transforms plain shrimp into a tasty dish that you will not want to miss. Pair the shrimp with your favorite peppers, and you have a dinner you'll want to make over and over (and over) again. (via Brit + Co.)
Slow Cooker Beef Brisket
Whether you're having sandwiches, tacos, or you're just digging into this beef brisket with a fork, every meat lover at your get-together will love this slow cooker recipe. (via Brit + Co.)
Easy Toum Lebanese Garlic Dip
This dip goes with just about everything you could think of. Veggies and chicken are the best dipping foods to pair with it, but Gladys recommends dipping French fries in the garlicky dip! Our favorite part of this recipe might just be the fact you don't need a food processor to make it. (via Forks and Foliage)
Bacon Guacamole Potluck Idea
Arriving with chips and guac in hand always ensures your popularity among the potluck party. The fact that this guacamole is chock-full of bacon means you'll be a whole celebrity. (via The Recipe Critic)
Cucumber Bites
This snack is cost effective, since two cucumbers will yield almost 30 of these tasty bite-sized treats. Prep these cucumber bites for your next potluck, or an easy and healthy recipe. (via Joe's Healthy Meals)
Fresh Mango Salsa
Homemade salsa always tastes so much better than the stuff you can get off the shelves. This simple, colorful mango salsa is sure to be a hit come Taco Tuesday. (via Cookie and Kate)
Gluten-Free Flatbread Pizzas
Gluten-free guests will be elated when they see there's something at the potluck they can actually eat. The toppings on this flatbread are so delicious that even if you're not gluten-free, you'll love how the rich flavors come together. (via The Real Food Dieticians)
Creamy Pea Salad With Bacon
It's a lot easier to load up on green veggies when they're paired with crispy bacon and an ultra-creamy sauce. Don't skimp on the red onions — they really liven up the whole dish. (via The Recipe Critic)
Grilled Mexican Corn (Elote)
Plain corn on the cob is such a barbecue potluck staple, but it's even better than usual when smothered in mayo, crema, cotija cheese, chili powder, and a spritz of lime juice – elote style. (via Averie Cooks)
Summer Farro Salad
The granola guests will appreciate that you brought this healthy offering at the next potluck. This salad recipe features plenty of veggies, fruit, and whole grains. (via Two Peas & Their Pod)
Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Pack your pasta salad with savory ingredients like olives, feta cheese, salami, and sun-dried tomatoes to craft a Mediterranean-inspired dish. Toss it all with kale and chopped cucumber for a nice hit of freshness. (via The Recipe Critic)
Curried Brown Rice Veggie Salad Potluck Dish
Cater to the vegetarians at the potluck by serving a hearty rice salad, made with plenty of veggies for fiber and nuts and edamame for protein. (via Letty's Kitchen)
Instant Pot Loaded Baked Potato Salad Easy Potluck Idea
The instant pot makes cooking big-batch recipes lickety-split. Steam potatoes in record time, then add in all your favorite toppings to make an easy dish. (via Wondermom Wannabe)
Caprese Pasta Salad With Garlic Marinated Tomatoes
Shake up your usual pasta salad routine by swapping macaroni for spaghetti. Fresh tomatoes, capers, and bocconcini (tiny balls of mozzarella) round out this easy potluck dish. (via Foodiecrush)
Crispy Roasted Cauliflower Hummus
Make this hummus as a side dish or appetizer, and then bring everything you could possibly want to dip: crackers, carrots, peppers, and celery. The sky's the limit! (via Half Baked Harvest)
Raspberry Iced Tea
Iced tea is a summer staple as far as we're concerned, and this raspberry iced tea is going to make even the most dedicated soda fan want a glass. Your potluck friends won't be able to get enough! (via Feel Good Foodie)
Healthy Strawberry Pineapple Sherbet
This no-churn sorbet recipe only takes five minutes to make, which means it's the perfect last-minute potluck recipe for when you're crunched for time. Frozen strawberries and pineapple will give it that ice cream consistency! (via A Spicy Perspective)
Mexican Tortilla Roll Ups
Pinwheels are some of the best finger foods around because they're great for people who love every kind of food, and they generally contain ingredients that appeal to picky eaters. Plus, they're very affordable to make. (via Culinary Hill)
Soft Pretzel Bites With Mustard Cheese Dip
Soft pretzels and cheese dip are a classic combo for movie nights and potlucks alike. The real star of this recipe is the mustard cheese dip, which is comprised of cheddar, dijon mustard, and cayenne pepper. (via Barley & Sage)
Jalapeño Poppers Easy Potluck Idea
We're huge fans of spicy food, and jalapeño poppers are one of our favorite potluck apps. The cheese evens out the spice from the pepper. Plus, this version has bacon. (via Salt & Lavender)
Asian Grilled Flank Steak
What we love about serving rare, grilled flank steak at a party is that it's finger-lickin'-good, hot or cold. Serve with lettuce leaves and marinated cucumbers so guests can make their own steak wraps. (via The Recipe Critic)
Ham and Cheese Croissant Sliders
Balance out all those salads at the potluck by serving a tray of ooey, gooey croissant sliders. Stuff them with ham and cheese, then brush with butter, top with poppy seeds, and bake until warm. We're salivating already. (via Crazy For Crust)
Montreal Steak and Pepper Kebabs Potluck Idea
Even inexpensive steak gets tenderized and flavorful, thanks to a zippy Montreal steak seasoning blend made with red wine vinegar. Stack your delicious steak cuts on a skewer among grilled veggies for a hearty potluck snack. (via Foodiecrush)
Blueberry Hand Pies
Blueberry hand pies are sturdy enough to remain intact even after a ride in the car. Use canned blueberry pie filling and store-bought pie crust for this dessert if you're really pressed for time. (via Leite's Culinaria)
Crustless Fresh Strawberry Pie Easy Potluck Idea
Embrace the flavors of summer with a crustless strawberry pie that puts the best fruit front and center. (via Averie Cooks)
Loaded M&M Oreo Cookie Bars
Even if you don't keep M&Ms and Oreos in your pantry, you can easily sub them out with your favorite candy bars for an equally scrumptious dessert. While you're picking up the candy for this recipe, buy a box of cookie mix to prep everything if you're really crunched on time. We won't tell. (via Averie Cooks)
No Bake Nutella Pie
Feed dessert to a crowd without even turning on your oven with this easy recipe for fluffy, mousse-like, no-bake pie. (via Spicy Southern Kitchen)
Apple Nachos Potluck Recipe
Melted peanut butter over apples is a tasty, but healthy snack or dessert. Add cacao nibs and chopped nuts, and you're good to go. Feel free to swap the PB for seed butter if you can't have nuts! (via Trial and Eater)
Black Bean Corn Salsa
Your potluck partygoers will love sinking their teeth into this chunky medley of fresh veggies and black beans! Serve with tortilla chips, or use this salsa to drizzle atop a freshly grilled steak. (via Amanda Wilens)
Vegetarian Mexican Pinwheels
Make these Mexican pinwheels up to a full day in advance, or put them together right before you get to the party. Accommodating vegetarians has never been so easy. (via Sprinkles and Sprouts)
Best Ever Italian Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is sure to be an exceptional pairing to whatever you've got going on the grill. (via The Girl On Bloor)
Buffalo Chicken Coleslaw
Creamy coleslaw's tastier than ever when it gets a fiery kick from Buffalo sauce. Make this easy coleslaw recipe as a side dish to top sandwiches or meats with! (via Meg's Everyday Indulgence)
Chicken Salad with Cranberries
Chicken salad is a no-fail, always-fresh selection for potluck parties. This one achieves the ultimate balance between sweet and savory with the addition of canberrries. (via The Fast Recipe)
With these easy potluck ideas, you'll have the winning dish at your next get together. Check out our new B+C online baking and cooking classes for more recipe inspo!
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Additional reporting by Meghan Alfano and Chloe Williams.
This post has been updated.