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Hosting a potluck dinner or being invited over to one, the question remains: What side dish to bring to the potluck party? If this is a situation you can often relate to, our tested and approved potluck side dishes will sort things out for you. We have come up with some of the classic, unique, heart-winning recipes for potluck dinners, breakfasts, or even office lunches. You can easily make these side dishes for even a last minute potluck party in your kitchen and can be a perfect food for your diet plan.
So let’s get started. Prepare one of the following exotic side dishes to impress everyone around you.
Salads
Vegan Quinoa Salad
Spare the debate of whether quinoa is rice or a cereal variation. As a food and diet enthusiast, I wholly agree that it is one of the most nutritious, flavorful, and fulfilling salad ideas for potluck parties. So let’s get cooking some of this wholesome meal with a crunch of vegetables and simple kitchen gadgets.
For this recipe, thoroughly rinse and soak quinoa. Boil prepared chicken broth with a few cloves of garlic. Cook quinoa in the broth until all the moisture has evaporated. Cool and add chopped vegetables. Drizzle in a mixture of lemon and vinegar. And here you go with the best quinoa side dish for potluck dinners.
What to Serve With Cabbage? Best Side Dishes For Dinner
Arabic Salad
Arabic salad is a delicious and light appetizer or side dish salad. It is typically made with diced tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, onions, and mint. It can be seasoned with olive oil and lemon juice for a tangy flavor or with sumac and pomegranate molasses for a more robust flavor.
This salad is a great way to enjoy all the delicious flavors of the Middle East, as it combines the earthy flavors of tomatoes and cucumbers with the sharpness of onions and the sweetness of mint. It is also a great way to add a healthy and nutritious side dish.
Roast Beetroot With Goat Cheese Salad
Are you hosting a vegetarian potluck dinner, but can’t find some of the famishing potluck side dishes to cook? Boast your culinary skills by pulling off this beautiful red and orange colored dish. These flavors also blend so well with chicken and tilapia. Check out these tilapia side dishes, if you love making tilapia.
Thoroughly scrape the beetroots and remove the tops. Use a double layer of aluminum foil to wrap the beets. Seal them tight. Place in a preheated oven and cook for 55 minutes so that they become tender. Mix lime juice, orange juice, herbs, and spices. Pour over the cooked beets and add pieces of goat cheese before serving.
Greek Chickpea Salad
Chickpeas fix themselves in most meals, be it a rice dish, a gravy, or a salad! And they are rich in protein too. So make this vegan Chickpea salad with a burst of flavors for a healthy and low-calorie meal.
Mediterranean Couscous Salad
A couscous salad with lime dressing is the best thing to taste this summer. With all the healthy ingredients, this Mediterranean recipe fills the mouth with happiness.
Grab your favorite veggies and cheese, assemble them, and enjoy the flavors. Toss the recipe with olive oil or cheese; a perfect pair of cheesy flavors will make the dish crowd favorite. Refreshing and colorful. A healthy side dish that is packed with crunchiness. Worth a try!
Cucumber Salad
Are you looking for an easy potluck side dish? Then your search may end on cucumber salad. This easy-to-make classic dish contains simple ingredients yet adds flavors to your meal table.
Grab a few cucumbers, tomatoes, and avocados, slice them thinly, and coat them with any of your favorite dressing. Top them with fresh dill. That’s it!
You can also add onion if you like. It is a light side to bring to a potluck that can enhance the flavors on your picnic or barbecue parties. The best thing is that you don’t need fancy ingredients to make cucumber salad.
Orzo Salad
Orzo salad is something you may love for. Its versatility and innovative ingredients make it the best choice for a party side dish.
Orzo salad contains feta, olives, veggies, Greek dressings, fresh herbs, chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion. So, cook orzo, add veggies and chickpeas, and toss them together. Transfer them to a bowl and garnish with fresh herbs.
The fresh-looking colors and the taste of this salad are mouthwatering. Each bite fills your mouth with unique flavors of seasonings and veggies.
Fruit Salad
Nothing is more delicious, tempting, flavorful, and adds colors to your life than fruit salad. Eat healthy and stay healthy! A fruit salad is one of the easy side dishes for potluck that you can make in a few minutes.
The best part is that it doesn’t require any cooking. You can make a fruit salad with pineapple, kiwi, apples, grapes, bananas, peaches, guavas, oranges, berries, and more. You can add your favorite fruits and skip the ones you don’t like.
Deviled Egg Potato Salad
Deviled egg potato salad is one of the delicious combinations of classic ingredients. When the eggs and potatoes come together in a salad, it creates a balanced dish for your potlucks and barbecues. It will be heaven if you give it a kick of bold and smoky paprika.
Pasta Dishes
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
This easy-to-cook Corn Pasta Salad is one of the easy Mexican potluck recipes, loaded with cotija and roasted corn, and is deliciously tangy. Its creamy dressing makes it a super yummy corn recipe. It is not a much-complicated recipe that you cannot cook. It is made of simple pantry ingredients that you can get quickly at home. It has enormous creaminess but does not make it heavy. You will taste the high-quality ingredients you expect from any home-cooked Mexican meal.
Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
Deviled Egg Pasta Salad harmoniously fuses the delectable essence of deviled eggs and macaroni salad. For the ardent deviled egg connoisseurs, this salad is a scrumptious delight that will leave you craving more.
In just under thirty minutes, this delightful salad can be whipped up and enjoyed during those balmy summer days, as a delectable accompaniment to your favorite main course or as a side dish. This dish can also be called a macaroni salad or a pasta salad crowned with the perfect seasoning and deviled egg topping.
Kale Caesar Pasta Salad
When you need all traditional salad flavors in one bowl, this is the recipe you need to try.
With just 5 ingredients, I manage to create magic in a bowl, and it vanishes at every potluck even before I taste it. Or you can try this Chicken Caesar Salad.
Tortellini
What I love about winter is that this season furnishes us with so many colorful ingredients and nutty flavors to play with. This tortellini dish is elevated to a whole new level, just with the fruit and nutty goodness.
Boil tortellini according to the package instructions. Heat oil in a skillet, stir fry mushrooms, and squash on medium flame while adding the seasonings. As mushrooms soften, pour in apple juice concentrate and vinegar and add apples and onions. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Toss in tortellini and add chopped walnuts and cheese. Garnish with freshly grated parmesan and oregano.
Recipe Video
Potato Dishes
German Potato Salad Without Bacon
German potato salad without bacon is a light and flavorful potato salad made with potatoes, celery, onion, and a creamy dressing.
The dressing consists of sugar, white vinegar, and oil, and you can also season it with paprika, celery, salt, and mustard. You can cook the potatoes until tender and then toss them with other vegetables and dressing.
You can serve this salad in cold and warm weather, and it is a perfect dish to consume at a picnic party, dinner party, or a family barbeque get-together.
Classic Dill Potato Salad
Be it the festive dinner for the 4th of July or a summer potluck party of your extended family, a classic potato salad lands you in a win-win situation. It is hearty, healthy, and has a creamy flavor.
Cut boiled potatoes and boiled eggs into medium-sized cubes. Mix low-fat vegan mayonnaise, dijon mustard, pickle vinaigrette, sour cream, and seasonings in a large salad bowl. Add chopped red onion, celery sticks, parsley, and some chopped cabbage. Finally, add tomatoes and boiled eggs, and coat in the dressing so as not to break the eggs. Garnish with freshly chopped basil.
Smashed Sweet Potatoes
Smashed sweet potatoes is a must try simple sweet potato recipe you can make in an air fryer. These smashed sweet potatoes can be a perfect side dish for any meal. Each bite of these sweet potatoes fills your mouth with flavors and textures.
Roasted Potatoes with Buffalo Sauce
Think again if you plan to make mashed potatoes for the next potluck party. Replace that recipe with this new, tangy potato with buffalo sauce and Impress the people around you with your culinary skills.
Cut potatoes, yellow peppers, and onions into equally sized cubes. Set in a baking casserole and thickly coat with buffalo wing sauce. Bake for a good 45 minutes or until potatoes are soft while tossing them in between. Add grated cheese generously and bake for another 15 minutes to achieve a nice, golden color. Garnish with freshly chopped green onions or chives.
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
When in doubt, cook potatoes. Jokes apart, potatoes are a savior when you cannot think of anything else to cook. And it’s best if you are hosting the potluck dinner.
Prepare the creamy white sauce by roasting flour and adding milk to it. Season it with salt and black pepper. Slice the potatoes into ⅛-inch thick slices. Set them on the baking sheet and pour the sauce evenly. Grate parmesan generously over the top. Bake until you achieve a nice, golden top and the potatoes are soft.
Rice and Grain Dishes
Asian Rice Pilaf
A rice dish or two make the best appearance on a table for a potluck dinner. Hook them up when you are expecting some chicken wings or tilapia.
Heat oil or butter in a pot. Saute onion, carrots, and rice as the onion becomes translucent, and pour in the broth with salt and spices. Cover and cook on a slow flame until the rice gets tender. Mix boiled peas and chopped and roasted cashews. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and green onion.
Quinoa With Peas
No rice, no party! While many enjoy stuffing dishes with dinner rolls, some of your guests may be rice lovers. To prepare a quick yet refreshing quinoa side dish for the upcoming Independence Day celebrations, get a hold of this recipe.
Melt butter in a pan and stir fry shallots until translucent. Stir fry chicken cubes till they achieve a nice golden color. Add quinoa, spices, and lemon juice—Cook for 2 to 3 minutes before pouring in broth. Reduce heat, cover, and cook until all the moisture has evaporated. Stir in peas. Add cheese and lemon zest. Serve piping hot.
Gravy Kidney Beans
Red kidney beans are not just for salads. They are the most versatile ingredient and blend with almost all vegetable and citrus flavors.
Stir fry thin chicken strips in a large skillet. Remove on a plate and add sausages. Excellent for a while and then set aside. Add all the ingredients with canned red kidney beans, tomatoes, and onions in a slow cooker. Add the stir-fried chicken and sausages—cover and cook on slow flame for 3 hours. Add apples and cook for a while until it is gravied and thick.
Recipe Video
One Pot Pesto Pasa
The best thing about this pesto pasta is that it can be prepared with store-bought sauce. It is an easy-to-make potluck side dish that even a beginner can pull off as the star recipe.
Boil pasta of your choice according to instructions. Add green beans just 5 minutes before you drain water from the pasta. Add pasta and beans to a large bowl. Cut boiled potatoes into chunks and add. Mix in the pesto sauce and toss cubes of cottage cheese in it. Garnish with chopped fresh green basil or cilantro.
Recipe Video
Vegetable Dishes
Broccoli Coleslaw
I love this easy-to-make but healthy broccoli coleslaw. It is crunchy and creamy with dressing. The best thing about this coleslaw is that it is highly customizable. I make it and keep it in the fridge to use later for a picnic or dinner while grilling something. It is a perfect side dish made in less than no time.
Honey Glazed Asparagus
Grab some asparagus when you have nothing particular in your pantry to pull off a dish. This one vegetable can be combined with a variety of others, meats, and fish, to create so many different flavors.
Honey-glazed asparagus is a sweet and saucy side dish. It makes a crisp yet soft textured side dish to chicken wings or a quinoa-based meal. Blanch asparagus, in a way, does not lose its crunch. Combine honey, lemon juice, vinegar, Worcestershire, and seasonings. Cook the glaze to the desired thickness. Set asparagus in a bowl and coat with glaze. Serve warm.
Recipe Video
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan
The delicious roasted Brussels sprouts with parmesan are easy to make. The balsamic vinegar adds a little hint of flavor, while parmesan provides a cheesy and melty texture to the recipe. Loaded with healthy ingredients like Brussels sprouts, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, parmesan cheese, pepper flakes, salt, and olive oil.
The perfect combination of the variety of flavors. Their green appearance looks so beautiful and catchy. And if you have some extra Brussels sprouts, you can experiment with this shaved Brussels sprout salad. If you love parmesan, then you will love this recipe too. Make it for your kids and ensure their healthy growth with healthy flavors.
Roasted Vegetables
Try roasted vegetables if you want something healthy for a vegetable dish for potluck. It is easy to make and a healthy addition to your meal as you can make it in less oil.
Grab vegetables like broccoli, onion, zucchini, bell pepper, mushrooms, squash, and butternut squash. Cut them into fine pieces and toss them in oil. Add some seasoning, like black paper and salt.
One of the best things about these sides to bring to a potluck is that you can customize it according to your preference. You can skip the veggies you don’t like and add veggies you love.
Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
When you have all the heavy main courses on the dinner table, something light and refreshing is required to complement the meal.
The Garlic parmesan green beans are a healthy vegetarian side dish that is also gluten-free.
Let these crunchy green beans tantalize your taste buds as they might become your next favorite snack and appetizer.
Honey Glazed Vegetables
Last but not least, this colorful Honey glazed vegetable side will elevate any potluck party table. And not just the specified ones. You can use any seasonal vegetables available for you.
In a heavy skillet pan, melt butter. Stir fry frozen peas, sliced carrots, and sliced onions. Season with kosher salt, white pepper, paprika powder, and garlic powder. Pour in ¼ cup of water, cover, and allow vegetables to become tender. Meanwhile, prepare honey glazing with mild seasonings. When the vegetables are done, set in a deep serving bowl and pour the honey mixture. Mix until fully coated. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.
Chickpea And Vegetable Tagine
As a chef, I like that slow-cooking meals require only a little effort during preparation. Prepare the ingredients, put them on a stove on a low flame, and prepare for the festivities.
Place chickpeas, zucchini, butternut squash, and other vegetables in a deep cooker. Saute cumin, tomatoes, harissa, and spices in oil till the mixture achieves a sauce-like consistency. Pour this sauce over set vegetables. Cover and slow cook for 4 hours. Finally, top with thick yogurt and garnish with freshly chopped parsley and coriander.
Recipe Video
Baking-Based Dishes
Cauliflower Gratin
For cauliflower lovers, this is one of the best potluck side dishes. Typical potato gratin is easy to bake but also quite dull. So for your next potluck dinner, be creative and replace potatoes with a delicious and healthy vegetable (read: cauliflower).
Separate the cauliflower florets and wash them thoroughly. Be careful not to break them. Set them on a lined baking sheet along with leek slices. Use salt and paprika powder as seasonings. Bake until roasted to a nice light golden color. Meanwhile, prepare a thick white sauce out of cashew milk, cashew butter, and a clove of garlic.
Transfer the toasted cauliflower to another pan and stir in the sauce. Bake. Parmesan is optional but gives the dish a nice creamy flavor and texture. Garnish with chopped cashew nuts.
Recipe Video
Oat Dinner Rolls
In this amazing season, everyone is coming up with main courses, crunchy salads, exotic kinds of pasta, and appetizing sides, so who is going to come up with bread and dinner rolls? These oat dinner rolls are a perfect potluck side dish for Thanksgiving, even if you have no vegetables or meat in your pantry.
Boil water in a large pan and add oats and butter to it. Turn off the flame and cool down. Dissolve yeast in warm water and add the oat mixture and flour. Form a smooth dough and cover to allow rising. Punch the dough and knead again. Make around 20 small balls and set them on a baking sheet. Allow to double up—Bake in a preheated oven for up to 20 minutes.
Recipe Video
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Spinach artichoke dip is the best dip to enjoy the side dishes. This dip’s Rich, creamy, cheesy flavor melts in the mouth and satisfies everyone’s cravings.
Grab the spinach, dip it in an artichoke dip, and enjoy the moment. This baked version of the spinach and artichoke dip is the best version of the cheesy flavors for those who have never tried it. And if you love Artichoke, you can try these air fryer artichoke hearts.
No one dislikes delicious dips, so try this scrummy dip if you have ingredients like spinach, cheese, marinated artichoke, and variations. It goes perfectly with chips, crackers, and veggies.
Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Casserole
The Mexican Street corn casserole is the perfect dish to enjoy Mexican food. Filled with Mexican spices, corn, feta cheese and cilantro.
With just a few ingredients, it tastes super tasty. Just assemble the ingredients and enjoy this corn salad with your kids. Kids love corn, so you can make this delicious recipe in the morning and pack it in kid’s lunch boxes. Easier to make. You can also serve the corn casserole on the cob; tastes perfectly delicious. Every bite gives the taste buds plenty of flavors, requiring little effort.
Sweet Potato and Pineapple Casserole
The Sweet Potato and Pineapple Casserole is a delicious, fruity twist on the classic sweet potato casserole.
Pineapple gives it a nice tropical flavor, while marshmallows and brown sugar balance the tanginess of the fruit.
It makes a perfect family casserole to serve after festive dinners. Try adding chopped walnuts or pecans to it for a nice, nutty crunch.
Pan Fried Dishes
Fried Onions With Apples
Apple with Onions? Sounds like one of the best vegan potluck ideas. But that is what a learning chef is, a little bit crazy. So next time you go over a potluck dinner party, show your creative side by pulling off this meal.
Slice onion and apples into thin slices. Melt any fat or butter in a Skillet, and saute onion until they are translucent. Add sliced apples, brown sugar, a pinch of nutmeg, and some paprika. Cover and cook until the apples are soft but not soggy. Serve warm.
Recipe Video
Stuffed Apple Balls
Stuffed Apple Balls are one of those sweet and spicy recipes that complement almost any main course. These crusty balls slowly build in the flavors in your mouth as the soft apples melt and allow you to devour every bite.
Heat butter in a deep pan and saute chopped onion and celery, just enough to make them translucent. Mix well the eggs, seasonings, bread crumbs, and onion mixture till it comes to a desired, soft and firm consistency. Shape them into balls and place them on a lined baking dish—Bake for 35 minutes or until nicely golden on the top.
Recipe Video
Crisp Fried Taro Root With Dip
We all are familiar with and fans of crispy fried potato chips, but have you ever tried similar chips with taro root? Not only do they end up so well, but they also furnish your child with healthy fat and nutrients.
Peel and slice taro roots into thin slices. Generously add salt and turmeric powder. Wash after a while—heat oil in a frying pan and fry taro slices until crisp and golden. Serve hot with dip. For preparing the dip, Beat the yogurt well. Crush a few green chilies, coriander, and a clove of garlic. Add this mixture to the yogurt along with salt.
Barbecue Flavor Beans
Red beans provide the body with all the essential amino acids when paired with Beef and Broccoli. But a more interesting fact about this dish is that you can prepare it with the leftovers making it one of the side dishes that go well with BBQ potlucks.
Use a can of boiled or baked beans. Heat oil in a skillet and cook it with onion and seasoning until it is okay and turns to a nice brown color. Set on a baking dish with beans, sugar, barbecue sauce, and spices. Bake for 20 minutes.
Recipe Video: Barbecue Beans Recipe
Air Fryer Based Sides
Fish Cakes (Air Fryer)
Fish cake is usually deep-fried to get the perfect crisp and crunch. But I made them in the air fryer, and the results remained the same but more healthy without excessive oil. The sweet chili sauce and fresh cilantro give them an irresistible taste. A squeeze of lemon juice while servings combine the flavors, so don’t forget it!
Frozen Fish Sticks (Air Fryer)
Frozen fish sticks are one of the convenient ways to serve your guests. You may only need frozen fish sticks and an air fryer. You end up with crunchy fish sticks that remain tender inside. Fish sticks are a quick meal for a friendly dinner.
Gnocchi (Air Fryer)
It is the easiest and crispiest recipe, taking only 10 to 15 minutes. The best thing is that you may not need to boil the gnocchi first. You can make gnocchi or use store-bought and spread it in the air fryer. It will become crispy outside and soft inside—one thing and two textures best for an appetizer.
Hassleback Potatoes (Air Fryer)
If you are looking for a simple and hassle-free recipe, then hassle-back potatoes in the air fryer are for you. Just grab the potatoes and put them in an air fryer after cutting and tossing them with butter and seasonings. Eat them as they are, or sprinkle your favorite cheese on them. It is an impressive side dish for your gatherings.
Kielbasa (Air Fryer)
Kielbasa in an air fryer: This recipe is straightforward. It takes 5 to 10 minutes to prepare. You may only need to cut the kielbasa, toss the slices with oil, and put them in an air fryer until brown. You can serve it as an appetizer or a whole meal with veggies. It will work great.
Tortilla Chips with Guacamole (Air Fryer)
I have tried so many chips, but the tortilla chips with guacamole are what I love the most. The crisp tortilla and rich, creamy guacamole take you to a heaven of flavors. The recipe is fast and easy to make, but it delivers all the best you expect.
Snacks As Sides
Cheesy Grilled Corn
Corn comes to the rescue if you are looking for a potluck side dish for a large crowd, and you can’t think of anything else. And, of course, it is an all-time favorite of almost everyone. The best part! You can get creative with this recipe and offer as many variations as possible.
For this recipe, we advise you to use fresh corn. However, frozen can also be used. Mix the corn with herbs and spices. Add chopped red, green, and yellow bell peppers to make a colorful appearance to the dish. You can also add boiled chicken or meat, but that’s optional. Arrange in a deep pan and generously add mozzarella cheese—Bake for 20 minutes or until you achieve a nice golden appearance.
Recipe Video
Caprese Skewers
These fun and yummy skewers with balsamic glaze are a delicious appetizer and finger food. The fresh and tasty bites are worth trying and tasting. The ingredients include basil leaves, cherry tomatoes, balsamic glaze, mozzarella balls, olive oil, and seasoning.
Assemble the ingredients, toss them into the sticks, grill them, and enjoy their juicy flavors. The refreshing bites will make everyone love them, even the first bite. So elegant and classic skewers with your favorite ingredients and toss.
Hummus with Pita Bread
Hummus is a creamy dip that can be the best combination that you can have with a loaf of pita bread. It is the best side dish that travel well for your potluck parties. Hummus is a traditional dip from the Middle East known as a healthy food worldwide, and it deserves this title.
The traditional ingredients involved in this dish are superfoods. The ingredients are chickpeas, garlic, olive oil, and sesame paste. Having hummus with pita bread helps you increase the bread’s flavor.
Other potluck recipes you’ll love:
47 Best Potluck Sides For A Crowded Party
Ingredients
Salads
- Vegan Quinoa Salad
- Arabic Salad
- Roast Beetroot With Goat Cheese Salad
- Greek Chickpea Salad
- Mediterranean Couscous Salad
- Cucumber Salad
- Orzo Salad
- Fruit Salad
- Deviled Egg Potato Salad
Pasta Dishes
- Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
- Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
- Kale Caesar Pasta Salad
- Tortellini
Potato Dishes
- German Potato Salad Without Bacon
- Classic Dill Potato Salad
- Loaded Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Potatoes with Buffalo Sauce
Rice and Grain Dishes
- Asian Rice Pilaf
- Quinoa With Peas
- Gravy Kidney Beans
- One Pot Pesto Pasa
Vegetable Dishes
- Broccoli Coleslaw
- Honey Glazed Asparagus
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Parmesan
- Roasted Vegetables
- Garlic Parmesan Green Beans
- Honey Glazed Vegetables
- Chickpea And Vegetable Tagine
Baking-Based Dishes
- Cauliflower Gratin
- Oat Dinner Rolls
- Spinach and Artichoke Dip
- Mexican Street Corn Elote Casserole
- Sweet Potato and Pineapple Casserole
Pan Fried Dishes
- Fried Onions With Apples
- Stuffed Apple Balls
- Crisp Fried Taro Root With Dip
- Barbecue Flavor Beans
Air Fryer Based Sides
- Fish Cakes Air Fryer
- Frozen Fish Sticks Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Gnocchi Air Fryer
- Hassleback Potatoes Air Fryer
- Kielbasa Air Fryer
- Tortilla Chips with Guacamole Air Fryer
Snacks As Sides
- Cheesy Grilled Corn
- Caprese Skewers
- Hummus with Pita Bread
Instructions
- Gather fresh ingredients for the Potluck sides.
- Follow all the instructions carefully
- Try to make everything as described for a perfect potluck side dish.
- Don't forget to mention us on instagram once you make the recipe
