13 Potluck Recipes Everyone Loves | Elizabeth Rider

Trying to decide what to bring to a potluck or informal gathering? I’ve got you.

Whether it’s a casual summer hangout with friends, a holiday get-together, that annual work lunch or a neighborhood party, it’s always a little tricky to figure out what dish will travel well, sit out for a bit, and actually be something everyone will enjoy.

Here are my go-to tips for choosing something that holds up (and gets rave reviews), plus a roundup of easy potluck recipes that feed a crowd and are always a hit.

Tips to Choose the Best Potluck Dish

Keep these tips in mind when deciding what to bring to a group gathering:

• Choose something that’s great at room temperature (or bring a Crockpot):
  Think pasta salads, grain salads, baked goods, or dishes that are good chilled or at room temperature. You want potluck recipes that hold their flavor and texture without needing to be hot or cold.
• Be mindful of food safety:
  If your dish includes meat or dairy, food safety rules say it shouldn’t sit out for more than 2 hours (1 hour if it’s hot outside). Consider using a Crockpot or cooler dish to keep things at a safe temp. This is another reason plant-based recipes (like a bean salad or a quinoa salad or a no-mayo potato salad) are great—they can sit out longer and still be safe to eat.
• Pick something that sits well over time:
  Skip anything that wilts, gets soggy, or separates. Instead, go for marinated veggies, roasted sides, or dishes with vinaigrette instead of creamy dressings. It’s best to look for dishes that don’t require reheating and are meal prep–friendly. If you bring a shredded chicken dish, be sure to bring the Crockpot, too, to keep it warm.
• Feed a crowd without breaking the bank:
  Budget-friendly ingredients like beans, lentils, pasta, rice, potatoes, and roasted vegetables go a long way—and still taste amazing.
• Go with a tried-and-true favorite:
  Potlucks aren’t the best time to test something new and complicated. My philosophy is to choose a dish you know you like when cooking for a crowd (there’s a good chance others will like it, too!). Choose a dish you know people love—comforting, familiar, and crowd-approved.
• Think about allergies and food preferences:
  If you’re a guest, bringing a vegetarian, gluten-free, or dairy-free option is a thoughtful touch if you know other guests’ (or your own) preferences. If you’re the host, you don’t need to cover everything, but having one allergen-friendly dish is always appreciated if you know your guest’s preferences.

13 Best Potluck Recipes to Feed a Crowd

Here are my favorite crowd-pleasing potluck recipes that travel well, taste great at room temperature, and are sure to be a hit at your next gathering.

Mediterranean Bean Salad

A fresh, zesty Mediterranean bean salad tossed in a simple vinaigrette with arugula for a peppery kick. Easy, filling, and perfect for meal prep or a quick side.

No-Mayo Potato Salad Recipe

Ok, let’s discuss summer parties’ most controversial topic: mayo in potato salad. I mean, some people LOVE it. And some people loathe it. I personally do not care for it. AT. ALL. To settle the conflict, I set out on a quest to find a happy medium so both camps can finally get along. This

Spanish Rice Recipe (aka Sofrito Rice)

This savory Spanish Rice starts with a fragrant sofrito, cooked down just enough to deepen in flavor before it mingles with toasted rice and tomato paste. Baked in the oven until tender and fluffy, it’s an easy, crowd-pleasing side, or base for any weeknight meal.

Healthy Refried Beans Recipe (Instant Pot, No Soaking)

Once you get the hang of it, (unfried) Healthy Refried Beans in the Instant Pot will become a new favorite in your house. The hands-on time for this dish is just a few minutes—the Instant Pot does almost all of the work for you. Please note the extra time for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure and release time in addition to the 35 minute pressure cooking time. Total time for this dish is around 1 hour, give or take a few minutes. If you make it, please leave a star-rating in the comments below to help other readers in our community.

Superfood Black Bean & Quinoa Salad Recipe

This Superfood Black Bean & Quinoa Salad Recipe is one of my absolute favorite quick meals to make because it is packed with vital nutrients and so easy to make.

Thai Peanut Superfood Slaw Recipe

This Thai-Inspired Peanut Superfood Slaw Recipe is a long-time reader favorite. It’s bursting with flavor and packed with nutrition. Use it as a light lunch, a side dish, or add your favorite protein of choice to turn it into a meal. We occasionally add shredded chicken or shelled edamame. If you love this recipe, please leave a star rating in the comments below to help other readers in our community.

Easy Quinoa Salad Recipe

This easy healthy quinoa salad recipe is full of flavor, packed with plenty of protein and fiber, and only needs a few minutes of prep work!

Lemon Orzo Salad with Chickpeas

This fresh and zesty Lemon Orzo Chickpea Salad is packed with crisp veggies, hearty chickpeas, and tossed in a bright lemon garlic dressing—perfect for meal prep or light lunches.

Cilantro Corn Pasta Salad with Chicken

This Cilantro Corn Pasta Salad is a summer favorite in our house—both kids and adults alike love it! I like to make it with leftover chicken to make prep even easier, but add more time if you need to roast or grill chicken. Sub the cilantro with more basil if you don’t love cilantro. Enjoy!

Apple Cider Lentil Salad Recipe

We can’t get enough of the subtle sweetness of this Apple Cider Lentil Salad. It’s packed with flavor and easy to make. It’s also high in fiber and nutritious ingredients, making it a go-to lunch all week long. We love the combo of basil and mint together, but if you only have one or the other, that works, too. If you love it, please leave a star rating in the comments to help other readers in our community.

Easy Greek Pasta Salad

This Greek Pasta Salad is a colorful mix of crisp fresh veggies, briny olives, creamy feta, and tender pasta tossed in a bright homemade vinaigrette. Perfect for picnics, meal prep, or a light summer dinner—plus, it’s easy to make gluten-free and customize to your preferences.

Vibrant Curry Quinoa Salad Recipe

This yellow curry quinoa salad is loaded with amazing flavors and has just the right amount of crunch. We like to whip up this quinoa salad on Sunday to enjoy for lunch all week long. Check out the recipe notes for substitution ideas if needed.

Lite Macaroni Salad Recipe (Easy, Creamy & Delicious!)

Macaroni salad is a classic American summer side dish. This delicious version is lightened up with tangy veganaise and comes together in about 20 minutes. Macaroni salad is best when it has a few hours to marinate in the refrigerator before serving, so make it a few hours ahead of time if possible. Enjoy!

Mint & Pistachio Quinoa Salad

This Crunchy Mint & Pistachio Quinoa Salad is the perfect balance of fresh herbs, tangy feta, and crunchy pistachios—all tied together with a simple lemon-honey dressing.