This post is about what to bring to a potluck.
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If you aren't sure what to bring to a potluck, this list is full of ideas for you! It can feel overwhelming to find a recipe that fits the whole group of people you will be with, so we picked out some of the best that everyone loves!
We shared some of the easiest dishes as well as what to bring to a potluck at work. There are also several tips you don't want to miss!
This post is about what to bring to a potluck.
Potluck Tips
Check for Allergies
Checking for allergies is the most important tip! You want to make sure you are serving something that everyone can enjoy. I try to avoid making anything that someone is allergic to, so I avoid any problems!
Pre-Slice or Pre-Portion your Dish
Anything that needs cutting or scooping slows down the line significantly! Make it easy to grab & go without guests needing to cut it themselves.
Label Dish Clearly
Add a sticky note on or next to your dish to clearly state what it is. You will want to make sure to do this especially if your dish contains common allergies. It's also just nice for people to know what they are eating.
Bring your Own Serving Utensils
Hosts typically don't have 10 extra serving utensils for everyone to use. If your dish needs a serving utensil, make sure you bring your own!
Test your Crockpot At Home First
If you are using a new crockpot or portable warmer, do a test run first! You don't want to find out it doesn't heat up on the day of the party!
Stick with a Crockpot for Warm Food
It can be difficult to keep certain foods warm. I find it best to use a crockpot when making warm food, so it's easy to heat up when arriving. You should always assume an oven won't be available for your use.
Always Bring More Than you Think
Potlucks always have unexpected guests or people going for seconds. It's better to bring extra servings than running out early.
What To Bring To A Potluck: Easy Ideas
Caprese Skewers
Ingredients: Cherry Tomatoes, Mozzarella Balls, Fresh Basil, & Balsamic Glaze
How To: Assemble a tomato, basil, and mozzarella ball on a skewer or toothpick. It's that simple! Drizzle with balsamic glaze right before serving.
Parmesan Arugula Salad
Ingredients: Arugula, Parmesan, Lemon Juice, & Olive Oil
How To: Add arugula into serving bowl and mix in olive oil & lemon juice. Once all is coated sprinkle with parmesan cheese, salt, & pepper. It's that simple!
Pasta Salad
Ingredients: Noodles, Cucumber, Bell Peppers, Tomatoes, Cheese, & Italian Dressing
How To: Cook your pasta first and rinse under cold water. Cut up all your veggies to add into the pasta. Once everything is added into a large serving bowl, you can add in the Italian dressing. Mix and refrigerate until serving.
Chips & Dips
Ingredients: Tortilla Chips, Guacamole, & Salsa
How To: Store-bought is the way to go on this one! You can transfer the salsa and guacamole into your own dishes, so nobody will know you didn't make them! If you want to make your own guacamole that works too! You'll just need some avocados, red onion, limes, and tomatoes.
Crockpot Queso Dip
Ingredients: Velveeta Cheese, Canned Rotel Tomatoes, Ground Sausage (Optional)
How To: Cube Velveeta cheese & add to crockpot with Rotel. If you want to add sausage, cook it on a pan before adding into the crockpot. Heat on low until cheese is melted and creamy. Stir occasionally.
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip
Ingredients: Rotisserie Chicken, Cream Cheese, Ranch Dressing, Buffalo Sauce, & Shredded Cheese
How To: Shred rotisserie chicken & add into a crockpot. Add in a block of softened cream cheese, buffalo sauce, and ranch dressing. Mix all ingredients and cook on low for 2-3 hours until hot and bubbly. Serve hot with tortilla chips.
Charcuterie Board
Ingredients: Variety of Cheeses, Salami, & Assorted Crackers
How To: It's completely up to you on how fancy you want to get! All you need is cheese, salami, and crackers. You could elevate it by adding in some fruits & veggies as well. I would avoid adding any nuts due to allergies.
Looking for other recipes?
Marshmallow Fruit Dip & Strawberries
Ingredients: Marshmallow Fluff, Cream Cheese, & Strawberries
How To: Mix equal parts cream cheese and fluff for the dip. It's that easy! Serve with freshly washed strawberries for a super easy dessert.
What To Bring To A Potluck: At Work
Honeycomb Burrata
Ingredients: Burrata, Honeycomb, Thyme, Sunflower Seeds, Naan Bread, & Flake Salt
How To: Toast naan bread for 5-8 minutes at 350 degrees. Add 1/4 cups of sunflower seeds to a heated pan for about 4 minutes. Place burrata to bowl & cut honeycomb into quarter-sized chunks. Add on top with sunflower seeds, thyme, and flake salt. Grab the full recipe here!
Taco Dip
Ingredients: Sour Cream, Taco Seasoning, Cheese, Lettuce, & Tomatoes
How To: Mix your taco seasoning with the sour cream and spread on the bottom on a 9X13 dish. Layer with the lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. You could put tomatoes on half to make sure everyone enjoys it. Serve with chips!
Antipasto Skewers
Ingredients: Salami, Mozzarella Balls, Cherry Tomatoes, & Cheddar Cheese Cubes
How To: No cooking necessary for this recipe! All you need to do is add each ingredient onto a toothpick. That's it! These are perfect for feeding a crowd while not taking too much effort.
Mini Sandwich Sliders
Ingredients: Hawaiian Rolls, Deli Meat, Cheese, Mustard, & Mayo
How To: Cut the sliders in half leaving all the individual rolls still together. Assemble your choice of meat and cheese evenly across the rolls. Wrap in tinfoil and keep cold before serving. Add condiments on the side for everyone to grab themselves.
Stuffed Pull-Apart Bread
Ingredients: Crescent Rolls, Boursin Cheese, Italian Seasoning, Butter, Garlic, & Parmesan (Optional)
How To: Preheat the over to 375 degrees & lightly grease your pan. Unroll the crescent dough and separate into triangles. Cut each triangle in half (longways). Scoop a small amount of Boursin cheese into the center of each and fold the dough around it to form a ball, pinching to seal. Create your desired shape with the individual balls & bake for 20-25 minutes. Top with melted butter, garlic, and herbs. Grab the full recipe here!
Crockpot Meatballs
Ingredients: Frozen Meatballs, Grape Jelly, & BBQ Sauce
How To: Combine frozen meatballs with the grape jelly & bbq sauce. Cook on low for 3-4 hours until meatballs are heated through.
Cowboy Caviar
Ingredients: Black Beans, Corn, Diced Tomatoes, Red Onion, & Lime Juice
How To: Cut up your tomatoes & red onion. Combine all ingredients & mix well. Add in as much lime juice as your heart desires! Serve chilled with tortilla chips.
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