Did you know that 37% of parents in America with kids 17 years old and younger have attended family reunions? What comes with these reunions are potlucks for everyone to share.
Potlucks are one of the year-round events at which we can hang out with friends and family over food. Because of that, creating the best potluck dishes is crucial.
We’ve put together some of the best potluck dish ideas that anyone can cook for any gathering. Continue reading to learn more.
What You Need to Consider When Making a Party Dish
Before searching for what to bring to a potluck, you must consider a few things. Many party dish ideas encourage you to cook at home. However, using catering options also makes sense, especially for huge feasts.
One thing that can ensure you bring a great potluck dish is to know if it’s a small or large event. Asking the host what you can get will also help narrow down choices.
Whenever they say to bring a dish to share, you need to prepare a potluck dish good for 12.
Not only that but establishing a trademark dish will also make things faster for you. Having a recipe that you are knowledgeable about allows you to stay on budget and on time.
Food with unidentifiable ingredients prevents people from eating them. Here are recognizable potluck dish ideas with a lot of twists.
Chicken Meatballs
Meatballs are some of the most common potluck dish ideas. Because of that, we need to add surprising elements. For example, instead of the usual recipe, we can add whiskey or put a spicy and savory sauce over it.
Whiskey meatballs are a fun way to enjoy meat and alcohol at a party. Not only that, but you can make them tender by using a slow cooker.
Firecracker chicken meatballs are a yummy alternative for guests who prefer spicy foods. This homemade dish offers a good blend of sweet, spicy, and savory with only 30 minutes of cooking.
Dips
Dips are one key component in elevating a simple dish to delicious party food. It’s also the perfect way to bring different flavors together. Not to mention, a dip can complement both entrée and dessert meals.
Artichoke dips are classic potluck must-haves. You can look up many recipes for this dip online. Some variations have crab, sour cream, and several types of cheese.
Cheese dips are also great for our bread bowl potlucks. It’s one of the best no-cook options for making a party dish that pops.
A creamy cheese dip has cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. For more, you can infuse it with garlic and bacon bits. Try not to put too many elements in this dip, or it will become overpowering.
Cheesy Garlic Party Bread
Are you looking at how to make a party dish with less than six ingredients? Garlic bread is the best answer to that.
This simple but delicious bread only needs six ingredients. We need a sourdough loaf, olive oil, garlic, parsley, and butter. To make it cheesy, put mozzarella cheese on the bread slices.
Chicken Wings
Potlucks are never complete without finger foods like chicken wings. It’s a dish packed with flavor and has a lot of variations.
Instead of frying them, you can make healthier buffalo wings by baking them. Aside from that, double-dipping the meat in the sauce gives them a fuller and crispier taste.
You can also use a slow cooker for your chicken wing recipe. Doing so helps to have a tender fall-off-the-bone texture. Not only that, but it also prevents you from having a messy kitchen.
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
Nothing beats having comfort food like mac and cheese at a potluck. This cheesy and creamy meal pairs well with meatballs, fried chicken, and pulled meats.
Unlike the usual method of cooking mac and cheese, using a slow cooker makes it easy. Not to mention, it’s also one of the foods that are great for both small and big events.
Tuna Pasta Salad
Like meatballs, tuna pasta salads are another potluck must-have. All the best versions of this dish are creamy and fresh. To make it more special, adding special seasonings is a great option.
A tuna pasta salad is a life-saving recipe if you only have a few ingredients. It only takes half an hour to make, and it’s also a great alternative to meats.
Chicken and Waffle Sliders
Chicken and waffles are some of the best Southern foods you can bring for your potluck. This appetizer only needs mini waffles, chicken tenders, and maple syrup. But if you have limited time, you can buy pre-made ingredients and assemble them.
Classic Burgers
Burgers are the most convenient and best way to feed a group of people. Not only that, but this American food staple is easy to personalize to fit your tastebuds. Moreover, you have several catering options if you don’t like to cook for your potluck.
For instance, there are now burger boxes for sharing. It can feed ten people and will arrive fresh on your doorsteps. Click here to learn more about them.
Transporting Potluck Dishes
Now you know how to make a party dish, but do you know how to bring food to a potluck? Often, your food can turn into a disaster due to transportation. Here are some ways you can transport your potluck dishes:
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Use disposable foil pans and clamp them with a binder clip
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Use baking pans to transport cupcakes
You can also cover salad bowls using shower caps. For deviled eggs, you can recycle egg cartons to keep them safe.
The Top Potluck Dish Ideas for Any Party
Searching for the best potluck dish ideas is a hassle for anyone. Going for unusual recipes can be risky.
Instead of experimenting, add creative elements to potluck staples. Moreover, it keeps you from going over your budget and saves time.
Did you find this potluck dish guide helpful? Check on our other blog posts to discover other food-related content like this now.s
