45 Summer Potluck Recipes That'll Win Every Time
It's time to become a VIP (Very Important Potlucker).
With all the special occasions on the calendar (graduations! Fourth of July! Juneteenth! Memorial Day! Just a random Tuesday!), you don't want to come to the party empty-handed. This summer, be the ultimate VIP (Very Important Potlucker) with a few of our favorite easy summer potluck recipes. In a sea of average summer salads, grill-ables, and appetizers, these 45 summer potluck recipes are super memorable, and will definitely keep you on the invite list again and again (and again).
The first thing to consider when it comes to a great potluck dish is, well, how portable it is. That's one of the reasons we love bringing a big summery salad (either green, potato, or pasta-based) that's low-key to make, but still big on flavor. We also have a killer classic potato salad that'll surely become your new go-to, as well as an antipasto potato salad if you're looking for an upgrade. Pasta salads are also the gift that keep on giving; they're hearty enough to be a main but also incredible alongside BBQ ribs or sheet-pan Italian subs, plus they only get better with time to marinate. There's also a pasta salad for every type of potluck: Fancy occasion? Try our lobster roll pasta salad. Need a crowd pleaser? Our summer couscous salad is definitely for you. Can't get enough orzo (neither can we!)? Our Greek orzo salad will make your dreams come true.
Now that you've got the sides and mains down, don't forget about desserts and drinks! Our top potluck desserts, our best summer cocktails, and our favorite fruity desserts have your back.
Best Greek Salad
Filled with fresh veggies, tangy feta, and a simple dressing made of ingredients you might already have in your fridge, this bright salad is one you’ll turn to all spring and summer long. Best part? This Mediterranean recipe only takes 15 minutes to prepare, making it a perfect last-minute addition to bring to a potluck.
Get the Best Greek Salad recipe.
Classic Deviled Eggs
While deviled eggs are fairly simple to make, there are a few ways you can go wrong when making this staple summer party appetizer. If you’re looking for a foolproof method to hard boiling and filling yours, this recipe should be your new go-to.
Get the Deviled Eggs recipe.
Cowboy Pasta Salad
Think of this as a better taco salad (because pasta!), that's perfect for potlucks and BBQS. Trust us, once you add ground beef to pasta salad, you won't be able to stop—it's that good.
Get the Cowboy Pasta Salad recipe.
Sheet-Pan Italian Subs
Hoping to bring sandwiches to feed your potluck crowd, but don't want to spend all morning assembling them? This sheet-pan hack is for you! Overlapping the bread slices means you can fit more onto the sheet pan, and don’t worry—the melty Provolone and pressing these down (sort of like a massive DIY panini press) makes sure they still hold together.
Get the Sheet-Pan Italian Subs recipe.
Shortcut BBQ Ribs
No one has the time to cook ribs on the grill for hours. That's why this crazy shortcut to barbecue ribs is the greatest: It may seem a little odd, but boiling ribs first helps tenderize the meat before grilling. Trust us, this lets you skip the low and slow cook time in the oven or smoker, and they still turn out extra delicious.
Get the Shortcut BBQ Ribs recipe.
Greek Orzo Salad
Move aside plain ol' pasta salad—orzo is here to shake things up. While we love it in comforting, warming dishes (we're looking at you, creamy Tuscan orz0), it also makes for a great salad base. This easy, fresh recipe is filled with bright Mediterranean flavors and mix-ins, but feel free to swap in and out your faves.
Get the Greek Orzo Salad recipe.
Grilled Beer Brats
These beer brats are inspired by the Italian-American classic combination of sausage, peppers, and onions. Though usually made on the stove, we love this grilled version for easy cleanup and a simple process. Don't have the right skillet? Make your dogs in a foil pack, à la our sausage & peppers foil packs.
Get the Grilled Beer Brats recipe.
Brown Sugar BBQ Chicken Sandwich
Pulled chicken is made so easy in the slow-cooker and this version includes brown sugar, a little Italian dressing, and bourbon for a bit of smokiness. You can definitely leave it out, but we think it's the best part. 😉 Dress these up with homemade coleslaw for the greatest potluck dish with almost zero effort.
Get the Brown Sugar BBQ Chicken Sandwich recipe.
Caramelized Onion Dip
A party without dip is hardly a party at all, and onion dip tends to reign supreme at celebrations year-round. With this recipe, we take the classic onion dip one step further by incorporating deeply caramelized onions into the mix. It’s creamy, savory, and perfectly scoop-able, so it’s no wonder it’s always the first to disappear.
Get the Caramelized Onion Dip recipe.
Chipotle Tofu & Pineapple Skewers
Tofu is so much more than a meat substitute—it’s a protein source that stands on its own, and the perfect base to soak up tasty sauces, like this chipotle and guajillo chili marinade inspired by a popular Mexican street food, tacos al pastor.
Baked Mac & Cheese
Baked mac & cheese has a bad reputation for being gummy, soggy, and downright inedible. This is a recipe to fix all of that. Bring it to your next potluck and watch it disappear.
Get the Baked Mac & Cheese recipe.
Greek Chickpea Salad
We’re no strangers to a great chickpea salad, so coming up with a Greek-inspired one was a no-brainer. It’s got all the flavors you love from Greek salad, turned into something more substantial and filling that pairs well with almost anything.
Get the Greek Chickpea Salad recipe.
Bang Bang Corn
Bang bang shrimp gets all the hype, but we're here to tell you that flavor-packed grilled corn is just as good (maybe better?) with that sweet-spicy sauce.
Get the Bang Bang Corn recipe.
Classic Coleslaw
When it comes to summer BBQs, potlucks, and picnics, coleslaw is a classic, staple side dish to rely on. Everyone needs a go-to recipe, and we happen to think that ours is the one you should reach for. Whether you’re hungry for a last-minute side dish or the perfect topping (we’re looking at you, chicken burgers), this classic recipe is a must-make.
Get the Classic Coleslaw recipe.
Antipasto Potato Salad
Potato salad is about as classic a summer side as it gets, and we love experimenting with different flavor combinations. If you’re looking to lighten up your usual potato salad, look no further—this version is bursting with all the flavors of your favorite antipasto.
Get the Antipasto Potato Salad recipe.
Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip
Is it even really a celebration without Buffalo chicken dip? We think not. If you're looking for the most hands-off version of this classic recipe, turn to your trusty slow cooker.
Get the Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe.
Lobster Roll Pasta Salad
We’re reimagining the classic macaroni salad here by adding buttery lobster meat and crispy bacon that pair perfectly with the tangy, creamy dressing. Think of this like the elevated version of your favorite BLT sandwich or lobster roll, made potluck-friendly.
Get the Lobster Roll Pasta Salad recipe.
Best Classic Potato Salad
A classic potato salad is a must-have at every picnic and BBQ, and this one is the best. It's creamy and tangy, with a little bit of crunch from the onion and pickles. What it's not: too sweet, which is one of our potato salad pet peeves.
Get the Best Classic Potato Salad recipe.
Whipped Mozzarella Dip With Burst Cherry Tomatoes
This dip might just be the perfect summer appetizer. It comes together in 30 minutes and is the kind of crowd-pleasing dip that will be the first gone at the party. It's also not just mozzarella—ricotta and heavy cream join in to make an epic base for the juicy cherry tomatoes and dollops of pesto.
Get the Whipped Mozzarella Dip With Burst Cherry Tomatoes recipe.
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Don't get us wrong, we love spending the day tending the smoker or overseeing the grill, getting our BBQ just right. But sometimes, you need a quick fix, a healthier version, or both. And that's where these air fryer drumsticks come into play. Coated in a classic DIY BBQ sauce, these drumsticks are perfectly tender, but WAY easier to make.
Get the Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks recipe.
Mackenzie Filson is a food writer and contributing digital food producer at Delish. Her favorite ice cream flavor is chocolate-pine and if wine was an astrological sign she'd be a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. She's never met a bag of Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos she didn't eat in one sitting.
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