18 Delicious Potluck Side Dishes Perfect For Sharing

Potlucks are a lot of fun. What could be better than a group of friends getting together and sharing their favorite dishes?

However, it can be tricky to figure out what to bring, especially if you’ve been given the task of creating a side dish that will somehow work well with everything else on the table.

That’s why we’ve created this list of 18 delicious potluck side dishes that are perfect for sharing. Check it out for some inspiration!

1. Greek Pasta Salad

If you’re attending a potluck in the summer, we highly recommend that you take this super tasty Greek Pasta Salad.

It is refreshing, light, full of flavor, and very easy to make! In fact, this is a great dish if you’re strapped for time.

This salad combines everyone’s summer favorites, including olives, tomatoes, cucumber, feta, and lots of fresh herbs.

To really elevate this dish, we recommend using high-quality extra-virgin olive oil.

2. Sesame Soba Noodles

If you’re a fan of Japanese cuisine, you will absolutely love this Sesame Soba Noodles recipe (see also ‘30 Of The Easiest Noodle Recipes‘).

Not only is it bursting with umami flavors, but it is also incredibly versatile and easy to throw together.

This dish can be served hot or cold, which is a godsend if you’re traveling a fair distance to the potluck party.

Additionally, you can throw in as many extra veggies as you fancy, making it ideal if you need to use up some fresh produce!

3. Easy Sauteed Zucchini

More often than not, people use potluck parties as a way to share their most indulgent dishes with their friends.

Whilst this makes for a decadent event, it can be a bit too heavy for some people.

If you want to bring a light and healthy dish to a potluck, why not try this Easy Sauteed Zucchini recipe?

It works beautifully as a side at a BBQ or summer potluck, and it’s super easy to make!

4. Lemon Dijon Roast Potatoes And Broccoli

If you love a salad but want to make something with a bit more substance, we recommend giving this Lemon Dijon Roast Potatoes And Broccoli dish a try. It is certain to be a crowd pleaser!

5. Tabbouleh

Eastern Mediterranean cuisine is ideal for potluck parties, and this tabbouleh recipe will not disappoint!

And, if you’re not very confident in the kitchen, you’ll be pleased to know that this recipe requires absolutely no cooking!

To ensure that this dish is the best it can be, don’t hold back with the fresh lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and fresh herbs!

If you fancy going above and beyond for your potluck, you could accompany this side dish with some crusty sourdough and homemade hummus (see also ‘What Does Hummus Taste Like?‘).

6. Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan Rice

If you’re super busy or simply can’t stand the thought of slaving away over the stove for hours on end, this Instant Pot Garlic Parmesan rice is perfect for you.

It is simple, easy, and is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters at the party!

Obviously, the two main ingredients in this recipe are rice and parmesan. As such, we recommend splashing the cash on some top-quality long-grain Jasmine rice and fresh parmesan.

To bring it alive, be sure to serve the rice with fresh parsley.

7. Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

If you’re a bit worried about fussy eaters at the potluck, you can’t go wrong with these cheesy scalloped potatoes.

Who doesn’t love potatoes and cheese? This indulgent recipe will have guests coming back for seconds, and thirds – so make a large batch!

8. Zucchini, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Bacon, And Crispy Onions

This recipe is the perfect side dish (see also ‘The 35 Tastiest BBQ Side Dishes‘) for a summer BBQ potluck. It is bursting with tangy and salty flavors that are to die for, especially when paired with grilled burgers or hot dogs.

Trust us, all of your guests will want to know the recipe!

9. Sweet Vinegar Coleslaw

If you’re a bit sick of regular coleslaw that is overloaded with mayonnaise, this recipe will be a breath of fresh air.

This coleslaw is chunky, zingy, zesty, and works perfectly as a side dish (see also ‘19 Amazing Side Dishes You Can Serve With Crab Cakes‘) with any meat.

In fact, if you want to push the boat out and wow your fellow potluck guests, you could use this slaw as a filling in a decadent, pulled-pork sandwich.

Or, if you’re catering for vegetarians, it could be paired with a homemade spicy bean burger.

10. Taco Pasta Salad

Pasta salads are a staple dish in the summertime. But, if you’re a bit sick of the classic mayo-based salads, we recommend that you give this fun, taco pasta salad recipe a try!

It is bursting with traditional Mexican flavors (see also ‘28 Mighty Mexican Side Dishes‘) that add a touch of variety to your potluck.

11. Smoked Salmon Poke Bites

Potlucks are great fun. But, they can be messy – especially if everyone brings one-pot dishes.

If you want to put together something a bit more delicate and practical, we highly recommend trying this Smoked Salmon Poke Bite recipe.

Not only are these tasty, healthy, simple to make, and easy to serve… but they also look particularly impressive and picturesque on the table!

However, they are small and tend to be popular, so make sure that you make a large batch!

12. Green Goddess Salad

If you’re a keen foodie and follower of trends, it’s likely that you’ve heard about the Green Goddess Salad.

Surprisingly, this is one of few dishes that really do live up to the hype and attention it has received!

13. Southern Style Baked Beans

Ok, we know what you’re thinking… baked beans? At a party? But, we promise you, this Southern-Style Baked Beans recipe will win over each and every one of your guests. It is mouth-wateringly delicious and pairs particularly well with BBQ food.

The key to this recipe is to load your beans up with spices! Seriously… don’t hold back.

We also recommend that you use quality, smoked thick-cut bacon. It will add a great texture and saltiness to the dish.

14. Grilled Asparagus

If you’re catering for a bunch of veggie-lovers, this grilled asparagus dish is sure to be the center of attention at the party.

It is zesty, buttery, fresh, and works perfectly amongst a huge range of main dishes.

15. Berry Delicious Fruit Salad

Sweet treats are often overlooked at potlucks. However, they are always very welcome! What could be better than breaking up the savory dishes with a light, fresh, and zingy fruit salad?

This recipe, in particular, is mouth-wateringly good! It includes a honey, lime, and fresh mint dressing that brings the fruit to life.

For the best results, try to use fruits that are in season and as ripe as possible.

16. Roasted Garlic Butter Parmesan Potatoes

There is no better combination than garlic, butter, cheese, and potatoes. If you feel the same, you will love this recipe!

The potatoes are crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and coated in an indulgent but fresh buttery marinade.

If you want to really elevate these potatoes, we recommend sprinkling them with some crispy bacon pieces and fresh parsley.

For the best results, make sure that you use the specified amount of garlic (or more!).

17. Scallion And Greek Yogurt Slow-Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Don’t let the delicate appearance and decadent flavor of this dish fool you – it is incredibly easy to put together.

In fact, there is minimal active cooking time involved in this recipe. But, the outcome will have all of your guests fooled into thinking that you were cooking for hours!

18. Oreo Cookie Balls

Now, this one technically isn’t a side dish. However, a tasty dessert is always a welcome treat at a potluck party. These Oreo Cookie Balls, in particular, are certain to be a crowd pleaser!

This dish is also a great option if you aren’t a confident cook or baker.

In fact, the store-bought cookies do pretty much most of the work for you! But, their elegant appearance will make it seem like you’re a professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

What To Bring To A Potluck If You Can’t Cook?

If you’re not confident in the kitchen, the thought of participating in a potluck can be daunting.

However, there are many super delicious dishes that require minimal knowledge and effort! Take a look at our favorites below.

1. Pasta Salad
2. Garlic Bread
3. Dips
4. Fruit Skewers
5. Cocktails

How Much Food Should You Take To A Potluck Party?

Generally speaking, you should make sure that there are enough portions of your chosen dish to feed around half of the number of people attending the party.

For instance, if there are 30 people at the party, your dish should contain around 15 servings.

Conclusion

Potlucks are wonderful events. We hope that this list has inspired you to try out something new in the kitchen and share your tasty creations with your friends and family!