20 Easy Recipes That Will Make You the Star of Any Summer Potluck

Slow Cooker Texas Pulled Pork

If the potluck is being hosted at someone else’s house, you might consider bringing a slow cooker dish and transporting the food right in the slow cooker. (Check with the host first to see if there’s a place you can plug in the slow cooker.) This recipe can be made the day before the party or early in the morning if the party is in the afternoon. Don’t forget to bring buns if you want to serve these as saucy sandwiches. Tip: Instead of transporting the slow cooker, you can store the cooked pulled pork in a baking dish and reheat 30 to 45 minutes in a warm oven before serving.

7-Layer Dip

This delicious dip is an easy, virtually spill-proof potluck recipe. Bring sturdy tortilla chips that can hold up to the dipping, and be sure to bring a bowl to put them in when you get to the party.

Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs

You only need a few ingredients to make the marinade for these tropical kabobs, and they can be assembled up to a day ahead of time. Once the grill is hot, put these on the grill for 15 to 20 minutes.

Cheesecake in a Jar

Show up with a cooler full of these personal-sized cheesecakes and watch the crowd go wild. The recipe makes six, so use the scaling tool on the recipe to create a shopping list for more servings if you need to.

Zesty Carnitas Tacos

Tacos for a crowd! Or for a dozen, if you want to get technical about it. The taco meat needs about four hours in a slow cooker, so if you make the recipe ahead of time, plan to allow for some re-heating time once the party has started. Remember to bring tortillas, and think about any taco fixin’s you want to bring or have others contribute.

Avocado and Corn Salsa

It takes a mere 15 minutes to make this colorful dish on the morning of the potluck—there’s enough lime juice in the recipe to keep the avocado looking fresh by the time it gets to the party. This recipe serves six, so depending on how many people will be at your gathering, you might want to double or triple the recipe.

Greek Orzo Salad

This light and fresh salad will complement any summer menu—and it’s also a great vegetarian option that could double as a main dish. It comes together in just minutes, then needs an hour to chill in the fridge before serving.

Hot Pink Lemonade

Here’s an eye-catching lemonade guests will be happy to guzzle. Wait to add the water and blueberries until you get to the party, and remember to bring a serving pitcher.

Summer Lasagna

Lasagna for summer? Yes, when you use zucchini for the noodles. Reviewers say most people have no idea they’re not eating pasta! They do recommend salting the sliced zucchini to draw out extra moisture and letting it drain in a colander for 30 minutes to prevent this summery casserole from getting watery. To make this even lighter, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef. Or, omit it altogether to make this a vegetarian main dish.

Watermelon Sangria

If you have a lot of guests to serve, grab a watermelon and get to work. Actually, a blender does all the work. All you do is chill it in the fridge for 4 hours (or overnight) before serving.

Delicious Raspberry Oatmeal Cookie Bars

Bar cookies are one of the most potluck-friendly desserts to feed a crowd. Make and slice these beauties the day before for ultimate potluck party ease.

Caprese on a Stick

Ripe summer cherry tomatoes, pungent basil, and creamy mini mozzarella balls are threaded on skewers or toothpicks and drizzled with olive oil for a delightful twist on a classic caprese salad that’s easy to make ahead of time and pretty enough to serve as a potluck centerpiece. Tip: Be sure to coat the basil leaves in enough olive oil so they don’t turn dark in the fridge overnight.

Red-Skinned Potato Salad

You absolutely can’t go wrong with a classic potato salad. Be sure to allow enough time for the boiled potatoes, bacon, and eggs to cool completely before stirring the salad together. It will also need an hour in the fridge once mixed.

Strawberry Spinach Salad I

Make the dressing for this summer salad ahead of time and toss everything together when you get to the party to avoid soggy greens. This recipe makes just four servings, but doubles and triples easily.

Easy Southern Peach Cobbler

Everyone loves this summer favorite. If you make it the day before, consider warming it in the oven before serving, and seriously consider bringing vanilla ice cream to scoop alongside it.

Beer Margaritas

Here’s the easiest way to serve margaritas to a crowd. Simply bring all the ingredients to the potluck—along with a serving pitcher—and stir it together just before serving. Did you remember to bring ice, salt, and lime wedges? Of course you did!

Club Chicken Pasta Salad

This crowd-pleaser—also the winner of our pasta salad recipe taste test—features rotisserie chicken, bacon, cheese, tomatoes, avocado, celery, and green pepper tossed in an easy, yet impactful mayo-infused Italian dressing. It impresses as an entrée or side!

Beermosa

Heading to a breakfast or brunch potluck? Bring a liter of orange juice and a 12 pack of beer to mix up some two-ingredient Beermosas—a refreshing change from traditional mimosas with Champagne or Prosecco.

Copycat Cosmic Brownies

Bring a platter of these grin-inducing Copycat Cosmic Brownies, upgraded versions of the Little Debbie classic, to your next gathering. The treat features a fudgy brownie topped with silky ganache and colorful sprinkles.

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers

While jalapeño poppers seem difficult to make, this four-ingredient recipe is easy. All you need is do is combine shredded Cheddar with cream cheese, spread the filling in halved jalapeños, and wrap each pepper with bacon. Then cook the beauties in the oven until crispy and prepare to dazzle your potluck guests.

More to Explore