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Potlucks are all about easy, shareable food that holds up well and tastes great at room temp or straight from the cooler. In the summer, you want dishes that are fresh, flavorful, and not too fussy—something you can make ahead, transport easily, and know everyone will go back for seconds.
This list includes salads, dips, mains, and sweet treats that travel well and feed a crowd.
Whether you’re heading to a backyard BBQ, beach hangout, or casual picnic, these recipes will make you the one everyone’s asking for the recipe from.
1. Creamy Broccoli Bacon Salad
Crisp broccoli florets, crumbled bacon, red onion, and sunflower seeds tossed in a tangy-sweet dressing. A classic that disappears fast.
Olivia’s Tip
Chill it for at least an hour before serving so the flavors come together and the broccoli softens slightly.
Get the Creamy Broccoli Bacon Salad recipe
2. Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella
Cooked pasta tossed with cherry tomatoes, mini mozzarella balls, basil, and a splash of balsamic vinaigrette.
Olivia’s Tip
Rinse the pasta under cold water after cooking—it keeps the texture perfect and prevents sticking.
Get the Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes and Mozzarella recipe
3. Deviled Egg Potato Salad
A creamy mashup of deviled eggs and classic potato salad. Tangy, rich, and full of flavor.
Olivia’s Tip
Use a mix of mustard and pickle juice in the dressing for that deviled egg tang.
Get the Deviled Egg Potato Salad recipe
4. BBQ Pulled Chicken Sliders
Shredded chicken cooked in BBQ sauce and served on mini slider buns. A warm-weather favorite that’s easy to serve.
Olivia’s Tip
Keep the filling warm in a slow cooker at the potluck—it makes serving easier and tastier.
Get the BBQ Pulled Chicken Sliders recipe
5. Watermelon Feta Mint Salad
Juicy watermelon cubes mixed with crumbled feta, mint leaves, and a drizzle of lime juice. Light and refreshing.
Olivia’s Tip
Chill the watermelon ahead of time and mix just before serving to avoid fogginess.
Get the Watermelon Feta Mint Salad recipe
6. Street Corn Dip (Esquites)
Corn, mayo, lime, cotija cheese, and chili powder all mixed up into a bold, scoopable dip.
Olivia’s Tip
Serve with tortilla chips or celery sticks for dipping—it’s just as good warm or cold.
Get the Street Corn Dip (Esquites) recipe
7. Baked Ziti Casserole
Cheesy, tomatoey baked ziti with plenty of gooey mozzarella and ground beef or sausage. A filling option for hungrier crowds.
Olivia’s Tip
Bake in a foil pan for easy transport and cleanup.
Get the Baked Ziti Casserole recipe
8. Caprese Skewers
Skewered cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil leaves drizzled with balsamic glaze. No mess, no forks needed.
Olivia’s Tip
Use short skewers or toothpicks for bite-sized portions that travel well.
Get the Caprese Skewers recipe
9. Classic Macaroni Salad
Elbow pasta, celery, red bell pepper, and a creamy mayo-based dressing. A potluck must-have.
Olivia’s Tip
Add a touch of vinegar to balance the richness and help it stay fresh longer.
Get the Classic Macaroni Salad recipe
10. Sweet and Tangy Baked Beans
Slow-cooked beans with brown sugar, mustard, ketchup, and bacon. Sticky, sweet, and totally scoopable.
Olivia’s Tip
Make a day ahead—the flavor actually improves overnight.
Get the Sweet and Tangy Baked Beans recipe
11. Fresh Fruit Salad with Citrus Honey Dressing
Berries, melons, grapes, and oranges tossed in a light honey-lime dressing. Cool, juicy, and colorful.
Olivia’s Tip
Pat fruit dry before tossing—it helps the dressing stick instead of pooling.
Get the Fresh Fruit Salad with Citrus Honey Dressing recipe
12. Buffalo Chicken Dip
Cream cheese, shredded chicken, hot sauce, ranch, and cheese baked into a bubbling dip.
Olivia’s Tip
Serve with celery sticks, pita chips, or baguette slices for variety.
Get the Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe
13. Cold Asian Noodle Salad
Chilled noodles tossed with a sesame-soy dressing, shredded carrots, cucumber, and green onions.
Olivia’s Tip
Use spaghetti or rice noodles—whatever you’ve got—and rinse well after cooking to keep them from sticking.
Get the Cold Asian Noodle Salad recipe
14. Mini Cornbread Muffins
Bite-sized, slightly sweet cornbread muffins that pair perfectly with everything from BBQ to salads.
Olivia’s Tip
Bake them in mini muffin pans—they cook faster and are easier for guests to grab.
Get the Mini Cornbread Muffins recipe
15. BLT Pasta Salad
Pasta with crispy bacon, chopped lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a creamy dressing. It’s like your favorite sandwich in salad form.
Olivia’s Tip
Toss the lettuce in right before serving so it stays crisp.
Get the BLT Pasta Salad recipe
16. Lemon Bars
Bright, tangy lemon filling over a shortbread crust—easy to make ahead and easy to carry.
Olivia’s Tip
Dust with powdered sugar at the last minute so it doesn’t soak in too soon.
17. No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Cups
Layered graham cracker crumbs, whipped cream cheese, and strawberries in cups or jars. Sweet, light, and portable.
Olivia’s Tip
Use wide-mouth mason jars or plastic cups with lids for grab-and-go serving.
