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Christmas Potluck Ideas

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You’ll find a comprehensive list of potluck ideas in this post just in time for your Christmas potluck. We have everything from from broccoli cheese casserole to Christmas cookies! You’re guaranteed to find easy appetizers, side dishes, and desserts that are perfect for your next holiday gathering.

A batch of the best yeast rolls

Hosting or attending a potluck during the holidays is a great way to spend time with family, friends and co-workers while splitting up the cooking responsibilities. It’s also such a fun way to try new recipes.

However, I don’t know about you, but choosing the best dish for a potluck can be stressful. You don’t want to be the one that takes home a dish that has hardly been touched.

Tips for choosing good dishes for potlucks

  • Choose a recipe that you’ve made before – You don’t want to experiment with a new recipe when you’re cooking for a group of people you’re trying to impress.
  • Find out if you can heat it up once you get there or is their only one microwave at your office and your casserole dish won’t fit inside it.
  • Check around and see what others are bringing, you don’t want 5 pecan pies!
  • Choose a recipe that can be made the night before.
  • Make sure your dish is at room temperature or warm when you bring it so that if it does need to be heated, it won’t take as long.
  • Offer to bring a slow cooker to keep the rolls warm.
  • Make your dish in a disposable container to make clean up easier.

Potluck FAQs

What is a good thing to bring to a work potluck?

For a work potluck bring a dish that is cold like broccoli salad, or one that can be reheated in the microwave. Crock pot recipes work well since they’ll stay warm and don’t need to be reheated.

What can you bring to a potluck last minute?

If you don’t have time to cook, try bringing some spicy nuts, they will only take 15 minutes to throw together.

What can I buy to bring to a potluck?

If you don’t have time to cook, pick up some dinner rolls at the bakery and bring a slow cooker, use it to keep the rolls warm during the potluck.

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    Potluck Appetizers

    There are always time delays with potlucks, someones dish might take longer to heat than expected and everyone is ready to eat. Having a couple of appetizers for folks to munch on is a great way to get things started. This is also a great option if you don’t have time to cook.

    Spicy Roasted Nuts

    A bowl full of spicy roasted nuts.
    Spicy Roasted Nuts
    Spicy roasted nuts made in a skillet are a quick and easy appetizer you can make in just a few minutes.  A healthy snack that’s perfect for game day or when friends stop by.
    Get the Recipe

    Seasoned Pretzels

    A bowl of pretzels.
    Seasoned Pretzels
    Whether you consider them a Dot's Pretzel copycat recipe or not, I think you'll agree that this Original Seasoned Pretzel Recipe (from Josie + Nina) is the real OG and will be great for folks to munch on while waiting for dinner.
    Get the Recipe

    Christmas Fruit Kabobs

    A platter of fruit santa kabobs.
    Christmas Fruit Kabobs
    Easy and healthy Christmas fruit idea! Christmas Kabobs (from Suburban Simplicity)! These cute fruit Santas and strawberry Santa hats with grapes makes a great healthier treat for family gatherings.
    Get the Recipe

    Easy Smoked Queso

    A bowl of smoked queso.
    Easy Smoked Queso
    The best part of this easy smoked queso dip recipe (from Sweetly Splendid) is that it only takes 30 minutes to prepare! It's perfect for parties and potlucks because it's so simple to make. One of my favorite holiday potluck ideas.
    Get the Recipe

    Chicken Greek Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce

    A platter of chicken Greek ,meatballs on a platter.
    Chicken Greek Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce
    Chicken Greek Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce (from Talking Meals) are a delicious, easy, and perfect appetizer!  You can also make them ahead and freeze for months to save time and have them on hand ready to go.  
    Get the Recipe

    Potluck Sides

    With so many sides dishes to choose from it’s hard to decide what potluck side to bring. Think about the number of people, and if you can make it ahead of time and just reheat once you get there. Having to actually cook your dish can be a strain on the hostess or office where you’ll be eating. Here are some no-fail sides, salads and breads that will be the star of any potluck.

    If you decide to bring rolls, bring along a crock pot so you can rewarm the rolls and keep them warm.

    Broccoli Cheese Casserole

    A baking dish of cheesy broccoli casserole.
    Broccoli Cheese Casserole
    For the best Broccoli Cheese Casserole, start with fresh broccoli and add a creamy cheese sauce that's made from scratch. Top it off with buttery panko and It will be come a holiday tradition that you'll want to make all year long.
    Get the Recipe

    Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole

    Sweet potato casserole with spicy pecans.
    Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole
    Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole topped with spicy pecans, brown sugar and bacon will be the favorite at your holiday meal. The savory addition of rosemary to the topping makes it even better.
    Get the Recipe

    Creamy Green Bean Casserole without Canned Soup

    A casserole dish of green bean casserole topped with crispy onions.
    Creamy Green Bean Casserole without Canned Soup
    It’s time to take your green bean casserole to new heights, without using canned mushroom soup! For this green bean side dish, you’ll toss fresh (or frozen) bite-size pieces of green beans in a homemade mushroom cream sauce. The baked casserole cooks for 25 minutes before it's topped with crispy onions (store bought or homemade). Serve warm and bubbling, straight out of the oven! 
    Get the Recipe

    Nacho Casserole

    A platter of nacho casserole.
    Nacho Casserole
    This easy one-dish Nacho Casserole (from Intentional Hospitality) will add some variety to the more traditional sides you see at most potlucks. It has layers of classic nacho ingredients layered between tortilla chips or Doritos smothered in a creamy beef and cheese sauce.
    Get the Recipe

    Southern Collard Greens

    Southern Collard Greens in a bowl next to cornbread.
    Southern Collard Greens
    These authentic Southern Collard Greens (from Grandbaby Cakes) are braised in a savory meat flavored and perfectly spiced pot liquor resulting in an amazing tender silky texture!!!
    Get the Recipe

    Creamy Pea Salad

    A bowl of pea salad topped with bacon
    Creamy Pea Salad
    Creamy Pea Salad (from Spicy Southern Kitchen) is one of my favorite choices for a potluck. No heating required. With just a few ingredients and a few minutes of time, a bag of frozen peas gets turned into a super flavorful vegetable side.
    Get the Recipe

    Loaded Ranch Potato Salad with Bacon

    Southern style Ranch potato salad in a glass bowl next to green onions.
    Loaded Ranch Potato Salad with Bacon
    This Ranch potato salad with bacon, cheese and a sour cream ranch dressing is just what you need for a potluck or cook out. All the flavors of a loaded baked potato plus a flavorful dressing to coat tender new potatoes.
    Get the Recipe

    Broccoli Salad

    A bowl of bacon broccoli salad
    Broccoli Salad
    You’re going to love this healthy broccoli salad served with a yogurt dressing that’s sweetened with honey.  Red onions and dried cranberries add a sweet and savory touch to an old fashioned salad you’ll be making all year long. 
    Get the Recipe

    Cucumber Tomato Salad

    A bowl of tomato cucumber salad.
    Cucumber Tomato Salad
    Fresh, vibrant Cucumber Tomato Salad (from Lil' Luna) is a simple salad perfect with all the heavier sides.
    Get the Recipe

    Hawaiian Bread Rolls

    A baking dish of buttery Hawaiian Rolls.
    Hawaiian Bread Rolls
    This Hawaiian Rolls Recipe has just a hint of sweetness from pineapple juice. They are so so fluffy and easy to make. They make the best dinner rolls and are great for sliders.
    Get the Recipe

    Easy Buttermilk Cornbread Biscuits

    A batch of cornbread biscuits cut on parchment paper.
    Easy Buttermilk Cornbread Biscuits
    A Southern dinner isn't complete without a side of cornbread or a buttery biscuit. Try these easy Buttermilk Cornbread Biscuits for the best of both worlds! They're moist and fluffy with a great cornbread taste.
    Get the Recipe

    Potluck Desserts

    Desserts are really the best part of a potluck, it’s a chance to try lots of different treats that you might not have tried before. I generally don’t bring pies to potlucks because they’re just too hard to serve and it’s hard to cut small pieces. Go with cakes, cupcakes, cookies, or a slab pie, that can easily feed a crowd.

    Gingerbread Cupcakes

    A gingerbread cupcake in a paper liner.
    Gingerbread Cupcakes
    These Gingerbread cupcakes are so fluffy, moist and easy to make. They are spiced with warm seasonal spices like ginger and cinnamon and topped with a sweet caramel buttercream. They are the perfect festive holiday cupcakes to make for any party or get together, everyone will love them!
    Get the Recipe

    Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe

    A pecan slab pie cut into squares.
    Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe
    This chocolate pecan pie recipe made into a slab pie is a fabulous way to feed a crowd. You get all the tasty flavors without the hassle of a pie. Cut this into small squares for a bite-size treat or into larger squares and top with ice-cream. A holiday or potluck favorite!
    Get the Recipe

    Peppermint Bark Brownies

    Brownies on parchment paper.
    Peppermint Bark Brownies
    Peppermint Bark has become almost synonymous with the holidays. Such an iconic treat with that pepperminty, milk chocolatey flavor combination. It’s such a great holiday goodie for gifting and I bet you’ve already gotten some or will before the holidays are over!
    Get the Recipe

    Buttermilk Cake Recipe with Praline Topping

    A black platter of praline buttermilk cake.
    Buttermilk Cake Recipe with Praline Topping
    Are you looking for a moist cake that doesn't need frosting? You have to try this buttermilk cake recipe that is topped with a delicious brown sugar praline topping for a simple and easy recipe you can make with just a few ingredients.
    Get the Recipe

    Apple Crumb Bars

    A clear glass platter filled with apple bars.
    Apple Crumb Bars
    If you love apple pie, wait until you try Apple Crumb Bars. Start with a buttery shortbread crust that is covered with both sweet and tart apples. A crumb topping makes them easy enough to eat with your hands and just as scrumptious as an apple pie.
    Get the Recipe

    Peppermint Brownies Recipe

    A platter of peppermint brownies
    Peppermint Brownies Recipe
    Peppermint Brownies with crushed candy canes have peppermint both inside and out for the perfect Christmas brownie treat. Start with my favorite fudgy brownie base, add white chocolate chips and top them with a creamy buttery peppermint frosting.
    Get the Recipe

    Kris Kringle Crinkles

    A stack of Kris Krinkle cookies.
    Kris Kringle Crinkles
    Kris Kringle Crinkles (from Two Sisters Crafting) are light and fluffy on the inside and sweet and crunchy on the outside. A yummy homemade Crinkle Christmas cookies that is not made from cake mix. A great alternative to chocolate chip cookies.
    Get the Recipe

    Molasses cookies

    Molasses cookies with holiday decorations.
    Molasses cookies
    Molasses cookies (from I Heart Naptime) that are soft and chewy on the inside and crisp around the edges. Full of delicious ginger flavor and taste just like Christmas! Drizzle or dip in white chocolate for the ultimate holiday cookie on Christmas morning.
    Get the Recipe

    While potlucks can feel stressful, hopefully you can find something wonderful to bring, there’s nothing like sharing food with friends.

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