Holiday potlucks are a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays with friends and family. They can be as simple or as elaborate as you like, and there are endless possibilities for what you can serve.
One popular type of potluck is the cookie exchange. Everyone brings a batch of their favorite cookies, and everyone gets to try a variety of delicious treats. Another fun option is a themed potluck, such as a Mexican food potluck or a Halloween themed potluck.
And office potlucks are a great way to celebrate the holidays with your co-workers. Everyone brings a dish to share, and you get to try lots of different foods AND get to know your team better.
How To Decide What To Bring
When it comes to holiday potlucks, the key is to pick dishes that will please a wide range of palates. That means opting for crowd-pleasing favorites like pinwheel sandwiches, meatballs, or fruit rather than more unusual or exotic options.
If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, try choosing a dish that can be tailored to different dietary restrictions. For example, a casserole dish can be made vegetarian or gluten-free with a few simple swaps.
Another important factor to consider is the size of your holiday potluck. If you’re bringing a dish that needs to be reheated, make sure to factor in enough time for it to heat up properly. And be sure to bring serving utensils and enough plates and cups for everyone!
Food Ideas To Try For Your Holiday Potluck
At Christmas time, one of the most popular traditions is gathering with friends and family for a potluck. Everyone shows up with something, and there’s usually enough variety to please everyone.
From pies to pasta salads, there are so many delicious foods to bring to your holiday potluck. And the best part? Not only do you get to try a new recipe, but you can take credit for making it. Here is a list of food options to try for your next holiday potluck:
Pecan Pie Bark
For a Southern classic with a twist, try this pecan pie bark recipe from Sabrina Snyder of Dinner then Dessert.
Chocolate bark is a popular Christmas candy made from chocolate and other ingredients such as candy canes, nuts, or dried fruit. This pecan pie bark is a modern take on a Christmas classic.
But instead of using chocolate, it includes chopped pecans, brown sugar, and a few other ingredients — a quick and simple recipe!
Top your bars with homemade whipped cream or serve them alongside a scoop of ice cream. No matter how you dress them, these pecan pie barks are the perfect addition to your next holiday potluck.
Mexican Street Corn
If you’re a fan of Mexican food, you’ll love this recipe for Mexican Street Corn by Jacqueline Wilson of Little Cooks Reading Books.
Also known as “esquites,” Mexican street corn is a popular snack eaten in Mexico. It contains corn, butter, mayonnaise, Cotija cheese, green onions, and seasonings to create the perfect salty and spicy dish for any holiday potluck.
Simply place your corn kernels on a baking dish along with a bit of melted butter. While the corn is roasting, add the remaining ingredients to a dish to create a creamy mixture.
Finally, add the corn to the mixture, topping with extra cheese, cilantro, and paprika for garnish.
You can serve this dish hot or cold. If cold, allow the corn to cool after removing it from the oven before adding it to the creamy mixture.
Loaded Baked Potato Dip
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Move over ranch, there’s a new dip in town. And thanks to Jamie from My Baking Addiction, this Loaded Baked Potato Dip is rich, creamy, and chock full of bacon. What could be better?
The recipe is pretty straightforward, too. All you need is a handful of ingredients, many of which you might already have at home.
To start, prepare your sour cream base by mixing sour cream, ranch seasoning, and salt. Then, add the rest of your ingredients — cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions, stirring until well combined.
Refrigerate your dip at least two hours before your potluck, and voila! You got yourself a dreamy, creamy dip that can certainly put any other potluck dish to shame.
Bacon and Brussel Sprout Salad
Instead of a boring fruit and veggie platter, why not spice it up with this Bacon and Brussel Sprout Salad from Lindsay over at Pinch of Yum?
Brussel sprouts get a bad rep. But when combined with smoky and salty bacon, sweet orange, and creamy Pecorino-Romano cheese, brussel sprouts can become the ultimate holiday potluck dish.
Start by cooking your bacon until it’s nice and crispy. Then add your citrus fruits — lemon and orange — into a bowl along with shallots and olive oil, mixing well.
Next, shave your brussel sprouts before adding cheese, bacon, and chopped almonds. Season to taste and boom, you’re done!
This recipe is PERFECT to bring to your holiday potluck. Not only is a pretty simple to make, but it tastes good, too.
Honeybun Cake
Honey buns are a favorite for many in the Black community. But instead of buying the prepackaged dessert, why not try this Honeybun Cake from Monique at Divas Can Cook?
If you like to bake, this recipe is for you. If not, you can still enjoy it by tweaking a few ingredients. For example, instead of making the yellow cake from scratch, you can opt for the boxed cake mix plus sour cream and vegetable oil.
Otherwise, this cake comes together pretty easily, despite it being made from scratch. And when combined with a cinnamon sugar swirl and topped with a sweet and creamy glaze, this recipe just can’t be beat.