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Summer potlucks are the absolute best time to try out some new recipes! They are always fresh and full of bold flavor. These tried and true favorite recipes will be sure to get a “WOW!” at your next potluck!
A good summer potluck is made up of all different types of food! The food that I take to a potluck has to be delicious and easy to make so I’ve come up with a list of my favorite recipes. Go ahead and try this hot spinach artichoke dip, this yummy shrimp pasta salad or these bacon-wrapped chestnuts first. They are delicious!
Summer Potluck Recipes
If you love having a little bit of everything on a menu of a restaurant (like me!) then a potluck is MADE for you! I love how many different things I get to try. Not to mention all of the recipes that I go away with that I can try later. A potluck that has a little bit of everything is a win in my book. And I love that they are different every single time! Plus, summer potluck recipes are some of my favorite because they are fresh and there are SO many fruits and vegetables to use that are in season!
Depending on what I am in the mood for, I like to have a list of tried and true summer potluck recipes that are ready to go! Then, I can just pick from them and know that the food that I bring is going to taste delicious. In this roundup, I have included salads, desserts, and sides! So go crazy and try them all out. You don’t even need to be invited to a potluck to make them! Try them at home and then you can have them allll to yourself!
Quick Tips
Summer potluck recipes are some of my favorites because they are so fresh and easy to make! In fact, I’ve come up with a list of quick tips so that your summer potluck turns out perfectly!
Make food that travels easily: If you are not hosting the potluck, then most likely you will be traveling to go to it! Because of this, you should keep in mind that whatever you make needs to be able to travel easily! So, go ahead and look at these summer potluck recipe ideas. Pick one that you can pack up and put in a container with a lid. Or make sure that you don’t need to keep it constantly warm before serving it.
Be aware of allergies: If you are able, it’s always good to check with the host and see if there are allergies among the guests. If there are, then you can make sure to steer clear of whatever that is. Then, that everyone can enjoy the potluck!
Bring the utinsels: It’s always good to bring your own serving utinsel for your dish. Then you know that you will have the right size and the right utinsel!
Easy Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad
Easy Italian Tortellini Pasta Salad is full of fresh summer veggies, salami, and tortellini pasta. It is tossed in a zesty italian dressing and is always the hit of the potluck!
This Classic Potato Salad Recipe is cool, creamy, and the perfect side dish for any summer cookout! Easy to make ahead and pairs well with any grilled meat.
World’s Best Baked Beans
4.92 from 24 votes
These World's Best Baked Beans will be the last recipe you will ever make. This easy recipe is the perfect side to a potluck and a tried and true family recipe that your family will go crazy over!
Mexican pasta salad is an unbelievably easy and flavorful pasta salad that is filled with colorful ingredients like black beans, tomatoes, and corn. With a creamy dressing and spices from onion, cilantro, and cumin, this delicious pasta salad will be the hit of your summer barbecues for sure!
Strawberry Pretzel Salad has a sweet and salty pretzel crust, cream cheese middle, and a jello strawberry layer on top. Perfection! Everyone loves this salad!
KFC Coleslaw is the perfect summer side dish and tastes exactly like the real thing! It takes minutes to throw together with crunchy cabbage and carrots and is so creamy delicious!
I don't know about you but nothing hits the spot more on a hot summer day than fresh fruit and salads! Combine the two together and our melon salad will leave you feeling refreshed and satisfied!
5 Million Dollar Dip is only 5 ingredients and they don’t call it million dollar dip for nothing! It is so deliciously addicting and will be the biggest hit wherever it goes!
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is the perfect side dish! It is a delicious macaroni pasta salad with ham, pineapple, shredded carrots, and green onions, and a tangy dressing.
This chicken alfredo dip is out of this world! It’s creamy, cheesy, loaded with chicken, AND made from scratch! It's perfect for an appetizer or a delicious side dish!
Greek Broccoli Pasta Salad combines tender fusilli pasta with fresh vegetables and a tangy herb dressing. This is the perfect dish to serve with grilled meats, or pack for a picnic or barbecue!
This bacon ranch pasta salad is filled with colorful veggies and perfectly contrasting textures and flavors! Every bite is so satisfying it will be an incredible hit!
Little Smokies, smothered in a sweet tangy BBQ sauce are one of the easiest, most loved appetizers out there. These are guaranteed to disappear whether it's for a party or dinner, these are just too tasty and fun not to eat.
Ambrosia Salad is filled with mandarin oranges, pineapple, maraschino cherries, coconut, and marshmallows and mixed in a fluffy cool whip! This is a potluck classic!
Creamy Pea Salad with Baconis a popular southern dish that is filled with crunchy peas, crispy bacon, chopped red onions, and cheddar cheese. This is an easy to make side dish that is perfect for your next potluck!
Strawberry Cheesecake Salad is a sweet and creamy dessert with fresh strawberries hidden throughout. This is the biggest hit at any potluck and SO easy to make!
Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.
