by Alyssa RiversThis website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my privacy policy.
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!
Ingredients: refrigerated tortellini (I used spinach and cheese), cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, mozzarella cheese balls, italian salami, Italian salad dressing, grated Parmesan cheese, sesame seeds, paprika, celery seed, garlic powder
Classic Potato Salad Recipe
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.
Ingredients: medium red potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, finely chopped chives, milk, apple cider vinegar, salt, ground mustard, pepper, paprika for sprinkling overtop
World’s Best Baked Beans
World’s Best Baked Beans will be the last recipe you will ever make! These easy homemade baked beans are the perfect side to a potluck and a tried and true family recipe!
Ingredients: bacon, green pepper, onion, 15 ounce cans pork and beans, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire Sauce
Mexican Pasta Salad
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!
Ingredients: farfalle pasta, black beans, corn, Roma tomatoes, avocado, whole green onions, onion, chopped cilantro, crumbled Feta cheese, jarred salsa, sour cream, Mayonnaise, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper, lime juiced
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Delicious sweet and salty pretzel crust with a cream cheese and strawberry layer. This is perfect for summer!
Ingredients: pretzels, brown sugar, butter, box instant strawberry jello, container of fresh strawberries, package cream cheese, sugar, container of cool whip
KFC Coleslaw (Copycat)
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!
Ingredients: cabbage, carrot, mayonnaise, buttermilk, white vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, salt, ground black pepper, milk
Melon Salad with Citrus Honey Mint Dressing
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!
Ingredients: watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, Juice of half lemon, Juice of half of a lime, honey, mint
5 Minute Million Dollar Dip
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!
Ingredients: green onions, cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, real bacon bits, slivered almonds
Very Berry Cheesecake Salad
Fresh berries combine with a creamy cheesecake fluff. This is so amazing and will be the hit of any gathering!
Ingredients: cream cheese, sugar, cool whip, berries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries
Hot Corn Dip
Hot Corn Dip is super cheesy, packed with flavor and such a crowd pleaser. This always one of the first dips to disappear!
Ingredients: olive oil, onion, red pepper, jalapeño, corn, cream cheese, sour cream, Colby jack cheese, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper, sliced green onion
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
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.
Ingredients: dry elbow macaroni, pineapple chunks, ham, carrot, green onion, pineapple juice, light mayonnaise, greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, Sugar, salt and pepper to taste
Creamy Chicken Alfredo Dip
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!
Ingredients: Butter, Flour, garlic cloves, milk, cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated parmesan, chicken, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper
Greek Broccoli Pasta Salad
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!
Ingredients: rotini pasta, broccoli florets, cherry tomatoes, diced green bell pepper, diced red onion, kalamata olives, crumbled Feta cheese, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, dried oregano, kosher salt, black pepper, extra virgin olive oil
Fresh and Easy Mango Salsa
A fresh and flavorful mango salsa that is so easy to make! It is so mouthwatering and addicting and is always a crowd pleaser!
Ingredients: mangos, red onion, red bell pepper , jalapeno, seeds removed , cilantro , juice of one lime , salt to taste
Incredible Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Incredible 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!
Ingredients: fusilli tri-color pasta, bacon, roma tomatoes, broccoli, sliced olives, cheddar cheese, mayonnaise*, packet dry ranch seasoning
Little Smokies
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.
Ingredients: little smokies, barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar*, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, paprika
Best Ever Ambrosia Salad
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!
Ingredients: cool whip, sour cream, can mandarin oranges, chopped fresh pineapple, maraschino cherries, marshmallows, shredded coconut, pecans
Cream Cheese Salsa dip in a Bread Bowl
This Cream Cheese Salsa Dip is thick, rich and creamy from the inside, out! It is the perfect appetizer for game days and get togethers!
Ingredients: cream cheese, softened, sour cream, salsa, cheddar cheese, sourdough loaf, Reynolds Wrap® Heavy Duty Foil
Loaded Creamy Ranch Dip (Poolside Dip)
Loaded Creamy Ranch Dip is packed with so many delicious flavors you won’t be able to get enough of it! Perfect for the pool or potlucks!
Ingredients: cream cheese, softened, red bell pepper, jalapeno, small can black olives, corn, ranch seasoning mix
Creamy Pea Salad with Bacon
Creamy Pea Salad with Bacon is 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!
Ingredients: peas, red onion, cheddar cheese, bacon, parsley, sour cream, mayonnaise, cider vinegar, sugar
Strawberry Cheesecake Salad
Strawberry Cheesecake Salad is a sweet and creamy dessert with fresh hidden strawberries throughout! This is the biggest hit at any potluck!
Ingredients: whipped topping , cheesecake pudding powder, strawberry yogurt, fresh strawberries, bananas. Sliced, miniature marshmallows
The Best Avocado Egg Rolls
Avocado Egg Rolls are crispy on the outside with an avocado mixture inside that is bursting with flavor!
Ingredients: vegetable oil, avocados, red onion, Roma tomato, chopped fresh cilantro leaves, garlic powder, Juice of 1 lime, salt and pepper to taste, egg roll wrappers
Originally Posted on August 1, 2018
Updated on June 20, 2022