50 Summer Potluck Recipes That'll Make You The Instant Favorite

Here we use a simple hack of baking bread in a bundt pan to turn a classic sandwich into a party centerpiece that will steal the show at any picnic, game day, or tailgate. Between the bundt pan loaf you'll find all the usual Italian sub suspects: pepperoni, salami, ham, provolone, lettuce, tomatoes, and a simple Italian seasoning-based dressing. It's the best way to ensure that you never run out of your favorite sandwich and keep the good times going.

Get the Giant Party Sub recipe.

While deviled eggs are fairly simple to make, there are a few ways you can go wrong when making this staple summer party appetizer. If you’re looking for a foolproof method to hard boiling and filling yours, this recipe should be your new go-to.

Get the Deviled Eggs recipe.

With flaky crust and juicy-tart filling that sets just right, the classic cherry pie is the ultimate dessert for any summertime soiree, potluck, or BBQ. Best yet, the large slab format is big enough to feed a crowd of hungry party-goers; slice into bars and let folks have at it straight from the 13" x 9" pan.

Get the Cherry Pie Slab Bars recipe.

This truly has everything we could ever want in a dip: refried beans, homemade guacamole, salsa, sour cream, and cheese (😍) all topped with fresh veggies for an added crunch. You'll never buy the store-bought version again after trying this homemade dip.

Get the Best-Ever 7-Layer Dip recipe.

When it comes to summer BBQs, potlucks, and picnics, coleslaw is a classic, staple side dish to rely on. Everyone needs a go-to recipe, and we happen to think that ours is the one you should reach for. Whether you’re hungry for a last-minute side dish or the perfect topping (we’re looking at you, chicken burgers), this classic recipe is a must-make.

Get the Classic Coleslaw recipe.

Think of this as a better taco salad (because pasta!), that's perfect for potlucks and BBQS. Trust us, once you add ground beef to pasta salad, you won't be able to stop—it's that good.

Get the Cowboy Pasta Salad recipe.

No one has the time to cook ribs on the grill for hours. That's why this crazy shortcut to barbecue ribs is the greatest: It may seem a little odd, but boiling ribs first helps tenderize the meat before grilling. Trust us, this lets you skip the low and slow cook time in the oven or smoker, and they still turn out extra delicious.

Get the Shortcut BBQ Ribs recipe.

Pulled chicken is made so easy in the slow-cooker and this version includes brown sugar, a little Italian dressing, and bourbon for a bit of smokiness. You can definitely leave it out, but we think it's the best part. 😉 Dress these up with homemade coleslaw for the greatest potluck dish with almost zero effort.

Get the Brown Sugar BBQ Chicken Sandwich recipe.

Move aside plain ol' pasta salad—orzo is here to shake things up. While we love it in comforting, warming dishes (we're looking at you, creamy Tuscan orz0), it also makes for a great salad base. This easy, fresh recipe is filled with bright Mediterranean flavors and mix-ins, but feel free to swap in and out your faves.

Get the Greek Orzo Salad recipe.

A party without dip is hardly a party at all, and onion dip tends to reign supreme at celebrations year-round. With this recipe, we take the classic onion dip one step further by incorporating deeply caramelized onions into the mix. It’s creamy, savory, and perfectly scoop-able, so it’s no wonder it’s always the first to disappear.

Get the Caramelized Onion Dip recipe.

Hoping to bring sandwiches to feed your potluck crowd, but don't want to spend all morning assembling them? This sheet-pan hack is for you! Overlapping the bread slices means you can fit more onto the sheet pan, and don’t worry—the melty Provolone and pressing these down (sort of like a massive DIY panini press) makes sure they still hold together.

Get the Sheet-Pan Italian Subs recipe.

One bite of this Cracker Barrel Coca-Cola cake, and you'll be instantly transported to a rocking chair on a covered front porch playing with that triangle peg board game (IYKYK). Even if you're not familiar with the Southern comfort food stylings of Cracker Barrel, you can trust us that this chocolate cake is real good.

Get the Cracker Barrel Coca-Cola Cake recipe.

Tofu is so much more than a meat substitute—it’s a protein source that stands on its own, and the perfect base to soak up tasty sauces, like this chipotle and guajillo chili marinade inspired by a popular Mexican street food, tacos al pastor.

Get the Chipotle Tofu & Pineapple Skewers recipe.

Bang bang shrimp gets all the hype, but we're here to tell you that flavor-packed grilled corn is just as good (maybe better?) with that sweet-spicy sauce.

Get the Bang Bang Corn recipe.

Blueberries, peaches, cucumbers, AND feta? You’ll be amazed by how well this combination comes together in salad form. This might become the most vibrant, elegant salad to bring to your next potluck picnic in the park or summer BBQ dinner.

Get the Blueberry Peach Feta Salad recipe.

Filled with fresh veggies, tangy feta, and a simple dressing made of ingredients you might already have in your fridge, this bright salad is one you’ll turn to all spring and summer long. Best part? This Mediterranean recipe only takes 15 minutes to prepare, making it a perfect last-minute addition to bring to a potluck.

Get the Best Greek Salad recipe.

Is it even really a celebration without Buffalo chicken dip? We think not. If you're looking for the most hands-off version of this classic recipe, turn to your trusty slow cooker.

Get the Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe.

At Delish, we ask important questions. Groundbreaking queries like: Can we turn that into a lasagna? We're already obsessed with samoa lasagna, peanut butter lasagna, and banana pudding lasagna, so creating a version that transforms your favorite beach drink into a summery layered dessert felt like an obvious next step.

Get the Piña Colada Lasagna recipe.

Don't get us wrong, we love spending the day tending the smoker or overseeing the grill, getting our BBQ just right. But sometimes, you need a quick fix, a healthier version, or both. And that's where these air fryer drumsticks come into play. Coated in a classic DIY BBQ sauce, these drumsticks are perfectly tender, but WAY easier to make.

Get the Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks recipe.

We’re reimagining the classic macaroni salad here by adding buttery lobster meat and crispy bacon that pair perfectly with the tangy, creamy dressing. Think of this like the elevated version of your favorite BLT sandwich or lobster roll, made potluck-friendly.

Get the Lobster Roll Pasta Salad recipe.