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

Cheesy chili-stuffed cornbread is what happens when cornbread gets tired of being a sidekick and decides to break into a leading role. It’s hearty, a little messy, and unapologetically extra, the kind of dish that makes you wonder why you ever settled for plain cornbread in the first place.

Get the Chili-Stuffed Cornbread recipe.

There are countless ways to enjoy summer squash, but this comforting casserole just might be our favorite. Mixed with sour cream, mayo, cheddar and Parm, this squash casserole is creamy, extra-flavorful, and more than satisfying. Finished with a buttered Ritz cracker topping, this casserole is the pinnacle of summer comfort food.

Get the Yellow Squash Casserole 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.

One of the most refreshing summer salads, this side dish aces the sweet and salty combo with the addition of mint, cucumbers, red onions, and feta cheese.

Get the Watermelon Feta Salad recipe.

Here, pasta is tossed with a dressing similar to what you would find on elote (Mexican street corn) for this standout salad. Mexican crema and cotija can be found in most supermarkets and Spanish markets, but if you're having trouble finding them, sour cream and feta make great substitutes too.

Get the Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad recipe.

Potato salad is about as classic a summer side as it gets, and we love experimenting with different flavor combinations. If you’re looking to lighten up your usual potato salad, look no further—this version is bursting with all the flavors of your favorite antipasto.

Get the Antipasto Potato Salad recipe.

Wanna put a little color onto your spread? Make carrot hummus. Roasted carrots are whipped with harissa, tahini, and chickpeas for a creamy orangey dip that celebrates everyone’s favorite veggie.

Get the Carrot Hummus recipe.

If you’re looking for a surprisingly low-lift vegetable salad, then raw zucchini is the squash to turn to. Salted zucchini ribbons transform into tender noodles that get dressed with a minty creamy feta vinaigrette and tossed with toasted pignoli nuts.

Get the Zucchini Salad recipe.

The hardest decision for a party is which dip to make. This dip gets rid of that. Combining our four favorite dips of Buffalo chicken, spinach artichoke, jalapeño popper, and pizza dip, this dip has something for everyone. Your potluck spread just got infinitely better.

Get the 4-Way Dip recipe.

Baked beans are a backyard BBQ staple, but cowboy beans take this simple side to the next level. Hearty, creamy beans are cooked with bacon, ground beef, aromatics, and pickled jalapeños for the ultimate summer side dish.

Get the Cowboy Beans recipe.

These are a really good vegetarian alternative to a jalapeño popper, so everyone can enjoy them at your potluck. Mini peppers are sweet, so you don’t have to worry about the random super-hot jalapeño popping up either!

Ge the Pimento Cheese-Stuffed Mini Peppers recipe.

Crispy on the outside, soft and creamy on the inside, and seasoned to absolute perfection, these roasted potatoes are going to be your new favorite easy-peasy potluck side. We’ve made seasoning them even simpler by using a flavor-packed packet of onion soup mix. Seriously, potatoes don’t get any better or easier than this.

Get the Onion Soup Mix Roasted Potatoes recipe.

We're sure you’ve heard of pigs in a blanket, but have you heard of pigs in a quilt? Pigs in a blanket are one of the best make-ahead party bites, but it’s time they get an upgrade with a quilt made with woven crescent dough.

Get the Pigs In A Quilt recipe.

This easy salty-sweet snack is sure to become your new go-to for a simple potluck treat. Store-bought caramel sauce, honey, and roasted peanuts get tossed with popcorn and baked until crisp and crunchy in this perfect snack. Popcorn lovers are going to go (pea)nuts for this one.

Get the Salted Honey Peanut Caramel Corn recipe.

Full of seasonal summer veggies and a creamy yet bright vegan mayo mixture, this macaroni salad is perfect for vegans and non-vegans alike. Seriously, the most devout of carnivores won’t be able to resist.

Get the Vegan Macaroni Salad recipe.

Deviled eggs are our go-to appetizer for every warm-weather gathering, but we don’t always want to deal with the fuss of making sure they all stay upright and perfect until it’s time to serve. This deviled egg pasta salad is the perfect solution for getting the same vibes with much less fuss.

Get the Deviled Egg Pasta Salad recipe.

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. 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.

Pleating dumplings is a full-on art, but if you’re all fingers and thumbs with a wrapper, smash dumplings are the way to go. Layered with an aromatic pork and cabbage filling, this effortless take on gyoza is simple enough to whip up for a last-minute party.

Get the Smash Dumplings recipe.

Also known as elote en vaso (“corn in a cup”), Mexican corn salad features all the beloved ingredients of Mexican street corn, just off the cob and far less messy to eat. It’s quick, affordable, and deeply satisfying. Best of all, this version delivers that summery, charred corn flavor—no grill required.

Get the Mexican Corn Salad recipe.

Adding peanut butter to your cornbread might not be something you’ve considered before, but we highly encourage you to try it. The peanut butter is subtle, but makes the nuttiness of the cornmeal really stand out. It has just a slight sweetness to it, but is still great served alongside a bowl of homemade chili or a pile of fried chicken.

Get the Peanut Butter Honey Cornbread recipe.