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40 Christmas Potluck Recipes That'll Get You Re-Invited Year After Year

This year, become a VIP: a Very Important Potlucker.

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pesto pizza stuffed star bread
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

We've only got one goal this holiday season and one goal only, to become a certified VIP: a Very Important Potlucker. So we've rounded up all the best recipes to make sure you're never arriving to the party empty-handed. Whether you're the host (or the lucky guest!), these recipes will guarantee your Christmas potluck table will be stacked with all of the classics, like a Christmas punch, the ultimate holiday cheese board, and eggnog truffles. With potluck-friendly Christmas dishes this good, you'll be automatically added to the invite list year after year!

Don't get us wrong, we love Christmas showstoppers like prime rib or our copycat Honey Baked ham. But more often than not, a solid plate of appetizers and a killer holiday cocktail are what really bring us some holiday cheer at a potluck. Being greeted at the door with cranberry brie bites, harissa deviled eggs, and a glass of Jingle Juice will make any guest feel merry. Bonus: The recipes for our bacon brie crescent wreath, cheesy spinach dip Christmas tree, and pigs in a blanket wreath double as delicious appetizers and impressive centerpieces!

What would the holidays be without the sweet treats? After you set out some Christmas cookies for Santa, save yourself some pfeffernüsse and spritz cookies for enjoying with your eggnog after dinner. If you like pie with your cookies (why not?), our caramel chocolate chip cookie tart will more than satisfy everyone at the table.

If you've got lots of hungry friends to feed this holiday season, don't sweat! Check out all our best Hanukkah recipes, Christmas recipes, and Kwanzaa recipes to keep the party going until New Year's brunch.

1

Pigs In A Blanket Wreath

pigs in a blanket wreath
Andrew bui

This adorable holiday app will become an instant legend to all of your family and friends. It's a centerpiece worthy of your holiday table—plus one that you can eat—which is the best kind of centerpiece in our opinion.

Get the Pigs In A Blanket Wreath recipe.

2

Christmas Punch

christmas punch
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: ERIKA JOYCE

This Christmas punch forgoes all the added sugar and instead derives its natural sweetness from apple cider. Add some spice from ginger beer and tartness from unsweetened cranberry juice, and you have a sophisticated, festive punch for your next Christmas party.

Get the Christmas Punch recipe.

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3

Mushroom, Spinach & Gruyère Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

mushroom spinach and gruyere stuffed pork tenderloin
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

We adore fast-cooking pork tenderloin, but that doesn’t mean we let it become so routine that it doesn't dazzle come holiday time. Instead, we mix it up with a variety of different flavors and preparations, like this ultra-stuffed mushroom, spinach, and Gruyère version.

Get the Mushroom, Spinach & Gruyère Stuffed Pork Tenderloin recipe.

4

Garlic & Feta Mashed Potatoes

bowl of creamy mashed potatoes topped with feta crumbles
PHOTO: DOAA ELKADY; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Mashed potatoes are the perfect blank canvas that can really be taken in any flavor direction. For this recipe, we decided to go with feta but kept the other add-ins fairly standard so the tanginess of the feta could really shine through.

Get the Garlic & Feta Mashed Potatoes recipe.

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5

Eggnog Truffles

eggnog truffles
Andrew bui

Even if you're not an eggnog fan, you're going to love these truffles that encapsulate all of those cozy winter flavors—cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, cream—all wrapped in white chocolate.

Get the Eggnog Truffles recipe.

6

Copycat Honey Baked Ham

copycat honey baked ham
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

Honey Baked ham is grand, deliciously smoky, and has a signature caramelized crust all over. Sadly, it’s something you have to plan to order in advance and can be a little on the pricey side. If you didn't have time to order a ham, want to save some money, or just try a homemade version of this classic centerpiece, this copycat recipe is for you.

Get the Copycat Honey Baked Ham recipe.

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7

Pesto Pizza Stuffed Star Bread

pesto star bread
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Here’s an easy and festive holiday appetizer that looks way more impressive and complicated than it actually is. Using homemade pizza dough and pesto is great, but if you go the store-bought route, this star bread takes very little effort.

Get the Pesto Pizza Stuffed Star Bread recipe.

8

Harissa Deviled Eggs

harissa deviled eggs
Andrew bui

Give your classic deviled eggs a spicy kick with store-bought harissa (Tunisian chili pepper paste) and crispy fried shallots. Tip: Because spice level can vary brand to brand with harissa, start small and build up to control the heat!

Get the Harissa Deviled Eggs recipe.

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9

Snowman Cupcakes

snowman cupcakes topped with shredded coconut snow, marshmallow faces, candy scarves, and peanut butter cup hats
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

We can’t think of a better way to welcome the first snow of the season than with these adorable snowman cupcakes. Marshmallow snowmen sit atop sweet, frosted coconut cupcakes to create a dessert guaranteed to put you in a festive mood.

Get the Snowman Cupcakes recipe.

10

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail With Lemon-Horseradish Aioli

roasted shrimp cocktail with lemon horseradish aioli
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: LENA ABRAHAM

This twist on a dinner party classic embraces the signature flavors of shrimp cocktail and comes together in less than 30 minutes. Typically, shrimp cocktail brings to mind a large platter of chilled shrimp and a sweet, tangy sauce.

Get the Roasted Shrimp Cocktail With Lemon-Horseradish Aioli recipe.

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11

Fancy Christmas Cheese Ball

fancy christmas cheese ball covered in pomegranate seeds
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI ; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Looking for a stunning Christmas app that comes together in no time? Look no further than the humble cheese ball. They’re a retro idea that we’ve really run with here at Delish, taking them fully into modern times with creative ingredients and decorating methods.

Get the Fancy Christmas Cheese Ball recipe.

12

Bacon Brie Crescent Wreath

bacon brie crescent wreath
Joel Goldberg

Looking for an easy appetizer that doubles as a centerpiece? This cheesy, savory crescent ring is perfect for your holiday gathering. If it's a vegetarian app you're after, we'd suggest subbing in sautéed mushrooms.

Get the Bacon Brie Crescent Wreath recipe.

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13

Spritz Cookies

spritz cookies
Erik bernstein

These buttery cookies are named after the German word “spritzen,” which means “to squirt,” because of the cookie press used to form their signature shapes. From snowflakes to Christmas trees, spritz cookies can come in many festive forms.

Get the Spritz Cookies recipe.

14

Cranberry Apple Sangria

cranapple sangria in a wine glass
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Apple cider is THE go-to when it comes to taking summery sangria into fall, but it can be a little sweet. Pair it with cranberry juice to keep it tart, and you can drink this all fall and winter long.

Get the Cranberry Apple Sangria recipe.

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15

Cheesy Spinach Dip Christmas Tree

cheesy spinach dip christmas tree
Joel Goldberg

Spinach artichoke dip + flaky puff pastry + festive design = a Christmas masterpiece. We love spinach dip in every form, but this creative app is totally versatile: Feel free to swap in whichever cheesy dip you desire.

Get the Cheesy Spinach Dip Christmas Tree recipe.

16

Perfect Prime Rib

prime rib sliced with rosemary
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: SPENCER RICHARDS

Prime rib, also referred to as standing rib roast, is a beautiful piece of meat. Whenever we need a truly showstopping holiday roast, we turn to it. A well-cooked prime rib is juicy, full of flavor, and not at all difficult to make.

Get the Perfect Prime Rib recipe.

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17

Steamed Carrots With Hot Honey Butter

steamed carrots with hot honey butter
Joel goldberg

To make this delicious vegetarian side dish, you'll toss a pound of steamed carrots in a slightly spicy honey-butter glaze. Rather than cooking the carrots and the glaze together in the pan, you'll cook the carrots and the glaze separately, reducing the risk of mushy veggies.

Get the Steamed Carrots With Hot Honey Butter recipe.

18

Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Tart

caramel chocolate chip cookie tart
ERIK BERNSTEIN

This tart is our formal request to have chocolate chip cookies in all forms. The crust is more like a shortbread version of the classic cookie to make it sturdy enough to perfectly hold its shape and the caramel and chocolate layers on top. It’s a sliceable, shareable cookie and a really wonderful option for your next gathering.

Get the Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Tart recipe.

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19

Sausage Roll Wreath

sausage roll wreath with cranberry sauce for dipping
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Every holiday gathering needs a showstopper on the table. That being said, maybe you want something new this holiday season. Enter: this classic British sausage roll with a Christmas–appropriate makeover.

Get the Sausage Roll Wreath recipe.

20

Pear Salad

pear salad
Andrew bui

This simple yet satisfying fall salad packs a flavorful punch with slightly smoky seared pears, creamy blue cheese, and ultra-crunchy candied pumpkin seeds. Tied together by a sweet-sour honey vinaigrette, it’s the perfect holiday side salad but can just as easily be bulked up with some protein like seared chicken or crumbled bacon to be a filling dinner all on its own.

Get the Pear Salad recipe.

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