35 Best Summer Potluck Dishes

These no-bake roll-ups are a quick and flavorful appetizer. Soft flour tortillas are generously spread with a creamy mixture of softened cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and sharp cheddar cheese. Finely chopped ham and green onions are sprinkled over the spread before rolling the tortillas tightly. After chilling for 1–2 hours to set, the rolls are sliced into pinwheels. It yields about 40–50 bite-sized pieces that your guests will love!

This recipe combines sweet, salty, and creamy layers for a nostalgic summer dessert that's always a hit at potlucks. The base is a crunchy crust made from crushed salted pretzels, sugar, and melted butter. It is topped with a smooth layer of sweetened cream cheese and whipped topping. The final layer features strawberry-flavored gelatin with fresh sliced strawberries. After chilling until set, it is sliced into squares.

This vibrant platter showcases a variety of cured meats like prosciutto and salami, an assortment of cheeses ranging from creamy brie to sharp cheddar, and an abundance of fresh seasonal fruits such as berries, grapes, and melon slices. Complemented by an array of crackers, nuts, and optional sweet touches like honey or fig jam, this board effortlessly combines summer flavors and various textures.

Bring a sweet and spicy flair to traditional salsa with this recipe. It combines juicy strawberries and tropical pineapple with savory elements like red onion and optional jalapeño for a hint of heat. Fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice enhance the flavors, creating a versatile condiment perfect for pairing with tortilla chips. The recipe is easy to make, involving simple chopping and mixing, making it an excellent last-minute choice for potlucks, pool parties, and more!

This BBQ Chicken recipe is easy to prepare and perfect for feeding a crowd. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are slow-cooked in a savory blend of barbecue sauce, grated onion, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. After several hours, the chicken becomes fall-apart tender and is shredded before being mixed back into the rich sauce. Served on buns with coleslaw and pickles, this dish has a classic barbecue flavor with minimal effort.

This easy-to-make pasta salad features cooked pasta tossed with cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, spicy salami, pepperoncini, olives, and red onion. The ingredients are combined with a homemade Italian dressing. The combination of flavors and textures creates a delicious and crowd-pleasing salad that is perfect for any spring or summer gathering.

This creamy fruit salad is a nostalgic, deli-style treat that's both sweet and tangy. A luscious dressing made from cream cheese, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, and sugar is combined with crisp apples, juicy grapes, canned pineapple tidbits, and mandarin oranges. This recipe is ready in minutes and is great for summer cookouts and BBQs.

These irresistible sliders are perfect for feeding a crowd. Soft Hawaiian rolls are filled with layers of juicy ham and melted Swiss cheese, then brushed with a savory butter mixture infused with Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced onion, and poppy seeds. Baked until golden and gooey, they have a delicious combination of sweet, savory, and cheesy flavors in every bite.

This colorful appetizer starts with a base of baked crescent roll dough, which is then topped with a creamy mixture of sour cream, cream cheese, dill, and chives. An assortment of fresh, finely chopped vegetables such as bell peppers, broccoli, and cucumbers are sprinkled on top, adding a satisfying crunch and vibrant colors. These bites are perfect for parties and can be prepared in advance, making them a convenient choice for any occasion.

This recipe transforms the classic Italian hoagie into a shareable dip. Diced pepperoni, salami, ham, Provolone cheese, red onion, and optional banana peppers are combined with mayonnaise and Italian seasoning. Just before serving, chopped lettuce is folded in, adding a fresh crunch. It is served with baguette slices or crackers.

This cherry cheesecake dip is a dreamy, creamy crowd-pleaser perfect for summer parties and potlucks. It starts with a rich layer of sweetened cream cheese and whipped topping and is finished off with a generous layer of cherry pie filling for that classic cheesecake flavor—without the need for baking or slicing. Serve it with graham crackers, vanilla wafers, or fresh fruit for an easy, dippable twist on traditional cheesecake.

This flavorful, southern-style twist on green beans is achieved by slow-cooking them with barbecue sauce and bacon. The addition of bacon adds a smoky depth, making it a perfect accompaniment to grilled meats. This easy set-it-and-forget-it recipe is perfect for potlucks, barbecues, and weeknight dinners alike.

This salad is a fresh and zesty side dish that brings the flavors of elote to your table. Grilled or roasted corn kernels are mixed with lime juice, avocado or olive oil, finely chopped jalapeños, cherry tomatoes, cilantro, chili powder, and crumbled queso fresco. The result is a vibrant and slightly spicy salad that's both light and flavorful.

These Italian Sandwich Roll-Ups are a flavorful and portable appetizer perfect for parties. Soft tortillas are spread with a seasoned cream cheese mixture and layered with banana peppers, roasted red peppers, salami, ham, pepperoni, provolone cheese, lettuce, and tomato. They are rolled up tightly and sliced into pinwheels. These roll-ups are easy to make and sure to disappear quickly at any party.

This classic Seven-Layer Salad is made with shredded lettuce, diced red onion, sliced celery, thawed peas, a sweetened mayonnaise dressing, shredded cheddar cheese, and crispy bacon. The salad can be made ahead of time and chilled, allowing the flavors to meld together. It's an easy and delicious addition to any summer menu.

This cake recipe layers graham crackers, a creamy mixture of cream cheese and vanilla pudding, and fresh strawberries and blueberries. After assembling, it's chilled in the refrigerator, allowing the graham crackers to soften to a cake-like consistency. A drizzle of melted white chocolate adds a sweet finishing touch, making it a perfect dessert for warm days.

This classic recipe combines Yukon Gold potatoes with mayonnaise, refrigerated pickle relish, yellow mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Celery seeds, paprika, hard-boiled eggs, diced celery, and sweet onion are added to enhance its depth of flavor and crunch. The key to its luxurious consistency is allowing the potatoes to become soft enough to partially mash when mixed, resulting in a creamy and indulgent side dish.

This non-alcoholic fruit punch is a refreshing blend of cranberry juice, pineapple juice, orange juice, and lime juice. The mixture is chilled for at least four hours, allowing the flavors to meld. Just before serving, sliced fruit and ginger ale are added, providing a fizzy and fruity beverage that's perfect for parties and summer gatherings.

This crockpot pulled pork recipe uses a pork shoulder roast, into which slivers of garlic are inserted for added flavor. The meat is seasoned with a rub made from brown sugar, paprika, salt, and pepper, then slow-cooked with a small amount of Worcestershire sauce. After cooking, the pork is shredded and mixed with barbecue sauce, resulting in tender, flavorful pulled pork ideal for sandwiches or tacos.

This tropical-inspired piña colada fruit dip is both easy to make and festive. It's made with cream cheese, marshmallow creme, crushed pineapple, and shredded coconut. After chilling for a couple of hours, it becomes the perfect accompaniment to an assortment of fresh fruits, wafer cookies, or graham crackers. This dip brings a taste of the tropics to any summer gathering.

These meatballs are a delicious blend of sweet and savory flavors, making them a crowd-pleasing appetizer or main dish. Frozen meatballs are simmered in a tangy BBQ sauce infused with pineapple chunks and bell peppers, creating a tropical twist. The addition of pineapple juice enhances the sweetness, while optional ingredients like ginger and soy sauce can be added for extra depth. Serve them over rice for a hearty meal or on toothpicks for a party-friendly summer snack.

This easy recipe recreates the famous Chick-fil-A coleslaw. It features a creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, white vinegar, granulated sugar, dry mustard, and a pinch of kosher salt. This tangy and slightly sweet dressing is then tossed with shredded coleslaw mix, resulting in a refreshing and crisp salad that's perfect for potlucks and barbecues. For optimal flavor, refrigerating the coleslaw for at least two hours before serving is recommended.

This one features a medley of fresh strawberries, pineapple, blueberries, red grapes, kiwi, mandarin oranges, and bananas. The fruits are gently tossed in a sweet and tangy dressing made from honey, lime zest, and fresh lime juice, creating a naturally sweet and refreshing dish perfect for summer gatherings.

This colorful medley includes black-eyed peas, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion, and fresh cilantro. The mixture is tossed in a tangy dressing made from olive oil, sugar, white wine vinegar, chili powder, and salt, creating a flavorful and refreshing dish. It can be served as a side salad or a dip with tortilla chips or crackers.

This creamy side dish combines the flavors of deviled eggs and classic macaroni salad. It features ditalini or elbow pasta, hard-boiled eggs, mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, sweet pickle relish, black olives, and pimientos. This salad has a rich and tangy taste and is a great choice for picnics or summer potlucks.

This semi-homemade baked beans recipe is both quick and flavorful. Canned baked beans are enhanced with sautéed bacon, sweet onion, bell pepper, and garlic. The side dish is further seasoned with smoked paprika, chipotle chili powder, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, and BBQ sauce, resulting in a thick, syrupy sauce that's rich in smoky, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors. These beans are perfect for summer cookouts and can be prepared ahead of time or frozen for later use. ​

These skewers are assembled by threading mini mozzarella balls, fresh basil leaves, and juicy cherry tomatoes onto toothpicks or small skewers. The assembled skewers are then drizzled with a homemade balsamic reduction, adding a tangy sweetness that complements the fresh ingredients. This no-cook appetizer is packed with classic Italian flavors, making it a hit at any gathering.

This punch is a refreshing, non-alcoholic beverage perfect for summer parties. It combines thawed pineapple juice concentrate, limeade concentrate, cold water, and chilled club soda, offering a sweet and tangy flavor with a fun fizz. It's garnished with assorted fruits like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, oranges, limes, and pineapple, and a sprig of fresh mint.