50 Holiday Potluck Recipes (2024)

Looking for the perfect dish to contribute to a holiday party? Pick one of these 50 recipes—ranging from classics like sweet potato casserole to colorful fall salads to show-stopping pies. All are smart, make-ahead dishes, easily transportable, and sure to please the crowd.

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Pecan Cheese Wafers

Pecans lightly brushed with egg whites are baked into cheesy, buttery wafers with a touch of chile flakes. Get the recipe for Pecan Cheese Wafers »

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Pumpkin Cheesecake Tart with Gingersnap Crust

Creamy pumpkin filling over a ginger cookie crust provides a comforting balance of sweetness and spice.

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Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage

Red cabbage is braised in bacon drippings and enlivened with red wine vinegar and caraway seeds, making it a perfectly balanced holiday side.

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Autumn Panzanella Salad

Crispy pancetta, peppery arugula, and sweet sautéed shallots give a fall spin to panzanella. Get the recipe for Autumn Panzanella Salad »

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Cumin-Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

Toasted cumin seeds, mint, and lime juice intensify the sweetness of simple baked root vegetables. Get the recipe for Cumin-Roasted Carrots and Parsnips»

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Sautéed Green Beans with Pickled Shallots

Shallots are quick-pickled and sautéed with green beans in this refreshing side.

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Mashed Yams with Lime and Honey

Creamy baked yams mashed with butter, lime juice, and honey make an easy, bright autumn side dish.

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Fall Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, Kale Chips, and Pomegranate Seeds

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Pecan Cream Cake

Pecan Cream Cake

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Sautéed Brussels Sprouts

This simple, satisfying side rounds out any Thanksgiving dinner.

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Cherry-Frangelico Mincemeat Pie

Fresh and dried fruits steep in hazelnut liqueur for three days to make the filling for this holiday pie. Suet, a traditional mincemeat ingredient, adds moisture and richness, but vegetable shortening works just as well.

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Roasted Onion and Chestnut Compote »

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Chocolate Ginger Chess Pie

A decadent mix of chocolates and ginger ups the ante on a classic Southern pie. Get the recipe for Chocolate Ginger Chess Pie »

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Roasted Beets with Orange and Crème Fraîche

A cool and tangy crème fraîche dressing adorns roasted beets for a simple, colorful side dish. We like to use a combination of red and golden beets for presentation. [See the recipe for Roasted Beets with Orange Crème Fraîche »

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Salted Caramel Apple Pie

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Roasted Vegetable Terrine

Our colorful vegetarian take on terrine features smoky roasted vegetables, tangy goat cheese, and a sun-dried tomato pesto.

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American Cheddar Cheese Biscuits

When making these buttery little biscuits, opt for a true American cheese—fourth-generation Wisconsin cheesemaker Sid Cook, of Carr Valley Cheese, advised us to use a three-year-old extra-sharp cheddar. Get the recipe for American Cheddar Cheese Biscuits »

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Brown Butter Walnut Pie with Sour Whipped Cream

Browned butter accentuates the flavor of earthy walnuts and a sour cream topping offsets the richness of the filling for a balanced, delectable dessert.

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Pear Tarte Tatin

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Spinach Madeleine

A sauce of unabashedly flavorful ingredients including evaporated milk and, yes, Velveeta cheese, makes for a spectacularly rich take on creamed spinach. Get the recipe for Spinach Madeleine »

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Van Valkenberg Hot Slaw

Coleslaw gets a makeover as a filling and hearty casserole that test kitchen assistant Sarah Ruth Maier grew up eating at family functions. Get the recipe for Van Valkenberg Hot Slaw »

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Sweet Noodle Kugel

Kugel—the creamy egg noodle casserole that’s a staple of Jewish holiday cooking&dmash;gets a Midwestern topping of cornflakes in this Thanksgiving side dish.

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Pear and Ginger Pie with Streusel Topping

Fresh ginger gives the filling of this pear pie a warming kick of spice, balanced by the buttery crumble of sweet streusel.

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Kale and Sweet Potato Gratin

Don’t limit traditional pie spices—clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg—to the dessert table. In this cheesy, rich gratin, the spices take a savory note alongside kale, sweet potatoes, and sharp white cheddar.

Piquant Corn Bread

Jalapeños and cilantro punch up classic cornbread.

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Coconut Lime Custard Pie

Coconut Lime Custard Pie

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Green Beans with Lemons and Capers

Inspired by the briny flavors of veal piccata, this elegant side dish is simplicity itself: blanched green beans tossed in a vinaigrette of capers, bright lemon, and a beautiful olive oil. Get the recipe for Green Beans with Lemons and Capers »

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Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Crumble

This sweet potato casserole is an especially festive, over-the-top take on the Thanksgiving classic, topped with a crisp pecan crumble and dotted with marshmallows. Get the recipe for Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Crumble »

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Sweet Potato Casserole with Bourbon and Pineapple

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Pumpkin Spice Cake with Mascarpone

This batter also makes delicious muffins, perfect for a day-after-Thanksgiving brunch.

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Creamed Onion Gratin

Sweet, translucent roasted onions marry beautifully with the bechamel and Gorgonzola in this rich casserole.

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Buttermilk Cluster

Soft, tear-away dinner rolls are as easy to make as they are delicious.

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Salata Adas (Garlicky Lentil Salad)

This light, Lebanese lentil salad is flavored with lemon juice, cumin, allspice, and parsley.

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Challot (Challah Knots)

These fluffy, brioche-like rolls are traditionally served on Jewish holidays, but they’re perfect for any occasion. This recipe first appeared in our October 2011 issue along with Katie Robbins’s story Season of Rejoicing. Get the recipe Challot (Challah Knots) »

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Raw Kale Salad with Lemon, Pecorino, and Currants

In this simple, elegant salad, the spicy flavor of thinly sliced raw kale is offset by creamy Pecorino cheese, bright lemon, and sweet-tart dried currants.

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Soy-Braised Kabocha Squash

Braising—with a healthy dose of soy—is one of our favorite ways to bring out the texture and flavor of winter squash.

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Brussels Sprouts Gratin

This recipe blends roasted brussels sprouts with a silky mornay sauce. A panko topping with lemon zest adds crunch and zing.

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Winter Salad with Buttermilk Dressing

Walnuts, apple, and sliced beet add crunch and flavor to this wintertime salad.

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Green Beans with Sesame Sauce

A jolt of heat from fresh ginger is balanced by sweetened soy sauce and nutty sesame seeds in this Japanese-style string bean dish. See the recipe for Green Beans with Sesame Sauce »

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Torta di Sant'Antonio

Red wine adds depth of flavor and gives the tart its rich, burgundy color. See the recipe for Torta di Sant’Antonio »

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Apple Pie

A double-crusted apple pie will hold up perfectly to a scoop (or two) of melty vanilla ice cream. See the recipe for Apple Pie »

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Vanilla-Scented Quince and Pear Pie

This sweet, tart fruit pie is a beautiful showcase for the flavors of fall and winter. It’s great on a holiday table, and is at its best when served alongside a plate of cheese: the rich quince flavor balances beautifully with a wedge of funky, crumbly blue beside it on the plate.

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Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Cranberries and Candied Pecans

This sweet-tart winter salad is a simple way to add elegance to a Thanksgiving dinner. ** See the recipe for Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Cranberries and Candied Pecans »**

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Broiled Spaghetti Squash with Walnut-Miso Glaze

Chunks of Spaghetti squash reveal a beautifully yielding texture and a savory, subtle flavor that’s perfectly offset by a rich walnut-miso glaze. Prepare the squash ahead of time, and then pop them under the broiler for 3 minutes when you get to your host’s kitchen. Get the recipe for Broiled Spaghetti Squash with Walnut-Miso Glaze »

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Provençal Bread with Olives and Herbs (Fougasse)

Uniquely shaped yeast breads are sold as a market specialty in the south of France.

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Grizzly Bear Pie

Served at Brooklyn restaurant Vinegar Hill House, grizzly bear pie is a wry twist on the usual walnut pie: its deliciously sweet filling is based on honey, and a light sprinkle of flaked sea salt lends a touch of depth. ** See the recipe for Grizzly Bear Pie »**

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Potato and Rutabaga Gratin

Earthy rutabagas and aged Gruyere add intrigue to a classic potato gratin. Get the recipe for Potato and Rutabaga Gratin »

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Honey and Herb Biscuits

These fluffy biscuits are honey-sweetened with an herbal fragrance from rosemary and thyme.

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Maple Sugar Pie

When making maple sugar pie, fold any extra dough over the side of the pan for an extra-thick crust. Serve a warm slice with a heaping of whipped cream. ** See the recipe for Maple Sugar Pie »**

50 Holiday Potluck Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you organize a potluck for 50 people? ›

A Suggested Menu for a Perfect Potluck of 50 Guests Includes:
  1. 5 People Bringing Appetizers. ...
  2. 5 People Bringing Main Dishes. ...
  3. 10 People Bringing Side Dishes. ...
  4. 5 People Bringing Bread. ...
  5. 5 People Bringing Dessert. ...
  6. 4 People Bringing Beverages. ...
  7. 1 Person Bringing Cups, Plates & Napkins.
  8. 1 Person Bringing Utensils.

What is the easiest thing to bring to a potluck? ›

What to bring to a potluck last minute? Easy, quick snacks that you can make without needing to heat up anything are your best bet for last-minute potluck prep. Dips, guacamole, lettuce wraps, salsa, salad, and no-bake finger foods are all great options.

What everyone brings to a potluck dinner? ›

Some cold food ideas include pasta salad, coleslaw, cakes and antipasto platters. Hot food options: A good potluck has some hot options for people to try. Consider ideas that are easy to prepare in large portions, such as macaroni cheese, nachos, sliders, curry and roasted meats.

How much finger food do I need for 50 people? ›

If you're hosing 25 -35 guests, plan 3-4 bites per person if a full dinner is to be served afterwards, or 5-7 bites per person if a lighter meal will be served. If you're hosting a party of 50, then you can offer 6 to 9 different items.

How much food do I need for 50 guests? ›

Generally, an adult will eat about 1lb of food per seating. So if you are serving 4 portions of food, you need about 1/4 lb per person. If you are offering 3 portions of food, you need about 1/3 lb per person of each item.

What not to bring to potluck? ›

Don't show up with a dish that needs tons of assembly or oven time, particularly if you don't know the host well. No soup! Potluck food should be plate-based. Unless you plan on bringing a stash of disposable bowls and spoons, it's best to stick to food that can be eaten off a plate with a fork.

What to bring to a potluck last minute? ›

Last Minute Potluck Ideas
  • Caprese Skewers. Thread cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls and fresh basil onto skewers for a simple yet elegant potluck appetizer. ...
  • Gourmet Cheese Platter. ...
  • Store-Bought Rotisserie Chicken. ...
  • Tortilla Pinwheels. ...
  • Fruit Salad. ...
  • Frozen Meatballs in Sauce. ...
  • Assorted Cookies. ...
  • Fruit Skewers.
May 20, 2024

What to bring food wise to a Christmas party? ›

Best Office Christmas Party Food Ideas
  • Pinwheel Trays. ...
  • Mini-Quiches. ...
  • Cookie Decorating Bar. ...
  • Caprese Skewers. ...
  • Stuffed Mushrooms. ...
  • Dessert Cheese Ball. ...
  • Bruschetta. ...
  • Cream Puffs.
Jul 25, 2024

What is potluck Christmas party? ›

A potluck Christmas party is where everyone brings something to eat or drink to share with everyone else. They are popular at Christmas because they allow people to enjoy a party without having to manage all of the food and drinks on their own.

Is it okay to bring store-bought food for potluck? ›

In short, it's completely fine to utilize a shortcut when necessary. Just be mindful of time, place, and event when choosing what to bring!

How much food do you need for a 50 person buffet? ›

For a party of 50, you will therefore require 250-400. If there is a meal to be served, then this number can be cut back to 3-4 per person, per hour, which therefore equates to 150-200 appetizers required.

How much food should each person bring to a potluck? ›

Main dishes and side dishes are the heart and soul of a potluck feast. These dishes tend to be more substantial and filling, so it's essential to strike a balance and avoid excessive portions. As a general rule, plan for one main dish serving and one or two side dish servings per person.

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