The holidays are all about gathering around a table with the people you love most. If your calendar is already filling up with parties and get togethers, I have a feeling you'll need a few of these Thanksgiving potluck ideas. I rounded up 19 recipes that are perfect for sharing, from the classics to a few fun surprises.
1. Best Ever Cranberry Sauce
Of course someone will show up with turkey in some form. And honestly, what is turkey without cranberry sauce? I know it is so simple to just open a can, but your host will absolutely taste the love in this homemade recipe. One little tip: frozen berries have quite a bit of extra liquid, so they might need a little longer on the heat to thicken up nicely.
2. Easy Pumpkin Pie Dip
Chances are someone will bring guacamole, and someone else will bring buffalo dip. But will anyone think to bring a sweet dip? You will! The base for this is a blend of cream cheese, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice. So it is very much like a no bake cheesecake.
3. Roasted Butternut Squash Kale Salad with Farro and Goat Cheese
My favorite thing about fall has to be the salads. It is not just sad lettuce and store bought dressing in autumn! Instead, they are loaded with roasted veggies, dried fruits, nuts, and creamy cheese. This version uses butternut squash, though you could absolutely swap that out for pumpkin or even sweet potato if that is all you have.
4. Hasselback Potato Gratin
How stunning does this dish look? With all those edges and colors, it will not last long on any party table. If you want to keep it simple with just potatoes, try to find some red and even blue if you can. Otherwise, you will need carrots, parsnip, beets, radishes, and sweet potatoes for that rainbow effect.
5. Incredibly Easy French Onion Soup Casserole
Bringing soup to a potluck is not the easiest thing to manage, but this soup casserole gives you all the same great flavor in a way that is way simpler to eat. The most important ingredient in French onion soup, besides the onions themselves, is beef broth. If you use chicken or veggie stock, you will not get that same rich, deep taste.
6. Onion Bread Recipe No-Yeast Method
Contrary to what you might think, you do not need yeast to make bread. It is basically used as a rising agent to help speed the process along. You can substitute it with a starter, baking soda, and even buttermilk. This recipe is more like a giant muffin loaf, so it is pretty dense. You will notice it uses baking powder as the raising agent.
7. Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
I know this looks like a dish full of roasted, cheesy potatoes, but it is actually a lower carb casserole full of cauliflower. The sauce consists of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, sour cream, garlic powder, and onion powder, plus there is bacon on top. But if you want it to stand out even more, I recommend roasting the cauliflower, since steaming does not add much to what is a pretty bland vegetable.
8. Classic Waldorf Salad
The Waldorf salad, as you probably guessed, was first made at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. Since then, it has been made and tweaked and remade all over the world. One thing is for sure though. It is crazy delicious.
9. Parmesan Crisps with Thyme and Sea Salt
I love Parmesan chips because they are crispy, salty, cheesy, a little nutty, and even low in carbs. All you need is to pour freshly grated Parmesan cheese onto a lined baking sheet inside a small cookie cutter. The cutter will keep the cheese from sprinkling all over.
10. Apple Pie Recipe with the Best Filling
When you make apple pie, do you prefer it with big chunks or thin slices? I usually go for slices because that way, everything cooks in time. This recipe also uses thin slices of apple and plenty of warm spices. If you want to make this more mingle friendly, try making mini pies in a muffin tin.
11. Easy Stuffing Recipe
What is a Thanksgiving potluck without stuffing? It is everyone's favorite, so there is never enough of it. Even if a few people bring it along, you know every last bite will get gobbled up. When you make stuffing from scratch, start with dry bread. I like to cut it up the day before and leave it out overnight.
12. Raspberry Pretzel Jell-O
This dessert is sweet, creamy, salty, and wonderfully crunchy. Pretzels are a terrific alternative to the standard graham cracker crust because they will add way more character to the mix. I found it way easier to pipe the filling over the base.
13. Easy Creamed Corn
I do not know about you, but my mouth started watering just looking at that picture. Is there anything tastier than creamed corn? If you have the time to roast the corn and get it all charred, please do it. You cannot beat that added flavor.
14. Brussels Sprouts and Grapes au Gratin
If you want a Thanksgiving potluck idea that will leave people absolutely stunned, this is the dish to make. Brussels sprouts are already so underrated. But I promise, when you make this fun version, there will not be a single crumb left.
15. Pineapple-Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole
Anyone can make a simple sweet potato casserole. But if you want to try something a little different for your next Thanksgiving potluck party, this pineapple bourbon dish is a must make. Once cooked, add the sweet potato mash to a food processor with brown sugar, bourbon, melted butter, ginger, allspice, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, eggs, and pineapple.
16. Dark Chocolate Pecan Toffee Bark
I am sure you have either made your fair share of bark, or you have been gifted enough over the years to know it is easy, tasty, and always a hit. Around Christmas, I usually go for the typical white chocolate, peppermint, and cranberry bark. But for turkey day, why not try this decadent dark chocolate recipe instead?
17. How to Assemble A Veggie Platter
Veggie platters and charcuterie boards are so in right now, and there is a real art to displaying all that fantastic food. I typically go for the rainbow approach. Start with cherry tomatoes (red), then work around the plate, adding bell peppers, carrots, broccoli, and whatever else you like. Another fun option is to make a selection of colorful, all natural hummus pots from scratch.
18. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is one of those classic comforting meals you will see at almost every occasion. We say it is for the kids, but do not we all indulge in a scoop or two? This twist on the classic uses squash right in the sauce, making it a lovely orange color and lightly sweet.
19. Cranberry Crumb Bars
Crumble bars are a wonderful dessert that is welcome at any event. They are so buttery and straightforward, and you can make the filling with anything you like. Cranberries will fit the Thanksgiving theme best, and I love that they are not too sweet. I made the glaze with orange juice for a zesty finish.
