24 Healthy Potluck Recipes (2024)

Share a feast without all the fuss by hosting a healthy potluck. Simply have each guest bring one of these healthy potluck ideas to the table to offer a spread of delicious variety. Whether it's a simple supper with a few neighbors or a larger family special occasion, these tasty, healthy potluck recipes will be a hit at your next gathering.

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Pack-and-Go Hoagies

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Would you rather: banh mi or Caprese steak sandwich? This healthy potluck idea that's ideal for picnic parties, family celebrations, and more offers variations on both so you can please all in attendance. To make these 20-minute sandwiches even more nutritious, pile up the fillings on whole grain baguettes and load on as many veggies as you can.

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Best Oven-Barbecued Chicken

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A homemade barbecue sauce makes this summer potluck staple a hit. But the true secret to this to-die-for recipe's success is the cooking method. The chicken roasts in the oven, so you can make this crowd-pleasing healthy chicken recipe even when your grill is buried under a bed of snow.

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Copycat Turkey Chili

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So cozy! This healthy potluck food idea for fall is ideal for tailgating and office potlucks, but can easily be enjoyed in the warmer months as well when you spoon it over baked sweet potatoes or zoodles for a well-balanced meal. With garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas), kidney beans, and lean turkey all invited to the Dutch oven party, each bowl of this Panera copycat recipe packs in 8 grams of fiber and 22 grams of protein.

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Peach Air-Fryer Hand Pies

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Peak summer sensations. That's what you'll get when this air-fryer dessert is on your healthy potluck menu. With just six ingredients required, we've enlisted this semi-homemade treat as our go-to summer dessert. Come fall or winter, try the same strategy with apples or frozen, thawed peaches.

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Cucumber-Radish Slaw

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Cool as a cucumber. That's how you'll feel when you scoop up a serving of this crisp summer slaw. With the fresh garden veggie as a base alongside pink radishes and red peppers, this slaw makes for a light and tangy healthy potluck recipe that's bursting with vitamins. And it takes just 20 minutes to toss together.

15 Fresh Cucumber Salads on the Quick

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Shredded Pork Roast Sandwiches

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Be the star of your next healthy potluck with melt-in-your-mouth-tender pulled pork sandwiches. Lightly seasoned and layered with shredded cabbage, these braised (or slow cooker) pork sandwiches are surprisingly low in calories: just 295 per serving! That's because when you whip up the simple sauce, you can control the ingredients—and amount of sugar.

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Italian Parmesan Pretzels

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Golden and puffy, this mall-favorite snack—brushed with butter and sprinkled in Parm—doubles as an equally delicious and healthy potluck food idea. Tote a batch of these fiber-boosted, whole wheat homemade pretzels to your next gathering and prepare to watch them get devoured fast. (We like to make a double batch so we can tuck away a few extra at home.)

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Chicken-Sausage Meatballs with Zucchini

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If you skip the pasta, this is one majorly healthy potluck idea to share as a starter. Just add toothpicks! Each batch makes 36 meatballs that are super-juicy, thanks to 1½ cups of shredded zucchini hiding inside the meat mixture. If desired, serve the 6-grams-of-protein-strong meatballs with a coating of marinara sauce.

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Banana Bars with Butter-Rum Frosting

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Partygoers will go bananas over the rum-laden frosting smeared atop these gooey, potassium-packed dessert bars. Plus, at only 100 calories per bar, you can definitely indulge in a couple squares of this healthy potluck recipe if the party lingers on. (Or, you know, sneak a few leftovers home for brunch the next day!)

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Oven-Fried Chicken

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Crispy on the outside and oh-so tender on the inside, these oven-fried chicken drumsticks can't be beat. While the flavor and texture of this healthy potluck dish is exceptional, you know what might be the best part about it? It has fewer than 300 calories per serving.

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Middle Eastern Fresh Fava Bean Salad

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Paired with cucumbers, tomatoes, and a lemon-garlic dressing, this unique fava bean salad is bursting with fiber and protein. A combo of parsley, feta cheese, and capers takes the healthy potluck recipe on a trip to the Middle East. For a grab-and-go snack that's easy to tote, package single servings in mini Mason jars or recyclable to-go cups.

Buy It: Ball 4-Ounce Jelly Jars with Lids, 12 count ($12, Target)

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Hot Chicken Salad Casserole

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Next time it's your turn to bring a main dish, go for comfort food! This hearty chicken casserole is packed with veggies and topped with an almond-cornflake crust. With 29 grams of protein per serving, it's the perfect healthy potluck main dish that will convince even the pickiest eaters to eat celery and sweet peppers.

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Celery and Apple Salad with Walnuts

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Sweet honey meets sweet-tart apples, verdant celery, and salty walnuts in a refreshing starter or side dish. Since it serves 4, just note that and multiply as needed to feed your crew. (It's a breeze to double or triple.)

Celery, Just One of Six Veggies and Herbs You Can Easily Regrow from Kitchen Scraps

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Orange-Mango Agua Fresca

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Refresh your taste buds with a sunny glass of agua fresca. Aside from a sweet squeeze of honey, the summer drink features only fresh fruits and juices, so you know you're getting the good stuff. Serve this healthy potluck drink with multicolor straws to help guests keep track of their glasses.

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Black-Eyed Pea and Quinoa Salad

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More natural colors mean more nutrients, and this Southern-inspired salad is brimming with a rainbow of fresh hues. In addition to oodles of fresh veggies and herbs, a base of quinoa and beans bumps up the fiber and protein. Grab a Mason jar and shake up your own tangy dressing for this healthy potluck recipe using lime juice, white wine vinegar, olive oil, and Dijon.

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Honeydew-Basil Nojitos

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This lip-puckering mocktail recipe features pureed honeydew melon, fresh basil leaves, and a squeeze of lime juice. All that teams up in this healthy potluck idea for just 70 calories a cup. Feeling fancy? Rim the glasses with lime juice and dip the rims in superfine sugar.

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Summer Vegetable Potato Salad

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Potato salad need not be smothered in creamy dressing to be delicious. At just 163 calories per serving, this is a quick and healthy potluck food idea worth snagging seconds of. A homemade vinaigrette and fresh veggies turn this potato salad into a nutritious and colorful summer side. Just top with feta cheese and you're ready to serve.

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The Porcupine

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Spice up your summer drinks with aromatic fresh herbs such as rosemary. Here, its subtle earthy flavor complements the sweetness of the pineapple in this tasty, healthy potluck drink recipe. It's ideal to share with wine and beer fans since it includes both!

Buy It: Luigi Bormioli Michelangelo Pitcher ($35, Bed Bath & Beyond)

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Quick Fruit Salsa

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Brighten any healthy potluck recipe spread with a fresh fruit salsa recipe. Cucumber, avocado, and fresh basil combine with kiwifruit, lime juice, and a sprinkle of chili powder to make a light and easy condiment. Try it with chips or on top of hot dogs or your favorite grilled protein.

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French Chopped Salad

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Invite a healthy potluck dish to the party that's full of flavor and nutrition. Colorful veggies, olives, and hard-cooked eggs (here are three ways to make them!) make up this quick dish. A sweet-and-tangy homemade tarragon vinaigrette ties it all together.

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White Strawberry Sangria

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One of our fan and staff favorites, this fresh take on sangria combines strawberry schnapps and white wine to create a crisp, sweet drink that's perfect to share. Like your drinks to be on the drier side? Opt for a citrus-forward vino like Sauvignon Blanc or vinho verde and skip the sugar. Just be sure to add plenty of sliced fresh strawberries for an extra burst of fruity flavor and color in this healthy potluck recipe.

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Greek Pasta Salad

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Mix up this Mediterranean-inspired pasta salad in advance so it'll be ready to go when you are. The healthy potluck dish can be tossed together up to 24 hours in advance and tastes even better chilled for at least 4 hours before diving in. Fresh, seasonal veggies add a satisfying crunch when paired with penne pasta and crumbled feta cheese.

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Corn Salad with Queso Fresco

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Don't save this Mexican-inspired recipe for taco night alone. Chilled and spiced to perfection, this simple side dish is tasty served alongside any healthy potluck entrée. Queso fresco, sweet pepper, red onion, and chile pepper perk up fresh corn kernels for a pretty (and pretty delicious) healthy potluck food idea.

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Edamame-Avocado Dip

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This simple and quick appetizer is one of our best-loved dip recipes! Avocado and edamame are seasoned with basil pesto and lemon juice for an impressive potluck dish that's both healthful and incredibly delicious. Did we mention it feeds a crowd of 20? (Well, 10 if you hang out with folks who eat like us.) Scoop up the healthy potluck recipe with toasted pita chips, whole grain crackers, or fresh vegetable sticks.

24 Healthy Potluck Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is a good protein for a potluck? ›

A favorite Ideal Protein dinner is always a crowd pleaser from Chili Con Carne, mini tacos w/ jicama wraps, Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup, Crackslaw, Naked Burrito Casserole or Pizza Burger Casserole (just to name a few, of hundreds of favorites).

Is there a free app for potluck organizing? ›

BringIt is a FREE app for organizing together with friends, neighbors, co-workers, and loved ones! We make it fun to coordinate and host Thanksgiving, Christmas, and potlucks, and to plan camping trips and all kinds of gatherings! Create new events, add items to the event, and invite friends and participants.

How many portions should you have for a potluck? ›

As a general rule, plan for one main dish serving and one or two side dish servings per person.

What's the easiest thing to bring to a potluck? ›

Pasta Salad: A simple pasta salad with veggies and Italian dressing is quick and budget-friendly. Vegetable Tray: Bring a colorful assortment of fresh vegetables with dip. Deviled Eggs: Hard-boiled eggs filled with a flavorful mixture are always a hit.

What is a good finger food to bring to a potluck? ›

Potluck Finger Foods
  • Outrageously Good Stuffed Celery. ...
  • Crock Pot Cream Cheese Taco Dip Recipe. ...
  • Strawberry Goat Cheese Appetizer • (Video) • Two Purple Figs. ...
  • Firecracker Chicken Meatballs Recipe | Little Spice Jar. ...
  • Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Truffles | A Make Ahead Holiday Appetizer!

What is one strategy for making a healthy choice when at a potluck dinner? ›

Fill up on high fiber foods such as salads, vegetables, and whole grains and take small servings of high fat foods. Potluck dinners include many food options. Bring a low-fat dish and encourage others to do the same. At least you will know the dish that you prepared is healthy.

What are the most popular finger foods for parties? ›

Some of my favorites: Deviled eggs, bruschetta, crackers with cheese and dried salami, artichoke & spinach dip with tortilla chips, stuffed mushrooms, mini-spanakopita, Chinese dumplings. What are some tasty but easy to make snacks or appetizers that don't involve any cooking? Salami cheese wraps.

How to make a perfect potluck? ›

60 Tips for Your Next Potluck
  1. "What can I bring?" Make it easy for guests by prepping a list of what you will need. ...
  2. Signature dish, you say? ...
  3. Assign dishes. ...
  4. Be specific. ...
  5. Set a theme. ...
  6. Picky eaters can be found in any group of kids. ...
  7. Consider dietary needs and allergies. ...
  8. Plan for variety.

Does potluck have to be homemade? ›

If you don't have time to cook, there's a world of store-bought food that is acceptable to bring to a potluck. Cheese and crackers, a veggie tray from the produce section or a box of cookies from the in-house bakery are all good options.

How do you make a potluck list? ›

How it Works
  1. Set a Date. Enter name, date, and location of get-together.
  2. Create Menu. Create categories (e.g. sides, beverages, mains) and quantity needed.
  3. Invite Others. Share so friends, family, and neighbors can sign up to bring an item.
  4. Sign Up. People respond to the invitation and sign up to bring something.

What is the healthy potluck challenge? ›

Assign everyone a mystery ingredient. Choose a vegetable, lean protein, whole grain or fruit. Everyone brings a dish highlighting their mystery ingredient. Have each member of the team make a favorite salad to share.

Can I bring store bought food for potluck? ›

These are store-bought foods that everyone is happy to see, or even perhaps expects, on the spread. Think of items such as the best cookies or sandwiches in town from a mom-and-pop storefront. Just make sure to arrive with the prepared foods on your own serving platter. Many times, no one will be the wiser anyway.

Is it rude to eat at a potluck if you didn t bring anything? ›

There is no proper etiquette for not bringing food if you intend to eat. You should bring something. Otherwise you're being a freeloader. People don't like freeloaders.

What to bring to a potluck last minute? ›

Last-Minute Appetizers
  • Ham and Cheese Tortilla Roll Ups. You can put anything in tortilla pinwheels, like this recipe with ham and ranch seasoning. ...
  • 5-Minute Taco Dip. ...
  • Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese. ...
  • Crockpot Meatballs with Grape Jelly Sauce. ...
  • 5-Minute Black Bean Dip. ...
  • Pimento Cheese. ...
  • Antipasto Platter. ...
  • Homemade Salsa.
Nov 29, 2023

What is a good meal to feed a large crowd? ›

Make it easy by prepping any veggies in a food processor like the Ninja™ Professional XL food processor.
  • Taco Bar. A taco bar is one of the best inexpensive meals for large groups. ...
  • Meatballs. ...
  • Butter Chicken. ...
  • Lasagna. ...
  • Chili. ...
  • Homemade Pizza. ...
  • Baked Pasta. ...
  • Skewers.
Apr 4, 2023

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