As I learned growing up, the idea of a Thanksgiving potluck can make or break the holiday meal. My family would gather at my grandparents’ house every year and we would all help with the side dishes and desserts. Some of these dishes became instant favorites, while others (like my aunt’s store-bought sugar cookies and another’s mushy sweet potato casserole) were less memorable. Over time, we’ve learned that a great Thanksgiving potluck lineup requires some thoughtful planning to avoid lackluster donations and ensure a truly delicious spread.
36 potluck ideas to spice up your Thanksgiving night.
Now that I’m hosting Thanksgiving with my family, I’ve learned firsthand how important it is to serve meals that are crowd-pleasing and easy to share. To help you avoid last-minute grocery shopping and less-than-ideal choices, we’ve compiled the best Thanksgiving potluck ideas that will yield a satisfying meal for everyone at the table.
spinach artichoke tart
If you love the flavor combination of spinach and artichoke, these tarts are perfect for incorporating it without the hassle of cleanup or half-eaten dishes.
Pear and honey toasted pistachio ricotta board
Sometimes a simple charcuterie-style dish is needed to round out the spread. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice quality and flavor. Add a board of ricotta cheese.
smoky eggplant spread
For dip teeth Make this smoky eggplant dip for your Thanksgiving potluck card. No more store-bought hummus or French onion dip. This is one of those recipes that your guests will be begging you for at the end of the night.
sour cream and onion biscuits
Who wouldn’t want to add biscuits to their Thanksgiving plate? Gone are the days of eating dry biscuits and craving butter. These sour cream and onion biscuits are next level on their own.
Squash and farro salad with apple, goat cheese and pecans
This pumpkin and farro salad is practically made for a cozy night in or for a Thanksgiving potluck. This hearty bowl is packed with all the seasonal ingredients, along with special toppings like creamy goat cheese and crunchy pecans.
Holiday Jewels Chopped Kale Salad with Mustard-Shallot Vinaigrette
Think you’re not a fan of kale salad? Let’s think again. Add pear slices, crushed gorgonzola, pomegranate, and a mustard-shallot vinaigrette and it goes from bland to the best I’ve ever had. Perfect for holiday parties.
cauliflower tabbouleh
For my gluten-free friends, this salad is light and hearty. It captures all the colors and flavors of the holiday season and is the perfect festive main dish.
apple walnut salad
Apples may be ignored in favor of ubiquitous pumpkins, but this salad illustrates why you should be eating apples by the bushel. Fruity, peppery, crunchy, and salty, the different ingredients combine to create the perfect balance of flavor and color.
autumn harvest salad
I love salads that are simple and quick to eat. The highly entertaining Sophie Collins created this recipe to add fresh flavor and stunning color to your fall gatherings. A combination of hardy greens and crunchy seeds, this salad proves it’s more than just nutrition.
Roasted delicata squash with feta, almonds and herbs
For me, fall is the season to enjoy seasonal ingredients as much as possible. There’s so much great produce to try. If you haven’t yet ridden the squash wave, now is your chance.
pesto parmesan potatoes
Flavorful potatoes made with just 5 ingredients? Music to my ears! Choose a variety of small potatoes (Yukon, baby potatoes, baby potatoes) and toss with pesto, fruity olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add roasted garlic and Parmesan cheese.
Roasted acorn squash with rosemary
Butternut squash may be popular (and yes, I love it), but for me, acorn squash reigns supreme. In this recipe, half moons are tossed with olive oil, brown sugar, rosemary, and red pepper flakes and roasted until golden and tender.
Cacio e Pepe Brussels Sprouts
Pair your favorite pasta dishes with the best fall and winter vegetables to create a beautiful dish. This recipe is courtesy of the always creative Tieghan Gerard.. The Brussels sprouts are crunchy and caramelized, and the generous amount of Parmesan cheese definitely helps.
Stir-fried potatoes with salt and vinegar
Have you ever come across a potato that claims to be “earth-shakingly” crispy? I didn’t think so. Let us introduce you to the most coveted and worthy spuds. With just 5 simple ingredients and 40 minutes of prep and cooking time, these delicious dishes are ready.
creamy butternut squash pasta
This butternut squash pasta is a simple dairy-free recipe that also doubles as a great centerpiece. I love pasta for any occasion and Thanksgiving is no exception.
Roasted Honey Nut Squash with Hot Honey, Pecans and Rosemary
A whole roasted pumpkin looks cute and makes an easy-to-eat garnish. Plus, hot honey is all the rage right now. This recipe is the perfect excuse to add hot honey to your cart.
Roasted heirloom carrots with wild rice and goat cheese
This recipe is courtesy of our resident wellness expert, Edie. This dish is not only packed with nutrients, but also packed with flavor. Is there crumbled goat cheese on top? *chef’s kiss*
whole roasted butternut squash
Minimal effort and maximum flavor are the two key ingredients in this butternut squash. When it comes to Thanksgiving potluck ideas, this might be the easiest, high-protein cake that won’t require you to spend hours in the kitchen.
Butternut squash and ricotta tart
Come on…have you ever seen a better main course than this?I don’t think so. If you’re looking for something to please a crowd, this butternut squash tart is perfect while keeping it vegetarian.
Butternut squash pizza with arugula and almond ricotta
Pizza and flatbread are great options for a Thanksgiving potluck because they can be served at room temperature and are vegetarian-friendly (just leave out the bacon). This recipe calls for homemade almond ricotta, so all your vegan friends can join in!
salted turkey
If you’re looking for a turkey recipe that gives you crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat, give this one a try. Camille brought in award-winning Austin-based restaurant owner and chef Michael Fojtasek. Oramaieshows how it is done.
roast chicken
This chicken is easy enough to make every week, but special enough to wow everyone at your Thanksgiving banquet. As Camille writes, removing the backbone (the secret to this recipe) “increases the surface area for direct contact with the heat,” resulting in a crispy, golden crust (and cooks much faster than you might expect). Masu).
Oven-baked citrus salmon with fennel and herbs
salmon? Is it for Thanksgiving? Although this holiday is my favorite, I have to admit that I’m not a huge fan of turkey (and I know I’m not alone in this). If you think your guests might be craving something other than the traditional bird, this slow-roasted salmon is the answer.
Pumpkin pie with gingersnap crust
Nothing beats this pumpkin pie. It’s a fail-safe recipe that will ensure you’ll never reach for store-bought dough again. Plus, the stunning toppings make it the star of your Thanksgiving table.
pumpkin tiramisu
If you’re making this fall-inspired tiramisu recipe for a Thanksgiving potluck, be sure to save it at home before bringing it to the party. It’s gone before you can say, “Dessert is ready!”
Pear plumeria tart
More than apple pie, this fruit dessert is the winner of this year’s Thanksgiving dessert contest. If you’re tired of the traditional pie you always bring to gatherings, try this savory and sweet pear tart.
pumpkin loaf cake
I couldn’t shut up for months after I first made this pumpkin loaf cake recipe. That’s why it’s worth attending a Thanksgiving potluck. The icing on the cake (literally) is made from cream cheese and sprinkled with crushed walnuts. It’s truly sacred.
pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
Chewy, melty, and lightly salted, these pumpkin cookies take your typical chocolate chip cookie to the next level. The key here is chopped dark chocolate instead of regular semi-sweet chocolate chips. Please take my word for it.
Dairy and gluten free pumpkin pie
Pumpkin pie is a classic and a holiday dessert that everyone can enjoy. That’s why we’ve adapted some of our favorite recipes so our gluten-free friends can join in too. amazing It’s easier to create than it looks. Check out the post for step-by-step tips.
brown butter bourbon apple crisp
Apple crisp is as easy as pie. But just because it’s simple doesn’t mean you can’t make a few tweaks to enhance the flavor. Add the browned butter. Marinating apples with bourbon, brown sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon certainly doesn’t hurt.
Chewy pumpkin spice cookies
If you’re heading to a more casual Thanksgiving potluck, you need these pumpkin spice cookies. It perfectly captures the sweet and spicy flavors of the season. If you like chewy cookies, this is exactly what you’re looking for.
healthier pumpkin bread
Just because the recipe says “healthier” doesn’t mean this pumpkin bread doesn’t deserve the perfect dessert. Applesauce, Greek yogurt, coconut oil, and maple syrup naturally sweeten the bread, revealing it’s still indulgent. Is this the perfect Thanksgiving potluck dessert? You decide.
chocolate bourbon pecan pie bar
I’m all for taking classic, popular recipes and putting a spin on them. And this pecan pie bar does just that. It’s hard to improve on the original, but adding chocolate and bourbon to the mix does it.
pumpkin snack cake
By our definition, snack cakes are casual, comforting treats that don’t require much thought or effort. That being said, you have to be happy to eat it because love and care has been put into it. This pumpkin version benefits from a coffeecake-like crumble and a moist, spiced crumb.
Spiced sweet potato cake with cream cheese frosting
Adding a sweet potato dessert to pumpkin season is a bold move. But this spiced sweet potato cake more than deserves a spot on your Thanksgiving buffet.
classic buttermilk pie
Buttermilk pie is a Southern staple, but as Camille agrees, it doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Her mother’s recipe boasts a creamy custard-like filling that’s light, airy, and slightly tangy, thanks to the buttermilk.
Source: Camille Styles – camillestyles.com
