Fun & Easy Thanksgiving Potluck Ideas

Thanksgiving is all about coming together and sharing. When you organize a potluck evening, part of the fun is guessing what everyone else will bring. If you don’t want to be known as the person who always brings the wrong dish, then dig into this list for some Thanksgiving potluck ideas!

What to Bring to a Potluck on Thanksgiving:

The Do’s:

Try to bring food that is:

• Complementary to the main foods or theme.
• Easily shareable.
• Bite-sized.
• Doesn’t make a mess.
• Isn’t overly fragrant.

The Dont’s:

Avoid bringing food that is:

• Too filling if it’s only meant to be an appetizer.
• Too spicy for most people.
• Includes common allergens (or if you do, make sure ot label the allergens).
• To messy to be eaten while socializing.

Grab it now on Instacart:

Président Brie Cheese (1 lb)

Rao's Marinara Sauce (24 oz)

Simply Nature Quinoa Chips Sea Salt (3.5 oz)

Lucky Foods Bulgogi KBBQ (425 g)

Lantana Hummus, Beet (10 oz)

Dona Maria Mole Mexican Sauce (8.25 oz)

Pocky Biscuit Sticks, Chocolate (4.48 oz)

Castillo Sauce, Amor Chamoy (33 fl oz)

Thanksgiving Pull-apart Appetizers

Pull-aparts are a classic for anyone who loves bread and baking. If you’re not familiar, they’re basically a bundle of fluffy goodness that can be separated into individual portions and then dipped in dips:

1. Pull-apart with melted brie cheese

Bake a pull-apart crown, and just before the baking time is over, pop in an open brie cheese in the middle so your friends and family can dip in the bread in the creamy, silky cheese.

2. Italian pull-apart with marinara sauce

Use premade pizza dough to make little balls, put them together, and coat them with olive oil, fresh rosemary, and kosher salt. Then warm up some marinara sauce, toss in some fresh basil, and yum!

Holiday Potluck Nachos

Nachos don’t always need to be the typical fare with meat, cheese, and guacamole. These options provide some variety to the classic sharing dish:

3. Nachos with quinoa chips

If you are a bit tired of tortilla chips, why not try the protein-rich goodness of quinoa chips? They are crispy, wavy, and delicious. They are a bit more fragile than tortilla chips, so keep your nachos on the non-soggy side. 

4. Korean-Mexican nachos

Korean and Mexican food are a match made in heaven! This unlikely combo has already taken over the food truck world. Use bulgogi beef sauce for your mince, then add kimchi and cheese, and you will get the tastiest nachos of the night. 

Mediterranean Potluck Ideas

Spice up your hummus and fall in love with falafel with these delicious ideas:

5. Hummus rainbow

You can create a visual symphony of flavor by putting different hummus flavors or toppings side by side. Beetroot hummus, such as the Lantana Beet Hummus, is colorful and yummy. Toppings can include roasted pine nuts, lamb, dukkah, or pistachios.

6. Falafel sliders

Falafel is a little ball of happiness made of chickpea and spices—and it is also the perfect meat substitute. You can make them from scratch or get a kit. Once they’re warm, put a generous layer of guacamole or Siracha mayo in a slider bun, add a slice of crunchy lettuce or a slice of tomato, and then use the tahini sauce as a dip.

Thanksgiving Fondues

The classic European fare is perfect as a centerpiece for your potluck Thanksgiving buffet. There is plenty of variety when it comes to ingredients, flavors, and price:

7. Cheese fondue

You can opt for the traditional mix of swiss, gouda, and Emmental cheeses or add some flavorful blue cheese. Cut a baguette into small pieces, put out a few broccoli and cauliflower florets, and let people enjoy. 

8. Chocofondue

Fondue is so versatile that it can also be a dessert. Melt baking chocolate with coconut oil to add consistency and dip strawberries, marshmallows, or bananas.

Macaroni and Cheese Potluck Ideas

There’s nothing that spells “family gathering” like a good ol’ mac n’ cheese. But you don’t need to make it from a box or use actual macaroni pasta.

9. Shell mac and cheese

Use shell-shaped conchiglie instead of elbow pasta. You will be surprised at how much extra cheese sauce this pasta shape can hold.

10. Feta mac and cheese

Sprinkle feta cheese over the top before popping the tray in the oven! Feta cheese gives the dish a crusty and salty final touch. 

Thanksgiving Enchiladas

The dish is perfect to feed large groups of people. These tortilla bundles can be as decadent or as healthy as you want and do not need to be extra-fiery… tame flavors can also pack a punch:

11. Oyster mushroom and salsa verde enchiladas

Use the traditional recipe but swap the pulled chicken for chopped oyster mushrooms, which have a meaty texture. 

12. Mole enchiladas

Mole is a legendary and ancient Mexican sauce made with a chocolate base.

Vegan Dishes for Thanksgiving Potlucks

Sweet potatoes are indigenous to the Americas, a perfect spud to showcase during Thanksgiving. Stuffed sweet potatoes are cozy and filling and can offer the perfect sweet base for a savory dish:

13. Sweet potato jackets stuffed with tofu bolognese 

For the vegans at the party, make a ground tofu bolognese full of veggie goodness and stuff it in the sweet potato jacket.

14. Bean chili stuffed sweet potato jackets

Beans are the perfect base for a good chili. Make a bean-based classic and serve it in sweet potato jackets. The spicy and sweet combo is a knockout.

Charcuterie and Antipasto Jars for Thanksgiving Potlucks

You can use nice mason jars to separate individual portions of snacks that will get the conversation going:

15. Vegetarian charcuterie jar

Crunchy tempeh and tofu sticks, cucumber, carrots, and more all look great when placed inside a jar.

16. Hot charcuterie jar

Go for breadsticks, salami, and other spicy cold cuts for a meaty and spicy surprise.

17. Pickles in a jar

Cucumber is not the only vegetable or root that can be pickled. Offer your guests an array of tantalizing acidity with daikon radishes, onions, and slaw. 

18. Dried fruit and nuts jar

This fruit and nut combo will be perfect for the after-dinner drinks to help keep that scotch down.

19. Pocky jar

The kids (and adults!) will love this classic Japanese snack. There are plenty of flavors to choose from. Pocky will become one of your household classics. 

20. Crudites with chamoy

Carrot, jicama, and cucumber sticks will sing with the classic Mexican sauce chamoy made with chili and apricot.

Start Your Thanksgiving Shopping List

We are sure that you will have a memorable Thanksgiving this year, reconnecting with friends and family. These Thanksgiving potluck ideas will surely provide a conversation starter and help you build lasting culinary memories. 

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