50 Thanksgiving Potluck Ideas for the Perfect Holiday Feast
I actually really like the idea of a Thanksgiving potluck. Everyone brings something, nobody has to cook absolutely everything themselves and you end up with a table full of all sorts of different food to try.
The only problem is deciding what to take! You want something that travels well, doesn’t take all day to make and, ideally, is something people are actually going to want to eat. I’ve pulled together 50 ideas here, so there’s loads to choose from.
There are appetizers and dips, plenty of sides, a few more filling dishes and, of course, lots of desserts. Some are really simple too, so you don’t have to volunteer yourself for hours in the kitchen just because you said you’d bring something.
Why You’ll Love These Recipes
- There’s loads to choose from. I’ve included appetizers, sides, mains and desserts, so there should be something here no matter what you’ve been asked to bring.
- Most of them are really easy. Because nobody needs to be making something complicated when there’s already so much going on around Thanksgiving.
- They’re great for sharing. These are all recipes that work well when you’re feeding a crowd or taking a dish along for everyone to dig into.
- You can get ahead with quite a few of them. Some can be made completely ahead of time, while others just need a little prep before the day.
- There are plenty of Thanksgiving favorites. Think cranberry, pumpkin, apple, stuffing, sweet potato and all those cozy fall flavors that just work at this time of year.
Thanksgiving Potluck Appetizers & Dips
1. Cranberry Pecan Mini Cheese Balls
These are great for a potluck because they’re easy to make ahead and everyone can just grab one when they want one.
GET THE RECIPE2. Crockpot Cranberry Meatballs
These are so easy for a potluck because you can leave them keeping warm in the slow cooker and let everyone help themselves.
GET THE RECIPE3. Brie Phyllo Tarts
These little tarts are easy to pick up and eat, so they’re perfect for putting out with the appetizers at a Thanksgiving potluck.
GET THE RECIPE4. Cranberry Jalapeno Dip
I’d take this along with some crackers and let everyone dig in while they’re waiting for the main food.
GET THE RECIPE5. Maple Butter Chicken Bacon Sliders
Sliders always work well for a potluck, and these are really easy to make a big batch of for everyone to help themselves.
GET THE RECIPE6. Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Turkey Sliders
I love anything you can leave cooking in the slow cooker on a busy day, and these are easy to serve straight from the pot when everyone’s ready to eat.
GET THE RECIPE7. Hot Honey Apple Cheddar Turkey Sliders
Turkey, apple and cheddar make these feel really right for Thanksgiving, and the hot honey gives them a little something extra.
GET THE RECIPE8. Mini Cranberry Brie Pull-Apart Bread
This is a good one to put in the middle of the table and let everyone pull a piece off as they want one.
Servings: 2-3
Ingredients:
- 1 can of refrigerated biscuits (8 biscuits)
- 1 wheel of brie
- 1/2 cup of whole cranberry sauce
- 1 tablespoon of butter
- Cooking spray
Instructions:
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 6-inch bundt cake pan with cooking spray.
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Cut each biscuit into eight pieces, then roll the pieces into small balls with your hands.
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Add a layer of biscuit balls to the pan, followed by spoonfuls of cranberry sauce and cubes of brie.
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Continue layering biscuit pieces, cranberry sauce, and brie until the pan is filled.
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Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the microwave.
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Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the layered ingredients.
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Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.
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Let the bread cool in the pan for a few minutes after baking.
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Invert the bundt pan onto a serving plate and enjoy warm.
9. Pecan Bacon Cheese Ball
You can make this one ahead of time, then just take it along with plenty of crackers for everyone to dig into.
Servings: 8-10
Ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded triple cheddar cheese
- ½ cup bacon bits
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ¼ cup sliced scallions
- 2 tbsp milk (of your choice)
- 2 tsp everything bagel seasoning
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black crushed pepper, to taste
Instructions:
-
In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, shredded cheddar, seasonings, and milk. Mix with a hand mixer until smooth and well blended.
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Stir in half of the bacon bits, half of the scallions, and half of the pecans (chopped into smaller pieces).
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Place a sheet of plastic wrap on the counter, transfer the cheese mixture onto it, then wrap tightly and shape into a ball.
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Refrigerate the cheeseball for 20 minutes to firm up.
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In a shallow bowl, combine the remaining pecans, bacon bits, and scallions.
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Remove the cheeseball from the fridge, unwrap it, and roll it in the pecan mixture until fully coated.
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Serve with crackers or your favorite dippers.
10. Pumpkin Pie Dip
For something sweet that doesn’t involve baking a whole dessert, this is an easy one to take along with cookies or graham crackers for dipping.
GET THE RECIPE11. Pecan Pie Dip
If you love pecan pie but want something a bit easier for a potluck, this is great for putting out with plenty of things to dip into it.
GET THE RECIPE12. Cinnamon Roll Dip
This is such an easy sweet option for a potluck, and you can take along cookies, fruit or pretzels for everyone to dip into it.
GET THE RECIPE13. Pumpkin Spice Cookie Dough Dip
Another really easy one if you’re in charge of something sweet, especially as you can make it ahead and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to go.
GET THE RECIPE14. Candied Nuts Chex Mix
I’d put a big bowl of this out for everyone to snack on throughout the day, and it’s really easy to make ahead too.
GET THE RECIPEThanksgiving Potluck Side Dishes
15. Sweet Potato Casserole
You can’t really go wrong with a classic Thanksgiving side like this, and it’s easy to make a big dish to share with everyone.
GET THE RECIPE16. Apple Stuffing
The apple adds a little sweetness to a classic Thanksgiving side, and it’s an easy one to make in a big batch for a potluck.
GET THE RECIPE17. Vegetable & Herb Stuffing
If you’ve been asked to bring a side, this is a nice simple option that goes with pretty much everything else on the Thanksgiving table.
GET THE RECIPE18. Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are always going to go down well at Thanksgiving, and the extra garlic makes them even better.
GET THE RECIPE19. Stuffing Biscuits
I love these as something a little different for the potluck table, and they’re really easy for everyone to grab alongside their dinner.
GET THE RECIPE20. Honey Butter Skillet Corn
Corn is such an easy side to add to a Thanksgiving spread, and the honey butter gives this one a little extra sweetness.
GET THE RECIPE21. Maple Glazed Bacon-Wrapped Sprouts
Even people who aren’t usually excited about Brussels sprouts might be tempted by these once you add bacon and a sticky maple glaze.
GET THE RECIPE22. Baked Brussels Sprouts and Carrots
If you want to bring some veggies, this is an easy side that fits right in with all the usual Thanksgiving food.
GET THE RECIPE23. Braised Collard Greens
A big dish of these is really easy to share around and makes a nice change from some of the more usual Thanksgiving sides.
GET THE RECIPE24. Apple Walnut Blue Cheese Salad
Something fresh is always nice when there are lots of heavier dishes on the table, and the apple, walnuts and blue cheese make this feel really fall-ish too.
GET THE RECIPE25. Slow Cooker Swamp Potatoes
Anything you can make in the slow cooker is handy for a potluck, and you can keep these warm until everyone’s ready to eat.
GET THE RECIPE26. Red Cabbage Slaw
A crunchy slaw is a nice way to add something lighter to the table, especially when there are already plenty of rich Thanksgiving dishes to choose from.
GET THE RECIPE27. Potato and Feta Salad
You can make a big bowl of this ahead of time and take it along ready to serve, which is always handy for a potluck.
GET THE RECIPEMain Dishes for a Thanksgiving Potluck
28. Cranberry White Cheddar Chicken Pasta
For something a bit more filling, this has plenty of those Thanksgiving flavors but still feels like an easy pasta dish everyone can dig into.
GET THE RECIPE29. Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is always a safe bet when you’re feeding a crowd, and adding chicken, bacon and ranch makes it filling enough to work as a main dish too.
GET THE RECIPE30. Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Bake
If you need something a bit more substantial to take along, this is easy to make in one big dish and there’s plenty to go around.
GET THE RECIPE31. Air Fryer Turkey Meatloaf
Using turkey makes this feel right at home on a Thanksgiving table, but it’s much easier than cooking a whole bird for a potluck.
GET THE RECIPE32. White Chicken Chili Mac and Cheese
This is a good one when you need something filling for a potluck, and it’s easy to make a big batch so there’s plenty to go around.
GET THE RECIPE33. Crockpot Turkey Pot Pie
I like this one for using turkey in a slightly different way, and the slow cooker does most of the work for you too.
GET THE RECIPEThanksgiving Breads & Extras
34. Cranberry Cream Cheese Bread
Cranberry makes this feel really Thanksgiving-y, and you can slice it up before you go so it’s easy for everyone to help themselves.
GET THE RECIPE35. Orange Cranberry Walnut Sourdough
The cranberry, orange and walnuts make this feel really seasonal, and it’s lovely sliced up and added to the Thanksgiving table for everyone to share.
GET THE RECIPE36. Cranberry Orange Muffins
Muffins are always easy to take along to a potluck, and the cranberry and orange make these feel right for Thanksgiving too.
GET THE RECIPE37. Sugared Cranberries
You could put a bowl of these out for people to snack on, or use them to add a little something extra to the Thanksgiving table.
GET THE RECIPEThanksgiving Potluck Desserts
38. Pumpkin Dump Cake
If you’re on dessert duty, this is a really easy one to make and there’s plenty to scoop out for a crowd.
GET THE RECIPE39. Chocolate Ganache Pumpkin Pie
Chocolate and pumpkin are a bit of a change from the usual Thanksgiving pie, but they work sooo well together and this is easy to slice and share.
GET THE RECIPE40. Pumpkin Cheesecake Mini Trifles
Individual desserts are always handy at a potluck, and these can be made ahead so they’re ready to grab straight from the table.
GET THE RECIPE41. Pumpkin Apple Pie
Combining pumpkin and apple means you get two Thanksgiving favorites in one dessert, which sounds pretty good to me!
GET THE RECIPE42. Cranberry Sauce Poke Cake
This is a fun way to use those classic cranberry flavors in a dessert, and a big cake is always easy to share at a potluck.
GET THE RECIPE43. Caramel Apple Sheet Cake
A big sheet cake makes sense when you’re feeding lots of people, and the caramel and apple give this one a lovely fall feel.
GET THE RECIPE44. Pumpkin Cheesecake
I’d happily bring this instead of a traditional pumpkin pie, especially as you can make it ahead and keep it chilled until you’re ready to go.
GET THE RECIPE45. Pumpkin Gingerbread Poke Cake
The pumpkin and gingerbread make this feel really seasonal, and it’s an easy dessert to make in a big dish and take along to share.
GET THE RECIPE46. Pumpkin Pie Truffles
No plates or forks needed with these, which makes them really handy for a potluck dessert table.
GET THE RECIPE47. Pumpkin Biscoff Truffles
Biscoff goes so well with pumpkin, and these little bite-sized treats are really easy to pass around at a potluck.
GET THE RECIPE48. Pecan Pie Fudge
You still get those classic pecan pie flavors, but in little pieces that are much easier to grab from the dessert table.
GET THE RECIPE49. Caramel Apple Fluff
For something a little different on the dessert table, this is easy to make ahead and has plenty of caramel apple flavor.
GET THE RECIPE50. Pumpkin Fluff Salad
If you need a really easy dessert to take along, you can make this ahead and keep it chilled until it’s time to eat.
GET THE RECIPEThere are so many good ideas here that I’m not sure I’d know what to pick. I’d probably end up volunteering to bring a side and a dessert because apparently I like making more work for myself!
I hope you’ve found a few ideas you like too. If you’re still stuck, I’d go for one of the make-ahead recipes and save yourself some stress on the day.
