Potluck Salad Recipes

Staff Picks

Chicago Macaroni Salad

My family is from Chicago. This is one of my grandma's best recipes that's been handed down. Kids love it because of the cheese cubes! It's a great potluck dish because it has a lot of color! I use salad macaroni because of its small size.

By Lisa Anne

Authentic German Potato Salad

1154

This is my mother's recipe. Everyone, German or not, loves it. It is easy to double the recipe as well. I often bring it to potlucks, and we also have it at home on special occasions. There are usually no leftovers, but if there are, they don't last long!

By Angela Louise Miller

Cornbread Salad

A colorful summer salad with great flavor. Whenever I share this dish at a potluck, I am always asked for the recipe.

By PRINCIPALCOLE

Bow-Tie Pasta Salad

My aunt and mom created this recipe. It is a family favorite and a great item to bring to picnics and potlucks.

By Alley

Aunt Karen's Brussels Sprouts Salad

This salad goes very well with most pork dishes. Light and refreshing!

By mistychesebro

Napa Cabbage Salad

335

This is a yummy, crunchy cabbage salad with toasted ramen noodles and almond slivers. The bowl is always licked clean at potlucks!

By Carol

Three Bean Salad With Celery

This salad recipe is great for summer picnics. It's delicious, quick, and easy to make. You can substitute the variety of beans in this recipe with other types and still have a great bean salad. I sometimes use cannellini beans in place of the green beans and it still tastes great!

By Kara

Thai Cucumber Salad

434

This sweet and tangy summer salad of cucumber, cilantro, and peanuts with just a hint of heat is always a hit at picnics and potlucks since it doesn't need to be refrigerated and you're pretty much guaranteed to be the only one bringing this dish!

By camp0433

Black Bean and Wild Rice Salad

I love this cold salad as a light lunch or dinner, or as a side dish in the summer or fall. The orange and herb vinaigrette is really delicious! Dried cherries are a tasty substitution for the dried cranberries. And pecans work well if you don't have cashews.

By SeattleFarmersMarketGirl

Freda's Cherry Supreme Salad

This was my grandmother Freda's 'famous' cherry salad. It was a huge hit at family gatherings. My mom mixes the lemon Jello, lemon juice, cream cheese and mayo in the blender. But here's the original recipe. Enjoy!

By c-biskit

Classic Macaroni Salad

2078

This is a salad that everyone seems to love. I always get lots of compliments on this recipe and it is just a pleasing taste that seems to suit everyone.

By Graden

Chicken Noodle Salad

Get ready to make all sorts of friends when you bring a big bowl of this Asian chicken noodle salad to the next big cookout. The only folks you might scare away are the ones who brought regular pasta salads. There's just something delightfully addictive about this special combination of cold and spicy. This recipe is the perfect catchall for all those summer vegetables we're supposed to be eating more of, as well as any dry leftover chicken you have around.

By Chef John

Inspiration and Ideas

Alyson's Broccoli Salad

1564

Confirmed broccoli haters have changed their minds after tasting this salad. It is great for potlucks or buffet meals. Make a day or so before you wish to serve to meld the ingredients. I have used sugar substitutes for the white sugar and also used nonfat or low-fat mayonnaise and it still tastes great!

Broccoli Salad with Red Grapes, Bacon, and Sunflower Seeds

Try a flavor from the beaches of the eastern shore. This refreshing yet hearty family recipe has been adopted into the families of all of our friends. We never steam a bushel of crabs without having a huge bowl of this salad and corn on the cob on the table. This dish is simply mandatory at every BBQ, potluck or pitch-in event. Give it a try!

Potato Salad

166

Spinach and Orzo Salad

606

Mediterranean Zucchini and Chickpea Salad

Perfect Potato Salad

Ranch, Bacon, and Parmesan Pasta Salad

A great side dish for the summer picnic. I made this on accident when I put some soup ingredients into the bowl instead of the stock pot. I doctored it up and added other ingredients, and voila! Use your favorite pasta shape.

Sarah's Ambrosia Fruit Salad

Rating: Unrated

37
Easy Broccoli Slaw Salad

Rating: Unrated

30
All-American Loaded Baked Potato Salad

Rating: Unrated

16
Strawberry and Feta Salad

Rating: Unrated

315
Broccoli and Tortellini Salad

Rating: Unrated

533

More Potluck Salad Recipes

Sweet Restaurant Slaw

2420

This tastes just like the cole slaw served at popular fried chicken or fish restaurants. It's excellent with burgers or on top of BBQ'd pork sandwiches, too!!!

By Sandi Gregory Johnson

Ham Salad Spread

147

Whip up a quick and easy ham salad spread with hard-cooked eggs, mayonnaise, and pickle relish. Serve with assorted crackers.

By smile_u_nut

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

This is a favorite of ours in the summer. Also great made with shrimp in place of chicken!

By sixgermans

Zesty Quinoa Salad

1073

This bright and colorful salad is a great summertime recipe (or anytime you want to feel like it's summertime). Light and citrusy, it's a whole new way to enjoy quinoa. Lime juice and cilantro give a refreshing kick, while quinoa and black beans provide tasty vegan protein. If you're not vegan, add even more protein by adding chunks of chicken or turkey. Yum!

By scrumdiddly

Strawberry Spinach Salad I

2047

Someone brought this salad to a pot luck dinner and I had to have the recipe. I have made it many, many times since then and I have been asked for the recipe every time I bring it somewhere. It is also a great way to get kids to eat spinach!

By TOZENUF

Mandarin Chicken Pasta Salad

259

I had this at a party and couldn't get it off my mind. It's a fruity Asian chicken salad that even my family's picky eaters enjoy. I bake my own chicken for more flavor, which adds to the prep time, but pre-cooked or canned chicken will also work just fine.

By KATRINP

Easy Apple Coleslaw

580

This is our favorite cole slaw recipe, a yummy combo of fruit and veggies in a sweet dressing.

By Aunt Mamie

Chef John's Classic Macaroni Salad

272

Whether it's sitting next to some smoky ribs or just a humble hot dog, this deli-style macaroni salad will always be a crowd favorite, as long as you pay attention to a few key details.

By Chef John

Antipasto Salad II

After searching for a recipe for an antipasto salad that I had envisioned in my head, I gave up and just decided to create one myself. I made this dish for a party and everyone couldn't stop talking about it. The ratio of meat/cheese to veggies can be adjusted to taste.

By Katie Greco

Warm Dijon Potato Salad

A tangy take on LaVerne Kaeppel's original recipe; this one has more dressing and a bit of a kick!

By MommyKirsten

Southwestern Pasta Salad

331

Really popular at potlucks--make a double batch! Very easy and very delicious. Serve on a bed of lettuce for a nice touch.

By Lisa Provost

Creamy Broccoli Salad

This scrumptious salad is the best tasting broccoli salad, and the dressing really makes it.

By Mark Simma

Picnic Potato Salad with No Mayonnaise

This is a great potato salad if you're looking for one without mayonnaise.

By It's A New Day

Quinoa, Beet, and Arugula Salad

147

Quinoa has a light, fluffy texture when cooked, and can be used as an alternative to white rice or couscous in most dishes. The arugula has a rich peppery taste, and has an exceptionally strong flavor for a leafy green which goes well with the slightly nutty flavor of the quinoa.

By slmcm

Super Summer Kale Salad

159

Recreated from a deli salad sold at a national grocery. Makes a HUGE bowl, enough to serve a crowd; travels well to a potluck.

By Susan

Curry Chicken Salad with Grapes

After the news that a local cafe was closing, I begged the owner for this recipe. The sweetness of the red grapes compliments the curry perfectly and the almonds provide a nice crunch. It's always a hit and I'm always asked for the recipe. It's nice served over a large leaf of romaine, on a croissant, or just out of the bowl with a fork!

By KJ0601

Blue Cheese and Dried Cranberry Tossed Salad

This is a very tasty salad; a swanky version of a regular everyday salad. The addition of blue cheese and dried cranberries give it something special. Wherever it is brought people always ask for the recipe!

By Michelle

Gourmet Chicken Salad

113

This recipe is great for picnics and potluck luncheons. It's cool, light, and great for a hot day's lunch on the patio. Serve on crescent rolls, with crackers, or your favorite bread.

By Jan Kinnard

Mediterranean Potato Salad

This is a nice change from a traditional potato salad. It's very light and goes over great at potlucks!

By hockeymom

Roasted Carrot Salad

149

Inspired by an incredibly popular salad sold in a local award winning market here in Woodstock, VT. Since they don't give out the recipe, I had to figure it out on my own. But I (and others) believe that my version is infinitely better, and I'm sure you will agree. This light, fresh and healthy salad is perfect for summer days and presents well for BBQ's, potlucks, and dinner parties alike and it is guaranteed to impress and get rave reviews every time.

By Morgan

By Carol Emory

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