30 Easy Potluck Recipes {Best Ever!}

Hosting your first potluck and want to make sure it's a smash? There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to hosting the best potluck!

1. Assign everyone a category: You don't want everyone to show up to the potluck with a dessert! Assign everyone in the group a specific category or course for the potluck including appetizers, mains, salads, side dishes, desserts and drinks.
2. Communicate any dietary restrictions: If certain people at the party have allergies and dairy restrictions, make sure you communicate that with your guests, so they can keep it in mind when prepping their assigned dish.
3. Label the dishes: This one goes hand-in-hand with the dietary restrictions! Labelling each dish is helpful for anyone who might have allergies or restrictions.
4. Arrange by category: When all the food arrives, it's best to think about the flow and how your guests will put together their plate of food. Appetizers should go first, followed by mains, salads and side dishes, with desserts at the end. I'd suggest keeping the drinks separate, in case people want to grab a drink before or after eating.
5. Reduce food waste: A great way to eliminate food waste at a potluck is by being prepared with leftover containers! Have everyone at the party bring a reusable container they can use to bring home any leftovers to enjoy throughout the week. This also ensures that the hosts won't be stuck with a bunch of excess food they won't be able to eat themselves.