15 Summer Potluck Recipes That Travel Well
Summer potluck recipes that travel well AND taste great?? Yes, it’s possible. I’ve put together 15 recipes that hold up during transport and are perfect for sharing. Because we’ve all been there when a beautiful dish gets ruined on the way to a gathering! This mix includes refreshing salads, sturdy main dishes, and desserts that won’t melt or slide around.
Old-Fashioned Lemonade
Sweet but tart, simple but perfect. This is a lemonade method you might not have tried yet, but once you do… you won’t go back.
Best For: Backyard movie nights
Creamy Mandarin Orange and Pineapple Cake
An easy to make cake with sweet tropical fruits mixed right in. A cool and creamy crowdpleaser.
Best For: A summer birthday
Shrimp Macaroni Salad with Old Bay
This Shrimp and Old Bay Macaroni Salad is the ultimate side dish—creamy, zesty, and packed with flavor. Make it once, and you’ll be hooked!
Best For: Lakeside gatherings
Old-Fashioned Southern Coleslaw That Goes With Everything
This coleslaw recipe is the star of any meal. Learn how to make the perfect creamy, tangy, and crunchy Southern coleslaw!
Best For: BBQ potlucks
Pepperoni Bread with Easy Homemade Dough
Looking for a fun and tasty recipe for your kids? This simple pepperoni bread recipe will become your new favorite go-to.
Best For: Game night with friends
Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad
Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad is a very flavorful salad full of vegetables, feta cheese, & topped with a tasty dressing. A great potluck salad!
Best For: Ladies’ lunch in the garden
Fried Cajun Chicken Tenders
Crispy, flavorful, and easy to make—these Cajun Fried Chicken Tenders are about to become your new favorite recipe. A must-try!
Best For: Casual graduation gatherings
Greek Orzo Salad with Sun-dried Tomatoes
Try this delicious Greek Orzo Salad with Sun-dried Tomatoes. It has all the great Greek salad flavors but with hearty orzo pasta.
Best For: Backyard dinner parties
Amish Broccoli Salad
Crunchy, savory, and sweet—this Amish Broccoli Salad is more than just a side dish. Learn how to make it perfectly every time.
Best For: Neighborhood block parties
Party Sub Sandwiches (Easy + Make Ahead)
Looking for an easy, crowd-pleasing recipe? This sub sandwich with bacon mayo is delicious and simple to make.
Best For: Sports watch parties
Red Hot & Blue Copycat Potato Salad (the BEST Redskin Potato Salad)
This copycat recipe will instantly earn a spot in your summer barbecue rotation. It’s easy to make and has a unique texture and flavor that blows any other potato salad recipe out of the water.
Best For: Fourth of July cookouts
Fresh and Easy Cucumber and Tomato Pasta Salad
Transform your summer meals with this easy and delicious cucumber and tomato pasta salad. Fresh, and delish with the best homemade dressing.
Best For: Pool party buffets
Southwest Rice Salad (Easy and Fresh)
Fresh veggies, zesty dressing, and the perfect rice blend—this Southwest Rice Salad might just be the most flavorful side dish you’ll ever make.
Best For: Outdoor concert picnics
The Best Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe
Get ready for your summer BBQ with this traditional Hawaiian Mac Salad! This creamy macaroni salad is a GREAT recipe and the perfect side dish for cookouts.
Best For: Beach day gatherings
Summertime Peach Bundt Cake
Bake a stunning Summer Peach Bundt Cake that’s bursting with fresh peach flavor.
Best For: Family reunion dessert table
Heart’s Content Farmhouse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This means that when you click on certain links on this site and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely believe in and would use in my own kitchen. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
LUNCIA Double Decker Insulated Casserole Carrier for Hot or Cold Food, Lasagna Lugger Tote for Potluck Parties/Picnic/Cookouts, Fits 9gisgfim 2Pcs Lemon Serving Trays with Handles 16 x 11 Inch Large Melamine Tray Rectangular Yellow Lemon Serving Platter Spring Tray Melamine Dishes for Serving Food Outdoor Dinner Dessert Plates Party
Rachael Ray Salad Container For Lunch, Salad Lunch Container For Adults, Salad Bowl Kit With Compartments For Salad Dressing & Toppings, Includes Ice Pack
Beieverluck 6 Pack Large Silicone Cooking Spoons 10.8” Heat Resistant Kitchen Spoons for Cooking Silicone Serving Stirring Mixing Spoons, 6 Colors
Cake Cupcake Carrier with Lid and Handle + Cake Stand Plate with Dome | 10
Reusable Paper Towels 24 Pack 13x10in, Sunflower Towels, Reusable Paper Towels Washable Roll, Kitchen Paper Towels, Reusable Napkins, Zero Waste, Reusable Paper Towels Washable, Eco Friendly
Tips for Bringing Food to a Potluck
Pack cold foods with ice packs and use insulated containers – this keeps everything at a safe temperature during travel. Nope, not even “just a quick car ride” is an excuse to skip this step!
Transport sturdy items on the bottom and delicate dishes on top. Your beautiful layered salad deserves better than being squished under a heavy casserole dish.
Consider making foods that taste GREAT at room temperature. Some dishes are actually better when not piping hot or ice cold.
Pre-cut anything that needs slicing. Nobody wants to watch you struggle to cut a cake with a plastic knife while a line forms behind you.
Bring your own serving utensils! Trust me, there’s ALWAYS a shortage, and your pasta salad deserves better than being scooped with a random plastic fork.
These travel-friendly recipes will make your next potluck much easier. They hold up well, even in the summer heat. Pick any of these dishes, and you’ll have one less thing to worry about.
By Katie Shaw
Katie shares simple, reliable recipes from her home in Virginia, where she lives with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens.
15