Potluck dinners, suppers, or lunches can be immense fun, but it’s important to grasp the types of dishes required for the shared table before allowing your culinary skills to take over. If you’re wondering “what should I bring for potluck?”, this short foodpanda editorial offers some general guidelines, alongside suggested dishes that are popular at any kind of gathering. Don’t spend any more of your precious time worrying what you should bring for potluck; we’re always on hand to provide the answers to all your burning questions about food, entertaining, or sustainable food trends!
What is a potluck dish?
Potluck meals or shared meals have become increasingly popular with both individuals and organisations hosting events. Whether your local church is hosting a get-together following the service or family friends announce an impromptu gathering, it’s quite common now for guests to be asked to bring along dishes to grace the buffet tables. There are some simple guidelines to follow with potluck parties, though. These include preparing simple foods that are easy to carry to your destination, and it’s usually a good idea to provide dishes that don’t need any or much additional heating or preparation at the venue. You should also take along any equipment needed to serve your dish, as your party host may not have these.
What to ask before creating any potluck dishes
Before you even start to contemplate what food to take along to a potluck party, take the time to contact your host to find out whether there’s any theme to the event. For example, if you’re invited along to a potluck Christmas or Thanksgiving celebration, take a dish that fits the occasion.
So, what are the best potluck dishes that will be popular with all guests?
Very often, guests at potluck parties take along meat or baked pasta dishes that don’t tend to cater to vegetarians at the gathering. So, taking a couple of well-prepared veggie dishes to any potluck event can always hit the spot. All guests will appreciate the benefits of side dishes to accompany mains, and vegans or vegetarians will also have appropriate foods to eat at the event. If you’re no great shake in the kitchen, you could also consider taking along a collection of disposable plates, napkins, and cutlery, to help ensure your hosts don’t need to bother too much about clearing up after the party.
Are there any dishes I should not take to a potluck?
Sandwiches and crudités are not recommended for potluck meals. You don’t know how long it will be before food is served at the venue, and there’s nothing worse than dried, curling sandwiches with warm, melted fillings and spreads or dried veggies and dips. Think outside the box if you’re taking snack foods to a potluck lunch: you could perhaps consider a selection of nuts, meats and cheeses and these could also be ideal for most dietary needs.
What about ordering food in?
In honesty, ordering pizza, fried chicken or a selection of burgers can be really popular at potluck celebrations. Most guests will opt for the restaurant dishes first of all, so the food you provide could be cleared up at the very outset. Browse the foodpanda site now to place your potluck dish orders and don’t waste any more time on food worries!
