35 Potluck Side Dishes for Christmas
Easy potluck side dishes for Christmas will travel well, stay warm, and make your holiday table the most delicious spot in town. These crowd pleasing recipes are perfect for a Christmas potluck party spread.
Bringing the perfect side dish to a Christmas potluck doesn't have to be stressful, you just need something delicious that travels well and disappears fast from the buffet.
This list of easy Christmas side dishes has something for every kind of gathering, whether you're heading to your neighbor's open house, a big family party, or are doing a holiday meal with co-workers.
Each recipe includes helpful potluck tips for prepping ahead, transporting safely, and serving with flair so you can feel like the most thoughtful guest at the party.
From cozy casseroles and classic holiday side dishes, to fresh salads and make-ahead breads, these dishes are guaranteed to make your plate the one everyone goes back to for seconds!
Make Ahead Crock Pot Stuffing
This crock pot stuffing is perfect for potlucks because it stays warm right in the slowcooker, no hunting for oven space when you arrive. Just plug it in and set out a spoon!
Make Ahead Mac and Cheese
Creamy and crowd-pleasing, especially if there will be kids at the party, my make ahead mac and cheese travels really well with just a foil covering over the dish.
Bring it warm or check ahead with the host to make sure you can reheat it on site.
Corn Bread Dressing
Classic corn bread dressing holds its shape for travel and reheats perfectly if there's going to be room in the oven. This is a cozy and comforting option when you want to bring something hearty.
Crock Pot Corn Casserole
Soft and creamy, this crock pot corn casserole keeps warm in the slowcooker and can be scooped right onto plates as guests serve themselves. It is one of the easiest recipes on the list for making ahead!
Cranberry Sauce with Grand Marnier
Don't underestimate the power of the smaller dishes on the table. This citrus-kissed cranberry sauce with Grand Marnier can be made ahead, chilled, and carried in a pretty serving dish to set right on the table with zero set-up effort. Place it right near the main roast (ham or turkey are perfect partners.)
Pistachio Fluff Fruit Salad
This retro pistachio fluff fruit salad is potluck magic. It takes just minutes to stir together and travels best in a chilled serving bowl. Just give it a quick fluff before setting it out with a serving spoon.
For extra holiday flair, top it with bright red maraschino cherries (stems on!)
Chicken Salad Chick Grape Salad
This sweet and creamy Chicken Salad Chick grape salad holds up great in transport and you only need to sprinkle the brown sugar and pecans over the top before setting it out on the table.
Cranberry Fluff
A festive pink bowl of cranberry fluff brightens the buffet instantly. It is easiest to serve in one big bowl for transport but scoop a couple servings into smaller dishes for the buffet table to encourage guests to grab and go!
Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes
I love to serve these crispy roasted sweet potatoes warm from the oven but even at room temperature they can be a fun small bite. Serve them with frilled toothpicks for pricking and dunking in a spicy sauce as an appetizer.
Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes
Keep these slow cooker sweet potatoes right in the Crockpot insert and let your guests build their own sweet potato bar toppings. You can set out butter, brown sugar, chopped pecans, or even mini marshmallows.
Make Ahead Sweet Potato Casserole
My favorite make ahead sweet potato casserole is always the most popular side dish at the holidays. That creamy base layer with crispy struesel topping is irresistible. Be sure to bring it warm, it might benefit from a few minutes in the oven before serving if that works for your host.
Creamy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
If you want to take potatoes on the road, these crockpot mashed potatoes travel just perfectly. Stir in a little extra butter just before leaving the house to boost the creaminess.
Loaded Baked Potato Dip
This loaded baked potato dip is a great make-ahead cold dip for the party. I love to serve it with freshly baked frozen waffle fries but you could use thick-cut potato chips in a pinch if you're worried about temperatures.
Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes
Who can resist cheesy crock pot scalloped potatoes? This is an excellent hot potluck side dish to bring, the potatoes get crispy edges thanks to an aluminum foil trick used when you prepare them.
Cheesy Cornflake Potatoes
These cheesy cornflake potatoes, otherwise known as "funeral potatoes," are a staple of potluck parties all throughout the midwest and the south. It's a perfect holiday casserole to serve with either ham or turkey!
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Roasted Gnocchi
This crispy roasted gnocchi is made with butternut squash and salty parmesan, the fresh sage sprinkled over the top makes it right at home on the holiday table.
It tastes great at room temperature, making it a fun potluck party side dish that will surprise all the guests and is a great option for the vegetarians at the party.
Grinder Salad
It's always thoughtful to bring a veggie-heavy and flavorful grinder salad to a potluck party for guests who are gluten free. The bright colors of the fresh produce definitely stand out in a sea of potatoes and breads but the zippy Italian dressing makes it a delightful dish everyonen will want to take a scoop of.
Apple Pear Salad
The fresh fruit in my apple pear salad is the perfect complement to the rich meats, cheeses, and gravies found at the holidays. Vegetarian guests can load up on spiced nuts sprinkled over the top for a little more protein.
Caesar Salad Dressing
My easy Caesar salad dressing tastes so much better than the salad kits from the store and is more budget-friendly to scale for a large salad bowl for a potluck party. Toss the greens just before serving and for an extra-special touch, top it with homemade croutons you bake ahead.
Crispy Wild Rice Salad
This hearty crispy wild rice salad is a substantial salad a veggie-friendly guest will love as a main dish, too! It can be served at room temperature, but I suggest keeping the ingredients separate while traveling and assembling on the platter when you arrive.
Citrus Salad
Bright and juicy citrus salad with savory nuts and tangy goat cheese is another lovely accent to heavier meaty main dishes. I also love to serve it when the main course is a seafood dish like roasted salmon.
Italian Pasta Salad
This Italian pasta salad is a potluck hero because it tastes even better the next day so you can save time and prep it ahead.
Transport it chilled and just give it a quick stir to redistribute all the delicious dressing and juices from the veggies.
Green Bean Casserole
A must-have Christmas favorite, my Crockpot green bean casserole is extra crunchy but still keeps warm on the buffet table.
Glazed Baby Carrots
These glazed baby carrots are a simple and sweet side that stays warm under foil when you travel. They don't dry out and just need a quick stir before setting them on the table.
Marinated Tomatoes
These tangy marinated tomatoes make out-of-season cherry tomatoes taste best after they've rested so they are perfect for potluck party prep. Serve them in a shallow bowl with a slotted spoon to keep things tidy.
Their bright red color is perfect for the holiday. Bonus points if you have some fresh basil for garnish.
Crock Pot Creamed Corn
Let the slowcooker do all the work for this creamy crock pot creamed corn. Just snap on the lid and the side dish is ready to go!
Roasted Mini Peppers
A pretty platter filled with roasted mini peppers looks so festive and they taste amazing warm or cold. The easiest upgrade would be to sprinkle crumbled goat cheese and chopped pistachios over the top.
Cast Iron Cornbread
This cheesy cast iron cornbread is a huge crowd favorite thanks to the subtle heat from the jarred green chiles in the batter.
The cast iron will help to keep it warm on the table but don't store the bread in the skillet overnight or you'll ruin the seasoning. Instead, transfer it to a pie plate and bring the bread that way to your party.
Whole Wheat Breadsticks
Soft and chewy whole wheat breadsticks are always a great option, especially if you know the main dish will be extra-saucy and in need of dipping. Stack them in a lined basket and cover them with a clean kitchen towel to keep them warm while you travel.
Easy Homemade Garlic Bread
Easy homemade garlic bread is a guaranteed hit and stays warm perfectly when wrapped tightly in foil.
Slice it before you wrap it up for warmth, then you can just unwrap and serve without making a big crumby mess at the table.
Copycat Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Buttery and golden copycat cheddar bay biscuits are best served warm in a lined basket. Brush them with melted butter just before leaving the house.
Italian Bruschetta al Pomodoro
Bring the toasted crostini in one container and the Italian bruschetta al pomodoro topping in another. Just assemble the platter quickly on site so everything stays crisp and fresh.
Dill Dip for Veggies
This easy dill dip for veggies is a lifesaver when you need a last-minute potluck party side. It shows you put in some effort when the dip is homemade, even if you use a store-prepped veggie tray.
PRO TIP: Garnish it with fresh herbs or freshly chopped chives for that homemade touch.
More Potluck Recipes
Potluck parties are a great way to entertain on a budget during the holiday season. Looking for more recipes? Here are a few of my favorites:
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