Cateror.com - Potluck Dinners, Potluck Planning and Ideas for Potlucks

POTLUCK DINNERS
Ideas for planning a successful potluck

Potluck dinners at first glance look like the perfect solution to most party-dinner problems. You don't have to do the cooking, so they save time. You don't have to buy the food, so they save money. Win-win, right?

Anyone who'e ever invited people for a potluck and left it at that knows that what you actually end up with is one large lasagna, three different kinds of potato salad, five bags of chips, three store-bought and two home-made dips, and six plates of cookies. If you're lucky, not all the cookies will have nuts, and the ones that do will say so.

Potluck Planning (click for detailed planning instructions)

Successful potlucks only require one thing: organization. Whether you take the reins or delegate, someone has to be in charge of deciding and tracking who is bringing what. You don't have to be a control freak, either; it's just as easy to say "Bring an appetizer" as it is to say "Bring your Aunt Mary's Spinach-Avocado Dip." It doesn't even have to be a food item - you can ask that someone be responsible for things like disposable plates and silverware, napkins, pretty much anything within reason. Including staying after to help with the cleanup. Keep an updated list of who's coming, who's bringing what, and you've got a party!

For more detailed directions on how to plan the perfect potluck, see our article on Potluck Planning.

Potluck Ideas

Potlucks, by the way, aren't just for dinner any more. Why not a potluck brunch, lunch, or even picnic?

Not every potluck has to be the "luck of the draw" for food. Having a Theme Dinner can be lots of fun, and having people bring ingredients rather than dishes can make it even more so. Here are a few ideas for meals where your guests not only bring the ingredients, they also put their own individual touch on dinner...

Theme	Suggested Dishes
Pizza Night "Make Your Own"	Store bought pizza dough, pita rounds, or pre-made pizza shells Guests bring various toppings Individual pizzas can be cooked in the oven or on the grill. Like this idea? Check out our detailed directions and ingredients here.
Mexican Style "Fiesta Night"	Tacos, Burritos, or Taco Salads Hard taco shells, tortillas, flatbreads, or tortilla chips Guests bring toppings and ingredients Serve buffet style
Grilling Outdoors "Kabob-bob-bobbing Along"	Outdoor parties are great when the weather permits. Kabobs can be a tasty and fun alternative to the traditional burgers and dogs. Have guests bring pre-cut (and/or pre-marinated) food for making kabobs Steak, chicken, veggies, even fruit Silverware optional!
Italian Night "Life without Lasagna"	Italian food doesn't have to be heavy to be good! Have your friends bring various toppings and serve a few different kinds of bruschetta as a main course Hot and cold antipasto items

Potluck Cookbooks: