17 Thanksgiving Potluck Dishes Everyone Hopes You’ll Bring Again
Thanksgiving potlucks are all about sharing food that brings people together, and some dishes become instant legends at the table.
You know the ones – plates get scraped clean, and everyone asks when you’re making it again.
These 17 crowd-pleasers are guaranteed to make you the potluck hero year after year.
1. Green Bean Casserole
Nothing says comfort food quite like this creamy, crunchy classic that’s been winning hearts since the 1950s.
The combination of tender green beans, velvety mushroom sauce, and those irresistible crispy onions on top creates pure magic.
People will literally hover near the serving table waiting for you to set this down.
It’s simple to make but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, which is exactly the kind of kitchen wizardry everyone appreciates at a potluck.
2. Macaroni and Cheese
Forget the boxed stuff – homemade mac and cheese is the ultimate crowd-pleaser that appeals to every age group.
Creamy, cheesy, and baked to perfection with that golden crust on top, it’s basically a hug in casserole form.
Kids beg for seconds while adults pretend they’re just having a small spoonful (then sneak back for more). Pro tip: make a double batch because this disappears faster than you can say cheddar.
3. Stuffing
Crispy edges, soft center, and packed with savory herbs – stuffing is the unsung hero that makes Thanksgiving actually feel like Thanksgiving.
Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, everyone agrees it needs to be on the table.
The secret is in the perfect bread-to-moisture ratio and generous amounts of butter and herbs. When done right, people will fight over those crispy corner pieces like they’re made of gold.
4. Cranberry Sauce
Ditch the canned cylinder and make the real deal – fresh cranberry sauce is tangy, sweet, and ridiculously easy to prepare.
Watching those little berries pop and transform into glossy, ruby-red sauce is oddly satisfying.
Plus, you can customize it with orange zest, cinnamon, or even a splash of bourbon for grown-up flair. Once people taste the homemade version, they’ll never go back to the jiggly can-shaped stuff again.
5. Mashed Potatoes
Fluffy clouds of buttery potato goodness that pair perfectly with literally everything on your Thanksgiving plate. The key is using plenty of butter, cream, and salt – this is not the time for diet mashed potatoes, folks.
Some people like them smooth as silk, others prefer a chunkier texture with the skins left on. Either way, make extra because mashed potatoes are the foundation of perfect gravy delivery systems.
6. Cornbread
Sweet or savory? The great cornbread debate continues, but everyone agrees fresh-baked cornbread is absolutely essential.
That crispy golden crust from a cast-iron skillet paired with the tender, slightly sweet interior is pure Southern comfort.
Serve it warm with honey butter and watch it vanish before the turkey’s even carved. It’s also perfect for soaking up gravy, which basically makes it a multipurpose Thanksgiving superstar.
7. Deviled Eggs
These bite-sized flavor bombs disappear faster than any appetizer on the table. The creamy, tangy filling with that signature sprinkle of paprika on top makes them irresistible finger food while everyone waits for dinner.
You can get creative with bacon bits, sriracha, or pickle relish, but the classic version never fails. Just be warned: you’ll need to make at least two dozen because one per person is never enough.
8. Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts finally got their moment to shine, and roasting them transforms these mini cabbages into caramelized, crispy perfection.
Toss them with olive oil, salt, and roast until the edges get all brown and delicious.
Add bacon and balsamic glaze for extra points with the crowd. Even Brussels sprouts haters become converts when they taste the sweet, nutty flavor that roasting brings out in these little green gems.
9. Glazed Carrots
Sweet, buttery, and beautifully glazed, these carrots add a pop of color and natural sweetness to your Thanksgiving spread.
Honey or brown sugar creates that gorgeous shiny coating that makes them look as good as they taste.
They’re simple enough that you won’t stress making them, but fancy enough that people think you really put in effort. Plus, they’re one of the few vegetables that kids actually get excited about eating.
10. Broccoli Casserole
Cheesy, creamy, and sneakily packed with vegetables, this casserole makes broccoli actually exciting.
The combination of tender florets, rich cheese sauce, and crunchy topping creates the perfect texture combination in every bite.
It’s proof that vegetables don’t have to be boring at Thanksgiving. Kids who normally avoid green things will actually ask for seconds when broccoli comes swimming in cheese sauce and topped with buttery crackers.
11. Pumpkin Pie
Can you even call it Thanksgiving without pumpkin pie? This spiced custard in a flaky crust is the dessert that defines the holiday. The warm flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger capture autumn in every single slice.
Top it with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for the complete experience. Some people prefer their slice warm, others cold from the fridge – there’s no wrong way to enjoy this iconic dessert.
12. Apple Crisp
Warm, cinnamon-spiced apples topped with a buttery, crispy oat crumble – what’s not to love? Apple crisp is like apple pie’s cooler, easier-going cousin that doesn’t require any fancy pastry skills or stress.
Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream melting on top, and you’ll hear actual happy sighs from around the table. The contrast between the tender apples and crunchy topping is absolutely magical and perfect for fall.
13. Pecan Pie Bars
All the deliciousness of pecan pie without the hassle of slicing perfect wedges or dealing with soggy bottoms.
These bars feature a buttery shortbread crust topped with that classic gooey, nutty filling everyone craves.
They’re easier to serve, easier to eat, and easier to transport to your potluck. Plus, you can cut them into smaller pieces so people can sample multiple desserts without feeling too guilty about it.
14. Cheesy Potato Casserole
Also known as funeral potatoes or hash brown casserole, this dish is seriously addictive comfort food.
Shredded potatoes get mixed with sour cream, cheese, and cream of chicken soup, then topped with more cheese and crushed cornflakes.
It’s rich, indulgent, and exactly what Thanksgiving is all about – no guilt, just pure deliciousness. Fair warning: people will absolutely judge you if you show up without this once they’ve tasted it at your potluck.
15. Dinner Rolls
Soft, pillowy, and slathered with butter – dinner rolls are the carb companion nobody can resist.
Whether you make them from scratch or grab the frozen ones that bake up perfectly, warm rolls are absolutely essential for soaking up gravy.
There’s something about pulling apart a fresh roll and watching steam escape that just feels right on Thanksgiving.
Make extras because people will sneak seconds before dinner even starts and thirds during the meal.
16. Spinach Artichoke Dip
Creamy, cheesy, and dangerously addictive, this dip is the appetizer that keeps people coming back for just one more chip.
The combination of spinach, artichokes, cream cheese, and parmesan creates flavor magic that’s impossible to resist.
Serve it warm in a bread bowl for extra points and watch it disappear before you can even say the full name. It’s the perfect thing to munch on while waiting for the main meal to be ready.
17. Corn Pudding
Somewhere between a side dish and a dessert lives corn pudding – sweet, custardy, and absolutely divine.
Fresh corn kernels get mixed with eggs, cream, and a touch of sugar, then baked until golden and set like the world’s best corn soufflé.
It’s a Southern classic that deserves way more attention at Thanksgiving tables everywhere. One taste of this sweet, creamy dish and you’ll wonder why you’ve been sleeping on corn pudding all these years.
