20 Delicious Potluck Salad Recipes

Sunny Broccoli Salad
Photo: Carson Downing

Take one of our easy potluck salad recipes to your next gathering! Our ideas include vegetable salads, pasta salads, potato salads and grain-based dishes.

01 of 21

Sweet Corn and Black Bean Succotash

Sweet Corn and Black Bean Succotash
Rachel Marek / Kelsey Moylan

The flavors of just-picked sweet corn and red bell pepper shine in this summer salad recipe that's perfect for a potluck or a family dinner. It can be served at any temperature.

02 of 21

Mexican Citrus Salad with Avocado

Mexican Citrus Salad with Avocado

It's not just a salad—it's a crunchy, juicy, sweet, salty, tart, buttery, nutty potluck dazzler.

03 of 21

Roasted Pear Salad with Farro and Arugula

Roasted Pear Salad with Farro and Arugula
Carson Downing

This creamy, whole-grain salad earned raves in our test kitchen. It's hardy enough to be a meatless main, or enjoy it as a cold-weather potluck star.

04 of 21

Sunny Broccoli Salad

Sunny Broccoli Salad
Carson Downing

A Cleveland reader makes this salad a day ahead and refrigerates the dressing and vegetables separately. When it's time to serve it, she tosses everything together. Bacon, sunflower kernels and raisins make a crunchy and flavorful side dish.

05 of 21

Penne with Lentils and Feta

Penne with Lentils and Feta
Brie Passano

Hearty and wholesome, this pasta salad is loaded with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, lentils, salty cheese and parsley, all cloaked in a light and bright red wine vinaigrette.

06 of 21

Lentil and Rice Summer Salad

Lentil and Rice Summer Salad

This is a fab potluck salad. If you make it for dinner at home, try it topped with a salmon fillet or, for a vegetarian entree, served over spinach or other salad greens. (A word of warning: Don't substitute a different rice. Arborio, the type used in risotto, definitely works best.) The recipe comes from the blog A Couple Cooks.

07 of 21

Green Bean Tabbouleh

Green Bean Tabbouleh on white plate
Blaine Moats

This is a perfect salad to take to a picnic or potluck since it is best at room temperature.

08 of 21

Quinoa Salad with Roasted Zucchini, Almonds and Feta

Quinoa Salad with Roasted Zucchini, Almonds and Feta

You could make a meal of this dish: caramelized zucchini, crunchy almonds, salty cheese and hearty quinoa, all dressed in honey-basil vinaigrette.

09 of 21

Waldorf Salad with Grapes and Wild Rice

Waldorf Salad with Grapes and Wild Rice
Blaine Moats

This salad is all about balance—sweet vs. tart and crunchy vs. chewy. Take it to a potluck or picnic.

10 of 21

Sweet and Spicy Cabbage and Peanut Slaw

Sweet and Spicy Cabbage and Peanut Slaw

Fresh ginger and red pepper flakes add welcome zing, but the real surprise here is napa (aka Chinese) cabbage. Columbus, Ohio chef Cara Mangini likes it for slaws because it's more tender than ordinary cabbage but still holds up better than lettuce.

11 of 21

Spring Potato Salad

Spring Potato Salad

This lightly sweet potato salad is a great way to use up leftover ham.

12 of 21

Shaved Cabbage Salad with Apples, Ham and Mustard

bowl of Shaved Cabbage Salad with Apples, Ham and Mustard
Brie Passano

Ham adds just enough smoky richness to chef Abra Berens' vibrant salad to elevate a simple slaw to a lunch-worthy meal or a potluck stunner. Find other great salads in her book Ruffage: A Practical Guide to Vegetables.

13 of 21

Dilly Chickpea and Radish Salad

Dilly Chickpea and Radish Salad

Think of this as a welcome update on three-bean salad, with radishes and celery adding color and crunch to wholesome garbanzo beans. It travels beautifully and is great for potlucks and picnics.

14 of 21

Sicilian Potato and Green Bean Salad

Sicilian Potato and Green Bean Salad

Lemon-olive oil dressing balances fresh Mediterranean flavors in this potluck salad. Make it a main dish by adding one 7-ounce can tuna (drained).

15 of 21

Cucumber-Honeydew Salad with Feta

Cucumber-Honeydew Salad with Feta

This healthy no-cook potluck dish is full of fruit and vegetable goodness. Feta adds a tang to the sweetness of honeydew melon. With only 20 minutes of prep time before an overnight chill, this recipe is great for parties.

16 of 21

Deviled Egg Macaroni Pasta Salad

Deviled Egg Macaroni Pasta Salad

Combine two potluck staples to create this yummy potluck salad. Expect classic deviled egg flavor with a little zing from the Dijon-style mustard and salty pickled onions.

17 of 21

Broccoli Grape Salad

Broccoli Grape Salad

Sweet, juicy grapes and crunchy broccoli balance savory, salty bacon.

18 of 21

Southwestern Chicken and Macaroni Salad

Southwestern Chicken and Macaroni Salad

Awaken your senses with a potluck salad full of hot poblano peppers, cool avocado, crispy chicken strips and cream cheese.

19 of 21

Rice and Red Bean Salad

Rice and Red Bean Salad

Chili powder and cumin flavor this hearty, nutritious Tex-Mex dish from The Spice House in Milwaukee.

20 of 21

Classic Potato Salad

Classic Potato Salad

You can't go wrong bringing this classic to a potluck! The creamy salad is full of hard-cooked eggs, crisp celery and sweet pickles, and it can be made up to 24 hours ahead.

21 of 21

Sweet and Tangy Four-Bean Salad

Sweet and Tangy Four-Bean Salad

Nutrient-dense edamame is a savvy (and tasty) addition to the more typical three-bean salad. Bonus: The salad can be made up to 48 hours in advance.

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