17 Christmas Potluck Food Ideas That Look Festive and Taste Amazing

Raclette

Welcome your guests to the holiday potluck in the coziest way possible: via a warm welcome from a skillet full of melted cheese! Cast-iron holds heat nicely during so the consistency will stay spreadable throughout cocktail hour. Position it on a large platter alongside cured meats, pickles, fresh fruits and vegetables, roasted baby potatoes, bread cubes, and the next item on our Christmas potluck food list...

Butternut-Sage Crostini

Versatile and vibrant winter squash is on repeat for us from fall through spring. For this holiday potluck idea, start by layering toasts with naturally-sweet roasted butternut squash purée. Then perk things up with a citrus- and cayenne-scented ricotta before crowning the crostini recipe with fresh sage and chopped toasted hazelnuts.

Test Kitchen Tip: Make the squash blend, ricotta mixture, and slice the toasts up to 24 hours in advance. Store each in a separate airtight container (the toast at room temp, the other two in the fridge). Just before the party, toast the bread as you allow the other two elements to come to room temp. Then layer it up!

Apple Cherry Chutney

For pairing with that ooey-gooey Raclette or any of your favorite jams and cheeses, we highly recommend this Christmas potluck idea. Opt for green apples to pair with the ruby red dried tart cherries, and the robust and savory chutney will match the seasonal color scheme.

Test Kitchen Tip: This DIY condiment makes seven half-pints. Enjoy one at the soirée, then send guests home with a jar each as a thoughtful food gift that will extend the celebration.

Loaded Potato Dip

Making mashed potatoes for Christmas dinner? Double up and use the rest to whip up this crowd-pleasing dip recipe. Adding cheese, bacon, green onion, and sour cream mimics the flavor of a loaded baked potato without the hassle of individual servings.

Hummus 4 Ways

Blitz up all four of these easy party dips, or stick with the red roasted beet and green lime-avocado hummus variations for a festive snack. This holiday potluck idea is hearty yet light, and ideal for sharing with guests who follow a wide variety of diets, from Mediterranean to gluten-free to vegan. Share it with red and green bell pepper strips to really drive home the theme.

Winter Pear Salad

Thanks to green kale, Brussels sprouts, and pears and red grapes, pomegranate seeds, and pears, the colors in this Christmas potluck salad already feel holiday party-appropriate. But we don't stop there. This salad practically shouts, "celebrate!" once you drizzle on the sparkling wine-infused vinaigrette.

Everything Bagel Shortbread

Instead of a classic cheese plate, serve these savory shortbread cookies with cream cheese. Spice them up with everything bagel seasoning and bake until crisp and buttery. Make it a whole platter and add all the classic bagel toppings like lox, red onion cucumber, capers, and tomato.

Pull-Apart Stuffing Ring

Why save bread stuffing for Thanksgiving alone? Bake it in a bundt pan so it resembles a wreath, and voila: the ultimate snowy season side dish! No one will guess this Christmas potluck food option starts with a package of store-bought refrigerated biscuits when you dress them up with carrot, celery, apple, and poultry seasoning. Choose your own adventure by customizing this eye-catching side with your choice of fresh herbs; tarragon, sage, rosemary, parsley, and/or basil would all taste incredible.

Fast or Slow Seafood Cioppino

The feast of the seven fishes is a classic seafood Christmas menu theme in some Italian-American homes. To give a nod to that in a more shareable, easy-to-prep-ahead format, we recommend stirring together this Christmas potluck idea. The stew is cozy and comforting, and is totally low-fuss whether you prep it in your slow cooker or pressure cooker. (And don't worry, we streamline this cioppino so it includes just three seafood varieties rather than making you hunt for seven!)

Beef Tenderloin with Parmesan-Herb Stuffing

Beef tenderloin always steals the show as the Christmas centerpiece. We're particularly fond of this recipe as the Christmas potluck food centerpiece thanks to its scrumptious savory mushroom-prosciutto stuffing and its rich red wine sauce. "A new Christmas favorite for sure!" raves one BHG.com home cook of this restaurant-quality tenderloin.

Air-Fryer Rosemary Garlic Baby Potatoes

Save precious oven real estate for other dishes. This entire holiday potluck idea cooks on your counter in the air fryer! Its convection heat gets the spuds buttery and creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Fresh rosemary and lemon zest lend just enough freshness to balance out the hearty starch—and give a hat tip to other recipes that star on your holiday table.

Multi-Cutout Tree Cookies

No Christmas potluck food collection is complete without some cookies, if you ask us. And these Christmas cookies are like mini cookies inside larger ones—and require zero piping bags or frosting to look festive! Tint your cookie dough in an array of green hues, then coat some of the cutout portions with metallic luster dust to act as "ornaments."

Gooey Marshmallow Treat Packages

Searching for a sweet Christmas potluck food option that doesn't take all day—and doesn't get your kitchen covered in copious amounts of flour? Try this no-bake 9- x 13-inch dessert that calls for rice cereal, marshmallows, marshmallow creme, and just a few other baking staples. If you're really feeling in good spirits, decorate with frosting, sprinkles, and ribbon to dress up each bar to resemble a present.

Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Bundt Cake

Sure, you could pour everyone a mug of hot chocolate. But why not slice them a piece of cake that tastes just like the comforting drink, just in dessert format? This holiday potluck idea is remarkably rich, with not one but three sources of cocoa goodness (powder, unsweetened chocolate, and chocolate chips). A cloud-like marshmallow meringue acts as a lovely light finish.

White Christmas Punch

Stop dreaming of a white Christmas and make it a reality—as part of your Christmas potluck menu—with this stunning punch. Fruit and bay leaves frozen into an ice ring keep the bourbon- and rum-based ice cream drink cool all party long.

Blackberry-Ginger Shrub

Hosting guests who are under 21, or have some holiday potluck attendees who don't imbibe in alcohol? A shrub is your thoughtful and delicious solution. The tangy berry-ginger fizz is spirit-free and delightfully refreshing as-is, and can be spiked with gin for those who prefer a cocktail.

Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls

Just in case your gathering involves out of town guests who are staying overnight, we've got your back with this holiday potluck idea for brunch! We mashed-up the flavors of classic gingerbread and cinnamon rolls and took some design inspiration from a snowflake. The results are almost too pretty to eat, but not quite—especially once you add a generous drizzle of Spiced Brown Butter Frosting.