Feel Better Eating a Little of Everything with Our Healthy Potluck Recipes

Would you rather: banh mi or Caprese steak sandwich? This healthy potluck idea that’s ideal for picnic parties, family celebrations, and more offers variations on both so you can please all in attendance. To make these 20-minute sandwiches even more nutritious, pile up the fillings on whole grain baguettes and load on as many veggies as you can.

A homemade barbecue sauce makes this summer potluck staple a hit. But the true secret to this to-die-for recipe's success is the cooking method. The chicken roasts in the oven, so you can make this crowd-pleasing healthy chicken recipe even when your grill is buried under a bed of snow.

So cozy! This healthy potluck food idea for fall is ideal for tailgating and office potlucks, but can easily be enjoyed in the warmer months as well when you spoon it over baked sweet potatoes or zoodles for a well-balanced meal. With garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas), kidney beans, and lean turkey all invited to the Dutch oven party, each bowl of this Panera copycat recipe packs in 8 grams of fiber and 22 grams of protein.

Peak summer vibes. That’s what you’ll get when this air-fryer dessert is on your healthy potluck menu. With just six ingredients required, we’ve enlisted this semi-homemade treat as our go-to summer dessert. Come fall or winter, try the same strategy with apples or frozen, thawed peaches.

Cool as a cucumber. That’s how you’ll feel when you scoop up a serving of this crisp summer slaw. With the fresh garden veggie as a base alongside pink radishes and red peppers, this slaw makes for a light and tangy healthy potluck recipe that's bursting with vitamins. And it takes just 20 minutes to toss together.

Related: 15 Fresh Cucumber Salads on the Quick

Be the star of your next healthy potluck with melt-in-your-mouth-tender pulled pork sandwiches. Lightly seasoned and layered with shredded cabbage, these braised (or slow cooker) pork sandwiches are surprisingly low in calories: just 295 per serving! That’s because when you whip up the simple sauce, you can control the ingredients—and amount of sugar.

Golden and puffy, this mall-favorite snack—brushed with butter and sprinkled in Parm—doubles as an equally delicious and healthy potluck food idea. Tote a batch of these fiber-boosted, whole wheat homemade pretzels to your next gathering and prepare to watch them get devoured fast. (We like to make a double batch so we can tuck away a few extra at home.)

A carton of market-fresh berries joins icy apple juice and fizzy lemon-lime soda for a sipper that's both refreshing and low in calories. To release all of the naturally sweet juices, pierce the berries before mixing them into the healthy potluck drink.

Test Kitchen Tip: If you want to dress these up to make easy party cocktails for those who are 21+, spike each serving with a shot of rum, tequila, or vodka.

If you skip the pasta, this is one majorly healthy potluck idea to share as a starter. Just add toothpicks! Each batch makes 36 meatballs that are super-juicy, thanks to 1½ cups of shredded zucchini hiding inside the meat mixture. If desired, serve the 6-grams-of-protein-strong meatballs with a coating of marinara sauce.

Partygoers will go bananas over the rum-laden frosting smeared atop these gooey, potassium-packed dessert bars. Plus, at only 100 calories per bar, you can definitely indulge in a couple squares of this healthy potluck recipe if the party lingers on. (Or, you know, sneak a few leftovers home for brunch the next day!)

Crispy on the outside and oh-so tender on the inside, these oven-fried chicken drumsticks can't be beat. While the flavor and texture of this healthy potluck dish is exceptional, you know what might be the best part about it? It has fewer than 300 calories per serving.

Paired with cucumbers, tomatoes, and a lemon-garlic dressing, this unique fava bean salad is bursting with fiber and protein. A combo of parsley, feta cheese, and capers takes the healthy potluck recipe on a trip to the Middle East. For a grab-and-go snack that’s easy to tote, package single servings in mini Mason jars or recyclable to-go cups.

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Light on prep time and calories, this healthy potluck food idea is inspired by green goddess salad dressing. It’s much more nutritious, though, with a bit of protein from cannellini beans and zero fat. (With that in mind, we suggest topping the parsley-, chive-, and basil-laced dip with a sprinkle of goat cheese for staying power.)

Dip it in chocolate and it’s almost guaranteed to be a winner. Fiber-filled dried fruit feels fancy when you do so, especially if it’s a mix of both white and dark chocolates for a sweet ending to your healthy potluck feast. If you’re not so fond of apricots, you could also try this same strategy with dried figs or dried mangoes.

Next time it's your turn to bring a main dish, go for comfort food! This hearty chicken casserole is packed with veggies and topped with an almond-cornflake crust. With 29 grams of protein per serving, it's the perfect healthy potluck main dish that will convince even the pickiest eaters to eat celery and sweet peppers.

Sweet honey meets sweet-tart apples, verdant celery, and salty walnuts in a refreshing starter or side dish. Since it serves 4, just note that and multiply as needed to feed your crew. (It’s a breeze to double or triple.)

Related: Celery, Just One of Six Veggies and Herbs You Can Easily Regrow from Kitchen Scraps

Refresh your taste buds with a sunny glass of agua fresca. Aside from a sweet squeeze of honey, the summer drink features only fresh fruits and juices, so you know you're getting the good stuff. Serve this healthy potluck drink with multicolor straws to help guests keep track of their glasses.

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Add global goodness to your healthy potluck table with a plate of fresh, Asian-inspired summer rolls. The 80-calorie appetizers are overflowing with garlic shrimp, lime-tossed noodles, and crisp garden veggies. Dunk in homemade soy-ginger sauce for a savory finish.

More natural colors mean more nutrients, and this Southern-inspired salad is brimming with a rainbow of fresh hues. In addition to oodles of fresh veggies and herbs, a base of quinoa and beans bumps up the fiber and protein. Grab a Mason jar and shake up your own tangy dressing for this healthy potluck recipe using lime juice, white wine vinegar, olive oil, and Dijon.

This lip-puckering mocktail recipe features pureed honeydew melon, fresh basil leaves, and a squeeze of lime juice. All that teams up in this healthy potluck idea for just 70 calories a cup. Feeling fancy? Rim the glasses with lime juice and dip the rims in superfine sugar.

Potato salad need not be smothered in creamy dressing to be delicious. At just 163 calories per serving, this is a quick and healthy potluck food idea worth snagging seconds of. A homemade vinaigrette and fresh veggies turn this potato salad into a nutritious and colorful summer side. Just top with feta cheese and you're ready to serve.

Spice up your summer drinks with aromatic fresh herbs such as rosemary. Here, its subtle earthy flavor complements the sweetness of the pineapple in this tasty, healthy potluck drink recipe. It’s ideal to share with wine and beer fans since it includes both!

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With a few south of the border ingredients, this recipe takes delicious fresh sweet corn and twists it into a must-try side dish. Inspired by traditional Mexican esquites (toasted corn), this low-cal side is a unique healthy potluck offering. And it comes together in less than 30 minutes!

Stick these bite-size cheesecake tarts at the tail end of the healthy potluck buffet line to keep them from disappearing too quickly. Filled with yummy strawberry preserves and topped with fresh berries and almonds, the mini desserts are a delicious summer treat. (Psst ... there’s also more almonds hiding in the cookie crust for even more heart-healthy fats.)

Brighten any healthy potluck recipe spread with a fresh fruit salsa recipe. Cucumber, avocado, and fresh basil combine with kiwifruit, lime juice, and a sprinkle of chili powder to make a light and easy condiment. Try it with chips or on top of hot dogs or your favorite grilled protein.

Invite a healthy potluck dish to the party that's full of flavor and nutrition. Colorful veggies, olives, and hard-cooked eggs (here are three ways to make them!) make up this quick dish. A sweet-and-tangy homemade tarragon vinaigrette ties it all together.

You can't have a potluck without coleslaw! To make this one fit the “healthy potluck idea” criteria, we trade some of the mayo for lighter buttermilk. The tangy homemade salad dressing and refreshing, crisp cabbage and fennel make a lovely counterpoint to the savory main dishes.

One of our fan and staff favorites, this fresh take on sangria combines strawberry schnapps and white wine to create a crisp, sweet drink that's perfect to share. Like your drinks to be on the drier side? Opt for a citrus-forward vino like Sauvignon Blanc or vinho verde and skip the sugar. Just be sure to add plenty of sliced fresh strawberries for an extra burst of fruity flavor and color in this healthy potluck recipe.

Mix up this Mediterranean-inspired pasta salad in advance so it'll be ready to go when you are. The healthy potluck dish can be tossed together up to 24 hours in advance and tastes even better chilled for at least 4 hours before diving in. Fresh, seasonal veggies add a satisfying crunch when paired with penne pasta and crumbled feta cheese.

Don’t save this Mexican-inspired recipe for taco night alone. Chilled and spiced to perfection, this simple side dish is tasty served alongside any healthy potluck entrée. Queso fresco, sweet pepper, red onion, and chile pepper perk up fresh corn kernels for a pretty (and pretty delicious) healthy potluck food idea.

This simple and quick appetizer is one of our best-loved dip recipes! Avocado and edamame are seasoned with basil pesto and lemon juice for an impressive potluck dish that's both healthful and incredibly delicious. Did we mention it feeds a crowd of 20? (Well, 10 if you hang out with folks who eat like us.) Scoop up the healthy potluck recipe with toasted pita chips, whole grain crackers, or fresh vegetable sticks.