Potlucks are a year-round thing. Family gatherings, office luncheons, community events and of course – the holiday season. Personally, I love crock pots because they do most of the work for you. Nobody wants to go to a potluck and be working away at preparing a dish, or the alternative which is to stay up late and make the things you need to bring. Slow cookers aren’t just for meatballs, they’re not just for chilis and soups. You can 100% change your potluck game with these amazing recipes that are sure to keep your feet up, and your cooking easy. Now, doesn’t that sound like a dream?
A dip you don’t have to warm up in the oven! Complete in the crock pot (which you can also use for serving!) and slice up some bread, or a bowl of chips and you’re as golden as that crust of cheese on top.
http://www.themagicalslowcooker.com/2016/11/26/slow-cooker-barbecue-bacon-chicken-dip/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: THE MAGICAL SLOW COOKER
Oh, yes you can!! Save yourself the baking time by serving them up hot and fresh right from the slow cooker itself. Enjoy two breakfast favorites in one with this recipe!
http://www.forkly.com/recipes/crock-pot-french-toast-cinnamon-roll-casserole/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY
Bring comfort food to the potluck, and everyone will thank you. This easy to prepare mac and cheese will go so well in the mass pile of meat balls and pulled meats on everyone’s plates!
http://www.spendwithpennies.com/ultra-cream-mac-n-cheese-in-the-slow-cooker/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: SPEND WITH PENNIES
Yes, you can make mashed potatoes in a slow cooker! Potlucks are often just an overflowing of main dishes. Bring some warmth of a complimenting side, in a crock pot that does all the work for you, basically.
http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com/?s=Mashed+potatoes PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: THE NOURISHING GOURMET
Be anything but boring, and bring something a little nontraditional to your next gathering. Just make sure you bring the recipe too – it’s going to be asked for, a lot.
http://damndelicious.net/2016/05/13/slow-cooker-lo-mein PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: DAMN DELICIOUS
Now here’s something that can be snacked on at your next potluck, and then grazed on for the days that follow. This is the kind of leftover you don’t mind sticking around for a couple weeks.
http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/slow-cooker-chex-mix-recipe/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: GIMME SOME OVEN
Pierogi’s were once my absolute favorite thing to see brought to a pot luck function. Many would argue “why mess with a good thing?” and then I will argue “but there’s Kielbasa in it”…
http://www.dailydiylife.com/crockpot-pierogi-casserole-kielbasa-easy-meals/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: DAILY DIY LIFE
Burritos at a potluck? I must be dreaming!! This recipe is an all in one, no need for the rice on the side – it all gets tossed in to cook and fuse the flavors together as one.
http://www.number-2-pencil.com/2014/10/01/slow-cooker-chicken-burrito-bowl/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: NUMBER 2 PENCIL
You. Are. Welcome. Way to rock the crock pot, my friends.
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/slow-cooker-reeses-peanut-butter-cup-swirl-cake/5c26f6b9-fe67-40d6-ba31-2e0b22136d9e PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: BETTY CROCKER
It’s always nice to think of those who maybe can’t eat all the meatballs and pulled pork at potluck gatherings, plus it’s a crock pot lasagna and how awesome is that!?
http://hip2save.com/2016/04/23/slow-cooker-veggie-lasagna-recipe-2/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: HIP 2 SAVE
Okay, so meatballs are so not original…but they are expected and incredibly popular. Trying to break out of potluck boredom? A Thai spin on things should keep you and your potlucking friends happy!
http://www.seriouseats.com/2016/01/how-to-make-slow-cooker-thai-chicken-meatballs.html PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: SERIOUS EATS
Let the Crock Pot make that beef tender and shredded with a perfect au jus for dipping. The only extra thing you need to bring is small hoagie buns to serve them on! Easy and a total change from the typical potluck offerings!
https://momscravings.com/slow-cooker-french-dip-sandwiches/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: MOMS CRAVINGS
Move away from all the traditional potluck foods for an International flavor that everyone loves – butter chicken! This easy Indian cuisine-inspired recipe is the perfect pairing for your potluck. Bring along some pre-made basmati rice and you’ll be winning the potluck game!
https://dinnerthendessert.com/slow-cooker-indian-butter-chicken/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: Dinner Then Dessert
With a touch of nostalgia and a splash of comfort, this recipe is going to make your Crock Pot dish the one that won’t be bypassed because it’s an absolute must try.
https://www.recipesthatcrock.com/crock-pot-sloppy-joe-cheeseburgers/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: RECIPES THAT CROCK
No boiling necessary, but your potluck friends will be delighted to see that spaghetti is on the menu!! By adding a bit more liquid to your sauce and adding the uncooked pasta later in the cooking time, you end up with a complete meal that everyone will love!
http://lifeshouldcostless.com/2015/05/crockpot-spaghetti.html PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: LIFE SHOULD COST LESS
Just like the Swedish meatball recipes floating out there on the internet, grape jelly lends itself into more meaty slow cooker recipes beyond meatballs. With these ribs, your diners will be getting potlucky with this on their plates!
https://www.thegunnysack.com/slow-cooker-grape-jelly-ribs-recipe/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: THE GUNNY SACK
One of my favorite things to do for potlucks is bring something I can actually eat. Whether you have health goals or dietary needs, sometimes you gotta look out for number one, while feeding your friends too! This healthy, but delicious Crock Pot option is sure to be a nice balance between all the other options.
http://www.mymoderncookery.com/slow-cooker-garlic-parmesan-spaghetti-squash/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: My Modern Cookery
Bring a side of chips and you’re good to go. With everyone bringing main dishes to potlucks, be one that starts the whole thing off with a warm appetizer everyone will certainly appreciate!
https://www.diprecipecreations.com/crock-pot-margarita-chicken-dip/ PHOTO AND RECIPE HERE: Dip Recipe Creations
These meatballs get a boozy makeover with bourbon whiskey. You’ll be asking yourself why you haven’t tried them sooner and everyone who does try them will be blown away!
http://www.forkly.com/recipes/crockpot-drunken-bourbon-whiskey-meatballs/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY
Enjoy a fresh dessert like peach cobbler conveniently made in your slow cooker! This recipe starts with a fresh and sweet base of peaches and cooks in the slow cooker with an exciting cake topping. Don’t be surprised to discover that there won’t be any leftovers!
https://www.mykitchenlove.com/the-best-slow-cooker-peach-cobbler/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: MY KITCHEN LOVE
Applesauce is often a crowd favorite, especially for holiday meals. If you’re attending a potluck this Thanksgiving or even in the Christmas holiday season, make sure you show up with a slow cooker full of sweet applesauce. This sauce is sweetened with only a little bit of sugar and has enticing flavors of cinnamon.
https://www.yummyhealthyeasy.com/homemade-crock-pot-applesauce PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: YUMMY HEALTHY EASY
Combine all your favorite taco flavors into a unique and delicious chili! This recipe is loaded with beans, shredded chicken, and flavors of garlic and cumin- taco-bout amazing!
https://www.number-2-pencil.com/slow-cooker-chicken-taco-chili// PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: NO. 2 PENCIL
Prefer a traditional chili recipe? We got you covered! This recipe is filled with beans, ground beef and a savory tomato sauce that everyone will love.
https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/slow-cooker-chili-crock-pot-giveaway/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: GIMME SOME OVEN
Every potluck party needs dinner rolls of some sort, but don’t show up with just any dinner rolls, make this slow cooker garlic parmesan pull apart bread! It’s soft, cheesy and delicious! What more could you want?
https://www.thecountrycook.net/crock-pot-garlic-parmesan-pull-apart-bread/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE COUNTRY COOK
Dips are great for potlucks, especially ones that are ooey-gooey cheesy! This spinach and artichoke dip is so easy to put together and everyone will gobble it up in no time.
https://homecookingmemories.com/slow-cooker-spinach-and-artichoke-dip/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: HOME COOKING MEMORIES
The slow cooker can cook pork like no other. Show up to your next potluck with this unforgettable tender pulled pork.
https://www.artandthekitchen.com/slow-cooker-pulled-pork/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: ART AND THE KITCHEN
Attention vegans or vegetarians we have a recipe with your name on it! Much like a traditional pulled pork recipe this pulled jackfruit is tender and delicious but remains sans animals! Potlucks are hard enough following a plant-based diet, so show up prepared with this dish that everyone will love!
https://www.yummymummykitchen.com/2017/02/slow-cooker-pulled-jackfruit-sandwiches.html PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: YUMMY YUMMY KITCHEN
Don’t show up to the potluck with a boring soup recipe! Make sure you roll up to the party with this thick and creamy slow cooker potato soup. It’s made up of shredded potatoes, a thick broth and loads of ooey-gooey cheese, what is not to like?
https://homemadehooplah.com/crock-pot-potato-soup/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: HOMEMADE HOOPLAH
These sweet and spicy kielbasa bites will surely be a crowd favorite. A spicy jelly compliments tangy and sweet flavors of barbeque, you’ll love this! Serve with toothpicks to create the perfect finger food.
https://realhousemoms.com/sweet-and-spicy-slow-cooker-kielbasa-bites/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: REAL HOUSE MOMS
Carrot soup is a sweater weather classic. Share this soup at your next potluck for a comforting meal that everyone will appreciate.
https://thebusybaker.ca/slow-cooker-carrot-ginger-soup-dairy-free/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE BUSY BAKER
Do you love a good queso dip? Well then you need to try this recipe because it will amaze you! This thick and hearty cheese dip may be unlike any other you’ve experienced before. It only requires 10 minutes to prep and then you can set it and forget it in the slow cooker.
https://www.justataste.com/slow-cooker-queso-dip-recipe/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: JUST A TASTE
This Italian beef sandwich slow cooker recipe would make an excellent main course for any potluck. Tender beef is cooked in savory seasonings and then topped with green bell pepper, onions and pepperoncini’s. Once it’s done cooking in the slow cooker, serve it on a soft bun.
https://www.momontimeout.com/slow-cooker-italian-beef-sandwiches/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: MOM ON TIMEOUT
I had no idea that you could cook chicken wings in the slow cooker, but this recipe proves you can, and it promises that they’ll turn out amazing! As the wings cook in the slow cooker, they’ll bathe in a sweet and spicy barbecue sauce that is finger licking good!
https://www.dinneratthezoo.com/slow-cooker-chicken-wings/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: DINNER AT THE ZOO
Potlucks often have a wide spread of food, however, contributing a tasty beverage could be a great idea too! Show up with this warm, spicy and delicious spiked apple cider! Those of age can enjoy a boozy beverage, but you could always opt out of the alcohol if this is a family-friendly party.
https://www.wineandglue.com/slow-cooker-spiked-apple-cider/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: WINE AND GLUE
When it comes to the appetizer menu, jalapeno poppers are often a party favorite. Instead of bringing a tray of jalapeno poppers consider making this jalapeno popper corn dip! It contains the same flavors you love but in a creamy thick dip instead!
https://www.thecountrycook.net/crock-pot-jalapeno-popper-corn-dip/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE COUNTRY COOK
Seafood lovers will appreciate your contribution if you show up with this slow cooker clam chowder. It creamy, rich and has fresh flavors of the sea!
https://gatherforbread.com/slow-cooker-clam-chowder/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: GATHER FOR BREAD
The great thing about buffalo sauce is that it works great for so many different meals. Bring these buffalo chicken meatballs for a delicious appetizer that everyone will gobble up quickly!
https://damndelicious.net/2014/04/30/slow-cooker-buffalo-chicken-meatballs/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: DAMN DELICIOUS
Deep dish pizza in the slow cooker they say? Yes, it can be done! It’s made of simple store-bought ingredients and requires almost no effort to put together.
https://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/slow-cooker-deep-dish-pizza/0aa4eef2-bdaf-4ed5-b150-d379ff75fd57?crlt.pid=camp.coofj1o3balt PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: PILLSBURY
While many slow cooker recipes take hours to cook, this one only needs one hour. This barbeque shrimp recipe is tender, sticky and incredibly delicious. Set all the ingredients in the slow cooker an hour ahead of your potluck and this recipe will be ready in no time.
https://www.5dollardinners.com/slow-cooker-bbq-shrimp/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: 5 DOLLAR DINNERS
Show up to your potluck with an irresistibly sweet caramel hot chocolate. It’s conveniently made in the slow cooker and will allow you to create a large batch at once. Make sure to get yourself a mug full before it’s gone!
https://www.thekitchenismyplayground.com/2016/12/slow-cooker-caramel-hot-chocolate.html PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: THE KITCHEN IS MY PLAYGROUND
