Picnics and potlucks are all about good food, easy prep, and sharing with friends. These 27 side dishes are simple to make and always a hit, whether you’re outside on a blanket or setting dishes on a fold-out table. From fresh salads to cheesy bakes, there’s something here for every kind of gathering. Keep it easy and tasty with sides that everyone will want a scoop of.
Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.
Dinner Roll Knots
Tear into something soft and buttery that makes passing the bread basket the best part of the meal. These knots are simple to bake and taste like they came from a bakery, even if they didn’t. Bring them to any picnic or potluck, and there won’t be a single one left behind.
Get the Recipe: Dinner Roll Knots
Cinnamon Apples
Add a warm, sweet touch to the table with tender apples cooked down with cinnamon. Their smooth texture and rich flavor make them a quiet favorite beside both savory dishes and sweet treats. They’re easy to bring along and always get a nod of approval from guests.
Get the Recipe: Cinnamon Apples
Sweet Potato Fries
Bite into something crisp on the outside, soft in the center, and packed with a mix of sweet and salty. These fries are oven-friendly and easy to prep without a deep fryer in sight. They’re the kind of side that works with sandwiches, grilled meats, or anything you’d bring to share.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fries
Corn Casserole
Spoon into a cheesy, creamy mix of corn and bacon that’s full of flavor and comfort. It’s rich without being too heavy and always seems to go fast when shared. This is one of those easy dishes that feels like more than the sum of its parts at any group meal.
Get the Recipe: Corn Casserole
Challah Bread
Pull apart golden strands of soft, fluffy bread that always feel a little special. Whether spread with butter, dipped in soup, or eaten plain, it brings a fresh-baked touch without much work. It’s the kind of side that disappears fast on any picnic table or potluck spread.
Get the Recipe: Challah Bread
Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Layer up creamy pasta with smoky bacon, juicy tomatoes, and a golden topping that crunches just right. This version is bold and rich but still keeps that familiar comfort everyone loves. Bring it to a potluck, and someone’s going to ask you for the recipe before dessert hits.
Get the Recipe: Grown-Up Mac and Cheese
Crockpot Applesauce
Let the slow cooker do the work while apples turn soft and sweet with just a hint of spice. It’s smooth, simple, and tastes like something straight out of grandma’s kitchen. Serve it chilled or warm at any gathering, and it will fit right in with whatever’s on the table.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Applesauce
Smoked Brie Potato Gratin
Slice into tender potatoes layered with melted brie and baked until bubbly and golden. The smoky cheese adds something unexpected that makes every bite rich and satisfying. It’s the kind of dish that quietly steals the spotlight without trying too hard.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Brie Potato Gratin
Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Roast Brussels sprouts until crisp, then toss with salty bacon for a flavor that hits hard in the best way. The caramelized edges and smoky finish make them feel special without being fussy. They’re an easy win when you need a side that feels a little more grown-up.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Grilled Baby Bok Choy
Char tender bok choy on the grill until smoky and soft, with just enough crunch left in the stem. It’s a quick green that adds color and flavor to any plate without taking up much prep time. Stack it next to grilled meats or pack it into a container for a fresh, fire-kissed side.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Baby Bok Choy
French Baguettes
Slice up a fresh, crusty baguette with a soft inside that works with almost anything on the table. It’s perfect for soaking up sauces, building little sandwiches, or enjoying with butter and jam. Bring a couple loaves to a potluck and watch people crowd around the bread basket.
Get the Recipe: French Baguettes
Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Stir creamy rice with sweet green peas and a squeeze of lemon for a dish that feels both light and filling. It’s smooth and rich but gets a bright kick from the citrus. This is a side that brings balance to heavier picnic mains without needing a lot of fuss.
Get the Recipe: Risotto with Peas and Lemon
Tomato Quinoa Salad
Toss fluffy quinoa with juicy tomatoes and crisp cucumbers for a side that stays fresh even after a long ride to the park. A light dressing ties it all together without overpowering the simple ingredients. It’s a great choice when you want something cool and easy to pass around.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Quinoa Salad
Harvest Quinoa Salad
Mix sweet roasted squash, tangy feta, and chewy cranberries into hearty quinoa for a dish packed with flavor and texture. Every bite feels a little different but still works together in the best way. This is the kind of salad that gets noticed in a sea of foil-covered casserole dishes.
Get the Recipe: Harvest Quinoa Salad
Lemon Kale Salad
Chop crisp kale and toss with tomatoes, cucumbers, and a simple lemon dressing for a side that stays crunchy. The fresh herbs and zingy flavor make it stand out without stealing the show. It’s easy to make ahead and holds up well on the picnic table.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Kale Salad
Ratatouille with an Italian Flair
Simmer zucchini, squash, and tomatoes in herbs until they’re soft and full of rich, savory flavor. It’s a colorful side that brings something warm and satisfying without needing meat or cheese. Set it out at a potluck, and even the veggie skeptics will want a taste.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille with an Italian Flair
Soft Pretzels
Twist and bake until golden on the outside and chewy in the middle for a side that’s fun to eat and easy to share. These pretzels are great on their own or dipped in mustard or cheese sauce. They bring something a little different to any potluck or backyard gathering.
Get the Recipe: Soft Pretzels
Brazilian Cheese Bread
Bake up round, golden bites with crispy outsides and soft, cheesy centers that pull apart just right. They’re rich and savory, with a flavor that pairs well with soups, stews, or even grilled meats. Stack them in a basket, and they’ll be gone before you sit down.
Get the Recipe: Brazilian Cheese Bread
Baked Kale Chips
Roast kale until light and crispy with just enough salt to make them hard to stop eating. They’re crunchy, simple, and feel like a snack even when they’re served as a side. Tuck them into a container for the picnic and watch them disappear like potato chips.
Get the Recipe: Baked Kale Chips
Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
Pile crispy fries with tender pulled pork, melted cheese, and all your favorite toppings for a side that’s part snack and part main dish. It’s bold, messy in a good way, and guaranteed to draw a crowd. Bring this to a potluck and it’ll be the first pan to get scraped clean.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad
Pulled Pork French Fry Nachos
Pile crispy fries with tender pulled pork, melted cheese, and all your favorite toppings for a side that’s part snack and part main dish. It’s bold, messy in a good way, and guaranteed to draw a crowd. Bring this to a potluck and it’ll be the first pan to get scraped clean.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork French Fry Nachos
Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Shave Brussels sprouts thin and toss them in a bright, zesty dressing that brings out their nutty flavor. The crunch holds up even after sitting out, so it travels well and stays fresh. It’s a great side when you want something different from the usual greens.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
Buttery Crescent Rolls
Bake soft, golden rolls that flake apart with each buttery bite and work with just about any meal. They’re easy to make, simple to pack, and always one of the first things people reach for. Pass a basket of these at a picnic or potluck and don’t expect leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Buttery Crescent Rolls
Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Mix cooked quinoa with wilted spinach and melty parmesan for a dish that’s both filling and full of flavor. It’s wholesome without being boring and comes together fast with just a few ingredients. It’s an easy one to bring along when you want something hearty but not too heavy.
Get the Recipe: Spinach and Parmesan Quinoa
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pine Nuts
Roast Brussels sprouts until they’re crisp on the edges and tender in the middle, then toss with toasted pine nuts for a little crunch. A sprinkle of parmesan adds just enough richness to round everything out. This is a smart and easy side that feels like more than the sum of its parts.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pine Nuts
Mashed Potatoes
Mash up soft, fluffy potatoes with plenty of butter and a bit of salt for a side that’s all about comfort. Whether served plain or with gravy, they always seem to make a plate feel complete. Bring a big bowl to your next gathering, and they’ll go fast no matter what else is on the table.
Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Layer thin slices of potato in a creamy cheese sauce and bake until the top is golden and bubbling. The crispy top and soft center make every scoop rich and satisfying. It’s a crowd-pleasing side that fits right in with anything from ham to grilled chicken at a group meal.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes