53 Scrumptious Thanksgiving Potluck Ideas for Parties in 2024

Looking for great Thanksgiving potluck ideas for your next holiday gathering? From sweet to savory, there are a number of both classic and innovative takes on time-honored favorites. Whether you're hosting a potluck Friendsgiving or looking for something to take to the annual work celebration, you want dishes that travel well and taste delicious. 

What food can I take to a Thanksgiving party? What are the top Thanksgiving dishes? We’ve rounded up a range of perfect Thanksgiving food ideas, no matter the size of the crowd you’re cooking for or the nature of the gathering. Many are easy dishes to serve to a crowd or sized to be perfect finger foods you can enjoy while mingling.

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• Thanksgiving Potluck Ideas for Work
• Easy Thanksgiving Potluck Ideas
• Thanksgiving Potluck Side Dishes
• Unique Thanksgiving Potluck Ideas
• Inexpensive Thanksgiving Potluck Ideas

Thanksgiving Potluck Ideas for Work

1. Turkey Cheeseball

For cute Thanksgiving potluck ideas for work that look like a turkey, form a cheese ball by adding your favorite ingredients like green onions, bacon and seasoning to a container of cream cheese shaped into a ball. Add pretzel legs and Ritz crackers to form the tail feathers for an adorable Thanksgiving centerpiece to your snack table. 

2. Pretzel Turkeys

Turn salty and sweet elements into more cute Thanksgiving potluck ideas everyone will love. Place a round chocolate candy like Rolos, Hershey’s Kisses or mini Reeses on a pretzel and soften in the oven on low heat. After several minutes, stick in three candy corn pieces to serve as tail feathers and some candy eyes. 

3. Mini Pumpkin Pies

Use mini pie crusts or pieces of filo dough to create miniature versions of everyone’s favorite holiday dessert. You can even add tiny dabs of whipped cream on top for a one-bite treat. 

4. Chicken & Stuffing Casserole

What can I bring to Thanksgiving potluck at work? For Thanksgiving potluck ideas that are easy to transport, turn the traditional Thanksgiving menu into a hot dish to go. Combine turkey, stuffing, potatoes and other veggies in a crockpot for several hours and you’ll get all the expected flavors with a much easier single-pot approach. 

5. Mulled Apple Cider

Use a kettle or slow cooker to heat some apple cider with ingredients like Allspice and cinnamon for great Thanksgiving potluck ideas that are warm and cozy.

6. Cranberry Brie Bites

Add some filo dough to a muffin tin and layer with a chunk of brie and a spoon of canned cranberries and pop them in the oven for a sweet and savory Thanksgiving appetizer.

7. Turkey Sliders

For a clever handheld way to enjoy traditional Thanksgiving foods, layer some rolls or buns in a pan and add slices of turkey breast, cheese and cranberry sauce for a little tartness. 

8. Trail Mix with Pumpkins

Turn your ordinary party mix into one of the best Thanksgiving potluck ideas for work. Throw Chex Mix, pretzels, Cheese Bits, sesame sticks and nuts together. Add a little holiday sweetness with a bag of Brach's Harvest Mix or Mallow Pumpkins.

9. Corn Salsa

Yellow corn adds just a little bit of sweetness and extra chunkiness to your chips. Mix up a bowl for one of the greatest Thanksgiving potluck ideas, mixing with corn, cilantro, red onion, green onion mixed with lime juice and a little vinegar. 

10. Thanksgiving Charcuterie

Charcuterie boards are a perfect work potluck addition. Grab a board and create a Thanksgiving charcuterie board with cheese, sausage, sliced meat, pickles and olives and add some fall ingredients like roasted pumpkin seeds and cranberries. 

Easy Thanksgiving Potluck Ideas

11. Green Bean Casserole

A holiday classic, this mix of canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup and crispy onions makes an easy Thanksgiving potluck idea that is quick to throw together and easy to transport.

12. Pumpkin Torte

Use a cream cheese base layered with canned pumpkin and spices to create one of the easiest Thanksgiving potluck ideas that serve a crowd. Top it with a layer or whipped cream. 

13. Sausage Stuffing

Blend bread cubes, spices, turkey or chicken broth along with crumbled sausage for a delicious spin on this popular Thanksgiving side dish. You can also add cranberries or apples for a hint of sweetness amid the savory. 

14. Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Try this innovative take on Thanksgiving mashed potatoes that is sweet and buttery. Blend potatoes with milk, butter and a little bit of maple syrup for extra sweetness and rich flavor. 

15. Spicy Cranberry Meatballs

A variation on slow cooker meatballs that mix grape jelly and ketchup, try coating meatballs in cranberry sauce instead for a tangier version. Wonderful, easy Thanksgiving potluck ideas.

16. Stuffed Acorn Squash

These rounded squash are simple and ready for all sorts of fillings. It's one of the easiest Thanksgiving potluck ideas. Stuff them with a mix of rice and other veggies and pop them in the oven. You can even top them with your favorite cheese. 

17. Sweet Glazed Carrots

Honey-glazed carrots make an easy Thanksgiving potluck idea that you can assemble in minutes. Add a glaze of honey or maple syrup, butter, garlic and olive oil to carrots on a baking sheet and roast them in the oven. 

18. Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip

What's the easiest thing to bring to a potluck? Mix up a batch of pumpkin cheesecake dip for one of the simplest Thanksgiving potluck ideas that you can dip graham crackers or wafer cookies into. Just combine pumpkin filling and spices with a sweetened cream cheese base in a bowl. 

19. Apple Walnut Salad

For a green and fresh Thanksgiving potluck idea, mix baby spinach leaves or other greens with bits of apple, blue cheese and candied walnuts. Serve with a sweet vinaigrette or poppyseed dressing. 

20. Mini Caramel Bites

Dip some green grapes into a vat of sticky sweet caramel and serve them on toothpicks for a very easy Thanksgiving potluck idea. They will look like tiny caramel apples, but are more perfectly bite sized for snacking. 

Thanksgiving Potluck Side Dishes

21. Mashed Potato Casserole

Potluck guests will love this spin on ordinary mashed potatoes. Combine potatoes with sour cream and chives. Bake with a topping of breadcrumbs and Parmigiano-reggiano cheese.

22. Pumpkin Risotto

Combine a creamy parmesan-based risotto with fresh pumpkin for the coziest Fall Thanksgiving potluck ideas. This side is perfect for serving alongside turkey and all the trimmings. 

23. Cranberry Sauce

Whether you love the version made from scratch or the one that comes in a can, cranberry sauce is always one of the most well-known Thanksgiving potluck ideas. Serve a traditional version or add some variation with a touch of maple syrup for added sweetness. 

24. Stuffing Muffins

This compact way to serve the famous holiday side is a lot of fun to eat. Press stuffing into a muffin tin and top or fill the center cavity with gravy for one of the most delicious Thanksgiving potluck ideas. 

25. Scalloped Potatoes

These creamy potatoes are a great substitute for the traditional mashed variety and another one of the easiest Thanksgiving potluck ideas for side dishes. Just combine milk, flour, potatoes and onion, then top with Gruyere cheese that will form a delightful crust in the oven. 

26. Cranberry Green Beans

For an unexpected take on a classic side dish, add feta cheese and cranberries to ordinary green beans to add additional tang for one of the creamiest Thanksgiving potluck ideas.

27. Fried Apples

For a sweet Thanksgiving side that is perfectly practical for a potluck, fry up some sliced or diced apples with a little cinnamon, sugar and butter on the stove until they are thoroughly cooked. Eat them alone or use them as a delicious topping for vanilla ice cream.

28. Candied Yams

Always popular during Thanksgiving, this easy potluck dish mixes sweet potatoes, butter, cinnamon and other spices with a dash of orange juice to create one of the sweetest Thanksgiving potluck ideas for side dishes.

29. Brussel Sprout Bake

This spin on plain sprouts mixes cream, bacon and butter and tops it off with gruyere and white cheddar for some fun Thanksgiving potluck ideas that can be served as a side dish.

Unique Thanksgiving Potluck Ideas

30. Gnocchi Stuffing

Add some volume and rich texture to your ordinary Thanksgiving stuffing by adding potato gnocchi to the mix for a little bit more starchiness and structure. 

31. Cranberry Jalapeno Poppers

Hollow out the inside of some jalapenos to create this unique baked Thanksgiving potluck idea that's filled with cream cheese, onion and bacon topped off with tangy cranberries. 

32. Stuffed Mushroom Caps

Mushroom caps aren’t usually considered a Thanksgiving food, but a few pecans crumbled on top definitely make them fit the bill as a great unique Thanksgiving potluck idea. Use a mixture of cream cheese, onion and garlic as a filling and top with your favorite cheese and some nuts. 

33. Turkey Roulade

Instead of the traditional bird, opt for a rolled-up turkey breast stuffed with herbs, onions, garlic and other delicious fillings. Guests will devour this dish because it's one of the more unique Thanksgiving potluck ideas. 

34. Sweet Potato Lasagna

Instead of traditional flat noodles, use slices of sweet potato to create this layered dish that melds marinara sauce, ricotta and lots of mozzarella cheese for a gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly potluck idea. 

35. Pumpkin Ravioli

Pumpkin puree is the key to one of the more unique Thanksgiving potluck ideas. Wrap the puree mixed with onion, garlic and spices into wonton wrappers or homemade pasta sheets and serve with a browned butter sauce. 

36. Pumpkin Pecan Cobbler

This mix of rich pumpkin, brown sugar and caramel is a unique potluck dessert idea. Combine flour, pumpkin puree, cinnamon, cloves and other spices to make the base and create a crumbly top with brown sugar and pecans. Try it over vanilla ice cream.

37. Jalapeno Corn Coleslaw

While coleslaw always seems more like a summertime food, the sweetness of corn and the spiciness of jalapenos mixed with cabbage and mayo make this another one of the more unique Thanksgiving potluck ideas that's sure to be a winner. 

38. Spinach Feta Roll-Ups

For yet another of the deliciously unique Thanksgiving potluck ideas, slather a few pieces of filo or pastry dough with a mix of feta and spinach for a classic Greek flavor combination that pairs well with other more traditional Thanksgiving foods. Slice it into small pieces and serve with toothpicks. 

39. Fried Zucchini

Fry zucchini sliced in vegetable oil and flour for a deliciously simple Thanksgiving potluck idea. Add salt, pepper or grated parmesan for flavor.

40. Turkey and Spinach Meatballs

Combine ground turkey with spinach, onions, egg and breadcrumbs with your favorite seasonings rolled into bite-sized balls to create one of the healthiest Thanksgiving potluck ideas. 

Inexpensive Thanksgiving Potluck Ideas

41. Baked Potato Casserole

Another easy casserole and one of the least expensive Thanksgiving potluck ideas combines mashed potatoes with cheese, onion, bacon and sour cream for a loaded baked potato taste in casserole form. Top with potato chips or breadcrumbs and a thick layer of cheddar cheese. 

42. Mac & Cheese

A side dish standard for many meals, macaroni and cheese can be as simple or complex as you desire. For an easy recipe, mix a block of Velveeta with milk and macaroni. Or create a mix of cheeses like cheddar, gruyere and parmesan to create a baked mac and cheese to die for. 

43. Skillet Cornbread

Cornbread can be a hearty addition to your potluck table, especially if you cook it in a cast iron skillet, which creates a nice crustiness around the edge. Serve with a hot bowl of autumnal soup or stew. 

44. Butternut Squash Soup

Oven-roasted squash forms a rich base for one of the easiest and least expensive Thanksgiving potluck ideas. Blend it with garlic, onion, olive oil, spices and a touch of maple syrup for a creamy, cozy soup. 

45. Stuffed Apples

Hollow out an apple and fill with oats, cinnamon, nuts, raisins and sugar for a healthy oven-baked treat that makes a deliciously inexpensive Thanksgiving potluck idea.

46. Rosemary Roasted Root Vegetables

This simple pan-roasted mix of potatoes, carrots, beets and sweet potatoes is rendered delicious with the addition of olive oil, rosemary and sea salt. 

47. Broccoli & Wild Rice Casserole

Another easy casserole that contains budget-friendly ingredients, this mix of veggies and wild rice makes for great Thanksgiving potluck ideas that are very simple to create. Just combine the rice and broccoli with heavy cream, onions and flour. You can also add carrots or mushrooms to diversify the flavors. 

48. Scalloped Corn

For a classic and inexpensive Thanksgiving side dish, blend regular and creamed corn together with a mix of eggs, butter and milk and bake in the oven with a dusting of bread crumbs or cornflakes over the top. 

49. Pumpkin Sugar Cookies

Add some pumpkin puree and cinnamon to your basic sugar cookie recipe for a delicious Thanksgiving cookie variation that can be made on a budget. You can also add pumpkin to the powdered sugar frosting to top them. Or just bring along your leftover Halloween cookies.

50. Thanksgiving Punch

For another one of the least expensive Thanksgiving potluck ideas, serve up this delicious punch that blends orange juice, cranberry juice and pineapple juice, with Sprite and a dash of grenadine. Garnish with some raw cranberries or orange slices.

51. Apple Cinnamon Crumble

This simple crumble combines oats, sugar, cinnamon and apples into a crunchy baked Thanksgiving dessert perfect for serving with caramel or vanilla ice cream. 

52. Cranberry Apple Relish

For a great addition to potluck plates, mix chopped apples and cranberries with scallions and orange juice as an alternative to traditional cranberry sauce. 

53. Thanksgiving Dinner Rolls

The best way to make budget-friendly rolls to accompany your meal is to create them from scratch. An easy recipe for Thanksgiving rolls uses yeast, potato flakes, olive oil and flour to create a delicious dough that rises into fluffy perfection.

54. Party Potatoes

This tasty and inexpensive potato dish is made with shredded or cubed hashbrowns, milk, butter and cheddar cheese. You can make a huge pan on the cheap for a crowd. Top it with breadcrumbs, cornflakes or potato chips for a satisfying crunch.

55. Broccoli Casserole

With a crunchy crust and a creamy warm middle, this easy dish is one of the top inexpensive Thanksgiving potluck ideas that can be made with a few simple ingredients. Mix frozen or fresh broccoli with cream of mushroom soup, butter, milk and eggs. Top it with breadcrumbs or cornflakes. 

These perfect Thanksgiving potluck ideas can work for any sized gathering to keep people fed and happy. You may even find something you like for a more formal Thanksgiving menu.

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