25 Vegetarian Potluck Dishes You Can Bring Straight from the Fridge to Your Office
Move over, casseroles and mac n' cheese. Not that those dishes can't be delicious, of course, but sometimes your palette demands something cold — no matter what the season. Fortunately, these cold potluck ideas have you covered. Plus, they're all vegetarian, and some are vegan or have vegan alternatives. You'll find everything from hors d'oeuvres to healthy desserts, and many are extremely easy to prepare or cook. (You can whip of some of these dishes in as little as five minutes.)
Whether you're heading to a work retreat, hosting a birthday or family gathering, going to your book club, celebrating a holiday or picnicking in the park, these vegetarian crowd-pleasers should be on your to-make list — they'll win over even the most finicky of eaters.
25 Vegetarian cold potluck ideas
1. Potluck pasta salad
Total prep and cook time: 1 hour 55 minutes
A classic potluck meal, this yummy pasta salad is packed with fresh veggies. Substitute your favorites, or head over to your local farmer's market and pick up whatever's in season.
2. Gluten-free veggie pizza
Total prep and cook time: 35 minutes
Far from authentic but absolutely delicious, this cold "pizza" has the added benefit of being gluten-free so everyone can enjoy it. It's easy to customize and make your own. Just swap in your favorite veggies and spices, and you've got a crowd-pleaser of a meal or appetizer.
3. Mediterranean quinoa
Total prep and cook time: 30 minutes
Ingredients like kalamata olives and feta cheese make this dish extra delicious. Plus, it's super healthy.
4. The best guacamole
Total prep and cook time: 10 minutes
Who doesn't love guacamole? This version of the classic crowd-pleaser is perfectly balanced and depends on the freshest ingredients, so make sure you stock up. Add in fruits like berries, apples and pomegranate seeds, cheeses, nuts and other ingredients to make it extra special.
5. Fresh mango salsa
Total prep and cook time: 15 minutes
Colorful and tangy, spicy and sweet, this delicious mango salsa can be served with tortilla chips, or you can eat it straight as a salad. It's super quick to prepare, too, and it's sure to be a hit at your next potluck.
6. Peanut slaw with soba noodles
Total prep and cook time: 25 minutes
Tossed in a mouthwatering sesame-ginger peanut-sesame sauce, peanut slaw is packed with veggies and full of flavor. The recipe is easy to alter depending on your preferences. It's also vegan if you use honey instead of maple syrup.
7. Stuffed cucumber bites
Total prep and cook time: 30 minutes
Get fancy with this easy appetizer. Just look at them — won't the other guests be impressed? You can eat several without feeling guilty, too.
8. Tabbouleh
Total prep and cook time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Tabbouleh is the perfect healthy meal or side dish — and it's sure to be a hit at your next potluck. You can make it ahead of time, since it needs two hours of refrigeration anyway (the actual prep time is minimal).
9. Caprese salad
Total prep and cook time: 5 minutes
A true summer classic, Caprese salad demands fresh tomatoes. Summer months are ideal for finding them, but they'll also be in season well into September, too. Not only is this healthy and easy to make, but it's also a showstopper.
10. Pineapple & melon fruit salad with citrus mint dressing
Total prep and cook time: 2 hours 5 minutes
Refreshing, sweet and tangy, this fruit salad is the perfect dessert to end a satisfying potluck. Fruits like cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, pineapple, orange and grapefruit come together with some mint and hint of honey.
11. Chopped cauliflower broccoli salad with creamy avocado dressing
Total prep and cook time: 15 minutes
Up your salad game with this side dish or main event. It has all the flavor of a traditional pasta salad with fewer calories. Plus, the dressing keeps for four days in the refrigerator and retains its green color, provided you seal it tightly in a container.
12. Rice paper rolls with mango and mint
Total prep and cook time: N/A
These are light, fresh, easy and fun to make and very healthy. Serve them with a sweet and spicy peanut butter dipping sauce (recipe is included in the instructions). P.S. Your friends will be super impressed, and you don't have to tell them how quick they were to make!
13. Apple cranberry feta pecan salad
Total prep and cook time: 5 minutes
All. The. Flavors. Perfect for fall, when apples are at their peak, but also delicious year-round, this salad never fails to delight with ingredients like cranberries and feta. It's also quick to make and looks amazing. Pair it with your favorite dressing.
14. Pink pickled deviled eggs
Total prep and cook time: 12 hours
The deep pink hue of these deviled eggs comes from pickling them in beet juice and vinegar. You may need to experiment with the pickling time — a longer period will give you a deeper color but a more vinegary taste.
15. Zucchini "pasta" salad with mozzarella and basil
Total prep and cook time: 40 minutes
Swap out the pasta with spiralized zucchini for a healthy and delicious salad. You'll need a spiralizer, of course, but it's easy to find and use. If you want to make it as a vegan alternative, just omit the mozzarella.
16. Creamy vegan onion garlic dip
Total prep and cook time: 35 minutes
This creamy, flavorful dip is nut-free — it uses silken tofu instead of cashews. It's also loaded with flavor, thanks to the roasted garlic and caramelized onions. Serve it with your favorite dippers — tortilla chips or veggies like broccoli and carrots will do the trick!
17. Easy cowboy caviar
Total prep and cook time: 5 minutes
You'll have this dip ready in no time at all. It has a nice kick thanks to the jalapenos and is a healthy crowd-pleaser. You can serve it with tortilla chips or pita, or you can just eat it as is.
18. Creamy delicatessen fruit salad
Total prep and cook time: 15 minutes
This sweet fruit salad is a much healthier alternative to the cakes, cupcakes and cookies you typically might find at a potluck. Plus, it's quick and easy to make.
19. Lemon herb couscous salad
Total prep and cook time: 20 minutes
Flavorful, colorful and healthy — it doesn't get better than this. The couscous salad works well as both a main dish or side dish. Use Israeli couscous for the tastiest results
20. Vegan mushroom and walnut pate
Total prep and cook time: 30 minutes
The perfect snack to spread on bread or crackers, this mushroom and walnut pate is flavored with rosemary, garlic and parsley. It's a 100% vegan alternative to the fancy French spread, but even meat-eaters will enjoy it.
21. Easy pumpkin hummus
Total prep and cook time: 5 minutes (longer if you make your own pumpkin puree)
Now that Fall is here, why not try this pumpkin-flavored twist on a classic? Packed with protein, it also makes a bold presentation with its deep yellow-orange hue. Serve with chips, bread, crackers or veggies — and watch it disappear! (Who doesn't love a good hummus, after all?)
22. Farro salad with roasted eggplant, caramelized onion and pine nuts
Total prep and cook time: 45 minutes
If you're not familiar with farro, it's an ancient grain with a pleasant, chewy texture and a healthier alternative to pasta and rice, thanks to all the fiber it has. This flavorful dish has a satisfying kick thanks to a variety of hot peppers and is just a little sweet from the caramelized onions and balsamic vinegar.
23. Fall harvest salad with maple tahini dressing
Total prep and cook time: 45 minutes
Capitalize on seasonal Fall ingredients like brussel sprouts, squash, beets and apples to make this festive, flavorful salad with a rich and sweet yet tart dressing. The dish is also completely vegan.
24. Rainbow tortilla pinwheels
Total prep and cook time: 15 minutes
You can use a variety of vegetables in these, but the carrots, peppers and cabbage give them some nice visual appeal. They're a great vegetarian alternative to the deli-meat sandwiches you'll typically find at potlucks, and they're also tasty and healthy. You don't need to wait for a party, either: They make the perfect lunch, too.
25. Easy and healthy chocolate pudding
Total prep and cook time: 5 minutes
Dessert time! And with four simple, healthy ingredients — avocados, unsweetened cocoa powder, agave nectar and vanilla extract — you can enjoy this treat guilt-free. And it's vegan. And super quick to make. Need I say more?
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