Potluck Dishes Guests Quietly Pass Over
Potlucks are always fun because they offer plenty of variety and exciting dishes that you can sample. While there are certain crowd favorites, the opposite is also true: there are plenty of hated offerings. To make sure you don't become "that guy" who brings the worst dish of the party, here are 20 of the worst options to avoid bringing.
1. Tuna Casserole
Let's be honest, tuna is the kind of ingredient you can smell from a mile away, and it's not something that everyone loves. A tuna casserole simply has a strong flavor that won't appeal to everyone, and that combination of canned fish, creamy sauce, and noodles might not be the first dish guests run to when there are other heavy dishes around.
2. Ambrosia Salad
It's safe to safe ambrosia salad is an outdated potluck dish that doesn't connect with modern crowds. Combining fruit, marshmallows, whipped topping, and sometimes coconut, this strangely sweet side sits in the weird overlap between side dishes and desserts. That uncertainty usually leaves guests passing on it.
3. Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole is a traditional choice, but not necessarily an exciting one. Compared to brighter, fresher sides, its soft texture and creamy flavor can seem a little boring, especially if it's been brought repeatedly. Guests might take a small spoonful, but that's about it.
4. Vegetable Gelatin Salad
Belonging to a different era, any gelatin-based potluck dish that isn't dessert won't be getting a lot of love from the guests. Something like this vegetable gelatin salad, filled with celery, carrots, cabbage, and other vegetables, is going to be hard for people to casually approach.
5. Seafood Salad
Speaking of salads, a seafood salad isn't going to garner a lot of attention either, even if it's loaded with goodies like imitation crab and shrimp. This heavy salad dish simply feels a little off being served at a potluck, with the idea of cold seafood sitting there on the table likely turning lots of people away.
6. Coleslaw
Coleslaw is an incredibly familiar side dish, but that's exactly why it won't be the star of the show at any potluck: it's a bit boring. It works great alongside other mains, but if you bring a large bowl, don't expect people to be lining up just to finish it. A little spoonful goes a long way on most plates.
7. Creamed Corn
A basic dinner side, creamed corn gets about as much attention as coleslaw. It's the kind of dish you bring to complement other dishes, not shine on its own. And realistically, no one is going to be spooning heaps and heaps on their plate when there are so many other options to try.
8. Sweet Potato Casserole
Is it dessert or a side? Most Americans still don't have a definite answer to this question! Sweet potato casserole might be popular with a few guests, but for most, it can be overly rich when served with marshmallows, brown sugar, and a sweet topping.
9. Egg Salad
Though it's a familiar dish, egg salad can still be a risky choice for a large gathering because its flavor and texture are quite specific. Some guests dislike the strong egg aroma, while others avoid mayonnaise-based dishes altogether. It's one of those salads that you either love or hate, which means it's definitely not getting finished.
10. Macaroni Salad
Macaroni salad might be a common potluck staple, but that doesn't mean it has universal appeal. Unfortunately, this mayonnaise-heavy dish doesn't sit well with some folks, with the cold pasta texture being the nail in the coffin. Because it's so rich, you can only grab a small amount at a time anyway.
11. Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Despite being a filling potluck dish that features cabbage wrapped around seasoned meat, rice, and sauce, it can still discourage guests who are either not a fan of cabbage, or simply find the dish too messy and unappetizing. It's also hard to sample when you have to grab an entire roll, which might turn people away.
Karolina Kołodziejczak on Unsplash
12. Deviled Ham Spread
Unfortunately, deviled ham spread has a salty, processed flavor that just seems old-fashioned compared to most other potluck offerings. Not to mention, it doesn't look the most appealing! It’s usually served with crackers or bread, yet many guests prefer fresher dips and spreads.
13. Three-Bean Salad
Well, if you're not a fan of beans, you certainly won't be stepping near this salad right from the get-go! Three-bean salads are a hard sell at potlucks, especially when it combines sharp flavors like beans, onions, and a sweet vinegar dressing that many guests won't be excited about. Let's just say, it's not the most approachable of dishes.
14. Broccoli Salad
Because broccoli is already such a hated vegetable, seeing it in a salad doesn't make it any better. This salad usually comes with a mix of raw broccoli, cheese, bacon, raisins, and a creamy dressing, which is certainly an unusual combination of savory and sweet.
Vegan Feast Catering on Wikimedia
15. Fish Pie
To put it bluntly, fish pie has a strong seafood flavor that doesn’t suit every potluck crowd. Its creamy filling and mashed potato topping might also confuse guests who don't see how it'll work well with fish. People who are cautious about seafood often won’t take the chance.
16. Corned Beef Hash
This outdated breakfast dish doesn't quite feel like it belongs with usual potluck dishes, with its salty meat and potato mixture feeling too greasy or overly dense when served beside salads and casseroles. It's easier to say no than to figure out where to place it on your plate.
17. Clam Dip
If you love the taste of shellfish, you'll certainly appreciate a clam dip, but if you don't, then you won't. Simple as that. A dip with as strong seafood flavor as this one will basically only attract those who already love the flavors. As a result, you can't expect this bowl to go empty when the guests are likely already divided.
18. Seven-Layer Salad
Seven-layer salad already sounds overwhelming in name! This dish usually includes lettuce, peas, eggs, cheese, bacon, and a thick mayonnaise topping, and although the ingredients are familiar, the dish can feel way too heavy.
19. Sugar-Free Gelatin Dessert
When delicious, decadent desserts like cakes, cookies, and brownies are up for grabs, nobody is going to want a sugar-free gelatin dessert that was likely inspired by trendy health reels online. The colors may be bright, but everyone already knows how it's going to taste.
20. Waldorf Salad
This old-school salad simply doesn't quite fit in with modern tastes, which means most guests will likely walk right past it. Waldorf salad mixes apples, celery, grapes, walnuts, and mayonnaise, with its sweet and savory combination being too unusual for guests expecting a standard fruit salad.
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