10 Last Minute Potluck Recipes to Make in A Pinch

Jenny deRemer

Jul 04, 2024

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Got a last-minute invite to a July 4th shindig? Don’t sweat it! I’ve encountered that last-minute dish dilemma before and have prepared some easy last-minute recipes that will impress everyone around the fire pit. The criteria here are twofold; ready in 3 hours or less and must feed 10 or more. Stick around, and I’ll show you how to whip up some delicious dishes in no time!

Table of Contents

Hearty Penna Dutch Potato Salad

Hearty Penna Dutch Potato Salad in a patriotic motif serving bowl with a linen towel.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average, A Yankees Bid at Southern Eats.

Savor the delicious Penna Dutch Potato Salad, a rich and creamy Amish recipe especially appealing with its special hot dressing, making it a must-have at barbecues and picnics. Even though it’s not a traditional Southern dish, a tiny bit of Yankee fodder never hurts! This dish is ready to be served in as few as 2 hours after assembling.

GET THE RECIPE: Amish Potato Salad

A Sweet, Sticky, Spicy Bourbon Glaze

A spoon holding a thick, glossy sauce with seeds and spices hovers over a pot.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average, A Yankees Bid at Southern Eats.

A Sweet, Sticky, Spicy Bourbon Glaze brings a one-of-a-kind sweet and savory flavor to grilled meats, fish, and shellfish that will impress you enough to make it a staple in your recipe collection. This versatile condiment not only enhances grilled dishes but also serves as a fantastic dipping sauce or topping for burgers and chicken! Ready in as few as 15 minutes after assembling.

GET THE RECIPE: Bourbon Glaze

Butter Pecan Cookies 

A plate of cookies with pecan nuts on top, boasting a golden-brown baked appearance.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average, A Yankees Bid at Southern Eats.

This recipe for Brown Butter Pecan Cookies from a 1915 edition of The Anderson Intelligencer has become a baking favorite of mine. There is no such thing as ‘butter pecans’; instead, the distinct flavor comes from combining browned butter and lightly toasted pecans.

GET THE RECIPE: Butter Pecan Cookies 

Best Southern Corn Pudding

A spoonful of creamy baked corn casserole.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average, A Yankees Bid at Southern Eats.

Southern Corn Pudding is farm to table fare, accompanying everything from grilled steak to the Thanksgiving dinner turkey! Baked until gorgeously golden brown, spoonsful of ‘creamy corn pudding bliss’ grace the dinner table in this classic southern dish. If serving as part of a holiday meal, it compliments everything from holiday ham and turkey to a green bean casserole!

GET THE RECIPE: Corn Casserole

Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili

Fritos corn chips smothered in chili with jalapeños and chopped tomatoes.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average, A Yankees Bid at Southern Eats.

Looking for an easy and crowd-pleasing recipe for your next gathering? Look no further than Tailgater Frito Pie with Cowgirl Chili! This dish is a delicious way to use America’s favorite snacking chip, taking it from the school lunchbox to the party table! With hearty chili con carne, it’s sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike. And the best part? It’s easily doubled or even tripled to feed even the largest of crowds. So next time you’re planning a party or tailgate, give this recipe a try and watch your guests dig in!

GET THE RECIPE: Frito Pie

Ricotta Crostini with Peaches and Prosciutto

Peach slices on top of whipped ricotta cheese spread onto a slice of toasted baguette, with prosciutto and a sage leaf.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average, A Yankees Bid at Southern Eats.

Honey-whipped Ricotta Crostini with Peaches and Prosciutto is a light but filling party snack. This mouthwatering creation combines the creamy richness of whipped cheese, the sweetness of seasonal fruit, the savory bite of prosciutto, and a drizzle of honey, all nestled on manageable rounds of crusty toasted baguette. It’s a party in your mouth!

GET THIS RECIPE: Ricotta Crostini with Peaches and Prosciutto

Boozy Macerated Strawberries

Numerous sliced strawberries piled together.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average, A Yankees Bid at Southern Eats.

Mouthwatering Macerated Strawberries served over a generous portion of creamy vanilla ice cream or simple whipped cream is a delightful treat for anyone who adores the flavors of summer. The strawberries reach their peak flavor after an hour of maceration but truly shine after 3 hours.

GET THE RECIPE: Boozy Macerated Strawberries

Tasty Roasted Garlic Dip

A bowl of creamy dip garnished with herbs and spices, surrounded by cherry tomatoes, green beans, sugar snap peas, cucumber slices, and red bell pepper strips on a wooden tray.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average, A Yankees Bid at Southern Eats.

If you’re a fan of garlic, you’ll absolutely love this delicious Roasted Garlic Dip. After just 15 minutes in the oven, the garlic transforms into a wonderfully mellow and sweet flavor that perfectly complements a few basic ingredients. This dip is quicker and simpler to make than rushing to the store for a pre-made one, and the taste is far superior as well.

GET THE RECIPE: Tasty Roasted Garlic Dip

Jamie Oliver’s ‘Mothership’ Tomato Salad

A white plate featuring red and yellow cherry tomatoes, sliced red onions, fresh basil leaves, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average, A Yankees Bid at Southern Eats.

Got tomatoes? They’re already rolling in here in the south like a red wave; sweet, delicious, and downright gorgeous. Mothership Tomato Salad makes shockingly genius use of them.

GET THE RECIPE: Jamie Oliver’s ‘Mothership’ Tomato Salad

A Tasty and Kid-friendly Pickle Macaroni Salad

Creamy macaroni and cheese topped with diced red and green peppers in a white dish.
Image Credit: Jenny DeRemer for Not Entirely Average, A Yankees Bid at Southern Eats.

This simple Kid-friendly Pickle Macaroni Salad recipe isn’t just delicious; its pleasing flavor is designed to appeal to kids and picky adults alike, making it a perfect addition to America’s favorite grilling side dish lineup! Use sweet pickle relish OR dill pickle relish – you cannot go wrong with either using this method.

GET THE RECIPE: Kid-friendly Pickle Macaroni Salad

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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