By Megan Edwards,
Potlucks are a great way to host a large gathering without breaking the bank on food. From soups and salads to casseroles and cakes, the options for what you can contribute to a potluck are endless. Here, we’ve gathered our favorite vegan potluck ideas to garner some plant-based praise at your next group feast. So whether you’re celebrating the holiday season or simply in need of a dish to bring to a party, our vegan potluck recipes will add extra scrumptiousness to the smorgasbord of flavors and cuisines.

Savory Meatballs with Cranberry Glaze
Potlucks are the prime time to bring out your best finger foods, and these delectable vegan meatballs skewers are a delight to eat with your hands. Each savory ball is formed from mushrooms, oats, chickpeas, and a plethora of fragrant spices that pair perfectly with the orange-infused cranberry dipping sauce. Equal parts classy and casual, this appetizer is bound to be a hit among kids and adults alike.

Festive Sourdough Focaccia
Prepare for a barrage of “oohs” and “aahs” when you reveal the gorgeous garden scene baked into this fluffy sourdough focaccia. Tahini, date paste, and nutritional yeast add extra depth to the dough, while the festive veggie arrangement on top delivers bursts of juicy flavor that taste just as good as it looks. This is a great recipe to have kids help with because their imagination can run wild with the decoration!

Smoky Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms
We know that potlucks aren’t a competition, but if they were, you’d certainly win first prize with these scrumptious stuffed mushrooms. Each tender cap is filled with a mixture of mashed beans and grilled veggies that are scented with cumin, paprika, coriander, and lemon. Then the smoky bites gets melt-in-your-mouth tasty as you roast them on the grill (or in the oven), ensuring this vegan potluck recipe will be the star of your next group gathering.

Sweet Potato Rosette Tart
Turn heads with this pretty-in-pink sweet potato tart! The crisp oat and almond butter crust offers the most delicious contrast to the creamy sweet potato filling, which gets a boost of warming flavor from pumpkin pie spice. Purple sweet potato petals decorate the top for a Parisian-style dessert that will have people salivating before the first slice is served.

Old-Fashioned Potato Salad with Vegan Mayo
No vegan potluck is complete without a classic potato salad. Here, tender tiny potatoes are slathered in a homemade plant-based mayo that utilizes the creamy texture of silken tofu to deliver a velvety smooth sauce. Celery, red onion, and dill pickles add the traditional tangy crunch you’re looking for, while fresh dill boosts the aromatic profile of this winning side dish.

Vegan Holiday Dinner Torte
Fellow potluckers will be vying for a slice of this stunning dinner torte at your next gathering, so be sure you have enough to go around! The savory circle features all the best flavors of Thanksgiving stuffing and is flecked with tart cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and fresh herbs. The torte can be par-baked (20-25 minutes) prior to the potluck and then heated for the remaining 15 minutes at your destination, or fully baked and reheated in the oven with a towel over it to keep the moisture in.

Hearty Kale Salad with Warm Citrus and Wheat Berries
It can be hard for leafy greens to compete with a smorgasbord of savory snacks, but this delicious warm kale salad will stand out as a highlight among all the different dishes at your next potluck. Chewy wheat berries and juicy citrus segments complement the greens while a lemon-mustard dressing brightens up the earthy flavors. Garnish with chives and crunchy walnuts for a supercharged serving of veggies.

Pistachio-Orange Stuffed Dates
Simple and sweet, these stuffed dates are the ideal treat when you want a hit of sugar without the processed ingredients. Each date is stuffed with a trio of crunchy nuts and zingy orange zest to create the most delicious one-bite flavor bomb. One happy reader raves, “Easy, healthy and delicious!”

Instant Pot Mushroom-Barley Stew
This umami-rich mushroom stew is a great vegan potluck dish because it can be transported directly in the Instant Pot and can easily feed a crowd. The meaty mushrooms are joined by hearty barley, sweet pearl onions, and lots of other veggies for a texturally rich stew that develops deep flavor thanks to tangy tomato paste, salty soy sauce, and a symphony of aromatic seasonings. Simply plug in your pot at the site of the potluck and set it on the “Keep Warm” function to serve up steaming bowls of stew!

The Great Purple Sweet Potato Pie
What’s purple, uber-healthy, and the perfect vegan potluck dish? This jaw-dropping sweet potato pie! The homemade crust, infused with the warming flavors of cinnamon and walnuts, cradles a creamy no-bake filling that gets its vibrant hue from steamed purple tubers. Lime zest adds extra pizzazz, while a saucy blueberry compote drenches each slice in fruity goodness.

Vegan French Onion Dip
Serve this creamy, savory dip with a side of toasted whole wheat pita chips and sliced veggies for the ultimate potluck crudités. Sweet onions are cooked with aromatic thyme until deliciously caramelized and then stirred into a velvety tofu cream sauce. Fresh chives add that familiar sour-cream-and-onion herbal kick, ensuring each bite tastes incredibly indulgent.

Healthy Salsa Verde Taco Casserole
Casseroles are a staple of potluck culture, and this inventive salsa verde bake puts a Southwestern twist on a tasty tradition. A meaty mixture of chili-infused mushrooms and barley is topped with strips of corn tortillas, cheesy nutritional yeast, corn, and a tangy homemade green salsa to create layers of exceptional flavor. You can easily transport this in the casserole dish, covered with tin foil to keep warm. Sprinkle on some cilantro and scallions before serving, and enjoy.

Creamy Cauliflower Bake
Cauliflower has become quite the "it" veggie in recent years, and this cheesy casserole proves that this cruciferous superstar continues to deserve a place on your table. Tender florets are smothered in savory cream-style sauce that gets tantalizingly bubbly as it bakes. Dijon mustard adds tasty tang, while a topping of panko bread crumbs and almonds creates a crispy top layer to contrast with the melt-in-you-mouth veggies.

Cranberry-Pear Relish
Short on time? This recipe is the perfect vegan potluck idea when you want to contribute a dish but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. Tart cranberries, juicy pears, and citrusy oranges come together to create a trifecta of flavor that really hits the spot. Perfect for adding on top of pies or as a fruity relish to sandwiches, people will love enhancing their dishes with this delightful condiment.

Tricolor Sweet Potato Kugel
Kugel is a traditional Jewish dish that combines egg noodles with a sweetened dairy sauce to create a creamy, sugary casserole. In our vegan version, grated sweet potatoes take the place of noodles, chia seeds act as a binding agent instead of eggs, and matzo meal skews the dish more savory than sweet. The end result is a colorful, healthful, and totally delicious bake that’s ideal for serving up in squares at your next big gathering.

Jam Dot Holiday Cookies
Cue the childhood nostalgia: These festive jam dot cookies are a wholesome, plant-based version of the classic treat that you enjoyed as a kid. Walnuts are mixed into the dough for a nutty surprise while cinnamon infuses everything with warming flavor. Feel free to use multiple jams to create a rainbow platter when serving up these sweet snacks at a vegan potluck.

Instant Pot Golden Root Vegetable Soup
Anyone who tries a cup of this liquid gold soup will be vying for a second serving before they’ve had a chance to try the other potluck dishes. Carrots, parsnips, rutabaga, and potatoes are blended until silky smooth and enhanced with the sweetness of a whole apple. Turmeric provides the golden hue while nutmeg and cayenne pepper accentuate the earthy flavors. Transport the whole thing in your Instant Pot (then just set it to "Keep Warm," once you've reached your destination), and top each serving with your favorite fresh herbs.

Thanksgiving Tabbouleh Salad
The Thanksgiving flavors in this tabbouleh-style salad will please a crowd no matter the season. Tender chunks of butternut squash perfectly complement tart dried cranberries, refreshing cucumber slices, chewy bulgur, and a tangy mustard-maple dressing. Tasty served room temperature or chilled.

Veggie Potluck Pasta Salad
If you think pasta salads have been overdone at potlucks, think again: This drool-worthy dish is packed full of the most irresistible ingredients that people will be begging you for the recipe. Whole wheat pasta shells are tossed with chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, matchstick-cut carrots, sweet peppers, and a plethora of fresh herbs for an everything-but-the-garden-bed style dish. The potato-based cream sauce is bright and zesty to provide a lighter substitute for traditional mayo.

Chewy Apple-Raisin Oatmeal Cookies
There’s a reason these cookies are one of the highest-rated recipes on our entire website. Mashed banana and grated apple are mixed with peanut butter to create a creamy, wholesome batter that’s sweetened with maple syrup and vanilla extract. Chewy oats add substance while raisins add bursts of sweetness with each bite. You’d be hard pressed to find an oatmeal raisin cookie naysayer after the people at your potluck give this version a try!

Vegan Cornbread Stuffing
Give your standard cornbread contribution a makeover with this delightful savory cornbread stuffing. The cubes of fluffy bread are accompanied by umami-rich mushrooms, sweet apples, and crunchy celery that are infused with the rich flavors of poultry seasoning, sage, and paprika. Everything melds together in the oven to create a moist, casserole-style dish that serves as a perfect side at group gatherings.

Harvest Vegetable Casserole with Lentils and Gravy
Finger-licking flavor is front-and-center in this satisfying veggie casserole. While the recipe calls for cauliflower, acorn squash, carrots, and mushrooms, you can pretty much substitute any winter veggie you enjoy and it’ll turn out great. Lentils bring nutrient-dense heft to the bake while a homemade gravy seeps into all the nooks and crannies. One happy reviewer writes, “Phenomenal flavors!"

Orzo Salad with Kale Ribs
Impress your potluck guests with a salad that combats food waste! Here, kale ribs (which are often discarded) are chopped up and boiled until tender to deliver extra leafy-green fiber to the recipe. Their earthy taste is mixed in amongst creamy artichoke hearts, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and sweet orange bell pepper to create a symphony of seasonal produce. A light but tasty vinaigrette ensures this dish doesn’t overpower the flavors of the other potluck offerings!

Vegan Apple Pie
Is any vegan potluck truly complete without a melt-in-your-mouth pie? This classic apple treat is heavily scented with pie spice and topped with a Dutch-style crumble. The fruity filling pairs perfectly with the homemade oat crust, which gets a kick of natural sweetness from blended dates. Serve each slice with some vanilla nice cream for the ultimate plant-based dessert.

Single-Rise Sweet Potato Dinner Rolls
Whether you need to sop up extra soup, make a DIY sandwich, or simply need a break between the myriad of main dishes, having a side of dinner rolls is essential to a successful potluck. These sweet potato rolls are easy to make and offer subtle earthy sweetness, which means they pair well with just about anything. Make a big batch and cover with kitchen towel prior to serving to keep them fresh.

Chocolate Mousse Pie
A plant-based chocolate mousse pie? Oh my! This dessert is the pinnacle of decadence without being packed full of unhealthy ingredients. In fact, the secret behind the luscious silky filling is puréed acorn squash mixed with cocoa powder, date paste, and vanilla. The homemade crust is also bursting with wholesome ingredients such as oars, cashews, and flaxseed. Serve up this vegan potluck recipe and watch the stunned reactions of your friends when you tell them they’re eating veggies!

Cardamom Roasted Carrots with Pomegranate Seeds
Rainbow carrots are incredibly eye-catching, and this stellar recipe highlights their brilliant colors by lightly coating them in spicy-sweet marinade of cardamom, cinnamon, and cayenne. Simply roast them whole until fork-tender, and then sprinkle with juicy pomegranate seeds to create a show-stopping side dish.

Hearty Winter Slaw with Quinoa and Cranberries
Crunchy, tangy, creamy, and satisfying without being filling, coleslaws are everything a good side dish should be. Our winter-inspired version takes the classic dish up a notch by including tons of fresh herbs and a plant-based mayo dressing. The velvety sauce creates a tasty contrast with the shredded cabbage, sweet dried fruit, and chewy quinoa. Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, and cook-outs of any kind!

Sweet Potato Spoon Pudding
Simple and sweet, this spoon pudding is a lovely alternative to marshmallow-topped sweet potato casseroles you often see pop up around the holiday season. In our version, the tasty tubers are blended with fresh ginger, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, and maple syrup to create a creamy concoction that will leave you licking the plate. Top with cranberry relish for an even tastier treat!

Moutabal (Eggplant Dip)
This dip is so delicious that we wouldn’t blame you if you ate it all before the potluck started! A plump eggplant is transformed into a creamy snack with the help of lemon, tahini, garlic, and sumac. Parsley adds a nice herbal garnish while juicy pomegranate seeds sparkle on top like edible rubies. Serve with pita chips and veggies to satisfy you next snack attack.

Outrageously Healthy Black Bean Brownies
Hands-down one of the most beloved Forks Over Knives recipes of all time, these brownies from Chef AJ are a surefire winner when you’ve been tasked with bringing dessert to the potluck. The brownie batter is made from blended black beans, which may sound strange, but the cocoa powder and date syrup mask any beany flavor. Chunks of vegan chocolate and creamy pistachios dot the top to create an incredibly healthy treat readers call “fantastic.”

Skillet Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms
Perfect for passing around at a potluck, this green bean skillet is chock-full of savory flavors. The tender beans are cooked alongside umami-rich mushrooms and sweet onions, which all meld together to create a lip-smacking side dish. Fresh thyme ups the aromatics while crunchy sliced almonds add tasty texture. Even the most staunch carnivores will love this one!

Orzo-Stuffed Tomatoes with Pesto Fluff
This vegan potluck idea is easy, adorable, and comes together in just 30 minutes. Juicy campari tomatoes are stuffed with a mixture of orzo pasta, sweet peas, crunchy pine nuts, and fresh herbs for a Mediterranean-inspired appetizer. The creamy pesto fluff gets its silky texture from cannellini beans, and is tasty enough to be used as a dip for veggies if there are any leftovers. These cute canapés are the perfect one-bite snack you’ve been searching for!

Roasted Cauliflower Hummus
Switch up your standard hummus with this creamy cauliflower dip. Lemon juice adds brightness while tahini delivers a rich creaminess that transforms the cruciferous veggie into a snackable spread. Be sure to bring crudités or whole wheat pita rounds, sliced into wedges for dipping, when you serve this at your next gathering.

Smoky Little Devils
Looking for the perfect deviled egg replacement? We’ve got you covered! These stuffed potatoes are creamy, smoky, and packed full of the same tasty flavors as their non-vegan counterpart. Spicy brown mustard, garlic, and lemon juice ensure the filling is undeniably delicious, while a topping of scallions and paprika seal the deal for this vegan potluck dish that puts a plant-based spin on a classic snack.
About the Author

About the Author
Megan Edwards
Megan Edwards is a staff writer and content producer for Forks Over Knives. She is also a certified RYT-500 yoga teacher who is passionate about cultivating holistic wellness through plant-based eating, mindful movement, and meditation. With a background in journalism and marketing, she supports both the online presence and quarterly print magazine for Forks Over Knives.
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