10 dietitians share their favorite dishes to bring to potlucks and parties

Maxine Yeung
·6-min read
A dish of quinoa arugula salad on a gray dish with a spoon.
Quinoa arugula salad is easy to make ahead of time and tastes even better the next day. (Getty Images)

The holiday season often comes with a slew of social gatherings, filled with festive foods and drinks. If you’re tasked with bringing a dish to a holiday party or potluck dinner, it can be hard to figure out one that’s both delicious and easy to whip up, let alone healthy.

To help you take the guesswork out of what to make, I asked 10 dietitians to share their go-to dishes for holiday gatherings — or any party, really! These recipes are not only crowd-pleasers but also simple to prepare, keeping the stress of the season in mind. Here are 12 tasty dishes they recommend:

Jessie Carpenter, dietitian and owner of Nutrition Prescription, says her goat cheese and maple syrup-stuffed, prosciutto-wrapped dates are a party hit, disappearing in a flash. “All I know is this is my go-to dish to bake-and-take to events because it's definitely a crowd favorite!” she tells Yahoo Life. “Maybe it's the unique ingredient blend or the easy, pop-in-your-mouth eating style of these wrapped dates that made it such a winner.” Dates are naturally sweet, pairing perfectly with salty prosciutto, and they’re packed with fiber and antioxidants, which support heart health and lower the risk of chronic disease.

Get the Prosciutto-Wrapped Dates recipe.

Dips and parties go hand in hand, right? Sarah Alsing, sports dietitian and recipe creator for Delightfully Fueled, tells Yahoo Life: “My go-to recipe to make for potlucks is my Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip, because it’s easy to prepare, high in protein and always a crowd-pleaser.” With just five ingredients — Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, buffalo sauce, shredded chicken and shredded cheese — this flavorful dip is creamy, satisfying and simple. Using Greek yogurt and cottage cheese cuts saturated fat while upping protein, and Alsing keeps it extra easy by using canned chicken. “Pair it with chips, bell pepper slices and cucumber for dipping,” she suggests.

Looking for a vegetarian friendly dip? Lisa Andrews, dietitian and owner of Sound Bites Nutrition, recommends her Layered Hummus Dip. “I love to bring this because it's simple to make, can be made vegan — skip the cheese — and tastes delicious!” Andrews tells Yahoo Life. Hummus brings a boost of protein and healthy fats. “In addition, it's festive for the holidays, with its bright red and green colors from tomatoes, red onions and chopped cucumbers,” adds Andrews.

Get the Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip and Layered Hummus Dip recipe.

“My Cheddar Ale Soup is fantastic for potlucks this time of year, with its silky smooth texture and savory flavors,” dietitian Jessi Holden, owner of The Kitchen Invitation, tells Yahoo Life. The base of this soup is butternut squash, rich in fiber and anti-inflammatory benefits, with a subtle kick from jalapeño and cayenne pepper. Holden recommends serving it with baked pretzel bites, grilled cheese kabobs or even popcorn for a fun twist. Not a fan of beer? Simply swap it out for extra broth.

Get the Cheddar Ale Soup recipe.

Vegetables don’t often get the spotlight at parties, but EA Stewart, dietitian and blogger at The SpicyRD, has a go-to dish that changes that: her Quinoa Arugula Salad with Feta Cheese and Pine Nuts. She’s brought it to more potlucks than she can count. “It's easy to make ahead of time, versatile and tastes even better the next day,” Stewart tells Yahoo Life. Quinoa, with its nutty flavor and slight crunch, is a complete plant-based protein, providing all nine essential amino acids. Plus, this salad is loaded with fiber and antioxidants.

Get the Quinoa Arugula Salad with Feta Cheese and Pine Nuts recipe.

There’s nothing more seasonal than a cozy, hearty chili that includes pumpkin. This vegan chili is full of nutrients. “Pumpkin has got a lot of nutritional prowess,” says Andrews. “It’s a great source of the antioxidant beta-carotene, in addition to being a source of potassium, vitamin C and fiber,” she adds. Plus, explains Andrews: “Lentils offer up plenty of fiber, protein and iron — the most common nutrient deficiency worldwide.”

Chili is perfect for making in big batches, which makes sharing a breeze. Many people also say it actually tastes better the next day. If you prefer a chili with meat, dietitian Kristi Ruth of Carrots & Cookies created a delicious and filling Kid-Approved Turkey Chili. “It's the perfect meal to make around the holidays too, because you can use leftover turkey,” she says.

Get the Chipotle Lentil Chili with Pumpkin recipe and Kid-Approved Turkey Chili recipe.

“Meatballs are a potluck favorite, because they are super simple to make and can be made in advance, frozen and reheated the day of the gathering,” Heather Mangieri, sports dietitian and author of Fueling Young Athletes, tells Yahoo Life. They’re also packed with protein, perfect for finger food and super versatile. “Just make a simple turkey meatball and add a marinara sauce, brown gravy, cocktail meatball sauce or other favorite sauce,” Mangieri suggests.

If you’re tired of turkey this time of year, Toby Amidor, award-winning nutrition expert and Wall Street Journal best-selling author of Health Shots, suggests trying her Sesame-Ginger Pork Meatballs. These lean pork meatballs include carrots, garlic and scallions to make them mighty tasty. “Serve with a simple garlic-ginger sauce, and if you want to get really ‘fancy’ place each meatball over a spoonful of slaw,” recommends Amidor.

Get the Turkey Meatballs recipe and the Sesame-Ginger Pork Meatballs recipe.

Jessica Wilson, dietitian and founder of The Helpful Dietitian, swears these bars are a nutrient-packed twist on the classic of Muddy Buddies (or “puppy chow”), a popular party mix of chocolate and peanut butter-coated cereal. Wilson’s version adds fiber and healthy fats with oats, flaxseed, nuts and peanut butter. “With a mix of hearty oats, salty peanuts and a touch of sweetness from dark chocolate and powdered sugar, they’re crave-able, grab-able and a fan favorite for kids and adults alike,” she tells Yahoo Life.

Get the Nutty Oatmeal Chocolate Bars recipe.

“Bring this bark to your next potluck and it will be the talk of the party!” says Amidor. It's not only a perfect winter holiday dessert but also packed with nutrition. “Along with antioxidants from the pomegranate arils and protein, healthy fat and fiber from the pistachios, it looks festive with holiday colors,” she adds. Plus, you can make it ahead of time and stash it in your fridge, which helps minimize last-minute prepping during this busy time of year.

Get the Pomegranate Pistachio Bark recipe.

“I love this apple cider mocktail because you only need two ingredients, and you can customize the ratio to suit your preferences,” Jamie Nadeau, registered dietitian at The Balanced Nutritionist, tells Yahoo Life. “It combines cranberry seltzer water with apple cider, also allowing you to enjoy your apple cider in a lower sugar way,” she adds. Want to cut the sugar even more? Just add a little more seltzer and skip the cinnamon sugar rim.

Get the Easy Sparkling Apple Cider Mocktail recipe.

Maxine Yeung is a dietitian and board-certified health and wellness coach.

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