30 No-Cook Potluck and Picnic Recipes

By The editors of MidwestLiving.com
June 01, 2012

Assemble these recipes—great for potlucks, picnics or light family dinners—without turning on the oven or range. They are the perfect way to help you keep your cool.

Start Slideshow

1 of 29

Stuffed Party Pinwheels

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Our recipe actually makes two different kinds of tortilla spirals—one flavored with curry powder, the other with garlic and herbs.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 29

24-Hour Tex-Mex Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Layered salads, popular in the 1970s and 1980s, are making a comeback. Assemble this easy potluck salad in either individual jars or a clear salad bowl, dressing and all, then refrigerate.

3 of 29

Marinated Cheese Cubes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Pantry ingredients turn ordinary Monterey jack into a deli-style party snack that tastes even better when you make it ahead. You can prep it three days in advance.

Advertisement

4 of 29

Chicken Banh Mi

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Layer rotisserie chicken with crisp veggies, mayo and zippy sesame dressing on a soft roll for this easy version of the popular Vietnamese sandwich.

5 of 29

Nutty Apple-Cherry Slaw

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Nuts and fruit add crunch and color to cabbage tossed in a homemade vinaigrette. This beautiful twist on traditional coleslaw is best served right away for maximum crispness, but it will hold for up to 24 hours.

6 of 29

Tropical Tomato Salsa

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Try this sweet, colorful salsa-made with tomato, mango and melon-over chips, fish or chicken.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 29

Ricotta and Parmesan Spread

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Fresh herbs season this ridiculously simple spread from BelGioioso Cheese in Wisconsin. It keeps well in the fridge and is delicious with cherry tomatoes or other vegetable dippers, as well as crackers or baguette slices.

8 of 29

Fresh Corn Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Mix sweet dressing, fresh veggies and spicy jalapeños to create a fresh-tasting potluck salad that has only 77 calories per serving.

9 of 29

Basic Chicken Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

We call this chicken salad "basic," but thanks to lemon juice and fresh green onion and parsley, it's anything but boring. Don't hesitate to bring it to your next picnic.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 29

Chunky Fresh Tomato Salsa

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Try this blender tomato salsa with grilled fish or chicken, or as an appetizer with chips.

11 of 29

Cucumber-Feta Dip

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A garnish of pomegranate seeds and mint gives spark to this refreshing dip; it'’s a healthy choice you'll be glad to have in your recipe box year-round. Serve with pita chips, crisp breadsticks or vegetables.

12 of 29

Orange Chicken Coleslaw Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This unusual recipe combines orange marmalade and soy sauce to make a sweet-and-salty dressing for chicken, cabbage and crunchy ramen noodles. Serve the mixture over a bed of fresh spinach for a nutrient-packed dish.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 29

Watermelon, Feta and Mint Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Discover the savory potential of watermelon in this five-ingredient salad.

14 of 29

Cucumber Bites with Herbed Cheese and Salmon Mousse

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The recipe makes half the bites with pink salmon mousse filling and half with white herbed cheese. If you like, streamline by choosing just one filling and doubling its ingredients. This recipe comes from Annie Marshall of the Indianapolis-based blog Everyday Annie.

15 of 29

Avocado-Feta Salsa

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Fresh herbs, tomatoes and avocados create a refreshing salsa. Serve with pita or tortilla chips.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 29

Layered Asian Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Sweet, citrusy homemade dressing adds amazing flavor to a veggie layer salad, and it has fewer than 50 calories per serving! Chill salad and dressing separately up to 24 hours before serving.

17 of 29

Cucumber Sandwiches

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Layer Provolone and Parmesan cheeses with fresh cilantro, mint, a chile pepper and sliced cucumber for a refreshingly light sandwich.

18 of 29

Chicken Taco Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Pick up a rotisserie chicken and a few veggies, and in 20 minutes, you can serve this colorful, crowd-pleasing salad.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 29

Waldorf Chicken Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

All the traditional Waldorf ingredients are here: apple, grapes, walnuts, celery and mayo. This is a great choice to pack for weekday lunches or picnics.

20 of 29

Blackberry Salad with Creamy Feta

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Toss juicy blackberries with shredded mint leaves, tangy feta and pickled onions for a surprisingly delicious combination. The salad pairs perfectly with grilled meats.

21 of 29

Savoy Cabbage Salad

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A refreshing ginger vinaigrette seasons this cabbage side salad. The noodles are added uncooked. They soften some while chilling, but still add crunch.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 29

Cucumber and Apricot Sandwiches

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This crunchy, fruit-studded cream cheese sandwich makes a great picnic snack. 

23 of 29

Avocado Pesto-Stuffed Tomatoes

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Stuff cherry tomatoes with a filling of avocado, cream cheese, pesto and lemon juice for an easy make-ahead appetizer. Tip: Cut a thin slice from the bottom of each tomato to help these nibbles stand upright!

24 of 29

Garden Slaw with Spicy Asian Dressing

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This side-dish salad tastes great with burgers or pulled pork sandwiches. Or you can toss the slaw with shredded chicken or chopped cooked ham for a main-dish salad.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 29

Black Bean Salsa

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This salsa does double duty as a tortilla dip or a meat topper. Serve with a slotted spoon over grilled pork, smoked bratwursts or sausages, grilled chicken or salmon.

26 of 29

Cucumber-Honeydew Salad with Feta

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This healthy no-cook potluck salad is full of fruit and vegetable goodness. Feta adds a tang to the sweetness of honeydew melon. With only 20 minutes of prep time before an overnight chill, this recipe is great for picnics and parties.

27 of 29

Black-Eyed Pea Relish

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This easy and versatile relish requires only 15 minutes of prep, then an hour of chilling time for the flavors to meld. Sweet and hot peppers add contrasting flavor. Try the relish with pita chips, as a topping for grilled chicken breast or by itself.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

28 of 29

Ham and Mango Sandwiches

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

These little fruit-and-ham sandwiches are easy to tote to a picnic or potluck. 

29 of 29

Summerberry Cooler

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A refreshing blend of berry, apple and citrus juices makes for a delicious sipper that's light on calories. Pierce the berries to ensure juice release. This drink can also be spiked with vodka or light rum for an adult beverage.

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

By The editors of MidwestLiving.com