Best recipes to take to a party: what to bring to a street party or potluck
It's party time
Been asked to bring a dish to a coronation feast, picnic or garden party? Your inspiration starts here, with our collection of easy 'potluck' recipes. From starters and nibbles to shareable sides, moreish mains and snackable bakes, we've got a jam-packed selection of crowd-pleasing ideas for you to try. Not only that, but we have plenty of advice on how to prepare your tasty treats in advance, and how to ensure they reach the festivities in tip-top condition.
Roasted lamb 'coronadas' with blue cheese
A British take on classic Spanish and Latin American empanadas, these coronation-themed 'coronada' pastries are just the thing to satisfy hungry street party–goers. Easy to transport, they're packed full of tender lamb shank, aromatic vegetables and a creamy blue cheese dressing, and they can be eaten hot or cold. You'll need to marinate the lamb overnight, but the recipe (which makes a big batch of 12 and can be scaled up) is reassuringly easy to follow. Give it a try!
Get the recipe for roasted lamb 'coronadas' with blue cheese here
Hummus
If you're looking for an easy snacking or starter option to make, there's nothing simpler than whipping up a dip or two. Homemade hummus beats shop-bought every time, and takes all of 10 minutes to prepare. Just add a few bags of tortilla or pitta chips, et voilà: a super sharer everyone will want to get their hands on (and pittas in).
Summer rolls
Served with a dipping sauce of your choice, these fresh, vibrant Vietnamese rolls make a great party snack or starter. Rolled in rice paper wrappers, they can be made a few hours in advance and stored in the fridge – and the recipe is easily doubled or tripled to feed a crowd. Our summer rolls are vegetarian, but you could add prawns, shredded chicken or pork to satisfy any meat-eaters at the table.
Bar nuts
Bar nuts are the quickest and simplest party snack of all – and they always seem to go down a treat. In our recipe, raw peanuts are tossed in an oil-based spice and herb mix, then roasted in the oven. Want to mix it up a little? Try using a combination of different nuts like cashews, hazelnuts or almonds. They'll keep for up to three days in a sealed container.
Prawn cocktail
Prawn cocktail may be a retro classic, but it's always a winner. With a homemade Marie Rose sauce, our recipe is packed with tangy lemon and tomato flavours that are sure to get tongues tingling. Portion your prawns, lettuce and cucumber into jam jars and transport them in a cooler box, with the sauce in a separate container. Iceberg or baby gem lettuce will stand up to the journey.
Sausage rolls
In our recipe, the humble sausage roll is given a makeover with the addition of silky Parma Ham, herbs and spices. Using shop-bought puff pastry, they're a doddle to assemble. They can even be made ahead, popped uncooked in the freezer, then baked from frozen when you need them. What could be easier than that?
Carrot rillettes
A classic French dish, rillettes is a type of paste that's normally made with pork or duck. Here's the veggie version, where cooked, grated carrots are combined with peanut butter, ricotta, herbs and spices to make a tasty snack to serve with crackers. It needs to be made the day before, and will keep for three days in the fridge.
Scotch eggs
Perfect for parties and picnics, Scotch eggs are a traditional British snack that's undergone a bit of a transformation in recent years – elevated versions (like ours) can be found on swanky gastropub menus up and down the UK. In our recipe, lightly spiced sausage meat encases whole eggs, which are then crumbed and deep-fried. Try them in an air fryer, cooking them at 180°C (350°F) for 20 minutes.
Picnic pies
An ideal snack for a sunny day, these small, individual pies are made by filling a hot water crust pastry with turkey, chicken and apricots. The pastry is quite forgiving, but you'll need to work quickly so it doesn't dry out. They'll keep for up to three days in the fridge – and they aren't too fragile, so they're easy to transport.
Quiche Lorraine
If you're after a meaty alternative to the King's official Coronation Quiche, this quiche Lorraine – with a creamy filling of bacon, eggs and cheese – is a sure-fire hit. It's best served at room temperature on the day it's made, though you can blind-bake the pastry and prepare the filling in advance, or freeze it once cooked. Transport it to the party in its tin, and don't forget a sharp knife for slicing!
Chilli con carne
A big pan of beef chilli makes a great sharing dish for a feast with family or friends. It takes time to cook for the best flavour, but it can be made ahead (or frozen) to save you time on the big day. Serve it with tortilla chips, sour cream, grated cheese and guacamole on the side. Our top tip? Make the guacamole fresh, add lots of lime, and cover with cling film.
Spinach and feta pie
Also known as spanakopita, this traditional Greek dish consists of layers of buttered filo pastry, with a delicious spinach and feta filling. It can be eaten at room temperature or cold, and can be sliced and transported in its tin. It's a really tasty and easy vegetarian dish everyone will enjoy – and it's ready in just over an hour.
Spiced salmon with pineapple salsa
In this easy recipe, a fillet of salmon is marinated overnight in maple syrup and spices, popped under the grill, and served with pineapple salsa and caramelised onion rice. It's a great choice for a 'bring a dish' or potluck party, as the rice can be microwaved to reheat – and the fish tastes just as good served at room temperature as it does freshly cooked.
Lasagne
Everyone's favourite comfort food! This classic lasagne may take a little time to prepare, but most of it's hands-off, while the rich meat sauce bubbles away. Take 15 minutes off the cooking time, then pop it back into the oven to finish off when you reach your host's house. Alternatively, bake it just before you leave home, and wrap it in foil so it stays warm on the journey.
Barbecue pork ribs
Sticky, spicy and not too sweet, these ribs need to be slow-cooked in the oven before grilling – so you could do most of the work at home before taking them to a barbecue. They have to be marinated overnight in a spice rub, and the barbecue sauce acts as a baste and sauce to serve.
Goats' cheese, red pepper and red onion tart
A patriotic pièce de résistance! If there's one dish that's sure to wow your coronation party guests, it's this show-stopping savoury tart. Decorated in the colours of the Union Jack, it's made with charred, honey-drizzled red onions, roasted red peppers and plenty of creamy goats' cheese. Handily, it can be made in advance of the festivities, and it tastes just as good cold as it does fresh from the oven.
Get the recipe for goats' cheese, red pepper and red onion tart here
Coronation chicken
Created for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, this lightly curried chicken dish with mango chutney remains a firm buffet favourite. With just six ingredients, it's so easy to make – plus, it can be served as a main with salad and bread, or as a filler for sandwiches or sliders.
Barbecued gnocchi with peppers and pesto
Vegans often get a raw deal at barbecues, but here's a dish everyone will love: crisp gnocchi and sweet peppers with vegan pesto, threaded on skewers and served with basil dressing. Skewer them at home and take them to the party in a lidded tub, with the dressing in a separate container. They'll take just five minutes to grill.
Get the recipe for barbecued gnocchi with peppers and pesto here
Spiced beef skewers
These easy beef skewers are a good choice to take to a barbecue – they take just minutes to cook, so you can spend less time grilling and more time mingling. Spicy and aromatic, they're topped with a lemony red onion and parsley mix, which can be made in advance. Bring along a pot of hummus and some flatbreads to serve them with, then let everyone dig in.
Pulled pork tacos
These meltingly tender pulled pork tacos are perfect for feeding a crowd – and better still, you can leave everyone to build their own. It needs to marinate overnight and takes time to cook, but the recipe is refreshingly easy. The pork can pulled and tossed in the sauce, then microwaved to heat through. Alternatively, it's just as delicious served at room temperature.
Chicken musakhan
Musakhan – a big sharing platter of spiced chicken served on toasted flatbreads, melted onions and pine nuts – is the national dish of Palestine, where everyone digs in to eat it with their hands. If you want to take it to a garden party, transport the elements separately. The flatbreads could be toasted on a barbecue too.
Spring pasta salad
In this tasty yet simple pasta salad recipe, vibrant green vegetables are layered up with fusilli, lemon dressing and pistachio pesto – and the whole thing can be assembled a day in advance. Individual servings can easily be transported to a get-together in glass jars. If you want to make a big bowl, increase the ingredient quantities and take it to your destination in a lidded plastic tub.
Potato salad with crispy Parma Ham
Need a new potato salad recipe? Here, the creamy dressing is made with thick yogurt and mayonnaise, with fresh herbs, lemon and boiled eggs. Topped with silky, salty Parma Ham, it's full of flavour and texture. Just transport the ham separately to ensure it remains crisp.
Carrot and apple salad
A perfectly portable salad that'll keep in the fridge for a couple of days. In our recipe, grated carrots and apples are combined with spring onions, toasted walnuts and a sweet lemon dressing. The best part? If you have a food processor, you can prep it in minutes.
Salade Niçoise
Sunshine in a bowl, this colourful salad from Southern France makes a perfect starter or side dish to take to a garden party. Although the recipe calls for fresh artichokes, you can easily use some from a jar instead. Ripe tomatoes are a must – and be sure to add the best olives you can find. Transport the cooked eggs separately, then halve to serve.
Watermelon and feta salad with mint
Sweet, salty and crunchy, this easy Mediterranean salad is a feast for the taste buds. To make it, combine watermelon, olives, fresh mint and toasted pumpkin seeds, then sprinkle crispy croutons and feta cheese on top. Top tip: pack the croutons separately so they retain their crunch.
Lime cracker pie
With just five ingredients, no cooking required, and a prep time of just 20 minutes, this easy spin on a Key lime pie is a foolproof party dessert. The secret ingredient? Ritz crackers, which add a little saltiness to balance the sweetness of the creamy filling. It's best left to sit in the fridge overnight, so make it a day in advance.
Banoffee blondies
Brimming with chocolate chips, caramel sauce and mashed bananas, partygoers will find these decadent, fudgy blondies hard to resist. The recipe makes 16, and they'll keep for up to five days in the fridge. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser for all age groups!
Eton mess
Think of Eton mess as a jumbled up Pavlova: crushed meringue, whipped cream and fresh summer berries (strawberries are traditional), all thrown together and served in individual dessert glasses. The mix is oh-so-easy to transport – just pop it in a covered container in a cooler box. Take extra fruit to garnish.
Chocolate and cardamom carrot cake
A carrot cake with a difference – with orange, chocolate chips and lovely, warm spices – all made in one tin. The icing on the cake, literally, is the most delicious brown butter cream cheese frosting. It serves 12 and will keep, covered, in the tin for up to three days.
White chocolate cheesecake
A winning combination of cream cheese, cream and melted white chocolate on a biscuit base, this simple cheesecake will serve 10 with no baking required – so it's perfect for a party or big family gathering. Leave it to set overnight, and there you have it!
S'mores rocky road
Here's a fun twist on a very chocolatey fridge cake, with salted peanuts and melted marshmallows. Best left to set overnight in the fridge, it can be divided up into at least 10 moreish portions – plus, it's so easy that the kids can help make it.
Victoria sponge Swiss roll
Topped with fresh double cream, and scattered with edible flowers and juicy strawberries, this quintessentially British take on a Swiss roll is almost too pretty to eat. Essentially, it's a rolled-up sponge cake filled with jam, fruit and cream – and though it takes a bit of baking skill and a steady hand to make, it's totally worth it. Everyone will want a slice!
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