15 Retro Potluck Recipes That Are Making a Comeback
So many salads, yet very little lettuce.
While there may be differences between states and communities across this great nation of ours, there’s one thing everyone has in common: the love of a good potluck. Whether it’s at a local church or in someone’s backyard just because the weather is nice in the summer, it’s an excuse to share good food and feel a little nostalgic. Because no matter what year it is, potlucks always have a retro feel to them. And with that comes retro potluck recipes.
A lot of these vintage recipes really never went away to begin with. Take deviled eggs or baked beans, for instance. Can you picture a potluck without them? But there are a few that maybe fell by the wayside, and it takes a few brave souls to pull them out of their grandma’s recipe box and give them new life. A lot of them are “salads” that don’t have a shred of lettuce, for instance (though at least one of them is green). And there are quite a few casseroles, because there’s no better way to feed a crowd.
A lot of retro potluck dishes are making a comeback thanks to their quirkiness and the viral nature of social media. But it doesn’t really matter what sparked the interest. As soon as you try one, you’ll remember why you loved them way back when and forget why you stopped eating them in the first place. So for your next potluck, bring one of these blasts from the past. It’ll be everyone’s favorite dish, and you’ll be the talk of the party!
Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs never really went away because they are “so ding dang addictive” as Ree says. Bring them to your next potluck and they’ll disappear in minutes, no matter where you live.
Get the Deviled Eggs recipe.
Watergate Salad
It’s green, so therefore, it’s a salad, right? If you’ve never had this retro treat, you won’t be quite sure what you’re having at first (it’s pistachio pudding with lots of mix-ins) but you surely won’t stop eating it once you have a few spoonfuls.
Get the Watergate Salad recipe.
The Best Baked Beans Ever
Ree says, “Bring these to a cookout once, and you'll be asked to bring them to every single cookout for the rest of your life. They're sweet, tangy, smoky, saucy, and—most importantly—topped with bacon.”
Get Ree’s Best Baked Beans Ever recipe.
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Um, how is a dessert called a salad? Don’t question it, but definitely make it. It’s layers of a savory-sweet pretzel crust, cream cheese filling, and strawberry Jell-O topping that practically sparkles.
Get the Strawberry Pretzel Salad recipe.
Pineapple Casserole
It may sound a little odd to mix pineapple with cheese and crackers, but trust the generations of grandmas on this one. It has a sweet-and-savory flavor that’s hard to stop eating.
Get Ree's Pineapple Casserole recipe.
Pea Salad
Ree has loved this salad since childhood. It dresses up frozen peas with bacon, onion, chunks of cheddar or American cheese, and a creamy dressing to pull it together. It’s a great side for practically everything!
Get Ree's Pea Salad recipe.
7-Layer Casserole
Get a bite of retro Tex-Mex with this classic casserole. It has layers of rice, beans, corn, tomatoes with green chiles, seasoned ground beef, and cheese. Then finish it off with lots of fresh toppings like tomato, avocado, and cilantro.
Get Ree’s 7-Layer Casserole recipe.
Tuna Pasta Salad
You’ll still find this pasta salad all over the Midwest. It’s like the pasta salad version of retro tuna casserole, but it’s served cold and perfect to tote to your next potluck.
Get the Tuna Pasta Salad recipe.
Southern Potato Salad
Potato salads are a must for any potluck or cookout. For most of the South and a chunk of the Midwest, potato salad is yellow, not white, thanks to chopped eggs and a tangy mayo-mustard dressing. Give it a try and you’ll see why it’s so popular!
Get the Southern Potato Salad recipe.
Jell-O Cake
All hail the poke cake! It’s so easy to assemble because it uses a cake mix and a box of Jell-O for those fun tie-dye swirls. Top with whipped cream, and you’re ready to serve! It’s easy to slice and feeds a crowd.
Get the Jell-O Cake recipe.
Layered Salad
This is what Ree’s mother-in-law would bring to every potluck. Grab a clear bowl and layer lettuce, eggs, bacon, tomatoes, green onions, cheddar cheese, and peas, then seal it with a creamy dressing. Mix when you’re ready to serve.
Get Ree's Layered Salad recipe.
Ambrosia Salad
Here’s another sweet “salad” from grandma’s recipe box. It’s got marshmallows, coconut, citrus slices, and maraschino cherries. It’s equal parts a side dish, snack, and dessert, so you can eat it all day.
Get the Ambrosia Salad recipe.
Taco Dip
A potluck must have at least one dip. Taco dip whips up in just ten minutes, and everyone will want to chow down. Serve it with tortilla chips, potato chips, or some cut-up veggies.
Get the Taco Dip recipe.
Grape Salad
Did you think there’s an end to sweet “salad” recipes? The limit does not exist! This one features crunchy fresh grapes, toasted pecans, and cool, tangy dressing. Best of all, it only takes 15 minutes to toss together.
Get the Grape Salad recipe.
Pimento Cheese
Don’t even bother going to a potluck if pimento cheese isn’t there. Kidding, but not really? Ree’s version of this Southern staple is a bit smoky thanks to some adobo sauce. Serve it with toast points, veggies, or crackers.
Get Ree's Pimento Cheese recipe.
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