Scenario: You're hosting a potluck and your friends are slowly starting to trickle in. Suzy brought her famous apple pie, and Natasha made your favorite green bean casserole for the occasion. But when Andrew and his new girlfriend Karen arrive, you notice that they're empty-handed. No dish, no bottle of wine, no flowers. Is that kind of...rude? The Simply Recipes editors weigh in below.
Anything More Than Empty Hands Is Acceptable
There are two essential ingredients for a potluck: people and food. These go hand-in-hand since the food is brought and eaten by the guests themselves. It's a fun communal activity that also takes some weight off the poor host.
So can you show up to a potluck empty-handed? Heck no. That's the whole point! I would never show up at a potluck without something in hand, and I certainly wouldn't want to open my front door during a potluck and find an empty-handed friend standing there.
That being said, acceptable items for contributing to a potluck is a fairly long list. A dish is preferred of course, but it doesn't have to be an intricate homemade dish that you spent hours of your life crafting. Not everyone loves to cook, and not everyone has the time for big baking projects. A nice loaf of bread from a bakery or a quick veggie dip is fine!
I will also accept drinkable gifts like wine, co*cktails, beer, and mocktails (yes please) as well as flowers, a house plant, leftover Halloween candy, pretty much anything. It's not really about the item, it's about the thought behind it. Just be sure to let the host know if you're not bringing food to ensure there are enough dishes to go around!
—Laurel Randolph, Editor
Contribution Comes in Many Forms
A very thoughtful friend once told me that the spirit of etiquette is to make the other person feel comfortable and appreciated. This statement is now my inner compass when thinking about the "rules of hospitality," like when a guest shows up at a potluck empty-handed.
If a guest enters your front door without a casserole, beverage, candle, or flowers, be gracious regardless. Appreciate them for coming—you invited them after all. Don't waste energy getting wound up or worse, judge people and lose friends over it.
The point of a potluck is to share with your community and contribute however you are able to. As a guest, if you can bring a giant salad, bring giant salad. If you can bring a bottle of wine, bring a bottle of wine. If you can contribute cash to pay for food, then pay up. If none of those are possible, show up early and help set up, or stay late and help clean up.
—Myo Quinn, Senior Editor
FAQs
Usually, potlucks are strategically planned to make sure there is enough food for everyone; hence the contribution-attendance trade-off. Bringing empty-handed guests is an easy way to tank food supply fast and put the host in an awkward situation.
Is it rude to not bring anything to a potluck? ›
Anything More Than Empty Hands Is Acceptable
It's a fun communal activity that also takes some weight off the poor host. So can you show up to a potluck empty-handed? Heck no. That's the whole point!
Do you have to bring enough for everyone to a potluck? ›
Having enough food is paramount for any party—but with a potluck, you are not responsible for providing all the food. This is good in some ways (less pressure on you, the host), but it can also be challenging: You still need to make sure attendees bring enough and that you have diverse dishes to round out the menu.
How many portions should I bring to a potluck? ›
As a general rule, plan for one main dish serving and one or two side dish servings per person.
Should you always bring something to a party? ›
Bringing a hostess gift is a great way to show your gratitude—and possibly even score you a follow-up invitation. Hey, it's always nice to bring a little something to thank your host for his or her hospitality. But you don't have to get your gift on for every party.
Is it rude not to bring something to a dinner party? ›
However, it's always good manners to ask what you can bring, and it's even better manners to never show up empty-handed. “No matter the occasion, if someone is hosting you, it's good etiquette to bring a small gift to show gratitude for being invited and for the hospitality,” Meier says.
What is the etiquette for a potluck? ›
Potluck Etiquette
If you or anyone on your team are attending your first potluck, the following tips will help keep everyone happy: Bring something: Everyone on the guest list should bring something. If you genuinely forget your dish, try to grab something before you attend.
What should you not bring to a potluck? ›
These Are The 5 Worst Dishes To Bring To Holiday Potluck Dinners
- Baked potatoes in aluminum foil. When the potatoes cool down, the moisture and steam in the foil can create a perfect environment for bacteria to grow. ...
- Mayo-based salads. ...
- Fish and seafood. ...
- Nuts. ...
- Leafy green salads.
Cross-contamination issues, improper cooking temperatures, improper food holding temperatures, poor hygiene practices, and improper cleaning and disinfecting are all conditions that may contribute to unsafe food and potential foodborne illnesses.
What is the easiest thing to bring to a potluck? ›
Easy, quick snacks that you can make without needing to heat up anything are your best bet for last-minute potluck prep. Dips, guacamole, lettuce wraps, salsa, salad, and no-bake finger foods are all great options.
If you don't have time to cook, there's a world of store-bought food that is acceptable to bring to a potluck. Cheese and crackers, a veggie tray from the produce section or a box of cookies from the in-house bakery are all good options.
How do you decide who brings what to a potluck? ›
3. Assign dishes. If you have a large group, it may make sense to assign dishes. Divide up your needs alphabetically and have people bring a dish that is assigned by the first letter of their last name.
What food is good for potluck? ›
What to Bring to a Potluck
- The Beauty of Sharing.
- Potluck Etiquette and Tips.
- Chicken Fajita Quesadillas.
- Blackened Chicken Skewers.
- Grilled Chicken Caprese Flatbread.
- Mongolian-Style Beef Lettuce Cups.
- Blue Cheese and Buffalo Chicken Salad.
- Crispy Chicken Caesar Salad.
How Many Cookies Each Person Should Make
| Number of Guests | Quantity of Cookies Each Guest Brings |
|---|
| Intimate Party | 5 to 10 | 2.5 to 5 dozen each (30-60 cookies) |
| Medium Party | 10 to 15 | 5 to 7.5 dozen each (60-90 cookies) |
Nov 19, 2019
Homestyle favorites like macaroni and cheese, chicken and dumplings, chili, mashed potatoes, pork chops & gravy, meatloaf, apple pie and chocolate chip cookies are a few potluck hall-of-famers. Let your friends and neighbors choose their favorite comfort food to bring.
How do you tell guests not to bring anything? ›
Miss Manners suggests you replace that clear “Just yourself” with an even clearer, “Please don't bring food. I won't have room for it.”
Is it bad to bring store bought food to a potluck? ›
Potluck food should be plate-based. Unless you plan on bringing a stash of disposable bowls and spoons, it's best to stick to food that can be eaten off a plate with a fork. If you don't have time to cook, there's a world of store-bought food that is acceptable to bring to a potluck.
