21 Potluck Sides That Still Steal the Spotlight from the Casserole

Potluck sides don’t have to take a backseat to the main dish. These 21 potluck sides are built to turn heads and hold their own next to any casserole. Whether you’re bringing bold flavor, surprising texture, or something with just the right amount of comfort, there’s something here that stands out. Scroll through and you’ll see why these sides are the ones people talk about after the meal.

Red, yellow, and orange honey glazed carrots on a slate board. — Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Shaved Brussels sprouts salad proves that raw veggies can make a strong showing at the potluck. It’s crunchy, layered with creamy and sweet toppings, and dressed in a bold mustard balsamic. This salad holds up well even after a few hours, making it a smart and striking choice. It doesn’t get pushed aside — it earns its place.
Get the Recipe: Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad

Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Roasted cabbage steak topped with tomatoes, bacon, goat cheese, and more. — Roasted Cabbage Steaks. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted cabbage steaks make cabbage the main character, not a filler on the plate. Thick slices are oven-roasted in bacon fat, then finished with toppings that add crunch and creaminess. It’s a smart potluck move when you want a side that brings flavor without extra fuss. This is a veggie dish that doesn’t play second fiddle to anything.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Baked sweet potato slices on a cutting board with a spoon. — Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Brown sugar baked sweet potato slices are soft on the inside, caramelized on the outside, and full of flavor that feels right for any potluck table. Roasted with cinnamon and ginger, they carry just enough sweetness to grab attention without being dessert. You can prep them ahead and reheat easily, making them practical too. This side is simple, but it gets remembered.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

A bowl of roasted brussels sprouts. — Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted Brussels sprouts with almonds and feta balance nutty, tangy, and sweet flavors in every bite. The crispy edges and creamy cheese make them anything but basic, especially when served next to heavier dishes. With only a few ingredients, this side is surprisingly complex. They show up to the potluck ready to be remembered.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Mashed cauliflower in a white bowl. — Loaded Cauliflower Mash. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Loaded cauliflower mash proves that comfort food can be bold without being heavy. With cheese, bacon, and scallions folded in, this side tastes like a full meal in disguise. It brings the creamy texture of mashed potatoes with more layers of flavor. No one’s thinking about casseroles when this hits the table.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Veggie Couscous Salad

Veggie couscous salad is colorful, fast, and full of texture from fresh herbs and vegetables. It’s light but still holds attention, especially when served alongside heavier dishes. Made ahead and served cold, it frees up oven space and simplifies prep. With its fresh flavor, it keeps things moving past the casserole dish.
Get the Recipe: Veggie Couscous Salad

Easy Oven Asparagus

Cooked asparagus in a white bowl. — Easy Oven Asparagus. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Easy oven asparagus is one of those potluck sides that gets noticed for being both simple and sharp. Roasted in just minutes, it delivers a clean, crisp bite with minimal prep. It’s a solid contrast to the heavier casseroles that usually fill the table. There’s always someone looking for green, and this is the one they’ll remember.
Get the Recipe: Easy Oven Asparagus

Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

A dish of beets, sweet potatoes, and parsnips roasted in the oven with sprigs of sage. — Oven Roasted Root Vegetables. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Oven roasted root vegetables bring natural sweetness and color that breaks up the monotony of heavy dishes. Carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes roast to a caramelized finish in just over half an hour. They’re sturdy enough for transport and flexible enough to pair with almost anything. One glance at the golden edges and they’ll be gone fast.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

Summer Orzo Salad

Summer orzo pasta salad in a while serving bowl on a whitewashed background next to a bowl of green beans. — Summer Orzo Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Summer orzo salad brings a refreshing shift from baked and creamy sides that crowd the potluck table. With crisp cucumber, juicy tomatoes, and tangy vinaigrette, it tastes like something you’d want second helpings of. It’s simple to prep ahead and sturdy enough for long gatherings. It adds brightness and balance without needing extra effort.
Get the Recipe: Summer Orzo Salad

Citrus Asparagus Couscous

Citrus asparagus couscous offers a bright contrast to heavier dishes often seen at potlucks. With a hint of citrus and crisp asparagus, it’s a fast-cooking dish that tastes fresh and light. The couscous adds bulk without being too rich, making it easy to pair with other mains. It brings something unexpected and welcome next to a crowded casserole tray.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Asparagus Couscous

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Balsamic glazed Brussels sprouts bring a bold, tangy sweetness that’s anything but background noise at a potluck. Roasted to golden perfection, these sprouts are coated in a sticky balsamic glaze that clings to every crisp edge. They’re quick to prepare and travel well, making them a smart side dish for big gatherings. Their punchy flavor stands out in a way casseroles can’t compete with.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Worcestershire Green Beans

Worcestershire green beans bring tang and umami in a way that plain green beans never could. Quick to cook and even quicker to vanish from a potluck plate, they’re finished with shallots for a slightly sharp finish. They fit well with any main dish while still making a name for themselves. They’re green beans with presence, not just filler.
Get the Recipe: Worcestershire Green Beans

Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Screaming skillet green beans are seared fast in a hot pan, locking in flavor and a bit of crunch. Finished with garlic and a splash of white wine, they’re a fresh take on a classic green side. Unlike mushy green beans in casseroles, these hold their shape and their spotlight. The name alone makes people take a second look.
Get the Recipe: Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Greek Quinoa Salad

Quinoa salad in a brown bowl, garnished with pita bread. — Greek Quinoa Salad. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Greek quinoa salad is fresh, filling, and packed with bold ingredients like feta, cucumbers, and a tangy vinaigrette. It holds up well at room temperature, which is a plus for any potluck gathering. Unlike heavy casseroles, this side keeps things light without losing interest. It’s the kind of salad that people actually look forward to.
Get the Recipe: Greek Quinoa Salad

Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

A serving basket of sweet potato fritters next to a bowl of dipping sauce and a single serving on a plate. — Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Sweet potato fritters bring something different to the potluck spread with their crispy edges and bold dipping sauce. They’re easy to prep and cook quickly in a pan, making them great when time is tight. Unlike casseroles, these have crunch, spice, and a touch of sweetness in every bite. Their golden finish makes them a guaranteed crowd magnet.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Fritters with Sweet & Spicy Sauce

Cranberry Apple Stuffing

A glass baking dish filled with a baked stuffing sits on a wooden cutting board. A serving spoon is in the stuffing, and a red cloth is draped to the left, perfect for cozy fall recipes. — Cranberry Apple Stuffing. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Cranberry apple stuffing strikes the balance between sweet and savory that people love at gatherings. Baked outside the bird, it’s crisp on top and soft in the middle with seasonal flavors that draw attention. This side dish holds its own on any potluck table, no turkey required. It’s one of those dishes that disappears before the main course is even touched.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Apple Stuffing

Honey Garlic Carrots

Honey garlic carrots hit that perfect spot between sweet and savory, cooked just enough to keep their bite. In just 25 minutes, they’re glazed to a shine that catches the eye and stands up to richer potluck fare. The sticky honey and sharp garlic combo is unexpected but works every time. These carrots don’t need any extra help to steal attention.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

A delightful side dish of green beans topped with crispy fried onions, perfect for pleasing both adults and kids alike. — Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Garlicky green beans with fried onions give a nod to tradition while standing proudly on their own. Instead of relying on canned soup, this version brings real garlic flavor and a crisp onion topping that stays crunchy. They’re a no-fuss side that looks good and tastes better. This is the green bean dish that doesn’t get passed over.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Brown butter garlic mashed potatoes turn a familiar favorite into a standout potluck side. Rich brown butter and earthy sage give these mashed potatoes more personality than the average casserole. They come together in under an hour and stay creamy even after sitting out for a bit. They’re the kind of dish that keeps people coming back for another scoop.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes with gravy and sprigs of thyme and sage. — Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Creamy mashed potatoes are whipped until fluffy and smooth, giving them a light texture that stands apart from dense, casserole-style sides. Cream cheese brings richness without overpowering, and basic seasoning keeps it grounded. They reheat easily and stay soft, even after sitting out at a potluck. These potatoes work like a blank canvas that still steals the show.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Roasted honey glazed carrots come together in under 30 minutes with ingredients most people already have on hand. The glaze clings to each piece, giving them a slightly crisp, golden exterior and a sweet, thyme-kissed flavor. They’re an easy way to add contrast to richer items at a potluck. This is one of those side dishes that disappears without leftovers.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots