In Northwest Indiana it’s easy to bring a party tray, deli salad, dip, sandwich tray or bakery dessert to a potluck without cooking. These ready-to-serve options are easy to transport, simple to share and require little preparation.

When the office potluck sign-up sheet is making the rounds, dessert has already been claimed three times and you’re trying to figure out what to bring without cooking, the key is choosing something guests will enjoy and bringing enough to share. Whether your event is in Griffith, Crown Point or Cedar Lake, you can find easy potluck food at Strack & Van Til stores across Lake and Porter Counties.

What can you bring to a potluck without cooking?

You can bring a tray, a salad, a dip or a dessert, all of which can be bought ready-to-serve at the Strack & Van Til near you.

Prepared foods are often the quickest solutions, because they arrive arranged and require no serving dish. Vegetable trays, fruit trays and meat-and-cheese trays work with almost any menu and provide variety.

Deli salads such as potato salad, pasta salad or coleslaw are also dependable options.

Place a dip in a bowl, set out chips, crackers or cut vegetables nearby and you’ve covered a category of snacks with no preparation.

Desserts may be the easiest option of all. Bakery cookies, bars and pastries eliminate the need for baking, frosting and transporting delicate homemade cakes.

How much should you bring?

The right amount depends on the guest count and the type of dish you’re bringing. When the headcount is unknown, plan on bringing eight to 10 portions.

If the guest count is known, divide the number of attendees by the approximate number of dishes being served and then add a little extra. This usually provides enough food without excessive leftovers.

Keep in mind that main dishes are consumed differently than side dishes or desserts. Guests generally take larger portions of main dishes than sides or desserts. If you’re responsible for a main course, plan for larger portions than you would for a salad or dessert.

For more serving estimates, party tray sizes and guest counts, see How many people does a party tray feed? The party food math.

Potluck dish quantity guide

Dish type	Amount for 10	Amount for 20	Travels well
Tray	Small tray	Medium tray	Yes
Deli salad	2 to 3 pounds	4 to 5 pounds	Yes
Dip	2 containers plus scoops	4 containers plus scoops	Yes
Hot dish	9 x 13 pan	Two 9 x 13 pans	Moderate
Dessert	12 to 15 pieces	24 to 30 pieces	Yes

No-cook dishes that travel well

Vegetable trays, fruit trays and meat-and-cheese trays require no preparation and travel well.

Deli-prepared pasta salad, potato salad and coleslaw can be moved directly into serving bowls and travel well.

Dips are another practical choice. Taco layer dip, hummus and spinach artichoke dip all fit comfortably into containers for transport. Just remember to bring the chips, crackers or vegetables people will use to scoop them.

Pinwheels and finger sandwiches are easy to serve and eat, and a simple cheeseboard with crackers, fruit and cheese takes only minutes to assemble.

Best last-minute potluck ideas

If you need a potluck dish on short notice, focus on foods that require little or no preparation. Party trays, deli salads, sandwich trays, fruit trays, vegetable trays, chips and dip, bakery cookies and charcuterie boards can usually be purchased the same day and taken directly to the event. For more ready-to-serve options, see Meat and cheese trays: What to include and how much per person.

Store-bought that does not look store-bought

Transfer foods out of their original containers before leaving the house. A deli salad in a serving bowl looks different from the same salad in a plastic tub.

Fresh herbs including parsley, dill or chives add color to deli salads. A squeeze of lemon or some cracked pepper can also provide a finishing touch.

Warm bakery rolls for 10 minutes and serve them in a cloth-lined basket.

Cookie trays are another easy upgrade. Rather than placing the store container on the table, arrange cookies on your own platter. The result looks more polished.

Bring the serving utensil your dish requires.

One advantage of shopping at a full-service grocery store such as Strack & Van Til is convenience. Trays, deli salads, dips, chips and desserts can be picked up during the same trip. Order ahead with SVT To Go at strackandvantil.com for pickup across Lake and Porter Counties.

Something hot without cooking

You can bring a hot dish without cooking from scratch.

Frozen or refrigerated meatballs combined with a jarred sauce are one of the easiest solutions. Place everything in a slow cooker, allow it to heat through and serve from the pot.

Prepared pulled pork can function as a convenient main dish. Keep it warm in a slow cooker and provide rolls on the side so guests can build their own sandwiches.

Many grocery stores including Strack & Van Til also offer ready-made macaroni and cheese or baked pasta dishes. Purchased hot and transported in an insulated bag, these dishes are convenient potluck mains.

Bring an extension cord if needed. Potluck locations often have fewer convenient outlets than expected.

Work potlucks: Packing and keeping food safe

Work potlucks require extra planning.

Start by signing up early. When people wait until the last minute, the menu can become unbalanced. Early planning helps prevent a table full of desserts and little else.

Remember that office kitchens aren’t always equipped for reheating or holding food. Many have limited warming equipment. Foods that can be served cold or held safely in a slow cooker are the easiest solutions.

Keep dishes level during transport and place them in a box or bin to prevent spills.

Cold foods should travel in a cooler and go directly into a refrigerator upon arrival. Hot foods should remain hot until serving time.

Food safety guidelines say to keep cold foods below 40° F and hot foods above 140° F. Perishable foods shouldn’t remain at room temperature for more than two hours.

Label dishes that contain common allergens.

Potluck food from Strack & Van Til

If you’re looking to assemble a potluck contribution quickly, your local Strack & Van Til offers several options that need little or no preparation.

“When people are shopping for a potluck, convenience and portability are usually top priorities. Party trays, deli salads and prepared sides make it easy to bring enough food for a group without spending hours in the kitchen,” notes Deli Department Director Kristin Snow.

Party trays

Party trays are available in the Deli Department with 24 hours’ notice, including sandwich and sub trays prepared in-store, and specialty tray options are available for pickup by advance order. Try ready-made Italian, turkey or ham submarine sandwiches or a custom sandwich stacked with meats, cheeses and Beano’s sauces. For more information, see How to order sandwich trays for 10, 25 or 50 guests. Fruit trays and vegetable trays are available daily in the Produce Department.

Sides and salads

Sides and salads sold by the pound in the Strack & Van Til Deli make it simple to purchase exactly the amount needed for your gathering. Potato salads including homestyle, mustard and premium or Caprese pasta salad with fresh mozzarella, creamy macaroni salad, sour cream and cheddar macaroni, creamy coleslaw or bow-tie pasta salad with spinach, pine nuts and Parmesan cheese can be transferred to serving bowls and taken directly to the event.

Charcuterie boards

Charcuterie boards work well for potlucks since they’re mostly finger food. Order a ready-made board 24 hours in advance from the Strack & Van Til Deli or create your own with specialty cheeses, salamis, olives, nuts, fruit spreads, honey, crackers and bruschetta toast.

Desserts

No need to bake. The Strack & Van Til Bakery offers cookies, brownies and other sweet treats that can be arranged on trays, as well as dessert platters.

Strack & Van Til is your one-stop shop for potlucks

Chips, crackers and dips can be purchased during the same shopping trip, making it easy to cover multiple categories of food without visiting several stores.

If you want food prepared and ready when you arrive, order SVT To Go at strackandvantil.com for pickup across Lake and Porter Counties.

Frequently asked questions about bringing food to a potluck

What is the easiest thing to bring to a potluck?

A party tray is one of the easiest potluck foods because it arrives ready to serve and requires no preparation.

Is it acceptable to bring store-bought food to a potluck?

Yes. Store-bought food is a common potluck contribution, especially when presented in a serving bowl or platter.

What is the best store-bought food for a potluck?

Party trays, deli salads, sandwich trays, dips and bakery desserts are among the most popular store-bought potluck foods because they require little preparation and are easy to serve.

Where can I buy food for a potluck near me?

Many grocery stores offer ready-to-serve potluck foods, including party trays, deli salads, bakery desserts and dips. In Northwest Indiana, Strack & Van Til carries these items in one stop.

What should I bring to a potluck if I don’t know the menu?

Choose a versatile option such as a vegetable tray, fruit tray, deli salad, chips and dip or dessert.

What are good last-minute potluck ideas?

Fruit trays, vegetable trays, chips and dips, deli salads, cookies and charcuterie boards can often be purchased the same day and taken directly to a potluck.

How much food should I bring to a potluck?

Bring about eight to 10 servings if the guest count is unknown. If attendance is known, divide portions among the dishes being served and bring a little extra.

What should I bring to a potluck for 20 people?

A medium-size party tray, four to five pounds of deli salad or 24 to 30 dessert portions are usually appropriate for 20 guests.

What foods travel best to a potluck?

Party trays, deli salads, dips, cookies, brownies, pinwheels and finger sandwiches are among the easiest foods to transport.

What can I bring to a work potluck?

Deli salads, sandwich trays, fruit trays, vegetables and dip, cookies and slow-cooker dishes are practical options for workplace potlucks.

Should I bring serving utensils to a potluck?

Yes. Bring the serving utensil your dish requires.

Can I bring a dessert instead of a main dish?

Yes. Cookies, brownies, bars and other bakery desserts are popular potluck contributions.

How do I keep food cold during transport?

Transport cold foods in a cooler with ice packs and refrigerate them upon arrival.

What if I sign up late and most categories are already taken?

Look for gaps in the menu and choose a side dish, tray or dip if desserts are already covered.

Claim a slot, then pick it up on the way

Whether you need a party tray, deli salad, sandwich tray, dip, charcuterie board or bakery dessert, bringing food to a potluck doesn’t have to involve hours in the kitchen. The best potluck foods are often the ones that travel well, serve easily and fit the needs of the group.

Before your next work potluck, family gathering, school event or neighborhood party, claim an open spot on the sign-up sheet and choose a dish that matches the menu. Then stop by your nearest Strack & Van Til Food Market to pick up everything you need or place an SVT To Go order for convenient pickup in Lake and Porter Counties. With ready-to-serve trays, deli favorites and bakery desserts available in one trip, it’s easy to arrive with a potluck dish everyone will enjoy.

By Karyn G. Zafran