Holiday potlucks made easy: 17 stress-free salads

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Ditch the stress and become the champion of your next potluck. These 17 stress-free salads are so irresistibly delicious, so effortlessly impressive, and so darn easy to make that you’ll feel like you’ve been touched by a Christmas miracle.

Pistachio salad topped with nuts and cherries.
Watergate Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

7 Layer Salad

Seven layer salad in a bowl.
7 Layer Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This classic party centerpiece stacks fresh vegetables with a creamy dressing in eye-catching layers. The clear glass bowl presentation makes this a talking point at gatherings, and it serves a big group with style.
Get the Recipe: 7 Layer Salad

Butternut Squash Salad

Sliced roasted butternut squash topped with pomegranate seeds, crumbled cheese, and nuts.
Butternut Squash Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This is a standout party salad that pairs caramelized hasselback butternut squash with pomegranate seeds and feta cheese. The mix of colors and textures makes this a showstopper for big gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Butternut Squash Salad

Cherry Salad

Cherry fluff salad in blue bowls with whipped cream.
Cherry Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This quick party salad serves plenty of people with minimal effort in the kitchen. The pink color and light texture make it stand out on buffet tables, and you can put it together in no time.
Get the Recipe: Cherry Salad

Amish Macaroni Salad

Bowl of Amish macaroni salad with some on a spoon.
Amish Macaroni Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This is a crowd-favorite pasta salad that feeds plenty of people at parties. The creamy dressing and simple veggie mix come together in 15 minutes, and the flavors get even better when you make it a day ahead.
Get the Recipe: Amish Macaroni Salad

Chickpea Salad

Healthy chickpea salad in a blue bowl.
Chickpea Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This protein-packed party salad comes loaded with colorful vegetables that keep their crunch. The simple prep feeds plenty of people, and the hearty ingredients hold up well even after sitting out.
Get the Recipe: Chickpea Salad

Winter Fruit Salad

A bowl of mixed fruit salad containing bananas, grapes, kiwi, pomegranate seeds, oranges, and garnished with fresh mint leaves. A bowl of dressing is visible in the background.
Winter Fruit Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This bright mix brings kiwi, apples, and mandarins together to add color to party spreads. The combination of sweet and tart fruits stays fresh for hours, which makes it perfect for big gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Winter Fruit Salad

Broccoli Crunch Salad

A close shot of a fork full of broccoli salad.
Broccoli Crunch Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This crunchy mix brings fresh broccoli, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and bacon to your party table. The sturdy ingredients keep their texture for hours, which makes this a reliable choice for feeding crowds.
Get the Recipe: Broccoli Crunch Salad

Watergate Salad

Pistachio salad topped with nuts and cherries.
Watergate Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This green pistachio fluff salad brings a light touch to any party spread. You’ll need just 5 ingredients and 10 minutes to make it, and you can prepare it the night before your party.
Get the Recipe: Watergate Salad

Tortellini Pasta Salad

A bowl of tortellini pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, basil, red onions, and a pesto dressing. A spoon is placed on the side of the dish.
Tortellini Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This festive party salad works great as a main dish for big groups and gatherings. The combination of cheese tortellini, mozzarella, and pesto makes it substantial enough for hungry crowds, and you can make it ahead of time.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Pasta Salad

Pea Salad

Pea salad in a blue bowl.
Pea Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This make-ahead party salad combines sweet peas with a creamy, tangy dressing. The simple prep and familiar flavors have made this a go-to choice when you need to feed lots of people.
Get the Recipe: Pea Salad

Peach Caprese Salad

A platter of salad featuring cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, sliced peaches, basil leaves, and chopped red onions, garnished with black pepper.
Peach Caprese Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This festive party salad combines fresh peaches with classic caprese ingredients for a fresh spin. It takes minutes to put together and adds bright colors to your spread, while the sweet-savory combo gets people talking.
Get the Recipe: Peach Caprese Salad

Orange Fluff Salad

Orange fluff salad in a bowl.
Orange Fluff Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This creamy, citrus party salad serves a crowd with its fun, fluffy texture. The orange-vanilla combo reminds people of creamsicles, and it stays fresh in the fridge until party time.
Get the Recipe: Orange Fluff Salad

Instant Pot Potato Salad

Potato and egg salad in a blue striped bowl.
Instant Pot Potato Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This classic party salad comes together quickly thanks to pressure cooking. The simple ingredient list and quick cooking method help you feed a crowd without spending hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Potato Salad

Cajun Pasta Salad

Cajun pasta salad of noodles with celery and bell pepper.
Cajun Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This kicked-up pasta salad brings some heat to party spreads with its creamy remoulade dressing. The crunchy vegetables can be prepared ahead, and the spicy twist gets people coming back for seconds.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Pasta Salad

Ramen Noodle Salad

Three white bowls filled with ramen noodles and vegetables.
Ramen Noodle Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Asian-inspired party salad brings a crowd-pleasing crunch to your spread. The cabbage base and crispy noodles hold up well on buffet tables, which makes this perfect for feeding lots of people.
Get the Recipe: Ramen Noodle Salad

Amish Broccoli Salad with Cauliflower

Amish broccoli salad with broccoli, cauliflower, cheese and bacon.
Amish Broccoli Salad with Cauliflower. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This party-sized salad brings together fresh broccoli and cauliflower with a rich, creamy dressing. The bacon and cheese on top have made this a proven crowd favorite at big gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Amish Broccoli Salad with Cauliflower

Lime Jello Salad

Piece of lime jello salad topped with whipped cream and a cherry.
Lime Jello Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This bright green party salad catches everyone’s eye on the buffet table. The simple prep and make-ahead convenience let you focus on other party tasks while this sets in the fridge.
Get the Recipe: Lime Jello Salad

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