10 Crowdpleasing Slow Cooker Potluck Recipes for Your Next Party (2024)

The 7 Best Small Slow Cookers for Entertaining, Meal Prep, and More, According to Testing

Fast or Slow Jalapeño Popper Chili

Just spicy enough and featuring a mash-up of flavors from jalapeño poppers, tacos, and chili, this slow cooker potluck recipe is a main dish that tastes incredible when made with ground turkey or ground beef. Snag a big bag of tortilla chips at the store for scooping, and this entrée will win the day.

Gluten-Free Tex-Mex Cheese Dip

Think of this slow cooker potluck side or appetizer as queso's grown-up sibling. This creamy dip is spiked with black beans, corn, and peppers and packs a lot of flavor in each bite with plenty of hearty texture. Try it over fries or chips or as a grilled steak or chicken sauce.

Sweet and Spicy Bourbon Pulled Pork

Choose your soda for this slow cooker potluck recipe. That's right: Along with a bottle of spicy barbecue sauce and a few splashes of bourbon, the simmering blend for this succulent pork sandwich filling includes a cup of cola, Dr. Pepper, or root beer. We promise it's not too sweet and is not as crazy as it sounds. Each bite is well-balanced and dripping in saucy, caramelized onion goodness.

Sweet-and-Hot Nuts

Set out little cups of these for snacking or add them to a charcuterie board or salad; this slow cooker potluck idea is a remarkably versatile recipe. The zesty mix owes its flavor to a sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and cayenne pepper blend. These next-level nuts are easier to eat when they're crispy and cool, so allow them to stand for at least an hour before the gathering begins.

Low-Country Shrimp Boil

Don't fuss with a big pot on the stove. Instead, try this low-stress (and low-mess) slow cooker recipe for a crowd next time you're craving a shrimp boil! Andouille sausage, shrimp, corn, and potatoes stew together in chicken broth for 4 to 9 hours—depending on a high or low temp—as you finish party prep. To serve, offer it up with extra hot sauce and co*cktail sauce on the side, and don't forget a big spoon to dish the delectable cooking liquid atop each serving.

Italian Beef Sandwiches

Transport everyone's taste buds to Chicago for the entrée course with this slow cooker potluck main dish. It's remarkably easy since prep for these tomato-and-beef slow cooker sandwiches takes only 20 minutes. Of course, the best part of Italian beef sandwiches is the juice, so bring a ladle for everyone to pour on extra tomatoey goodness before diving into their subs.

Hazelnut Haystacks

No slow cooker potluck meal is complete without dessert, and this six-ingredient treat works beautifully as a kid-friendly sweet ending or as a food gift for the host. The "hay" in these delectable haystacks is made with chow mein noodles, chopped hazelnuts, and pretzel sticks. The "mud," if you will, is an irresistible mixture of slow cooker melted chocolate and Nutella. Even though this makes a whopping 54 bites, we recommend mixing up a double batch—they'll go fast!

Meatball Sliders

When you want to impress—but are pressed for time—this is one of the best slow cooker potluck recipes to bring to any gathering. The satisfying sandwiches start with purchased meatballs, so prep time is only 10 minutes. Assemble them in advance or set out the sliced Roma tomatoes and provolone cheese so guests can construct their own.

Rustic Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Spuds are one of the most crowd-pleasing and customizable slow cooker potluck recipes you can make. These creamy, garlicky mashed potatoes are a cinch to whip up, thanks to your slow cooker. Pack them with a serving spoon and a "mashed potato bar" for a tasty and interactive experience. Think chopped cooked bacon, sautéed mushrooms, shredded cheese, sour cream, basil pesto, diced green onions, and chopped chives—get creative!

Zesty Fajita Bites

Fajita seasoning and brown mustard add some kick to the potluck menu. Simply simmer the chicken thigh filling in the slow cooker, shred the meat, and roll it with crisp bell peppers and green onions inside flour tortillas. Pair this slow cooker potluck recipe with a few kinds of salsa for extra flavor.