Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here. A few weeks ago hubby’s family held their annual family reunion. It’s always such fun to see everyone, to note the changes that have taken place in the family – marriages, births, graduations and, sadly deaths. There are family tree documents to be updated, mementos and photos to look at and stories to share. And of course there are the oodles and oodles of yummy food dishes to partake of.
Which brings me to the subject of today’s post. I was wondering about the history of potluck events and so did a little research and thought I’d share the results with all of you.
A Brief History
It turns out the term “potluck” has been in use for centuries. Its earliest known usage dates back to the 16th century. In his play *”Unfortunate Traveler”, English playwright Thomas Nash used “pot-lucke” to refer to an impromptu meal, where a guest would take whatever food was available in the pot—which is where the “luck” came in. 🙂
While early references to potluck seem to suggest folks shared whatever food was on hand, the idea evolved over time, particularly in the U.S. It came to mean a coordinated event where each attendee contributes a dish of their choosing. In fact, the concept of gatherings where meals are shared has deep roots in American culture. Early on, pioneers and settlers were often isolated, and community gatherings were a way to pool resources and support one another. In most of the 19th century, potlucks were commonly associated with church socials and community events, especially in rural areas.
The potluck as we know it today became popular in the 20th century, particularly in regions with strong agricultural roots. The economic realities of the Great Depression and war years reinforced the importance of thrift and resourcefulness, and potlucks offered an affordable way for communities to come together. Families would often prepare large, shareable dishes like casseroles or Jell-O salads, foods that became iconic at mid-century potlucks.
Today, while potlucks still carry that practical, communal spirit, they’ve also become more personalized, with people bringing signature dishes or experimenting with new trends like favorite soups, vegan, or gluten-free.
Trivia and Stats
- Classic potluck favorites include casseroles, pasta salads, baked beans, deviled eggs, and Jello salads.
- Interestingly, a 2019 survey found that 46% of potluck attendees brought some form of baked dish (such as lasagna or baked ziti), while about 23% brought desserts, especially cookies and pies.
- Modern potlucks often have themes, ranging from international cuisine to comfort food to breakfast for dinner potlucks. Themes can help add an extra layer of fun and creativity, inspiring people to try new dishes.
- Did you know the world’s largest potluck was held in Grand Forks, North Dakota, in 2008? It involved over 8,000 people bringing dishes, making it a major event! The diversity of dishes at this gathering set a world record.
- Workplace potlucks are especially popular, as they allow colleagues to bond over food. A survey found that 67% of American workers have participated in at least one office potluck, and about 85% of them said it helped boost team morale.
- Potlucks are most common around the holidays, with approximately 76% of respondents saying they attend at least one potluck during the Thanksgiving to Christmas season. The Fourth of July and Easter are also popular potluck holidays.
- While the heart of potlucks lies in homemade dishes, many attendees admit to taking shortcuts. About 35% of potluck participants say they’ve brought a store-bought dish at least once!
- With an increase in dietary restrictions, potluck hosts are becoming more mindful. A study revealed that 52% of potluck hosts now request attendees label their dishes to indicate whether they are vegetarian, gluten-free, or contain common allergens like nuts.
At their core, potlucks are about more than just food—they’re about building connections, creating shared experiences, and encouraging everyone to contribute something meaningful. In our fast-paced, technology-driven world, there’s something nostalgic and heartwarming about gathering around a table of home-cooked (or at least thoughtfully selected) dishes.
So how do you feel about potlucks? Do you enjoy them? Is there a favorite dish you like to bring when you go to one? Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for your choice of any of my books.
Oh, and here is the recipe I promised you – it’s the dish I brought to this year’s reunion.
I created this recipe by combining my favorite parts of a couple I found in magazines and adding my own touches to it.
Spanish Rice with Shrimp and Sausage
(This recipe serves 12 – all items can be halved if you want to prepare a smaller batch)
Ingredients
- 16 ounces Shrimp
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 lb Smoked Sausage (I substitute Andouille)
- 12 ounce package of Yellow Rice
- 1 cup diced Red Onion
- 14.5 ounces Diced Tomatoes
- 10 ounces Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies
- 0.5 cup Chicken Broth
- 1 small stalk celery, finely chopped
- 2 cup Frozen Peas
- (optional) Additional Chopped Green Chilies or Jalepenos to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Rice according to the package directions.
- While rice is cooking, spray cooking spray over a large non-stick skillet; heat skillet over medium-high heat. Add Sausage Red Onion and celery. Cook and stir until sausage is cooked through and onion becomes translucent (about 5 to 7 minutes).
- Stir in both cans of Tomatoes and the Broth. Bring contents to a boil then lower the heat. Simmer, uncovered for about 10 minutes.
- Add in the Shrimp, Peas, (and optional Green Chile Peppers if desired). Cook, continuing to stir until the shrimp is pink and opaque (about 5-8 minutes). Season with Salt and Pepper to taste.
- Combine contents of the skillet together with cooked Rice and serve.
Note: This recipe can be made the day before and then heated before serving
Winnie Griggs is the author of Historical (and occasionally Contemporary) romances that focus on Small Towns, Big Hearts, Amazing Grace. She is also a list maker, a lover of dragonflies and holds an advanced degree in the art of procrastination.
Three of Winnie’s books have been nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, and one of those nominations resulted in a win.
Winnie loves to hear from readers. You can connect with her on facebook at www.facebook.com/WinnieGriggs.Author or email her at winnie@winniegriggs.com.
Fascinating history. Thanks for the recipe.
I like to bring homemade macaroni and cheese to potlucks.
That’s always a popular dish!
That sounds so yummy!
It really is!
I enjoy potlucks, although I’m careful what I put on my plate as I have dietary concerns. I usually takes dessert and sometimes cheese, crackers and/ or dip.
Desserts are always a welcome addition to any potluck!
My mother’s side always had family reunions in the summer so, it was always like a picnic. With such a large family plenty of tables as well as food was necessary. They still have them today, but the number of interested family members has dwindled. We, my cousins and I, are aging, and many can no longer drive to these events. I always looked forward to them. My dish was nothing in particular, but usually a dessert which would travel well as I came from a distance. My mother’s side were always close. She had 10 siblings, and they all love each other and were such wonderful people. Once my mother passed, our family became distant when it came to the immediate family. She was the glue that held us together.
I know what you mean about core family members aging out. It’s sometimes a struggle to get the younger generation as involved, especially on the planning side
Love the history!! We used to have potlucks at church a lot, but not so much any more. Daddy’s side of the family also had reunions that we went to for years, that had some great potlucks! One year, Mom had to make a key lime pie because my Uncle begged her to! He told her before we drove up, so Mom took the recipe with her, and then we had to try to find key limes in GA!!
LOL sometimes we can get known for a particular dish and it gets requested over and over. But that’s not a bad thing 🙂
Thank you for the recipe.
You’re quite welcome
Thanks for sharing about pot luck dinners and the recipe. I usually fix a casserole unless it is around the holidays and then they want chicken and dressing.
Casseroles are my go-to as well 🙂
I bring different things, sometimes deviled eggs or a dessert. My husband will cook Brunswick stew and bring that.
Having a variety to draw on for this kind of event is always a good thing
I love going to a pot luck! I always tried to take a main dish and a dessert.
I bet that makes you very popular at these events 🙂
I like potlucks. It is a way to try new foods without fixing them yourself at home. I like to take potato salad to potlucks.
I agree – trying new foods part of the fun of a potluck? 🙂
I always love the potlucks! We had a family reunion and everyone was asked to bring a main covered dish and a dessert! Thank you Winnie for sharing your recipe. Have a great week!
You’re quite welcome Sarah! And thanks for stopping by
Winnie, we have a lot of potlucks here where I live and I never know what to fix. The problem is I don’t really potlucks. It always upsets my stomach to put so many different foods in it. I always compare it to having a disposal. I always opt for something easy and quick that doesn’t take too many ingredients. Most of the time though I make banana bread or pumpkin. Our next potluck is on Halloween and again I don’t know what to fix. I’ve been thinking I’ll claim to be sick and not go.
Oh don’t let that stop you, food is just one aspect of potlucks. The fellowship is the other part and just as important. And I LOVE banana bread 🙂
Your recipe sounds delicious. I will be trying it soon. I already have all the ingredients, including the preferred Andouille sausage. Thank you for sharing.
I love potlucks. I especially enjoyed them at our old church. There was a variety of people from other countries. They would bring dishes typical of their country and the American parishioners would bring dishes that reflected their family heritage or typical all American dishes. I do miss that. Our current parish is heavily hispanic which makes for a delicious potluck. I usually bring one of two dishes: 7 cup salad (a fruit salad made with sour cream rather than Cool Whip) or a pasta casserole. If it is a breakfast post luck, I would bring Dorothy’s Eggs which is a delicious egg, cheese, corn, green chili casserole.
Ooh that breakfast casserole sounds delicious, sounds like something I’d really like. And that international potluck sounds very interesting though I’m not very adventurous when it comes to food 🙂
The casserole is so easy.
12 eggs (fork beaten/mixed),
2 cans of creamed corn (17 to 17 ounce)
2 cans of green chilies (drained – 4 oz.?) the recipe calls for whole chilies that you dice. I used canned diced chilies
4 cups (16 ounces) of grated sharp cheddar cheese.
1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Preheat oven to 325 F. In a large bowl combine all the ingredients, hand beat until well mixed. Pour into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. I lightly grease my dish just to make sure it doesn’t stick.
(May be prepared in advance to this point. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours.)
Place in oven and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes or until firm to the touch. Serves 12
This is so easy and so good. It is easy to cut the recipe in half and cook in an 8 by 8 in. dish. I hope you enjoy it.
Sounds yummy – thanks!
I do enjoy potlucks. I like to bring cookies for dessert. They tend to make a lot so you can feed lots of people. The last potluck I went to I brought malted milk bars which were very popular, so I definitely consider bringing them again in the future.
Cookies are always very popular at the potlucks I go to. And oh those malted milk bars sound really yummy!
mine is usually taco salad or mac and cheese that I am known to take!
Oooh, I love a good taco salad!
When we go somewhere where it’s potluck, we usually take a potato salad.
There are so many variations on potato salad it’s always fun to check out how someone else prepares it. 🙂