10 things I bring to potlucks that cost me under $7

Potlucks are fun until you’re staring into your fridge the day before, trying to figure out what to bring without spending more than your grocery budget allows. The good news? You don’t need to drop $20 on a tray from the deli or a fancy dessert.

There are plenty of crowd-pleasers that come together fast and cost less than $7 total—especially if you keep a few staples on hand. These are the ones I keep going back to because they’re easy, affordable, and always get eaten.

Cornbread and Honey Butter

A cheap box of cornbread mix runs under a dollar, and you can usually make it with pantry staples. Bake it in a casserole dish or muffin tin for easy serving, then whip together some honey and softened butter to go on the side.

People always scoop this up fast, especially when it’s warm. It’s filling, feels a little homemade, and doesn’t require any fancy prep. You can double the batch and still come in under budget.

Deviled Eggs

Eggs are still one of the cheapest proteins, and a dozen goes a long way at a potluck. Mix the yolks with mayo, mustard, and a little relish or seasoning, then pipe or spoon it back in.

You can dress them up with smoked paprika or chives if you have it, but even plain, they get eaten fast. As long as you keep them cool, they’re easy to prep ahead and carry in a covered container.

Roasted Ranch Potatoes

Grab a bag of baby potatoes or regular ones and dice them up. Toss with oil and ranch seasoning (or garlic powder and salt) and roast until crispy.

It’s one of those sides that works for any type of meal—cookout, church potluck, or holiday. You can usually get a couple pounds of potatoes for around $3 and seasoning packets for less than a dollar.

Homemade Chex Mix

You can make a big batch of Chex mix for under $7 if you skip the name-brand cereals and grab store-brand versions. Use a mix of rice or corn cereal, pretzels, and maybe a few peanuts or cheese crackers.

Melt some butter, stir in Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, and garlic powder, and bake it low and slow. It smells amazing and always disappears fast.

Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing

One box of pasta plus a bottle of Italian dressing and whatever chopped veggies you’ve got lying around is all you need. Bell peppers, tomatoes, olives, cucumbers—they all work.

You don’t need a ton of each, so you can use up random fridge leftovers too. Let it chill before you serve it, and it’ll soak up all the flavor. People love how light and fresh it tastes.

Brownie Bites

A single box of brownie mix can make a mini bite-size batch if you bake it in a mini muffin tin. You don’t have to frost them or do anything fancy—just bake, cool, and toss in a container.

They’re easy to grab, look intentional, and you won’t come home with leftovers. The total cost is usually under $3, especially if you already have oil and eggs on hand.

Fruit Skewers

Skewering fruit makes it feel more fun without adding any actual work. Grab a couple bananas, some grapes, and maybe one other fruit like strawberries or canned pineapple, then alternate them on wooden skewers.

It’s a low-mess option that even kids like. You can usually make a dozen or more for under $7, especially if you buy in-season fruit or go with whatever’s on sale.

Crockpot Baked Beans

Canned beans are cheap, and if you toss in a little barbecue sauce, brown sugar, mustard, and onion, you can turn them into baked beans that taste like you put in more effort than you did.

You don’t need bacon to make them taste good (though it helps if you have it). Let them simmer in the slow cooker and bring the whole crockpot with you. Easy and filling.

Crescent Roll-Ups

Grab a can of crescent rolls and fill them with whatever you have—shredded cheese, pepperoni, ham, or even apple slices and cinnamon. Roll ’em up and bake until golden.

They’re snackable, cheap, and you can make a full batch with one can. It’s the kind of thing that makes people think you put in effort when you really spent less than 10 minutes prepping.

Popcorn With Seasoning

If you’re really down to the wire, pop a big batch of popcorn and toss it with seasoning—parmesan and garlic, ranch powder, or cinnamon sugar all work.

Put it in a big bowl or portion it into paper bags for easy sharing. You’ll barely spend a few bucks total, and it still feels like a fun, intentional snack.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.