25 Side Dishes That Would’ve Been the First to Go at a ’70s Church Potluck

Every potluck had those side dishes that disappeared before you even grabbed a plate. These 25 recipes were the ones folks remembered—and asked about later. They were simple, filling, and always made in big batches that somehow still weren’t enough. If you saw them first, you grabbed them fast.

A plate of roasted parsnip wedges seasoned with herbs, with a fork resting on top—these make a perfect addition to your lineup of retro potluck foods or classic 1970s side dishes. — Air Fryer Parsnips. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Crisp green beans cooked in a hot skillet with garlic and seasoning take just 15 minutes. The flavor is bold, smoky, and slightly salty with a little crunch. They’re quick, loud in flavor, and don’t sit around long. Always a hit when the casseroles start blending together.
Get the Recipe: Screaming Skillet Green Beans

Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes flavored with brown butter and garlic come together in about 45 minutes. The taste is rich and nutty with just the right amount of salt. They’re smooth but still hearty enough to hold their own. Nobody walks past mashed potatoes like this without taking a spoonful.
Get the Recipe: Brown Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

A black bowl filled with roasted Brussels sprouts sits on a gray surface next to a wooden spoon, a navy napkin, and a plate of sliced roasted carrots. — Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Brussels sprouts roasted with garam masala and olive oil finish in about 35 minutes. The flavor is deep, warm, and slightly earthy with crispy edges. They’re not your usual side dish, but they disappear fast. Great for surprising people who think they don’t like sprouts.
Get the Recipe: Garam Masala Brussels Sprouts

Easy Oven Asparagus

Cooked asparagus in a white bowl. — Easy Oven Asparagus. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Oven-roasted asparagus with olive oil and seasoning is ready in just 20 minutes. The stalks stay tender but not mushy, with a little crisp on the tips. It’s a clean, green dish that cuts through the richness of everything else. Always one of the first pans to go empty.
Get the Recipe: Easy Oven Asparagus

Brioche Rolls

Soft, golden brioche rolls bake in about 2 hours with proofing. The texture is fluffy with a slight sweetness that makes them easy to reach for again. They’re buttery, pillowy, and perfect for soaking up sauces. Don’t expect leftovers if they’re still warm.
Get the Recipe: Brioche Rolls

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

A bowl of mashed potatoes with gravy and sprigs of thyme and sage. — Creamy Mashed Potatoes. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Fluffy mashed potatoes with butter, cream, and salt come together in under 40 minutes. The flavor is smooth, classic, and always welcome on a crowded plate. Each spoonful is warm and comforting without being too heavy. You’ll always wish there was one more scoop.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Cranberry Apple Stuffing

A glass baking dish filled with a baked stuffing sits on a wooden cutting board. A serving spoon is in the stuffing, and a red cloth is draped to the left, perfect for cozy fall recipes. — Cranberry Apple Stuffing. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Stuffing with apples, cranberries, and herbs bakes up in just under an hour. It’s sweet, savory, and full of texture with soft bread and juicy fruit. Every bite tastes like something you want to come back to. It holds its own next to ham, turkey, or nothing at all.
Get the Recipe: Cranberry Apple Stuffing

Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Red, yellow, and orange honey glazed carrots on a slate board. — Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Roasted carrots with honey and olive oil take 35 minutes to caramelize in the oven. The flavor is sweet, earthy, and simple without feeling plain. They soften just enough without losing shape. Great color, great flavor, and usually gone fast.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Honey Glazed Carrots

Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Baked sweet potato slices on a cutting board with a spoon. — Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Sliced sweet potatoes baked with brown sugar and cinnamon finish in about 45 minutes. The edges get crisp while the centers stay soft and sweet. The flavor leans warm and cozy without being overdone. A retro classic that still works every time.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Baked Sweet Potato Slices

Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

A dish of beets, sweet potatoes, and parsnips roasted in the oven with sprigs of sage. — Oven Roasted Root Vegetables. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Chunks of carrots, parsnips, and potatoes roast up golden in about 50 minutes. They’re earthy, tender, and just salty enough to keep grabbing more. The mix brings color and balance to heavier dishes. A tray like this always goes quick on a buffet line.
Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Root Vegetables

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

A bowl of roasted brussels sprouts. — Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Brussels sprouts roasted with slivered almonds and feta cheese bake in 35 minutes. The taste is nutty, salty, and slightly tangy with a soft interior and crispy edges. The feta melts just enough to coat each bite. A side dish that people remember and ask for.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Almonds and Feta

Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Mashed cauliflower in a white bowl. — Loaded Cauliflower Mash. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Cauliflower mashed with cheese, sour cream, and chives cooks up in about 30 minutes. It’s creamy and savory with a bit of tang and a texture close to mashed potatoes. Lighter but still comforting. It often gets mistaken for the real thing—and nobody complains.
Get the Recipe: Loaded Cauliflower Mash

Citrus Asparagus Couscous

Fluffy couscous with asparagus, lemon, and herbs comes together in just 25 minutes. The flavor is fresh and zippy with soft grains and tender greens. It breaks up the heavier mains with something light and bright. Great cold or warm, depending on how fast it goes.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Asparagus Couscous

Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

A delightful side dish of green beans topped with crispy fried onions, perfect for pleasing both adults and kids alike. — Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions. Photo credit: Renee Nicole’s Kitchen.

Green beans tossed in garlic and topped with fried onions are done in 25 minutes. The flavor is bold and familiar with a salty crunch that hits just right. The texture stays firm but not tough. It’s a new take on the old green bean casserole—without the soup.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Green Beans with Fried Onions

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts roasted and finished with balsamic glaze take about 30 minutes. They’re sweet, tangy, and crispy around the edges with a rich, sticky finish. The flavor hits hard in the best way. Even people who usually skip them come back around.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts

Honey Garlic Carrots

Carrots cooked with honey and garlic caramelize in 40 minutes to a soft, glossy finish. The flavor is savory-sweet with a bit of bite from the garlic. They’re easy to pile high and even easier to finish. One of the sides that never overstays its welcome.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Carrots

Worcestershire Green Beans

Green beans with butter, Worcestershire sauce, and seasonings sauté in under 20 minutes. They’re savory, slightly tangy, and packed with umami. The texture stays crisp-tender with a flavor that surprises in a good way. More than a side—they’re a conversation starter.
Get the Recipe: Worcestershire Green Beans

Hushpuppies

A basket filled with round, golden-brown fried dough balls, perfect as classic side dishes for any gathering—one is broken open to reveal its soft, airy interior. A nostalgic favorite inspired by '70s church potluck recipes. — Hushpuppies. Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

Cornmeal hushpuppies fried until golden brown take about 25 minutes to make. They’re crunchy outside and soft inside, with just enough sweetness to stand alone. Best warm, but still good after a little time on the table. One of those things people always sneak into their Tupperware.
Get the Recipe: Hushpuppies

Corn Fritters

Corn fritters made with fresh corn, flour, and eggs fry up crisp in 30 minutes. They’re lightly sweet with a tender center and golden edges. Each bite has little bursts of corn that keep it interesting. Great with or without dipping sauce, and always gone early.
Get the Recipe: Corn Fritters

Easy Childa Recipe

Three yellow, thin omelette-like Indian besan chillas with green herbs and spices, served on a white plate with fresh cilantro on the side—a vibrant addition to your collection of potluck recipes or as tasty side dishes at any gathering. — Easy Childa Recipe. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Chickpea flour pancakes spiced with herbs and onions fry up fast in under 20 minutes. The flavor is savory and slightly nutty with a light, crispy texture. They fold easily or stack up on a plate. A smart option when you want something hot and quick.
Get the Recipe: Easy Childa Recipe

Perilla Leaf Kimchi: A Taste of Korean Tradition

A white plate with seasoned perilla leaves garnished with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and a spicy red sauce—an unexpected addition to your side dishes perfect for reinventing ’70s church potluck classics. — Perilla Leaf Kimchi: A Taste of Korean Tradition. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Perilla leaves fermented with garlic, chili flakes, and soy sauce set in just a few hours. The taste is bold, tangy, and herby with a soft bite. It’s not like anything else on the table, but that’s the point. Once people try it, they usually ask for more.
Get the Recipe: Perilla Leaf Kimchi: A Taste of Korean Tradition

Stir Fry Mung Bean Sprouts Recipe (Vegan Friendly)

A plate of stir-fried bean sprouts with sliced red chili peppers and green onions, served on a dark dish with chopsticks—a simple yet flavorful side dish perfect for potluck recipes or your next '70s church potluck. — Stir Fry Mung Bean Sprouts Recipe (Vegan Friendly). Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Mung bean sprouts stir-fried with garlic, scallions, and soy sauce cook in under 10 minutes. The flavor is light but savory with just enough salt to keep grabbing more. The texture is crisp and quick to eat. A nice change of pace on a rich plate.
Get the Recipe: Stir Fry Mung Bean Sprouts Recipe (Vegan Friendly)

Delicious Air Fryer Acorn Squash With Brown Sugar

Two halves of baked acorn squash on a white plate, one being scooped with a gold fork—a cozy nod to 70s side dishes and vintage recipes perfect for your next church potluck. — Delicious Air Fryer Acorn Squash With Brown Sugar. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Sliced acorn squash roasted with brown sugar in the air fryer cooks in 25 minutes. The flavor is sweet, buttery, and just a little earthy. The edges caramelize while the middle stays soft. It’s a side dish that looks pretty and always gets finished.
Get the Recipe: Delicious Air Fryer Acorn Squash With Brown Sugar

Cabbage and Sausage

A skillet filled with cooked cabbage, sliced sausage, and chopped parsley—classic comfort food often found among ‘70s church potluck side dishes—served with a wooden spoon resting inside. — Cabbage and Sausage. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Cabbage sautéed with sausage, onions, and spices cooks up in 30 minutes. The taste is smoky, rich, and a little peppery with soft cabbage that soaks up flavor. It’s filling but works right next to the mains. Classic comfort food with church potluck energy.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage and Sausage

Air Fryer Parsnips

Sliced parsnips roasted in the air fryer with olive oil and seasoning are ready in 20 minutes. The taste is slightly sweet with a starchy finish and crispy edges. They feel like fries, but with a throwback twist. Perfect for snacking or piling on the plate.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Parsnips