11 Potluck Dishes Millennials Secretly Love and Hate

Potlucks are a mixed bag. Some dishes make people light up when they see them on the table, while others earn polite smiles before being skipped. Millennials in particular grew up with potlucks at schools, churches, and offices, so they’ve built strong opinions about what belongs on the spread. Some foods feel timeless and comforting, while others are dated or simply unappealing. Here are eleven potluck dishes that millennials secretly cheer for or quietly wish had stayed home.

1. Deviled Eggs (Love)

Deviled eggs are one of those dishes millennials never admit they crave, but they do. Despite being old-fashioned, they’re small, flavorful, and easy to grab without a fork. The mix of creamy yolk, tang, and seasoning makes them addictive. They often disappear faster than expected, proving they still work at any gathering. Sure, they may feel retro, but millennials appreciate food that’s both nostalgic and satisfying, and deviled eggs hit that sweet spot every single time.

2. Ambrosia Salad (Hate)

Ambrosia salad feels like a throwback to a different era, and millennials often view it as outdated. The mix of canned fruit, marshmallows, coconut, and whipped topping is overly sweet and strangely textured. It doesn’t look appealing on a buffet table either. While older generations may find comfort in its familiarity, millennials usually pass on it. The dish represents the kind of potluck contribution that feels more like a quirky experiment than a crowd-pleaser.

3. Buffalo Chicken Dip (Love)

Buffalo chicken dip might be the ultimate millennial potluck favorite. Creamy, spicy, and cheesy, it has everything people want in a communal dish. It’s simple to scoop with chips or bread, and it feels indulgent without being too messy. The flavor is familiar but bold enough to stand out. Millennials gravitate toward foods that balance comfort and flavor, and buffalo chicken dip delivers every time. It’s usually the first dish to disappear at any gathering.

4. Seven-Layer Dip (Love)

Seven-layer dip holds steady as a potluck staple millennials genuinely enjoy. Layers of beans, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, cheese, olives, and green onions create a colorful, flavorful dish that’s easy to scoop and share. The combination of textures keeps it interesting, and the Mexican-inspired flavors feel both familiar and festive. Millennials often value food that looks good as well as tastes good, and seven-layer dip checks both boxes. It rarely goes untouched at a party.

5. Jell-O Mold (Hate)

Jell-O molds are the potluck dish millennials love to joke about but rarely eat. They often look more like a science project than a dessert, especially when filled with fruit or marshmallows. The texture can be off-putting, and they don’t hold much flavor beyond sugar. While they may spark nostalgia for some, most millennials quietly avoid them in favor of richer desserts. The gelatin mold has simply lost its place on the modern potluck table.

6. Mac and Cheese (Love)

Few dishes make millennials happier at a potluck than baked mac and cheese. It’s rich, creamy, and universally appealing. Unlike boxed versions, homemade mac and cheese with a golden crust feels hearty and indulgent, perfect for sharing. It balances comfort food nostalgia with grown-up flavor. Millennials gravitate toward it because it’s familiar but still special when made from scratch. It’s one of those dishes that makes people load up their plate without hesitation.

7. Pasta Salad (Mixed Feelings)

Pasta salad divides millennials. A well-made version with fresh veggies, tangy dressing, and herbs can be refreshing and satisfying. But too often, it shows up bland, heavy on mayo, or overloaded with cold, soggy pasta. When done poorly, it feels like filler rather than something you actually want. Millennials appreciate a thoughtful, flavorful pasta salad but have little patience for the kind that looks thrown together. It’s a potluck wildcard depending on who makes it.

8. Crockpot Meatballs (Love)

Crockpot meatballs in a sweet or tangy sauce are a quiet hit with millennials. They’re easy to eat, flavorful, and feel hearty compared to lighter dishes. Whether made with barbecue sauce, grape jelly glaze, or a spicy twist, they deliver big flavor with little effort. Millennials appreciate that they work as both finger food and a main option. They’re not fancy, but they always get eaten, which makes them a reliable potluck success.

9. Potato Salad (Hate)

Potato salad is another dish millennials have mixed to negative feelings about. While it’s classic, it’s often too heavy, overly creamy, or bland. The mayo-based versions don’t appeal to everyone, especially in warm weather, and food safety concerns sometimes make people wary. A lighter, vinegar-based potato salad may win some over, but most millennials bypass it for more exciting options. It’s the dish that too often lingers on the table at the end of the night.

10. Sliders (Love)

Sliders have become a millennial favorite because they’re portable, customizable, and satisfying. Whether it’s mini burgers, pulled pork, or chicken sandwiches, they pack big flavor in a small bite. Unlike heavier casseroles, sliders feel modern and fun, which fits millennial tastes. They’re easy to serve, require no utensils, and look appealing lined up on a tray. Sliders bring both nostalgia and novelty, making them one of the most crowd-pleasing potluck options.

11. Grocery Store Rotisserie Chicken (Mixed Feelings)

Rotisserie chicken is one of those potluck contributions that can go either way. On one hand, millennials appreciate it because it’s practical, tastes good, and can be eaten as-is or pulled apart for sandwiches. It’s reliable comfort food, and nobody ever complains about juicy chicken on the table. On the other hand, it can feel a little too convenient, like the person didn’t really put effort into bringing something homemade. Millennials secretly respect the flavor but sometimes side-eye the shortcut.