This Is My Favorite Family Recipe To Take To Potlucks (2024)

Why limit yourself to one measly bean variety, when you could have FIVE instead?

Jill Nystul·July 18, 2018


This Is My Favorite Family Recipe To Take To Potlucks (2)

This Is My Favorite Family Recipe To Take To Potlucks (3)

The next time you are asked to bring something to a potluck dinner, do yourself a favor and make this dish! Believe it or not, I’ve been making this hearty “hotdish” for about 30 years now.The recipe was originally given to me by my mother-in-law Dorothy shortly after I married into the Nystul family. (But what exactly is a hotdish, you ask? It’s a type of casserole dish that originated in the Upper Midwest, but many people use the term to describe any kind of casserole dish!)

Oddly enough, around the same time I received this recipe from my mother-in-law, my dad’s long-time secretary Rose shared a very similar recipe with me. Both recipes were products of the Norwegian Lutheran immigrant population that settled in North Dakota and Minnesota in the late 1800’s. After making both recipes, I couldn’t decide which one I liked better, so I decided to combine the two! But they were really so similar that I didn’t have to change all that much.

Related: The One Salad That Will Steal The Spotlight At Your Next Potluck

This Is My Favorite Family Recipe To Take To Potlucks (4)

The best way I can think of to describe this hotdish is that it’s somewhere in the middle between baked beans and chili. It’s savory with a hint of sweetness, and most importantly, it’s always a hit no matter when or where I serve it! And here’s how you can make it at home.

This Is My Favorite Family Recipe To Take To Potlucks (5)

Dorothy’s Five-Bean Hotdish

Ingredients:

1/2 lb bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 lb ground beef
1 medium white onion, diced
1 (15-ounce) can green beans, drained
1 (15-ounce) can lima beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can yellow wax beans, drained
1 (15-ounce) can pork and beans
2 cups ketchup
2 cups brown sugar
2 tsp vinegar
1 tsp salt

Directions:

This Is My Favorite Family Recipe To Take To Potlucks (6)

Add the ground beef, bacon, and onion to a large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until the ground beef is cooked through.Drain the meat mixture and transfer it to a large roasting pan.

This Is My Favorite Family Recipe To Take To Potlucks (7)

Add the green beans, lima beans, kidney beans, wax beans, pork and beans, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and salt to the roasting pan.

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This Is My Favorite Family Recipe To Take To Potlucks (9)

Stir everything together, then cover the roasting pan with the lid. Place the covered pan in your oven and cook for 60 minutes at 350°F.

This Is My Favorite Family Recipe To Take To Potlucks (10)

This may seem like the perfect dish to bring to a summer picnic, and it is! But trust me, you can whip up this hotdish at any time of the year, and you will still have happy eaters! I’ve served this recipe at barbecues, picnics, church potlucks, and even holiday dinners to rave reviews. And feel free to substitute with whatever beans strike your fancy! You can’t really mess this recipe up.

What’s your favorite dish to bring to a potluck or picnic?

Dorothy’s Five-Bean Hotdish

Jill Nystul

The next time you are asked to bring something to a potluck dinner, do yourself a favor and make this five bean hotdish*the best way I can think of to describe this hotdish is that it’s somewhere in the middle between baked beans and chili, and it's 100% delicious.

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 16

Calories 292 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb bacon cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 medium white onion diced
  • 1 15-ounce can green beans drained
  • 1 15-ounce can lima beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 15-ounce can kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 15-ounce can yellow wax beans drained
  • 1 15-ounce can pork and beans
  • 2 cups ketchup
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 2 tsp vinegar
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions

  • Add the ground beef, bacon, and onion to a large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until the ground beef is cooked through.Drain the meat mixture and transfer it to a large roasting pan.

    This Is My Favorite Family Recipe To Take To Potlucks (12)

  • Add the green beans, lima beans, kidney beans, wax beans, pork and beans, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and salt to the roasting pan.

    This Is My Favorite Family Recipe To Take To Potlucks (13)

  • Stir everything together, then cover the roasting pan with the lid. Place the covered pan in your oven and cook for 60 minutes at 350°F.

    This Is My Favorite Family Recipe To Take To Potlucks (14)

Video

This Is My Favorite Family Recipe To Take To Potlucks (15)

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 8gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 619mgPotassium: 305mgFiber: 1gSugar: 33gVitamin A: 160IUVitamin C: 2.1mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 1.3mg

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This Is My Favorite Family Recipe To Take To Potlucks (2024)

FAQs

What to bring to a potluck last minute? ›

17 Quick & Tasty Potluck Recipes
  • Kimchi, Shrimp & Soba Salad. ...
  • Mango Cucumber Chile Salad. ...
  • Sriracha-Lime Corn Salad. ...
  • Tomato Salad with Corn, Summer Squash & Roasted Onions. ...
  • Freekeh Salad with Fennel and Mint. ...
  • Southwestern Quinoa Salad by Way of the Pantry. ...
  • Roberto Santibañez' Classic Guacamole.
Aug 18, 2019

Can you bring store-bought food to a potluck? ›

Potluck food should be plate-based. Unless you plan on bringing a stash of disposable bowls and spoons, it's best to stick to food that can be eaten off a plate with a fork. If you don't have time to cook, there's a world of store-bought food that is acceptable to bring to a potluck.

What is a good side to bring to a potluck? ›

14 Quick and Easy Side Dishes for Potlucks
  • 01 of 15. Lentil Salad with a Persian Twist. ...
  • 02 of 15. Pan-Roasted Red Potatoes. ...
  • 03 of 15. Alyson's Broccoli Salad. ...
  • 04 of 15. Ali's Greek Tortellini Salad. ...
  • 05 of 15. Strawberry Spinach Salad. ...
  • 06 of 15. Pesto Pasta Caprese Salad. ...
  • 07 of 15. Mendi's Favorite Orzo. ...
  • 08 of 15.
Jul 12, 2023

What is the easiest thing to bring to a potluck? ›

What to Bring to a Potluck
  1. Greek Potato Salad. ...
  2. Pasta Salad with Black Beans & Avocado Dressing. ...
  3. Vegan Creamy Coleslaw. ...
  4. Apple, Bacon and Sweet Potato Mini Casseroles. ...
  5. Classic Lasagna. ...
  6. Roasted Brussels Sprout & Butternut Squash Salad. ...
  7. Baked Oatmeal With Banana, Raisins & Walnuts. ...
  8. Spinach & Mushroom Quiche.
Mar 28, 2023

What is the easiest thing to bring to a work potluck? ›

Three of the easiest potluck ideas for work are chips and dip, meatballs, and brownies.

What food to bring to a party as a guest? ›

38 Ideas For Party Food That Will Please Any Crowd
  • Chicken Fajita Quesadillas. tasty.co. ...
  • Cheeseburger Sliders. tasty.co. ...
  • Tomato Basil Bruschetta. tasty.co. ...
  • Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball. tasty.co. ...
  • Chicken Pesto Pinwheels. ...
  • Garlic Parmesan-Stuffed Mushrooms. ...
  • Deep-Fried Mini Calzones (Panzarotti) ...
  • Honey Lime Sriracha Chicken Poppers.
Dec 21, 2023

Is it rude to not bring anything to a potluck? ›

Anything More Than Empty Hands Is Acceptable

It's a fun communal activity that also takes some weight off the poor host. So can you show up to a potluck empty-handed? Heck no. That's the whole point!

How much food should each person bring to a potluck? ›

Main dishes and side dishes are the heart and soul of a potluck feast. These dishes tend to be more substantial and filling, so it's essential to strike a balance and avoid excessive portions. As a general rule, plan for one main dish serving and one or two side dish servings per person.

What is the etiquette for a potluck? ›

Potluck Etiquette Rules To Follow

Firstly, make it clear as soon as possible that you are attending and excited to help bring a dish. Next, make sure you offer to bring a certain dish (and have it confirmed by the host or group) instead of just showing up with something.

Do you tell people what to bring to a potluck? ›

Assign Dishes

Your potluck should be a full meal, so you'll need people to provide finger food, appetizers, main courses, desserts and salads. Send an email asking people what they would prefer to bring, so they can cook something they know will be a hit. However, ensure that everyone brings something different.

What to bring to a party as a guest food? ›

38 Ideas For Party Food That Will Please Any Crowd
  • Chicken Fajita Quesadillas. tasty.co. ...
  • Cheeseburger Sliders. tasty.co. ...
  • Tomato Basil Bruschetta. tasty.co. ...
  • Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball. tasty.co. ...
  • Chicken Pesto Pinwheels. ...
  • Garlic Parmesan-Stuffed Mushrooms. ...
  • Deep-Fried Mini Calzones (Panzarotti) ...
  • Honey Lime Sriracha Chicken Poppers.
Dec 21, 2023

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