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Home » Cooking & Entertaining Essentials

Published: Mar 7, 2017 · Modified: Jan 30, 2024 by Pam

How to Keep Food Warm (or Cold) for Potluck

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My Secret Weapon to Keep Food Hot or Cold

Jump to:
  • My Secret Weapon to Keep Food Hot or Cold
  • The first line of defense for keeping potluck food hot or cold
  • How to keep food warm at a party
  • Okay, the Secret is:
  • One last tip on how to keep picnic or party food warm
  • This hack would be great to use with these recipes:

No, I'm not talking about a chafing dish or a warming oven, or even a crockpot. I'm going to share my secret that costs under $12 and you can use it over and over again.

You can even take it with you to a potluck or covered dish dinner. Curious yet?

Here's the deal. You're invited to a potluck dinner. You've slaved for hours (okay, maybe an exaggeration) but, you've made this dish you just know everyone is going to love. You take it right out of the oven and head off to the party.

keep-food-hot

Then you have time to travel and when you arrive there's a stinkin' social "hour", or somebody is late. By the time the dishes are uncovered and everyone eats, your (previously delicious) contribution is no longer warm and delicious.

The first line of defense for keeping potluck food hot or cold

If you don't have one of these you need to get one. This is mine. It's made by Pyrex and has been well loved.

keep-food-hot

It's an insulated casserole carrier and comes with a 9" x 13" covered baking dish and a hot and cold pack that you heat in the microwave to keep food warm or freeze for keeping food cold. These are awesome and there are some really cute ones out there now.

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I found this one from Rachel Ray in two colors and it's definitely a notch above mine in looks.

keep-food-hot
keep-food-hot

This one from Amazon is similar to mine:

How to keep food warm at a party

These are great for getting to the party, but, at their cutest, these things are not really elegant sitting on a buffet table. And besides that, you've always got some well-meaning "helper" who takes everything out of their carriers 30 minutes before the meal is served.

Or, maybe you have something that just doesn't hold heat well or would get soggy all covered up tight. Like my sausage balls I make every Christmas, for instance. Or, delicious rolls like these

keep-food-hot

Okay, the Secret is:

That hot pack that comes with your casserole carrier? It will keep food hot for a long time... maybe an hour and a half to two hours. Pull it out and slip it under your casserole dish on the buffet table.

keep-food-hot

Seriously, no one will be the wiser. And, the other cooks now serving cold mush will be green with envy when you rake in all the compliments. The truth is, your dish may be no better than theirs, but yours stayed WARM!

Here's what I do with the sausage balls or rolls. Just slip the hot pack in a basket and then line it with pretty napkins. I've got this great basket that's the perfect size and shape.

keep-food-hot

 See the hot pack hiding under there? It will keep food warm and it's pretty sneaky, huh?

To be honest, I haven't used the cold pack nearly as much as the hot one, but I have used it, and it works great too.

keep-food-hot

I see now on Amazon that they have these combination packs that can be either heated or frozen. I've not tried them, but if you have, leave a comment and let us know if it works well.

One last tip on how to keep picnic or party food warm

Use it at home! Really. Do you ever have more dishes to bake than you have oven space? Or, guests who come with a casserole that still needs to bake when they arrive?

I like to have one of my dishes already done and zipped up tight in my carrier. It frees up oven space and cuts down on hostess stress, and that's a big deal for me. I want to be as relaxed as possible when having people over.

For a full list of Backyard BBQ Menu Ideas plus tips on planning, organizing and keeping guests involved and happy be sure to check this article.

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This hack would be great to use with these recipes:

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Pimento Cheese Biscuits
cornbread dressing in pan
Cornbread Dressing
spoon in dish of beans
Southern Style Baked Beans
keto breakfast casserole with cheese, eggs and milk behind
Keto Breakfast Casserole
low carb broccoli casserole
Keto Broccoli Casserole
potato gratin with scoop out of corner
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green beans bundled with bacon make an elegant, but easy side dish
Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans
Asiago Cheese & Black pepper biscuits have just 4 ingredients!
Asiago Black Pepper Biscuits
The original Fiery Cajun Shrimp is updated, but as wonderful as ever.
Fiery Cajun Shrimp

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. FLORENCE @ VintageSouthernPicks says

    March 13, 2017 at 6:44 pm

    This is a great idea! I needed it this weekend when food got cold from stove to table in my own home. I have one of those zipper covers, but no hot pack. Bummer. Love how you "hid" it in your basket! Pinned.

    Reply
    • Pam says

      March 13, 2017 at 8:02 pm

      Thanks, Florence. My casserole carrier came with a hot pack, but I wore that one out and had to replace it. They are worth their weight in gold!

      Reply
  2. Patti says

    December 28, 2017 at 5:35 pm

    Genius! I have a carrier and blew up the hot pack years ago. It never occurred to me to look for a replacement (duh). Thanks for this awesome tip!

    Reply
    • Pam says

      December 28, 2017 at 5:37 pm

      Thanks, Patti! I'm actually of thinking of getting a couple more hot packs just to sit under casseroles, etc. without the carrier.

      Reply
      • Noreen McCafferty says

        November 17, 2018 at 5:08 am

        How do you order a replacement hot pack? Thank You.

      • Pam says

        November 21, 2018 at 10:42 am

        Hi Noreen. I'm pretty sure I replied to you in a p.m., but feel free to leave another comment if not. thanks!

  3. Tabitha @ Tabitha Talks Food says

    May 06, 2018 at 8:37 pm

    This is such a good idea!!

    Reply
    • Pam says

      May 08, 2018 at 12:18 pm

      Thanks, Tabitha. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best.

      Reply
  4. Diana Cruz says

    June 15, 2018 at 11:34 am

    I didn't know how to use the rubber pack that came with my long dish. Thank you for the tip. I am going to a potluck dinner for Girl Scouts, and making mostacelli. I pray it stays warm. I was happy when my daughter gave it to me a couple of years ago for Christmas. It has been put to good use. I need a small one, and will look for it. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Pam says

      June 16, 2018 at 8:00 am

      So glad we could help out, Diana. If you heat it according to the directions and slip it under your dish it will stay hot for a good while. Have fun with those Girl Scouts!

      Reply
  5. Venus says

    October 25, 2018 at 9:04 am

    That's a great idea as chafing dishes can be used in parties but what if you are going picnic. You come up with the best solution and its handy. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  6. Lisa says

    November 18, 2018 at 8:43 am

    How have I gone through life without one of these?

    I’m getting one this week!

    Lisa

    Reply
    • Pam says

      November 21, 2018 at 10:39 am

      You'll be glad you did, Lisa!

      Reply
  7. Susan says

    February 04, 2019 at 5:00 am

    You're so clever and I'm so happy I found this, thank you for sharing! I'm a vegan for ethical reasons so when it comes to potlucks and such, I try to inspire others with delicious, plant-based food, so I can't get away with cold, soggy food that should be nice and hot!

    Reply
    • Pam says

      February 04, 2019 at 11:10 am

      Thanks, Susan. I guess truly we all want whatever we cook to be at its best, but even more so in your case.

      Reply
  8. Brandy says

    December 19, 2019 at 6:11 pm

    Any ideas of where to get a basket that fits a 9x13 pyrex well. I have the carrier and the hot pack, but absolutely love the idea of "hiding" the pack to display the dish. Cute and functional!

    Reply
    • Pam says

      December 22, 2019 at 5:22 pm

      Brandy, Our metal basket was found at a flea market but this link (affiliate) goes to a wicker basket that fits a 9 x 13.

      Reply
  9. Brandy says

    December 31, 2019 at 4:34 am

    Thank you!

    Reply
  10. JL says

    October 01, 2022 at 4:04 pm

    May I also suggest taking a trivet or a layer of towels to go under the hot pack so the finish on someone else’s table stays safe? Otherwise I think I’m in need of a few of these. Great tips.

    Reply
    • Pam says

      October 02, 2022 at 2:42 pm

      Good idea, JL!

      Reply
  11. Deborah says

    October 25, 2022 at 8:49 pm

    Great ideas! I actually have all these necessities - the ice/hot packs and an oversize insulated zippered bag. I just never thought of using them this way! Duh! Thank you.

    Reply
  12. Jenn says

    August 15, 2024 at 8:43 am

    This was an unnecessarily long winded post. And, yes, this needed to be said.

    Reply
    • Pam says

      August 16, 2024 at 1:51 pm

      Thanks so much for your input, Jenn.

      Reply

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We’re Pam and Sara, a Southern mother/daughter team on a mission. We’re here to help you keep those precious food memories alive and create new ones, too. 

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