December is here — which means invites are popping up left and right. Office parties, family gatherings, neighborhood Christmas dinners, barkada reunions… and of course, the golden question:
“Ano’ng potluck mo?”
If you’re like me, you want something masarap, sulit, and guaranteed na ubos — but also budget-friendly.
So I rounded up 10 holiday party potluck dishes you can make for UNDER ₱500, all crowd-tested, family-approved, and perfect for our Filipino Christmas celebrations.
Let’s dive in!
1. Cheesy Baked Mac (₱350–₱450)
The ultimate party staple. You can make a huge tray for cheap, and it always disappears first.
Use store-brand elbow macaroni, 1 pack cheese, and a quick tomato-meat sauce — tapos baked na with more cheese on top.
Why it works: Kids and adults LOVE it.
2. Holiday Potato Salad (₱300–₱350)
Soft potatoes, mayo, pickle relish, a little ham, and boiled eggs — Christmas classic!
You can prep it the night before so fresh ka on the party day.
Budget tip: Use scrap ham or store-brand luncheon meat.
3. Chicken Fillet Strips with Dip (₱450–₱500)
Marinate chicken breast in garlic + soy + pepper + cornstarch, fry, then serve with honey-mayo dip.
A little goes a long way!
Why it works: Perfect for potluck grazing tables.
4. Lumpiang Shanghai Platter (₱350–₱450)
A true Filipino potluck MVP.
Make a batch ahead of time, freeze, and fry right before leaving.
Tip: Add grated carrots to stretch your ground pork.
5. Tuna Pesto Pasta (₱350–₱450)
Canned tuna + store-bought pesto + pasta = instant sosyal potluck dish.
Tapos sprinkle with parmesan (kahit budget cheese!).
Why it works: Light but flavorful.
6. Honey Soy Chicken Wings (₱400–₱500)
Bake or air fry for a cheaper, healthier option.
The sweet-savory glaze always feels festive.
Shortcut: Buy “party wings” — mas mura than full wings.
7. Creamy Fruit Salad (₱250–₱350)
A holiday classic you can never go wrong with.
Gawa lang ng fruit cocktail + cream + condensed milk — chill overnight for best texture.
Upgrade: Add fresh apples or grapes if may extra budget.
8. Cheesy Garlic Bread Tray (₱250–₱300)
Buy a loaf of cheap pandesal or baguette, spread garlic butter and cheese, bake, and serve warm.
Why it works: Pairs with EVERYTHING!
9. Adobo Flakes Fried Rice (₱350–₱450)
Use leftover adobo or budget chicken thighs. Shred, fry until crispy, then toss into fried rice.
Tip: This is always a hit sa mga barkada potlucks.
10. Christmas Hotdog Platter (₱300–₱400)
The nostalgic Filipino party food we all secretly love.
Hotdogs + marshmallows + cheese cubes + a holiday dip.
Why it works: Fun, colorful, always ubos
Potlucks shouldn’t stress you out — lalo na during the busiest season of the year.
These holiday potluck dishes Philippines are budget-friendly, madaling lutuin, and guaranteed crowd-pleasers.
Remember: hindi kailangan mahal for something to be memorable.
What matters is the love (and the effort!) you bring to the table. 💛✨
