40 Purple Foods to bring to your Next Color Theme Potluck
Have you been invited to a Color Themed Potluck and are now looking for naturally purple foods to bring? Then you have come to the right place!
We have a compiled a list of naturally purple foods and included potluck dishes that you can make with them. Some are a little easier and just require a trip to the grocery store, while some will require some cooking at home first.
Fruits
If you want to bring something sweet and juicy to your potluck, consider bringing some purple fruits! Here are some of my favorite options:
1. Purple Grapes
Purple grapes are a classic choice for any potluck. They are sweet, juicy, and easy to eat. You can bring them in a bowl or on a platter, or you can even skewer them for a fun presentation. Concord grapes are a nice purple color and can be made into a jam or jelly as well as served in bunches.
2. Blackberries
Blackberries are another great choice for a potluck. They are small and easy to eat, and they have a tart and sweet flavor. Not only good in a fruit salad, but there are tons of desserts with blackberries like a tart or a pie too.
3. Blueberries
Blueberries are a nutritious and delicious option for any potluck. They are small, sweet, and packed with antioxidants. These can be included in a fruit salad or cute skewers too. There are also lots of salad options that include blueberries or use them in a pretty vinegarette.
4. Plums
Plums are a juicy and flavorful fruit that are perfect for a potluck. They come in a variety of colors, including purple, and they are a good source of fiber and vitamin C. Not just for fruit salad, you can use them for a plum torte, plum quick bread, or a plum pudding.
5. Purple Figs
Figs are a unique and tasty fruit that are perfect for a potluck. They have a sweet and chewy texture, and they are a good source of fiber and potassium. Fresh figs can be part of a fruit salad or mixed green salad, but you can also use dried figs too. Dried figs are similar to raisins, so they work well in a cinnamon fig bread, dried fig cookies, or a Lady Baltimore Cake!
6. Purple Passionfruit
Passionfruit is a tropical and tangy fruit that is perfect for a potluck. It has a juicy and seedy texture, and it is a good source of vitamin C and fiber. You can bring them in a bowl or mix them with other fruits for a colorful fruit salad. You can also use them to make ice cream, pretty sauces, syrups, jams, and jellies.
7. Purple Pluots
Pluots are a hybrid fruit that are a cross between a plum and an apricot. They come in a variety of colors, including purple, and they have a sweet and juicy flavor. These are mainly available in spring to fall time, and are great to make a pluot crumble with crunchy topping, roasted with fresh herbs, or used in a salad!
8. Purple Mulberries
Mulberries are a small and sweet fruit that are perfect for a potluck. They come in a variety of colors, including purple, and they are a good source of antioxidants and vitamin C. These are typically found in July when they ripen, and can be used for overnight oats, mulberry muffins, and homemade fruit leather!
9. Purple Grape Juice
Purple grape juice is a refreshing and healthy beverage that is perfect for a potluck. It is made from purple grapes and is a good source of antioxidants and vitamin C. You can bring it in a pitcher or in individual bottles for a grab-and-go option.
If you are looking for more snack foods and easily bought at the grocery store, check out our list of Purple Snacks!
Vegetables
When it comes to adding color to a potluck dish, vegetables are a great way to do it. Here are some purple vegetables that are not only visually appealing but also packed with nutrition.
10. Eggplant
Eggplant is a versatile vegetable that can be grilled, roasted, or fried. It has a meaty texture and a slightly bitter taste. It is a good source of fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. One of my favorite eggplant dishes is Baba Ghanoush, a Middle Eastern dip made with roasted eggplant, tahini, garlic, and lemon juice. Eggplant Caponata is an Italian dish that is a flavorful spread made with eggplant, capers, olives, and tomatoes. It can be served as an appetizer with bread or crackers.
11. Purple Potatoes
Purple potatoes are not only visually stunning but also have a high concentration of antioxidants. They can be roasted, mashed, or boiled. One of my go-to dishes is a potato salad made with purple potatoes, dill, and a tangy mustard dressing.
12. Purple Carrots
Purple carrots have a sweeter taste than their orange counterparts and are rich in beta-carotene, which is good for eye health. They can be eaten raw, roasted, or boiled. I like to make a colorful coleslaw with purple carrots, cabbage, and red onions. You can also make a carrot salad with raisins for extra purple color!
13. Purple Cabbage
Purple cabbage is a crunchy and colorful addition to any salad or slaw. It is a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. One of my favorite dishes is a purple cabbage and apple slaw with a sweet and tangy dressing. You can also make purple cabbage rolls and stuff with your choice of ingredients like ground meat, rice, and spices.
14. Purple Cauliflower
Purple cauliflower is a beautiful and nutritious vegetable that can be roasted, steamed, or stir-fried. It is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and antioxidants. I like to make a colorful vegetable stir-fry with purple cauliflower, snap peas, and bell peppers.
15. Purple Asparagus
Purple asparagus is a rare and beautiful vegetable that is loaded with antioxidants and fiber. It has a sweeter taste than green asparagus and can be grilled, roasted, or sautéed. One of my favorite dishes is grilled purple asparagus with a lemon and garlic dressing.
16. Purple Sweet Potatoes
Purple sweet potatoes are not only visually stunning but also packed with nutrition. They are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. They can be roasted, mashed, or baked. One of my favorite dishes is a purple sweet potato casserole with a crunchy pecan topping.
17. Purple Kale
Purple kale is a hearty and nutritious leafy green that can be eaten raw or cooked. It is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and antioxidants. One of my favorite dishes is a kale salad with purple kale, roasted beets, and goat cheese.
18. Purple Lettuce
Purple lettuce is a colorful and delicate salad green that can be used in any salad. It is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, and antioxidants. One of my favorite dishes is a colorful salad with purple lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and purple onions.
19. Purple Radicchio
Purple radicchio is a bitter and crunchy salad green that can be used in any salad. It is a good source of vitamin K, fiber, and antioxidants. One of my favorite dishes is a colorful salad with purple radicchio, oranges, and fennel.
20. Purple Onions
Purple onions are a colorful and flavorful addition to any dish. They are a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. One of my favorite dishes is a colorful salsa with purple onions, tomatoes, and cilantro. You can also pair the onions with other fruits like blueberries or purple grapes to make a really purple salsa.
21. Purple Garlic
Purple garlic is a rare and flavorful variety of garlic that can be used in any dish. It is a good source of antioxidants and has a milder taste than regular garlic. One of my favorite dishes is a colorful pasta salad with purple garlic, cherry tomatoes, and basil.
22. Purple Olives
Purple olives are a colorful and flavorful addition to any dish. They are a good source of healthy fats and antioxidants. One of my favorite dishes is a colorful antipasto platter with purple olives, marinated artichokes, pickled beets, and roasted red peppers.
23. Purple Artichokes
Purple artichokes are a beautiful and nutritious vegetable that can be roasted, steamed, or grilled. They are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
24. Beets
Beets are not only a beautiful shade of purple, but they are also packed with vitamins and minerals. A simple salad made with roasted beets, goat cheese, and arugula is sure to impress.
25. Purple Beans
These are beans that have a purple color to their skin. They can be used in a variety of dishes such as salads, soups, and stews. I love to make a purple bean and broccoli salad with a simple garlic, olive oil, and vinegar dressing.
26. Purple Corn
This is a type of corn that has a purple color to its kernels. It can be used in dishes such as cornbread, tacos, and salads. Fresh purple corn is a pretty rare but you can buy dried purple corn and use it similar to ground corn meal. I love to use it to make purple popcorn or purple cornmeal cookies! You can also buy purple corn chips at your local grocery store.
27. Purple Rice
This is a type of rice that has a purple color to its grains. It can be used in dishes such as stir-fry, sushi, and rice bowls. You can find purple rice mostly at online retailers like Walmart, Etsy, and Amazon. I would love to make a veggie stir-fry using purple rice and purple cabbage with a little carrot and peas added in for a burst of color. This would look so cool!
28. Purple Quinoa
This is a type of quinoa that has a purple color to its grains. It can be used in dishes such as salads, stir-fry, and grain bowls. I would totally make a cold purple quinoa salad with purple kale, carrots, and an herb and lime vinegarette.
29. Purple Lentils
These are lentils that have a purple color to their skin. They can be used in dishes such as soups, stews, and curries. For purple lentils, I would make purple lentil soup in a crockpot. This would be great for a fall or winter potluck!
30. Purple Chickpeas
These are chickpeas that have a purple color to their skin. They can be used in dishes such as hummus, salads, and curries. This would be a great ingredient to make for a vegetarian potluck since chickpeas are used a lot in meat free cooking!
31. Purple Turnips
These are turnips that have a purple color to their skin. They can be used in dishes such as roasted vegetables, soups, and stews. A beautiful purple turnip soup would be a great potluck dish!
32. Purple Kohlrabi
This is a type of vegetable that has a purple color to its skin. It can be used in dishes such as salads, stir-fry, and roasted vegetables. Purple kohlrabi salad is a refreshing and colorful salad made with thinly sliced purple kohlrabi, fresh herbs, and a tangy dressing.
33. Purple Bell Peppers
These are bell peppers that have a purple color to their skin. They can be used in dishes such as stir-fry, salads, and roasted vegetables. I would make a Purple Bell Pepper Stir-Fry and serve with rice or noodles!
34. Purple Tomatoes
These are tomatoes that have a purple color to their skin. They can be used in dishes such as salads, sandwiches, and pasta. Purple tomato salad is a simple and colorful salad made with sliced purple tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a light dressing.
35. Purple Basil
This is a type of basil that has a purple color to its leaves. It can be used in dishes such as pesto, salads, and garnishes. Purple basil pesto pasta is a colorful pasta dish made with purple basil pesto, cherry tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese.
36. Purple Okra
This is a type of okra that has a purple color to its skin. It can be used in dishes such as gumbo, stir-fry, and roasted vegetables. Purple okra gumbo is a colorful stew made with purple okra, vegetables, and meats or seafood, served over rice. Purple okra can be found in May through September at farmers markets and specialty or natural markets.
37. Purple Snap Peas
These are snap peas that have a purple color to their skin. They can be used in dishes such as salads, stir-fry, and roasted vegetables. Purple snap pea salad is a colorful and refreshing salad made with purple snap peas, fresh herbs, and a light dressing.
38. Purple Brussels Sprouts
These are Brussels sprouts that have a purple color to their leaves. They can be used in dishes such as roasted vegetables, salads, and stir-fry. Purple Brussels sprouts salad is a colorful and flavorful salad made with thinly sliced purple Brussels sprouts, fresh herbs, and a tangy dressing.
39. Purple Broccoli
This is a type of broccoli that has a purple color to its florets. It can be used in dishes such as stir-fry, roasted vegetables, and salads. Purple Broccoli slaw is a crunchy and healthy salad made with shredded broccoli stems, carrots, and a tangy dressing.
40. Purple Spinach
This is a type of spinach that has a purple color to its leaves. It can be used in dishes such as salads, smoothies, and sautéed vegetables. Purple spinach smoothie is a nutritious and colorful drink made with spinach, berries, and other fruits, blended into a smoothie which would work well at a breakfast potluck or even a midafternoon snack potluck event!
Naturally Purple Foods and Drinks for a Color Party
We hope this list of naturally purple foods has inspired your next dish for a potluck. I know that you can dye foods to be purple, but that usually turns out very unappealing and not appetizing.
The whole point of a potluck is to share good food, and not scare people away with weird looking purple mac and cheese.
My only exception to using food coloring to achieve a purple color is when it comes to baking. I am totally ok with a purple cake, purple rice krispie treats, and even purple colored chocolate covered pretzels.
We kind of expect our baked goods to come in a huge a rainbow of colors so that is not too odd and unlikely to be eaten. For side dishes like casseroles, salads, and veggie dishes, make sure to use naturally purple foods because there is a lot of them!
For more information about color parties, check out “Blue Foods for Your Next Potluck” and “Orange Side Dishes for a Potluck.”
