23 Black Foods to Bring to Color Theme Potluck

When it comes to creating an impressive spread for a potluck, most people tend to focus on the taste, texture, and presentation of the dishes. However, have you ever considered adding a touch of visual appeal by incorporating black-colored foods?

Whether it is for a color party theme, a Halloween party, or just a fun dark potluck, here are some delicious, black-colored foods that you can use to create impressive potluck dishes.

1. Black Walnuts

Black walnuts are a type of nut that has a distinct flavor and texture compared to other nuts. They have a stronger, earthier taste that adds a rich depth to dishes. Black walnuts can be used in both sweet and savory dishes, making them a versatile ingredient. Consider adding them to your next potluck dish, such as a walnut and pear salad.

2. Black Cherries

Black cherries are a rich source of antioxidants and are a sweet and flavorful ingredient that can be used in desserts, salads, and even savory dishes. They have a dark, almost black color when fully ripe, making them an excellent choice for black-colored foods for potlucks. One excellent dish to bring to your next potluck would be a black cherry and goat cheese crostini.

3. Black Plums

Black plums are a juicy fruit that has a sweet and tart taste. They have a deep purple color that almost looks black, making them a great option for black-colored dishes. They are excellent in fruit salads, baked goods, and even savory dishes such as grilled pork with plum sauce.

4. Black Figs

Black figs are another fruit that has a deep, rich color that looks almost black. They have a sweet and jammy taste and are an excellent addition to cheese plates, salads, and even pizza. One great potluck dish idea using black figs is a fig and prosciutto pizza.

5. Black Truffles

Black truffles are a type of fungus that has a distinct, earthy taste and a pungent aroma. They are often considered a luxury ingredient due to their high price and rarity. However, a little bit of black truffle can go a long way in adding depth and richness to a dish. A delicious potluck dish using black truffles could be a truffle risotto or truffle mac and cheese.

6. Squid Ink

Squid ink is a dark, inky substance that is obtained from squids. It has a distinct flavor that is often described as briny or oceanic. It is used in many seafood dishes, such as squid ink pasta or squid ink risotto. Adding a touch of squid ink to your next potluck dish can add a unique twist and create a visually striking black dish. Premade squid ink pasta can be found at specialty grocery stores and online retailers like Amazon.

7. Black Salt

Black salt is a type of salt that has a dark color due to the addition of activated charcoal. It has a slightly sulfurous taste and is often used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. One great dish to bring to your next potluck that features black salt is a chaat salad chickpeas and black salt seasoning. Black Salt can be ordered online at places like Walmart and Amazon.

8. Black Pepper

Black pepper is a classic spice that is commonly used in many dishes. However, it’s often overlooked as a source of black color for potluck dishes. By incorporating freshly ground black pepper, you can add a touch of visual appeal to your dishes. A great potluck dish using black pepper could be a black pepper steak salad.

9. Black Tea

Black tea is a type of tea that is fully oxidized, resulting in a dark color and bold flavor. It’s often used in hot beverages, but it can also be used in cooking and baking. A delicious potluck dish using black tea is a black tea-smoked chicken.

10. Black Vinegar

Black vinegar is a type of vinegar that is made from fermented rice. It has a dark color and a slightly sweet and sour taste. It’s often used in Asian cuisine as a dipping sauce or marinade. One excellent potluck dish to bring using black vinegar is a Chinese-style cucumber salad with black vinegar dressing.

11. Black Beans

Black beans are a versatile legume that can be used in soups, stews, salads, and even burgers. They have a slightly sweet taste and are an excellent source of protein and fiber. A great potluck dish to bring using black beans is a black bean and corn salad.

12. Blackberries

Blackberries are a juicy and sweet berry that is a rich source of antioxidants and vitamin C. They have a deep purple color that almost looks black, making them an excellent option for black-colored dishes. They are perfect in pies, jams, and even smoothies. A great potluck dish using blackberries is a blackberry and peach cobbler.

13. Black Currants

Black currants are a berry that has a slightly tart taste and is an excellent source of vitamin C. They have a deep, dark color that makes them perfect for black-colored dishes. They can be used in jams, jellies, and even savory dishes such as black currant glazed salmon.

14. Black Grapes

Black grapes are a sweet and juicy fruit that has a deep, dark color. They are often used in salads, desserts, and even wine. A great potluck dish to bring using black grapes is a grape and blue cheese salad.

15. Black Olives

Black olives are a type of olive that has a rich, salty taste. They are often used in Mediterranean dishes such as pizzas, pastas, and salads. A delicious potluck dish using black olives is a Greek salad with black olives and feta cheese.

16. Black Lentils

Black lentils are a type of lentil that has a dark, almost black color when cooked. They have a nutty and earthy taste and are an excellent source of protein and fiber. They can be used in soups, stews, and even salads. A great potluck dish using black lentils is a black lentil and vegetable soup.

17. Black Rice

Black rice is a type of rice that has a dark color and a nutty taste. It’s often used in Asian cuisine as a side dish or in sushi rolls. A great potluck dish using black rice is a black rice and vegetable stir-fry.

18. Black Quinoa

Black quinoa is a type of quinoa that has a dark color and a nutty taste. It’s a great source of protein and is often used in salads and grain bowls. A great potluck dish using black quinoa is a black quinoa and roasted vegetable salad.

19. Black Sesame Seeds

Black sesame seeds are a type of seed that has a rich, nutty taste and a black color. They are often used in Asian cuisine as a garnish or seasoning. A great potluck dish using black sesame seeds is a sesame-crusted tuna salad.

20. Black Garlic

Black garlic is a type of garlic that has a dark color and a sweet taste. It’s made by fermenting garlic cloves for several weeks, resulting in a unique flavor and texture. It’s often used in Asian cuisine as a seasoning or in marinades. A great potluck dish using black garlic is a black garlic and shrimp stir-fry.

21. Black Candies

Black candies typically have strong flavors and not everyone likes them, so I wouldn’t go overboard on this one. If this is for a Halloween party you can always stock up on black colored candies at your local dollar tree. I would put them all in a large bowl, or arrange them on a large platter. Other black candies to keep an eye out for will be black jelly beans and candies with black wrappers like Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate bars, Skittles Darkside, and Black Cherry Jolly Ranchers.

22. Black Frosting

I only recommend using artificial dyes on baked goods like cakes, cupcakes, and cake pops. This is because it is not unexpected to see strange colors on cakes. They literally come in every color, so this one is totally fine. I would try to add a tiny bit of color like doing a black cake, black frosting, and then adding a small amount of red or orange to decorate it.

23. Oreo Cookies

Oreos are a always a huge hit and honestly if you are short on time, you can just bring a bag of Oreo cookies. As I always say though, don’t just plop a pack on the table and leave though. Make sure you put your cookies on a serving tray or a large bowl. We want to see a little effort! You can also make an Oreo cookie pie if you have more time and energy!

Black Foods for a Color Party Potluck

I know the obvious answer to bringing a black colored food to a potluck is to dye a food black. I beg you not to artificially dye foods black. Not only does it make the food look totally unappetizing, but people are not going to want to try it.

Why take food to a potluck if no one is going to eat it? Seems like a waste of time, effort, and money to me. So that is why I have created this list of naturally black foods to encourage you to stick to the potluck theme but do it in a way that people will actually enjoy the food!

For more color party foods, check out “White Potluck Foods” and “Pink Foods for a Potluck.”