21 Recipes to Take Your Picnic to the Next Level (2024)

Few things scream summer more than eating outside, especially with plenty of friends and a checkered blanket. The trickiest part is finding snacks and drinks that travel well, so we did the work for you. Celebrate National Picnic Month in style with these 21 healthy, portable recipes.

1. The Ultimate Veggie Sandwich

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If you didn’t tear up at the beauty of this sandwich, you might want to get your eyes checked. Packed with sliced cucumber, carrot, tomato, and avocado, plus a pile of shredded cabbage and sprouts, this makes for one pretty meal. The only question is how to wrap your mouth around the whole thing for one monster bite.

2. Vegetarian Muffuletta

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This spin on a New Orleans classic is no low-key sandwich. A mixed olive salad is livened up with layers of colorful eggplant, peppers, artichokes, and Swiss chard. Slices of smoked provolone are optional, but we think a little cheese adds just the right amount of creaminess. Be forewarned: It’s considered blasphemous to toast or otherwise heat a muffuletta.

3. Chicken and Veggie Pinwheels

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Say it with us: Bite-size pinwheels are a picnic’s best friend. They’re easy to store, totally shareable, and you can fill them with just about anything. These mini wraps are packed with red and yellow bell peppers, baby spinach, purple cabbage, shredded cooked chicken (hello, last night’s leftovers!), and a sprinkle of dry ranch powder for a little punch.

4. Smoked Salmon Lavash Wrap

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Swap that boring wrap for whole-wheat lavash, a thin Middle Eastern flatbread (available near the deli section of most grocery stores), and fill the inside with arugula, alfalfa sprouts, cucumber, and a few slices of smoked salmon for protein. We love just a bit of the lemon-dill spread in this dish, but if you’re avoiding cream cheese and mayo, use Greek yogurt.

5. Herby Potato Salad

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This potato salad calls for a bright onion and herb vinaigrette instead of thick mayo. Plus you get added crunch from chopped apples and a bit of nutty flavor (and protein!) from chickpeas in every bite.

6. Lentil Cauliflower Salad

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Lentils are a fantastic meat-free source of protein and, when paired with cauliflower, make a filling, healthy salad perfect for carrying to a picnic in the park. The salad is tossed with turmeric, cilantro, and coriander for added flavor.

7. Shaved Beet, Carrot, and Radish Salad

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Thinly sliced raw carrots, beets, and radishes create a crunchy, fresh-tasting salad that’s packed with antioxidants. The dressing—flavored with apple cider vinegar, Dijon, and coriander—is just the right balance of acidic and spicy.

8. Black Rice With Mango and Cashews

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Pro tip: Black rice, also known as “forbidden rice,” is a stunning swap to its white or brown counterparts. Pair it with sweet mango and toasted cashews for flavor and texture; jalapeño for heat; and a fresh, lime-based dressing.

9. Spiralized Carrot Salad

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Crunchy, spiralized carrots are the star of this simple salad (though you can also just shave the veggies with a peeler). Toss with a tart lemony-ginger dressing and sprinkle in some parsley to cut the acid. We think a handful of crumbled feta would be well received here too.

10. Melon, Prosciutto, and Mozzarella Skewers

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Sweet cantaloupe and salty prosciutto complement each other perfectly in these Italian-inspired skewers. Mozzarella adds a creamy, fresh flavor to the mix, and a drizzle of balsamic reduction brings in a touch of acidity.

11. Avocado Mango Brown Rice Sushi

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Letting raw-fish sushi hang out in the sun for the afternoon isn’t a good idea. Vegetable-based sushi, on the other hand, is a great idea. Roasted sweet potato, avocado, cucumber, and carrots all make great fillings, but if you’re feeling something a bit sweeter, try filling the rolls with fresh mango, like in this recipe.

12. Caprese Fruit Skewers

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You may have tried the classic tomato-mozzarella-basil combo, but what about adding some fruit to the mix? These caprese salad-inspired skewers are filled with chunks of watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew alongside the traditional fresh mozzarella and basil leaves. Add some prosciutto for good luck!

13. Mojito Fruit Salad

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Use whatever fruit is in season for this colorful salad. Stone fruit such as nectarines, plums, and peaches pair well with the slightly sour lime dressing. Mix in berries, kiwi, grapes, and melon for a bit of extra sweetness. This recipe is nonalcoholic, but you could add a splash of rum to the lime juice if you’re in the mood for a more adult fruit salad.

14. Banana Cream Pie Jar Parfaits

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For a portable, personal dessert that tastes just like banana cream pie, try this: Layer coconut sugar-sweetened vanilla pudding mixed with yogurt between sliced bananas and granola. Top with a handful of chocolate chips to please chocoholics.

15. Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Fuse two classic cookies and give them a healthy spin. Mix quick-cooking oats with whole-wheat flour and honey (plus a generous scoop of dark chocolate chips) for a cookie that’s packed with texture and flavor. We recommend bringing along a thermos of milk for dunking!

16. Mango Fruit Roll-Ups

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Relive the picnics of your childhood with a healthier spin. These fruit roll-ups contain nothing but fresh mango. Simply blend and bake at a low heat for several hours. Your picnic friends won’t believe you made them yourself, so go ahead and pat yourself on the back.

17. Strawberry Basil Watermelon Aqua Fresca

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You may not believe it, but basil and fruit make a delicious pairing. This simple juice can be made ahead of time and poured into thermoses for optimal picnic sipping. Just be sure to give it a good shake before serving to distribute the frothy watermelon purée.

18. Meyer Lemon and Jasmine Iced Tea

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Mild Jasmine tea and tart lemon juice make an incredibly refreshing drink—perfect for hot evenings spent picnicking in the park. You don’t have to bring ice, but the tea is best served super cold.

19. Strawberry Lemonade

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This honey-sweetened strawberry lemonade is essentially just fancy pink lemonade—but it’s way tastier. Pack servings in individual jars or in one big thermos.

20. Raspberry Peach Iced Tea

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The base for this beverage is plain old black tea. But when combined with a fresh peach and raspberry purée (strained to remove any seeds and pulp), you get a naturally flavored and perfectly sweet liquid treat.

21. Basil Cucumber Gin Cooler

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Cucumber alone is hydrating and refreshing. Now imagine it combined with basil, gin, lemon, and sparkling water—we think it might be the ultimate summer picnic cocktail.


Originally posted August 2014. Updated July 2016.

21 Recipes to Take Your Picnic to the Next Level (2024)

FAQs

What is the best food to bring on a picnic? ›

Best Picnic Food Ideas for Large Groups
  1. Pinwheel Wraps. Pinwheel wraps are a fun spin on finger sandwiches. ...
  2. DIY Sandwich Platter. What is the most popular food at a picnic? ...
  3. Greek Salad. A cool salad on a hot summer day is perfect. ...
  4. Chips and Dip Potluck. ...
  5. Deviled Eggs. ...
  6. Pasta Salad. ...
  7. Fruit Platter. ...
  8. Cut-Up Subs.
May 23, 2024

What food to bring to a picnic date? ›

The best food for a romantic picnic depends on personal preferences. Still, some popular choices include cheese and charcuterie, fresh fruits, gourmet sandwiches or wraps, salads, chocolate-covered strawberries, and sparkling beverages like champagne or sparkling water.

What food is warm for a picnic? ›

WARMING PICNIC IDEAS
  • HEARTY SOUPS.
  • HOT WRAPS.
  • SATISFYING STEWS.
  • COMFORTING CURRIES.
  • PICNIC PASTAS.
  • 3 FLASKS WE LOVE.
  • HOW TO KEEP FOOD HOT IN FLASKS.

What not to pack for a picnic? ›

Things That Smell

Peel-and-eat shrimp, steamed lobsters and paella are a few of the foods you should avoid toting in your basket. Washed-rind cheeses (if eaten promptly) and already-peeled cocktail shrimp are the stinky-but-safe exceptions to this rule.

What is a classic picnic food? ›

Sandwiches, pies, scotch eggs, sausage rolls and chicken drumsticks are considered classic picnic treats for a reason – they're all finger foods that travel well. Layer up a picnic baguette with salami, spinach, basil, pesto and mozzarella for a mouthwatering bite with or create a colourful veggie rainbow sandwich.

How do you picnic like a pro? ›

Choose a simple, streamlined menu with finger-friendly foods that don't require many containers. Skip plates and utensils, and instead serve food in colorful parchment wrappers or paper food trays. Use toothpicks or craft sticks for single bites, or portion foods into paper cupcake liners.

How do you make a picnic list? ›

Picnic List Items
  1. Picnic Blanket.
  2. Baby Wipes.
  3. Ice Packs.
  4. Bug Spray.
  5. Sunscreen.
  6. First Aid Supplies.
  7. Trash Bag.
  8. Don't Forget To Bring Some Entertainment For Kids.

How do you make an adult picnic fun? ›

Game ideas for your picnic
  1. Paper Plane Contest. Instructions: Each participant creates their own paper airplane using a standard sheet of paper. ...
  2. Blindfolded Obstacle Course. ...
  3. Scavenger Hunt. ...
  4. Minute to Win It Challenges. ...
  5. Trivia Time! ...
  6. Team Building Relay Race. ...
  7. Lip Sync Battle. ...
  8. Toss and Catch.
Jun 5, 2023

How to picnic on a budget? ›

Simple Food

Pasta, sandwiches, wraps or even canned tuna are all cheap picnic ideas that the whole family will love! If you ask us, sandwiches are the best budget-friendly picnic food because they don't take much space in the basket. Don't forget about the drinks, plastic cutlery, and rubbish bags!

What food is good for picnic? ›

Best Picnic Eats

If you plan to bring food that will remain outdoors for several hours, choose foods that won't wilt, melt, or spoil easily in the heat. Good choices are fresh firm vegetables (raw or cooked), chopped fruit, whole grains, pasta salad, beans, and trail mix!

What to buy for picnic food? ›

PICNIC FOOD
  • Choose ready-made sandwiches if you're in a rush or build-your-own when you get there.
  • Think finger food like sushi, chips and dip, chicken or pizza.
  • Pack takeaways to go like this ham, cheese & cucumber snack and carrot, cheese and cucumber snack.

What food is good for park party? ›

Easy park party food ideas include chicken salad sandwiches, pinwheel sandwiches, buffalo chicken sandwiches, etc. You can't go wrong with slow cooker hot dogs for a crowd or Insta Pot hot dogs! You will also find savory dip like buffalo chicken dip, walking tacos, black bean salsa.

What is a good pack for a picnic? ›

How to Pack for a Picnic
  • A Blanket. My family has a picnic blanket that we keep in the back of our car at all times. ...
  • Napkins. Messes happen and hands get sticky no matter where we eat, so having napkins on hand will be helpful. ...
  • A Way to Drink. ...
  • Utensils. ...
  • Corkscrew. ...
  • A Bag to Carry Everything. ...
  • Clean Up Supplies. ...
  • Leak Prevention.
May 23, 2024

What do you carry on a picnic? ›

You'll of course need a cooler or picnic basket, blanket, plates, and utensils, but there are also other, less obvious items you shouldn't leave home without. Keep reading for our extensive picnic checklist, which includes some food suggestions, tableware essentials, and clean-up necessities.

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