A picnic is a great way to spend a summer day outside with friends, family, and food. See our suggestions for fun, delicious, and easy picnic food ideas here.
A picnic is an affordable, easy, and fun way to spend some time outside with the family. Packing a picnic lunch just takes a few minutes, and with our guidance, we can make sure you pack the best foods for your al fresco meal! Let’s get packing.
What are the best picnic foods?
The best picnic foods are, in our opinion, foods that don’t require forks or other utensils. It just makes packing a picnic so much simpler and saves a lot of space in the cooler.
However, we won’t deny that we love a good pasta salad. Just remember to pack small dishes and utensils to serve up whatever might need them. Or, pack individual servings in small mason jars. Then, all you have to do is pop off the lids and grab a fork or spoon!
What should I not bring on a picnic?
In general, you don’t want to pack anything that requires a lot of assembly, like tacos, or that needs to be served hot, like tuna casserole. Super messy dishes aren’t ideal, either.
If you are packing in a cooler or insulated basket, you have a lot of flexibility with what you pack. But if your picnic basket isn’t insulated, avoid foods that will melt in the heat (like chocolate) or that could become unsafe if they get too warm too fast (looking at you, egg salad).
How to pack a perfect picnic
Skip the basket.
Picnic baskets look adorable, but they do nothing for keeping your food cold. Plus, they can be clunky and unorganized. Instead, try a basket-style cooler. We use one that is insulated, easy to carry, and collapses flat when not in use.
Keep it clean.
Nobody wants to eat directly off the ground, so remember to bring a picnic blanket to lay out the food spread and to sit on. If you know that picnic tables will be available, you may want to pack a waterproof tablecloth.
Keep it simple.
You don’t need to pack anything fancy for a picnic. Simple finger foods and snacks combine to make a perfectly satisfying and tasty picnic. But if you want to bring plates and utensils, we have ideas for pasta salads and other fork-requiring foods below too!
Don’t forget the drinks!
Whether you just want to grab a water bottle for each person, or step it up with something fancier, don’t forget to bring something to drink.
Clean up.
Don’t forget to pick up after yourself at the end! Pack a small plastic grocery bag to gather wrappers, napkins, and other trash when you’re done, in case there isn’t a trash can around.
What are some good picnic food ideas?
Best Picnic Food Ideas
A picnic is a great way to spend a summer day outside with friends, family, and food. See our suggestions of fun, delicious, and easyย picnic food ideasย here.
Finger Foods, Dips, and Sandwiches
Split Pea Hummus
Veggies with dip almost always wind up in our picnic basket. This earthy Split Pea Hummus has a gorgeous green hue and is great with vegetables, breads, and crackers.
Black Bean And Corn Salsa
Some of our best picnic memories have involved only drinks, this simple corn and black bean salsa recipe, and a bag of tortilla chips.
Caprese Sticks
These light and fresh Caprese Sticks are a quick protein-packed snack! Theyโre colorful, flavorful and ready for summer.
Taco Roll-Ups (Taco Pinwheels)
These easy taco pinwheels are a fun, party-friendly appetizer or packed lunch. Learn how to make these taco roll-ups here.
Italian Pinwheels with Cream Cheese Spread
Italian Pinwheels with Cream Cheese Spread are a perfect lunchbox treat or game day appetizer. These easy roll-ups can be made in just minutesโeven the kids can help!
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pinwheels
These chicken pinwheels are stuffed with bacon and ranch, and are loved by kids and adults alike. Serve them at a party or pack them in a lunch box, and everyone will be happy!
Pepperoni Pinwheels Recipe
Pepperoni pinwheels are easy to make and fun to eatโa hit for parties or school lunches.
Hummus Veggie Pinwheels
Spice up your packed lunches with these easy-to-make veggie pinwheels. Perfect for vegetarians and anyone looking to add more veggies to their meals.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps
Tender chicken and crisp bacon are enrobed in ranch dressing and tucked into a flour tortilla. Pack it for lunch for the kids or yourself!
Chicken Caesar Wrap Recipe
This Easy Chicken Caesar Wrap Recipe is perfect for a packed lunch that goes beyond a boring desk salad.
Maple Rosemary Bar Nuts
Maple Rosemary Bar Nuts are a little salty, a little sweet, a little savory, and totally easy to make.
Spinach-Quinoa Patties
Showcase the power of two vegetarian superfoods in these spinach and quinoa patties.
Crispy Baked Vegetable Chips
These Crispy Baked Vegetable Chips come together in just 30 minutes, and are the perfect crunchy snack. Naturallyย veganย andย gluten-free.
Curry Chicken Salad Recipe
This Chicken Salad with Grapes gets a boost of interesting flavor thanks to curry powder! Whip up this salad for an easy and healthy lunch.
Homemade Sandwich Bread Recipe
Sandwiches are a picnic classic for good reasonโthey are portable, utensils-free, and endlessly customizable. Peanut butter, ham, tuna salad...you have so many options when it comes to sandwiches! This beginner-friendly sandwich bread recipe is so easy, anyone can do it!
Grain-Free Cashew Sandwich Bread
This Grain-Free Cashew Sandwich Bread slices beautifully and is totally fuss-free. All you need is a blender and a loaf pan, and you'll be ready for grain-free sandwiches!
How To Cut A Watermelon: 3 Easy Ways
Are you intimidated by slicing up those watermelons? Never fear: here are 3 simple ways to get your melon diced up in no time.
Cucumber Salsa
Use your bounty of cucumbers in this crisp, cool, and spicy Cucumber Salsa. It pairs perfectly with lighter fare!
Roasted Garlic White Bean Dip
Great Northern Beans give this vegan white bean dip next-level creaminess! This party favorite comes together in just a few minutes in your food processor.
Baked Chicken Meatballs Recipe
These baked chicken meatballs are a crowd-pleaser. Serve them up over pasta, in sandwiches, or with a dipping sauce.
Utensils Recommended
Mexican Street Corn Salad
This Mexican street corn salad can be whipped up in no time. Itโs a quick summer side dish with a satisfying balance of spicy, savory, and sweet and is a fun picnic side.
Vegetarian Summer Orzo Salad
If youโre looking for a way to enjoy the bounty of fresh summer vegetables and herbs, this Vegetarian Summer Orzo Salad recipe is the recipe for you!
Avocado Tuna Salad Recipe
This Avocado Tuna Salad with creamy avocado, crunchy cucumbers and heart-healthy fish provides a delicious, satisfying lunch. If you're packing this up for a picnic, treat the avocado with lemon or lime juice to keep it from oxidizing.
Vegan Antipasto Pasta Salad
This Vegan Antipasto Pasta Salad is so full of complex flavors and textures, you wonโt even miss the meat or cheese!
Ranch BLT Pasta Salad
This Ranch BLT Pasta Salad is the queen of all pasta salads, thanks to its crispy bacon, fresh tomatoes, tender noodles, and creamy homemade ranch dressing.
Grilled Chicken and Asparagus Chopped Greek Salad
This Grilled Chicken and Asparagus Chopped Greek Salad is full of flavor, color, and crunchโ eating the rainbow never tasted so good! Itโs the perfect make-ahead summer salad.
Greek Quinoa Salad
This Greek Quinoa Salad is the perfect vegetarian lunch or a great healthy side dish!
Mediterranean Lentil Salad
This Mediterranean Lentil Salad gets better as it sits in the fridge and the flavors meld, making it perfect for meal prepping. Leave out the fetaย if you don't do dairy, and it will still be just as delicious!
Simple Cucumber Onion Salad
A Simple Cucumber Onion Salad is best made in summer, when the vegetables are at their peak freshness and their flavors can really shine through.
Honey-Mint Melon Salad
This simple Honey-Mint Melon Salad is a colorful and fresh way to celebrate summer. Best made when melons are at their peakโ flavorless out-of-season fruit need not apply.
Summer Split Pea Salad Recipe
This flavorful and refreshing vegan Summer Split Pea Salad is the perfect recipe to round out summer. Serve it as a light dinner or side dish.
Italian Chopped Salad in a Jar
There is so much goodness in the bottom of this Italian Chopped Salad in a Jarโthere isn't a whole bunch of room left for greens!
Strawberry Spinach Salad in a Jar
This Strawberry Spinach Mason Jar Salad is like springtime in a jar! Add grilled chicken to make it a full meal.
Sunshine Mandarin Orange Salad in a Jar
Citrus is a perfect way to brighten up a salad, and this Sunshine Mandarin Orange Salad in a Jar is a meal prep that will bring sunshine into your picnic basket!
Buffalo Blue Cheese Potato Salad
A little bit spicy, a lot a bit flavorful, this Buffalo Blue Cheese Potato Salad will knock the socks of the guests at your next pitch in!
Instant Pot Potato Salad Recipe
This Instant Pot Potato Salad from Scratch is perfect for cookouts or picnics. It takes just minutes to prepare and is easy and delicious.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad Recipe
Everyone in the family will enjoy this flavorful Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad! If you like Caesar salad, then youโll love this version with pasta.
Drinks
Homemade Strawberry Lemonade
Want to take your summer picnic to the next level? Fill up some mason jar with this simple strawberry lemonade, screw on the lid tight, and stash them in your picnic basket or cooler. Now youโve got yourself the most refreshing picnic beverage on the planet!
Fruit-Infused Water
Make hydration fun with these recipes for fruit infused water, either still or sparkling! We offer 8 flavors, so you are sure to find one you love!
Something Sweet
Worms and Dirt Pudding Recipe
Try this fun dirt pudding recipe with layers of chocolate pudding, cookie crumbs, and gummy worms for a delightful dessert experience!
Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie Squares
Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie Squares are your favorite spring pie in bar form. They are sure to be a crowd-pleaser in all their sweet-tart glory.
Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chewy, soft, and 100% dairy-free and grain-free, these Almond Flour Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies will satisfy your sweet tooth no matter your dietary needs!
Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread Recipe
Whole wheat zucchini bread is a quick and very easy recipe. It is perfect for snacking on when you want something delicious with a dose of veggies.
Ranger Cookie Recipe
Chewy and incredibly flavorful, these cookies will knock your socks off! Made with coconut, whole grains, and a secret crispy ingredient, this recipe is what I crave when I'm feeling nostalgic.
Carrot Cake Cookies
We transformed classic carrot cake into chewy, soft cookies. These are sure to please carrot cake lovers and carrot cake skeptics alike.
Classic Peanut Butter Cookies
When it comes to comfort food, these peanut butter cookies are high up on my list. They come together quickly, taste amazing and use ingredients you probably already have on hand in your pantry.
Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Cookies
These Chocolate Chip Almond Butter Cookies only require six ingredients, are dairy- and gluten-free...and still manage to be decadent and rich!
Banana Cake Recipe
This is the simplest banana cake recipe you will ever make. It is perfectly moist and flavorful thanks to a secret ingredient!