12 Picnic Food Ideas You Must Make This Summer

Looking for quick and refreshing picnic recipes? You must try these picnic recipes that are perfect for making ahead of time and eating outdoors.

Summer is a time for lazy days, going on hikes, taking a beach day and enjoying an outdoor picnic. With these summer picnic recipes, all the work is done ahead of time, prepare these delicious recipes at home before storing them in a cooler to take with you.

Choose from recipes like pressed sandwiches, antipasto skewer appetizer, potato salad, and no-bake desserts. Take some of these picnic-friendly recipes with you on your next outdoor gathering. All you need now is to grab the checkered blanket, its time for a picnic. Here are 12 Picnic Recipes To Make All Summer Long!

Let’s Get Cooking!

1. Eggplant Prosciutto Pesto Pressed Picnic Sandwiches

Found from Host the Toast

This Italian pressed sandwich goes next level with ciabatta bread, fresh basil pesto, grilled eggplant, and thinly sliced, salty prosciutto. This eggplant prosciutto pesto sandwich is fantastic for picnics not only do you tie the sandwiches, so they don’t fall apart during travel, but they are also a satisfying sandwich for an outdoor picnic. This sandwich has everything you could want in a road trip recipe. Get the recipe at Host the Toast

2. Crunchy Chickpea Kale Caesar

Found from Good Housekeeping

This kale caesar salad is a fun twist on a classic salad. Instead of the traditional croutons, you’ll be using crispy oven baked chickpeas. The kale is the perfect lettuce to use for a picnic salad because it can be tossed ahead of time and eaten at a later time and won’t get soggy and fall apart. This homemade Caesar dressing is insanely delicious. Since this salad is vegetarian, feel free to add chicken on top for extra protein! Get the recipe at Good Housekeeping

3. Strawberry Bacon Blue Cheese Salad

Found from Lemon Tree Dwelling

4. Antipasto Skewers

Found from Honey and Birch

Everyone loves a cheese and charcuterie board with a glass of wine, especially on a beautiful day. These antipasto skewers are simply genius. Instead of packing many kinds of cheeses and meats and all the sides that go with them. They are easy to eat and taste incredible. Get the recipe at Honey and Birch

5. Lemony Pasta Salad with Green Beans and Arugula

Found from Woman’s Day

This lemony pasta salad combines the sweetness of green beans with the creamy saltiness of feta and is balanced by hearty pasta and peppery arugula. The pasta is tossed in lemon juice, olive oil, parmesan, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic. This recipe is perfect for a picnic because it can be prepared easily in advance and enjoyed later. Get the recipe at Woman’s Day

6. Italian Pinwheels

Found from Tornadough Alli

These Italian pinwheels are perfect for traveling and enjoying at a picnic. The pinwheels start with tortillas, layered with salami, pepperoni, provolone lettuces, and homemade pepper spread. They stay cold and crisp and easy to handle in on any hot summer day. Get the recipe at Tornadough Alli

7. Texas Style New Potato Salad

Found from She Wears Many Hats

8. Chicken Bacon Sandwiches with Raspberry Honey Mustard

Found from Host the Toast

Here’s a hearty sandwich that’s perfect for picnics. It tastes great cold but can also be toasted if that’s what you prefer. The secret to this delicious sandwich is the raspberry honey mustard. It’s a little tart but balanced nicely with the sweetness of honey. It compliments the salty bacon and thinly sliced chicken. After building the sandwiches makes sure to press them so they are easier to pack and won’t slide around while traveling. Get the recipe at Host the Toast

9. Cabbage Corn Tomato Salad

Found from Valentina’s Corner

This cabbage corn tomato salad is a crisp and refreshing dish that’s beyond perfect for a picnic. This recipe is an elevated coleslaw that’s packed with tons of flavor. This salad doesn’t get soggy so its an excellent option for preparing ahead of time and packing for a picnic. Get the recipe at Valentina’s Corner

10. Lemon Creme Sandwich Cookies

Found from Country Living

These lemon creme sandwich cookies are semi-homemade and totally delicious! This dessert is made up of store-bought thin lemon cookies with a homemade lemon cream cheese frosting in between. These cookies are sweet and tart which is perfect for an outdoor summer picnic. Get the recipe at Country Living

11. Summertime Sun Tea

Found from Thirsty for Tea

For your summer picnics think about making your drinks to more portable. These freshly brewed teas are incredible and will keep you cool and refreshed on a hot day. By using mason jars for drinking to store the tea ingredients, you’ll be able to brew fresh tea from wherever you are. These summertime teas will be easy to pack and travel with. Get the recipe at Thirsty for Tea

12. Mason Jar Cheesecakes

Found from Brit + Co

These mason jar cheesecakes are a super easy no-bake dessert that perfect for road trips and eating on picnics. The jars are layered with graham cracker crust than it’s filled with a creamy cheesecake base that has fresh blueberries jam on top. It’s a little sweet but a fantastic cold dessert you’ll love! Get the recipe at Brit + Co

Happy Picnicking!

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12 Picnic Food Ideas You Must Make This Summer - XO, Katie Rosario (2024)