When temperatures rise and the weather is nice, the great outdoors becomes even more inviting. This is also when the idea of an outside summer picnic starts to sound better and better. Enjoying delicious picnic food outside with friends and family is a wonderful experience, but deciding which dishes to bring can be a bit overwhelming. With all the between different picnic food suggestions around, we made a list to inspire you and give you an overview of some of the best picnic food ideas for summer.
Picnic food list – our best tips for packing food for a picnic
The internet is brimming with recipes for picnic food that you can savour in the warm sunlight. But how do you decide which ones to go for? A good picnic food recipe allows you to prepare a dish that is simple to make, travels well, is easy to serve and eat outside, is temperature tolerant, and, of course, tastes great. If your picnic food of choice can be made ahead of time, it is a definite advantage too. Keep reading below o learn more about the delicious dishes you can make with the easy picnic food recipes in our collection.
Bread and sandwiches
When you think of traditional picnic food, you will often jump to different kinds of bread and sandwiches. They are easy to prepare in advance, may be served at different temperatures, and travel well – all things that make something great as picnic foods. Bread and sandwiches also fall into the category of easy picnic food to eat with your hands which is a great advantage when enjoying your meal outside in the wonderful nature.
Chicken sandwich
Chicken sandwiches with cheese chips may just be the perfect food for a picnic! They are easy to transport, and you can eat them without any utensils. The combination of tender chicken, salty bacon, crunchy salad, and slightly crispy bread makes this type of sandwich popular with many people. To make these sandwiches extra special, fill them with even more delicious ingredients: homemade Caesar mayonnaise, pickled red onions, and artichoke hearts. They come together to create a sandwich brimming with savoury goodness.
Olive bread
Easy cold picnic food like bread does not have to be boring – something our savoury olive bread perfectly showcases. The tender-crumbed bread has a somewhat crispy exterior adorned with olives and thyme. The richness of the olives seeps into the bread and infuses it with great salty flavours that elevate the humble bread. The herbaceous thyme takes it to new heights with its earthy notes. This olive bread may be enjoyed on its own as a snack before savouring heartier lunch picnic food ideas, or as a side or snack with different delectable dips.
Pulled pork sandwich
A filling pulled pork sandwich makes for a great picnic dinner food. Though slow-cooking the meat takes a couple of hours, the flavourful nature of the tender pork makes it worth every minute of your time. The homemade marinade is rich, complex, and vibrant. Combined with fresh salad and crunchy, creamy coleslaw, it is not hard to see why this American classic has become popular in many other places as well. Prepare pulled pork sandwiches in advance to experience an outstanding type of picnic food!
Finger sandwiches
If you like the idea of serving a lot of smaller dishes as a kind of picnic tapas spread, small picnic food sandwiches will be a great addition. Finger sandwiches are just as tasty as their bigger cousins and are even easier to eat. This makes them great picnic party food. Their delicious flavour also helps their case! Ours feature great-tasting shrimp, crunchy cucumber, earthy peas, and sweet mint and the combination makes for a refreshing eating experience with a lot of great, yet subtle, flavours.
Quiche and tarts
Quiches and tarts are popular choices when it comes to savoury picnic food. They travel well, may be prepared in advance, and can be served either hot, cold, or at room temperature, meaning that they are the perfect picnic food. They are also just incredibly tasty You can even make them in individual quiches or tarts, making it even easier to savour on a chequered blanket in the beauty of nature. Read more about some of our favourite ones for picnics below.
Spinach quiche
Spinach quiche is French picnic food at its finest. The combination of buttery, flaky pastry crust, rich filling with cheese and eggs, and bitter-sweet spinach makes this type of quiche incredibly scrumptious. Flavoured with warming nutmeg, the tasty filling has a lot of depth to it. It is satisfying and filling without being heavy, which is why it has become such as popular type of picnic food.
Cheese quiche
Another popular quiche choice for picnics is cheese quiche. The delectable cheddar used in the filling is the hero of our version of the classic dish. With its complex flavour, the cheese gives the filling sharp, salty, and nutty notes that combine with the richness of the eggs to create a tender filling that in tandem with the wonderful pastry casing will keep you coming back for just one more bite.
Cheese tartlets
Cheese tartlets are even easier to eat than a piece of quiche, making them a great picnic food for everyone but especially a favourite for kids who will simply swoon over the delicious cheesiness. The savoury cheese and egg filling is encased in a buttery crust that complements the tender filling perfectly. Salty salad cheese and juicy baked tomatoes ensure flavourful tartlets with plenty of summer freshness. Savour them as delicious finger food on your next picnic outing.
Spreads and dips
Though they can sometimes be overlooked in favour of more prominent dishes and sides, you should not forget to pack dips in your picnic basket! Flavourful homemade dips can be used as dipping sauces for vegetable sticks, bread, and chips, as salad dressings, or as spreads in sandwiches and wraps to elevate simple dishes and add vibrant notes of summer.
Jalapeno dip
This light-coloured, smooth dip is deceptively ordinary looking. But do not be fooled, our jalapeno dip is bursting with flavour! Made with pickled jalapenos, fresh coriander, and lime zest, this creamy dip has a complex flavour profile with spicy, tangy, peppery, and zesty notes. To complement these bold flavours and heighten their impact, a bit of honey is added for balance. This picnic food musthave is sure to turn up the heat!
Tahini dressing
Tahini dressing is a versatile picnic food that can be used for dressing salads, dipping, or as a spread in sandwiches. This creamy dressing is easy to make, and it has a lot of great flavours. The toasted sesame paste, giving the tahini dressing its name, imbues it with nutty, earthy, and savoury flavours that are enhanced by the addition of fresh garlic. Fresh lemon juice brightens it and ensures a well-balanced dressing for you to enjoy.
Tzatziki
No list of dip recommendations for summer picnics could ever be complete without mentioning classic tzatziki. This refreshing dip made with velvety crème fraiche and thirst-quenching cucumber is light and creamy at the same time. The smooth texture is set off by the strands of crunchy cucumber. Fresh garlic adds depth and makes the flavours pop.
Salads and vegetables
Simple picnic food ideas can make all the difference when assembling your perfect menu and that is why you should always include some freshly harvested summer produce to honour the season. Fresh or grilled vegetables and mixed salads make for great picnic food sides that will fill you up without weighing you down.
Pimientos de Padrón
If you are looking for fancy picnic food ideas that are simple to make, you should consider pimientos de Padrón. These small green peppers are fried at high heat to tenderise them and char their exterior to create a lovely, yet subtle, caramelisation that is balanced perfectly by sprinkling them with flakes of salt. Often served as part of delectable tapas spreads, they are also great as a finger food snack at picnics.
Potato salad
Nothing screams outdoor picnic food like a classic potato salad. This hearty salad can easily be used as a main dish. Regardless of how much you decide to have, though, it tastes great! The combination of tender new potatoes, peppery and crunchy radishes, and freshly shelled peas is tasty as well as filling. The summer vegetables are tossed with a creamy dressing packed with flavour from fresh chives and dill, Dijon mustard, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Try our version of this classic picnic food choice to discover all it has to offer.
Strawberry salad
Light picnic food can still be packed with flavour as you will learn from our strawberry salad. Featuring strawberries in the salad as well as in the rich homemade vinaigrette with sundried tomatoes, this colourful salad is bursting with flavour. It combines salty salad cheese, grilled vegetables, crunchy lettuce, and pearl barley to create a salad that can be used as a main course or a side dish, depending on which other kinds of picnic food you decide to include in your selection.
Grilled asparagus
Bacon-wrapped grilled asparagus make for a great snack or side dish that can be savoured alongside other BBQ-inspired types of picnic food. Either bring a small, portable BBQ along with you to make them fresh or prepare them ahead of time to enjoy the great combination of tender-crisp asparagus with crunchy, salty bacon. They are just as delicious cold as freshly barbecued!
Desserts and sweet treats
When discussing new favourites and classic picnic food, we would remiss not to mention desserts as well. Sweet treats are a perfect way of ending any meal, including those enjoyed outside. Their sweetness rounds off the meal and leaves everyone feeling completely satisfied. And luckily, we have a lot of desserts for picnics – desserts that are so easy to bring with you and enjoy after a delicious picnic menu.
Strawberry tartlets
Nothing screams summer like fresh strawberries. Though they are, of course, delicious just the way they are, we would argue they taste even greater with a flaky, buttery crust, velvety pastry cream, and some dark chocolate to highlight their natural sweetness. This is why strawberry tartlets can be an incredibly delicious addition to your selection of homemade picnic food. As a bonus, these small tartlets are easy to eat without tableware.
Cherry trifle
Cherries are another wonderful summer berry that is great in sweet picnic food. In our cherry trifle, the sherry-infused berries are joined by crunchy macaroons and a velvety smooth cream to create a trifle dessert with a various irresistible flavours and textures. Topped with dollops of whipped cream, this picnic dessert is decadent without being heavy. It is, as such, a great way to finish any meal in the outdoors.
Blueberry muffins
Blueberry muffins are the perfect picnic dessert – and even simply a sweet treat whenever you want. They are bursting with berry sweetness and the tropical, floral taste of vanilla. To make them even tastier, we added warming cardamon and creamy white chocolate into the mix. These additions give the muffins a greater depth and sets them apart from others you might have tasted. Blueberry muffins work well as a sweet breakfast picnic food if you prefer to have your outing early in the day before temperatures climb too high.
White chocolate mousse
Because it is sweet, rich, and creamy, a decadent white chocolate mousse makes for a delectable picnic food dessert. To ensure a balanced eating experience, the sweet, creamy mousse has freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest in it and is served with fresh and juicy raspberries. The berries provide a wonderful tang to brighten the dessert and give it a summery feel.
Get inspired with different ideas for a picnic
With so many delicious kinds of picnic food to choose from, it can be hard to decide which ones to try first. And creating the perfect picnic experience relies heavily on your choice of food. The season, the venue, and the company can inspire diverse picnic menu ideas. Whether it is a casual picnic in your local park, a beach getaway, an outdoor family adventure, or a large group gathering, planning the ideal picnic menu can be fun and satisfying. We will guide you to some of the best picnic food ideas to choose from so you can pack the perfect picnic basket – no matter where the warm summer sun takes you.
Packing the perfect picnic basket with food
Packing the perfect picnic basket is an art that requires a thoughtful balance of flavours and textures along with careful consideration of how easy it is to take with you and eat out in the nature, of course. The goal is to create a menu that delights the senses and satisfies all appetites.
Start with a variety of savoury items, which will often form the heart of the meal. This could include sandwiches or wraps with various fillings, a hearty salad, or a cheese and charcuterie platter. Ensure you have something crunchy, such as crisp vegetables with a tangy dip or a selection of crackers or crusty, flavourful bread.
Next, consider tender elements. This might be slices of a quiche or skewers of marinated and grilled vegetables. These tender items offer a nice contrast to the crunchier components and can make the picnic feel more like a complete meal.
Do not forget the sweet items to end your meal on a delightful note. Fresh berries, fruit tarts, mousses, and muffins could all be lovely choices. These sweet items often double as dessert and a refreshing palate cleanser after the savoury part of the meal.
Pack everything carefully in sturdy, leak-proof containers, and use a cooler or insulated thermal container as needed to keep your picnic food either cold or warm. You should also consider beverages – a refreshing lemonade, iced tea, or sparkling water complement any meal nicely. With a bit of planning and creativity, you can pack a basket with the best picnic foods that offer a bit of everything, ensuring a memorable outdoor feast for all.
Easy beach picnic foods
Selecting the right picnic food for the beach involves choosing items that travel well, are easy to eat, and can withstand a bit of heat. Sandwiches and wraps are classic choices as they can be filled with a variety of ingredients, are simple to transport, and require no utensils. Salads with fresh vegetables and a tangy vinaigrette are also great beach picnic food ideas as they can be made ahead of time, are delicious at room temperature, too, and can refresh you in the sun.
Among the best food for a beach picnic, you will also find fruit. Whole fruits such as apples, oranges, and bananas are portable and refreshing. But you can also consider fruit salad served in individual containers for easy eating. Crunchy snacks such as bread, crackers, and vegetable sticks with dip are also fantastic options for beach picnics. They are simple to pack, do not require refrigeration, and are perfect for snacking throughout the day.
For dessert, consider items that will not melt or spoil in the heat, such as cookies or muffins. Finally, remember to pack plenty of refreshing drinks to stay hydrated in the intense beach sun. Having a variety of easy-to-eat, delicious foods can make your beach picnic an enjoyable and fuss-free experience.
Picnic food for kids
When preparing picnic food for kids, it is essential to include items that are delicious and easy to eat. Finger foods are especially good as they are fun and manageable for little hands. Finger sandwiches, fruit and cheese skewers, and savoury tartlets can be some exciting and appealing family picnic food ideas. Vegetable sticks with tasty dips can encourage kids to eat more veggies. For dessert, consider treats like cookies, muffins, or fruit tartlets that are easy to handle. You can also include a refreshing drink, like a homemade fruit smoothie.
Remember to consider the kids’ preferences when planning your picnic menu. If they are involved in the picnic preparation process, they may be more excited about the foods they are helping to make and more likely to eat them at the picnic. In other words, the best food for a picnic with children are often dishes chosen by the kids themselves.
Picnic food ideas for large groups
When organising a picnic for a large group of friends, family, or colleagues, prioritise dishes that can be prepared in advance and are easily portioned.
Some of the best picnic foods for a crowd include salads. These can be prepared in large quantities and stored in the fridge overnight. Sandwiches or wraps, filled with an assortment of flavourful ingredients, can easily cater to varying tastes and dietary requirements. These are also easy to transport and eat, making them ideal for a picnic setting. Quiches and frittatas, which are enjoyable at room temperature, can be made the day before and sliced just before serving. Since they can serve quite a few people, they are a good choice for larger parties. For dessert, consider large batch recipes such as cakes, mousses, and trifles that will also serve many without all the fuss.
Questions about picnic foods
After selecting the types of delicious picnic food to bring with you on your outing, you may still have questions about how best to go about making, packing, and transporting it. If so, have a look below at our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about picnic foods.
What to bring on a picnic?
When planning a picnic, go for popular picnic foods like sandwiches, bread and dip, fruits and vegetables, and desserts, which are all easy to pack and eat. Some of the best food to take on a picnic includes dishes that can be served cold or at room temperature, like salad, quiche, sliced cold meats, and desserts. Besides food, remember to pack beverages, a cosy blanket to sit on, napkins, disposable plates and cutlery, and a trash bag for clean-up. If possible, take along a cooler or insulated bag to keep your food fresh and chilled.
How to keep food warm at a picnic?
Good suggestions for how to keep picnic food warm include heating your food right before you leave, then transferring it immediately to a pre-warmed thermal container, such as an insulated food flask or a foil-lined and insulated bag. You can pre-warm your thermal container by filling it with boiling water for a few minutes before emptying and adding your picnic food. Wrap larger dishes in several layers of aluminium foil and a thick towel. Avoid opening your containers until you are ready to eat. These measures can help keep hot picnic foods like grilled foods, quiches, and casseroles enjoyably warm for your picnic.
How to keep food cold at a picnic?
Our best tip for how to keep picnic food cold is to start by cooling your food in the fridge before packing them. Use insulated coolers or bags and fill them with plenty of ice, ice packs, or frozen gel packs. Pack your cold food items last so they stay cool for longer. Remember, the fuller your cooler is, the longer it stays cold. Try to keep your cooler out of direct sunlight at the picnic site and only open the cooler, when necessary, to keep the cold air from escaping. The best cold picnic food includes sandwiches, salads, quiche, vegetable sticks with dip, and desserts.
How to pack food for a picnic?
Packing picnic food for a day outside involves choosing the right containers and keeping temperatures in mind. Use leak-proof containers for any dishes with sauce or dressing to prevent spills. For hot foods, pre-heat and pack them in insulated containers. Cold picnic food items should go in a cooler with ice packs. Sandwiches can be wrapped in parchment paper or aluminium foil, and fruits can be kept whole to prevent browning. Arrange heavier items at the bottom of your basket or bag and lighter ones on top. Pack a separate bag for essentials like napkins, utensils, cups, and a picnic blanket.
How can you make picnic food for a crowd ahead of time?
Preparing picnic food for many ahead of time requires choosing dishes that can be made in large quantities and maintain their quality over time. Pasta salads, bean salads, or grain salads can be prepared the day before and are excellent for potlucks because they can be easily portioned out and are flavourful and satisfying. Sandwiches, quiches, or frittatas, which can be served cold or at room temperature as well as cut into neat-sized bites or slices, are also ideal. For dessert, consider large-batch options like cookies and muffins. These foods are not only delicious but also easy to transport and serve, making them perfect for a picnic potluck.
