Planning a picnic can feel overwhelming. You’re juggling a million things: the location, the guest list, the activities… and then there’s the food! Don’t worry, you don’t need to be a professional chef to throw a delicious and memorable picnic.
The key is to keep things simple and focus on fresh, seasonal flavors. This guide will equip you with all the inspiration you need to create a picnic spread that will have your guests raving.
We’ll cover everything from easy-to-transport salads and refreshing drinks to crowd-pleasing desserts.
Get ready to ditch the takeout menus and embrace the joy of outdoor dining with these delightful picnic recipes.
Easy Picnic Recipes
1. Avocado Egg Salad Roll Ups
Get Full Recipe >> OMG Chocolate Desserts
2. Turkey Ranch Club Wraps
Get Full Recipe >> Life In The Lofthouse
3. Caprese Bites
Get Full Recipe >> Delish
4. Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs
Get Full Recipe >> Sugar Apron
5. French Strawberry Cake
Get Full Recipe >> Foodtastic Mom
6. Strawberry Lemonade Punch
Get Full Recipe >> The Frugal Girls
7. Sparkling Cranberry Pineapple Punch
Get Full Recipe >> Natasha’s Kitchen
8. Sparkling Pineapple Strawberry Punch
Get Full Recipe >> Mae Bells
9. Southern Strawberry Sweet Tea
Get Full Recipe >> My Incredible Recipes
10. Honey Mint Green Iced Tea
Get Full Recipe >> Will Cook For Smiles
10. Brown Sugar Baked Beans with Bacon
Get Full Recipe >> Chew Out Loud
11. Apple Cranberry & Almond Coleslaw
Get Full Recipe >> Cooking Classy
12. Shoepeg Corn Salad
Get Full Recipe >> Mostly Homemade
13. Tortellini Olive Salad
Get Full Recipe >> Norine’s Nest
14. German Potato Salad
Get Full Recipe >> Five Heart Home
15. Loaded Veggie Salad
Get Full Recipe >> Pip And Debby
16. Wild Rice Three Bean Salad
Get Full Recipe >> Mom On Timeout
17. Watermelon-Cucumber Salad
Get Full Recipe >> Country Living
18. Strawberry Watermelon Salad with Honey Lime Vinaigrette
Get Full Recipe >> Mom On Timeout
19. Chopped Salmon Salad
Get Full Recipe >> Primavera Kitchen
20. Sparkling Blueberry Lemonade
Get Full Recipe >> Chelsea’s Messy Apron
21. Cherry Lemonade
Get Full Recipe >> Pizzazzerie
22. Meyer Lemon Meringue Pie
Get Full Recipe >> Country Living
23. No Bake Summer Berry Icebox Cake
Get Full Recipe >> Cake’s Cottage
24. Blueberry Cookies
Get Full Recipe >> Grumpy’s Honey Bunch
25. Banana Split Bites
Get Full Recipe >> Our Family Of Seven
26. Strawberry Salsa
Get Full Recipe >> Gimme Some Oven
27. Homemade Salsa
Get Full Recipe >> The Chunky Chef
28. Pesto Caprese Sandwich
Get Full Recipe >> Olivia’s Cuisine
29. Roasted Chickpea Gyros
Get Full Recipe >> Live Eat Learn
30. Summer Veggie Sandwich
Get Full Recipe >> Plain Chicken
31. CopyCat Panera Tuna Salad Sandwich
Get Full Recipe >> Cincy Shopper
32. Classic Egg Salad
Get Full Recipe >> The Gracious Wife
33. Ham & Cheese Roll-Ups
Get Full Recipe >> My Fussy Eater
34. Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad
Get Full Recipe >> Wonky Wonderful
35. Chicken, Spinach & Cream Cheese Tortilla Wrap
Get Full Recipe >> Tried And Tasty
36. Chicken Stuffed French Bread
Get Full Recipe >> Life In The Lofthouse
37. Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken
Get Full Recipe >> Lemon Tree Dwelling
38. Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Wraps
Get Full Recipe >> Taste’s Better From Scratch
Final Thoughts
Picnicking is all about enjoying good food and good company in a relaxed setting. By keeping these tips in mind, you can create a memorable picnic experience for everyone.
- Keep it simple: Choose recipes that are easy to prepare and transport. Salads, sandwiches, and wraps are always a good option.
- Pack smart: Bring along all the necessary utensils, plates, and napkins. Don’t forget a cooler to keep your drinks and perishables chilled.
- Embrace the season: Utilize fresh, seasonal ingredients for the most flavorful dishes.
- Don’t forget dessert: End your picnic on a sweet note with a simple and delicious dessert.
- Most importantly, relax and enjoy! Picnics are about spending quality time with loved ones, so don’t stress about the details.
I hope these tips help you plan a fantastic picnic. Happy picnicking!