78 Best Picnic Recipes That Are Easy to Make and Take with You
It's outdoor dining season, and we couldn't be readier!
As soon as the weather warms, you’ll catch us scrolling around online for the best picnic basket, digging our vintage checked picnic blanket out of storage, and writing up menus filled with these recipes, in anticipation of picnic season.
There’s just something about eating outdoors that makes food taste better, right? Maybe it’s the fresh air. Maybe it’s the sunshine. Who knows? All we know is that we can’t wait to do it! Give us a spot on the grass and a slight breeze, and all we can think about is how good a slice of tomato pie or a heaping scoop of fruit crisp would be. Excuse us why we go clear our weekend schedule.
Need More Ideas for Summer Eating?
Quiche Lorraine
This brunch staple is just as ideal at a picnic: it's easy to transport, tastes great warm or cold, and is both filling and delicious. And our recipe makes it easy, as well!
Peach, Arugula, and Blue Cheese Salad
What could go better with quiche than a big, beautiful summery salad?
Picnic pro-tip: Pack the dressing separately and toss it together on site.
Beaten Biscuits with Country Ham
Ham biscuits may be the most perfect picnic food. You can pack the various elements up separately and assemble them on site. These classic beaten biscuits are ideal.
Beaten Biscuits with Country Ham
Pack a fruit-filled lattice pie for a picnic dessert—and watch everyone light up when you lift it out of the basket.
Cucumber Salad
A cucumber salad never wilts. For that reason alone, it's picnic-perfect.
Tuna Macaroni Salad
Break out a tub of tuna mac at a picnic, and you'll send everyone straight back to their childhood. This underrated yumfest is sure to go quickly.
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Don't want to overthink the picnic dessert? Just bring a batch of easy homemade cookies. (Prefer a crispier chocolate chip cookie? We've got that recipe right this way!)
Cobb Salad
This hearty salad is a picnic classic. Toss it all together and dress it with our rich red wine vinaigrette.
Get the recipe for The Only Basic Cobb Salad Recipe You'll Ever Need.
Grain Salad with Trout, Almonds, and Herbs
Fresh river trout — or another flaky white fish — makes a great light protein-filled addition to a grain salad that's ideal for outdoor eating.
Get the recipe for Grain Salad with Trout, Almonds, and Herbs.
Caprese Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is a picnic must-have, and this easy take on the classic Italian summer salad is a surefire hit.
Classic Deviled Eggs
While there are plenty of ways to reimagine deviled eggs (and we have a few right here) sometimes you just want the classic, no-nonsense recipe. Why mess with success?
Pickled Watermelon Rinds
Pickles of all kinds are welcome at a picnic, but these sweet and tangy pickled rinds are practically impossible to stop eating! Plus, they're a great low-waste way to use up leftovers after making the watermelon salad, below on this list.
Quick Refrigerator Pickles
Homemade pickles and dip are an absolutely delicious picnic snack.
Classic Southern Pimento Cheese
The "caviar of the South" makes a perfect dip for those quick pickles.
Southern Tomato Pie with Bacon
We just love pies at picnics, and there's nothing more summery than a tomato pie. This one has plenty of mayo, cheese, bacon, and of course tomatoes. NOM.
Cilantro and Sunflower Seed Dip
Those who like cilantro love it, and if you're among the select, this herby dip is just for you. Fresh lime juice keeps it bright and sunflower seeds add a nutty depth for balance.
Squash Ribbon Salad with Sunflower Seeds
A good picnic salad needs to be simple, tasty, and wilt-resistant. This does all three, with some added crunch, to boot. To keep it extra crunchy, pack the seeds and pepper flakes separately, and toss them in before serving.
Get the recipe for Squash Ribbon Salad with Sunflower Seeds.
Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake
Pack this along with a thermos of coffee and you've got a picnic dessert that can't be beat.
Creamy Avocado Dip with Scallions
Be sure to pack plenty of bread crisps to go with this yogurt and avocado dip!
Buttered Leek and Gruyère Galette
Flaky, delicious at room temp, and eminently packable, this savory galette will turn any picnic into an event.
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