Sunshine and good foodsome things just belong together.
Just like when hosting atailgate, a host needs to consider portability and casual charm for picnic food ideas.
Try these delicious,make-ahead recipesto minimize pre-party prep and stress and maximize praise from your picnic guests.
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With these simple picnic recipes, you will create the perfect memorable and portable menu.
Plus, it travels well and can be made in advance.
Fresh or frozen berries will work well in this recipe.
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These crustless tea sandwiches can be assembled on site, or carefully stacked in a plastic container.
Picnic Egg Salad
It’s all in the name!
Minced radishes help elevate this dish.
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Spicy Pineapple Slaw
This vibrant slaw recipe will kick your picnic game way up.
These hand pies are just right for your next picnic.
Sign us up, c’mon!
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No-bake granola bars include rice cereal, oats, almond butter, maple syrup, and cinnamon.
Upgrade with one of the following varieties: Tart Cherry-Pistachio, Apricot-Coconut-Cashew, or Chocolate Chip-Pecan-Sea Salt.
Tomato Sandwiches
This new spin on a classic tomato sandwich features our all-time favoriteSummer Sauce.
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Prepare these sandwiches a day before the picnic.
All-You-Can-Eat BLTs
What’s better than a BLT?
You could always make easy-to-tote sandwiches with this favorite spread, too.
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Fresh Fruit Salad
Fresh fruit is always welcome at our picnics.
Bring skewers or toothpicks for a utensil-free serving.
Combine your favorite fruits with a honey and orange juice mixture.
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Frozen mini-phyllo pastry shells are the perfect portable container for this glazed pecan filling.
Lemonade Iced Tea
Our riff on a classic Arnold Palmer is refreshing for hot summer days.
Make this an adult-only beverage by adding bourbon or spiced dark rum.
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Garnish with fresh citrus slices.
Wrap each sandwich in parchment paper to help keep them fresh until you are ready to eat.
This savory and rich snack has the perfect amount of peppery kick.
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Cornbread Salad
Remember cold, layered salads?
We’ve never forgotten them!
These vintage recipes are so easy to package and take on a picnic.
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Cornbread elevates this recipe, but it is adaptable based on your available ingredients.
Pair these cheesy bites with a classic SouthernHam Salad.
Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomato Bruschetta
This easy bruschetta recipe makes the most of the fresh summer cherry tomatoes.
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Softened goat cheese spread over toasted baguette slices pairs perfectly with tomatoes, oil, and basil leaves.
Creating this hearty finger food takes only 30 minutes of hands-on time.
We added chopped sea salt caramels to the batter and drizzled jarred caramel sauce on top.
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(Feel free to omit the sauce if it’s too messy to travel with.)
Prepare this dish an hour in advance and refrigerate it until you are ready to eat.
Mini Muffulettas
Layers of cheese,cold cuts, and pickled vegetables stuff these slider sandwiches.
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Make this mini muffuletta sandwich a day before your picnic to save time.
After preparing, store muffulettas in a plastic freezer bag and refrigerate them overnight.
Upgrade this old-fashioned favorite with a salty-sweet caramel filling.
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Allow enough time to refrigerate the pies before packing them so the filling is firm.
White cheddar cheese crackers add a buttery richness to this irresistible mixture.
Store leftoversif anyin an airtight container for up to five days.
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Puppy Chow Snack Mix
Whip up this addicting snack in just a few minutes.
Upgrade this classic treat by combining the cocoa powder with powdered sugar for an extra chocolate-flavored coating.
Fire Crackers
This Southern favorite starts with a sleeve of saltines from the pantry.
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The best part about this recipe is that baking is optional.
Bacon-Ranch Pasta Salad
Bacon and ranch are a match made in side-dish heaven.
Choose a pasta, like cavatappi or elbow pasta, to help the mixture cling to every curve.
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Fresh herbs, sliced cherry tomatoes, and shredded Parmesan cheese complete this flavor-filled dish.
Marinate the chicken overnight in olive oil, garlic, lemon, salt, and pepper.
Assemble this dish in 10 minutes with only a handful of ingredients.
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In addition to the pesto and chicken, add sliced tomatoes and fontina cheese to crispy ciabatta bread.
Crispy Cheese Wafers
Make your picnic a snack lunch featuring these homemade cheese crackers.
These crackers are extra crunchy because of the rice cereal.
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Store in an airtight container for up to one week.
Southern-Style Potato Salad
This Southern classic is always a welcome sight at a picnic.
Achieve the perfect texture by cooling the potatoes entirely before adding them to the mayo mixture.
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Customize this dish with extra mustard, shallots, grape tomatoes, or other preferred ingredients.
The sweet and salty flavors make this a snack everyone will enjoy.
Store in an airtight container until the picnic.
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Wrap the brown sugar-glazed bacon around a breadstick for a unique portable treat.
Cucumber Sandwiches
Cucumber sandwiches are classic tea-time finger food.
Picnics can enjoy the same casual elegance with this recipe on the menu.
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Customize sandwiches with homemade mayo, pimiento cheese, and minced chicken.
Assemble this dish in 10 minutes.
We can’t resist taking a few out of the jar.
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Shrimp Salad
Succulent shrimp salad is a Southern dish that’s hard to turn down.
If company’s coming over and you have 20 minutes to spare, this recipe will impress your crowd.
With nothing to melt, they’re the perfect picnic dessert.
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A pretty blanket and fancy picnic basket go a long way toward dressing up a picnic.
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