Need something to do, and you don’t feel like making elaborate or expensive plans? Throw some food together and have a picnic. The only problem is that the food needs some portability to work out. Luckily, this list of 15 perfect recipes for picnics is loaded with ideas that are just the thing for your next picnic.
Black Bean Quinoa Salad
This black bean quinoa salad, is a must-make recipe that’s light, nutritious, and packed with plant-based protein and fiber. Perfect for picnics, summer cookouts, or healthy meal prep, its layered flavors and easy preparation keep people coming back to it time and again.
You need: 100 g quinoa, 400 g black beans, 1 pepper, 100 g corn, 1 lime, 2 tbsp olive oil, coriander.
- Cook quinoa and cool.
- Mix with beans, pepper and corn.
- Dress with lime and oil.
Thai Pineapple Fried Rice Recipe
This authentic Thai pineapple fried rice recipe has the perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors and is made with fresh pineapples, fish sauce, and curry powder. Served in a stunning pineapple bowl, it’s a delicious side dish that is perfect for any BBQ or picnic spread!
You need: 400 g cooked rice, 200 g pineapple, 2 eggs, 100 g cashews, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp curry powder.
- Fry rice with curry powder.
- Add eggs, pineapple and soy.
- Top with cashews.
Caramelized Onion, Arugula Gourmet Grilled Cheese
This delicious caramelized onion, arugula, and herb grilled cheese is light, refreshing, and incredibly satisfying. The sweet depth of the caramelized onions perfectly complements the peppery arugula and aromatic herbs, creating a unique and tangy combination that’s both easy to make and delightful to eat.
Get the recipe: Caramelized Onion, Arugula Gourmet Grilled Cheese
Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwich Rolls
Sandwiches are good for picnics, sure. But an often overlooked option is the sandwich roll. For example, these cucumber and cream cheese rolls are light, tasty, and convenient.
You need: 1 cucumber, 150 g cream cheese, dill, 1 tbsp lemon juice, salt.
- Slice the cucumber lengthways into ribbons.
- Spread with seasoned cream cheese.
- Roll up and secure.
Cowboy Caviar Recipe
Cowboy caviar is a kind of dip and bean salad. While there are a few key ingredients, the rest is up to the recipe. And this one is guaranteed to be tasty.
You need: 400 g black beans, 400 g black-eyed peas, 1 pepper, 1 tomato, 100 g corn, 1 red onion, 80 ml Italian dressing.
- Mix everything.
- Marinate 1 hour.
- Serve with tortilla chips.
Cajun Egg Salad
Egg salad is already a great option, whether in a sandwich or as a standalone. This recipe elevates an already great egg salad with cajun spice.
You need: 6 hard-boiled eggs, 3 tbsp mayo, 1 tsp mustard, 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, celery, bread.
- Chop the eggs.
- Mix with mayo, mustard, seasoning and celery.
- Spread on bread.
Fresh Corn Salad with Lime Vinaigrette
This corn salad is loaded with fresh ingredients that keep things simple but also delicious. It’s easy to prepare, and all you need is a container with a lid to eat it fresh and tasty for your picnic.
You need: 4 corn cobs, 1 lime, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 red onion, coriander, salt.
- Cook the corn and cut off the kernels.
- Mix with onion and coriander.
- Dress with lime and oil.
Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich
Simple, readily available ingredients make this delicious Mediterranean veggie sandwich a cinch to prepare. Plus, it’s loaded with fiber, so it’s great for most diets.
You need: 4 slices bread, 100 g hummus, 1 cucumber, 1 pepper, 50 g feta, spinach.
- Spread hummus on bread.
- Layer vegetables and feta.
- Close and halve.
Salad Kabobs
Salad kabobs are a great way to bring a salad along on the go. Plus, they can be customized to suit different tastes, making everyone happy.
You need: cherry tomatoes, cucumber, mozzarella balls, olives, basil, skewers, olive oil.
- Thread vegetables, mozzarella and basil onto skewers.
- Drizzle with oil.
- Chill.
Red Cabbage and Carrot Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
This awesome red cabbage and carrot salad with lemon tahini dressing recipe is quick, easy to make, and packed with flavors and textures that will leave you feeling satisfied and guilt-free.
Get the recipe: Red Cabbage and Carrot Salad with Lemon Tahini Dre
Protein Snack Pack
Anybody who is trying to maximize their protein intake should try this. These snack packs are loaded with a huge variety of proteins to please all sorts of palettes.
You need: 2 boiled eggs, 50 g cheese, 20 g nuts, 6 grapes, 4 crackers.
- Peel eggs.
- Slice cheese.
- Pack all items in a box.
Take-Along Watermelon Skewers with Feta and Mint Pesto
These skewers combine so many tastes. The watermelon brings juicy sweetness, the feta is crumbly and tangy, and the mint pesto gives everything a herby zing.
You need: 1/2 watermelon, 150 g feta, mint, 30 g pine nuts, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 garlic clove.
- Cube the watermelon and feta.
- Blend mint, nuts, garlic and oil into a pesto.
- Skewer and drizzle.
Spicy Hummus without Tahini
Homemade hummus is one of those things that, once you try it, you might never eat store-bought again. This recipe omits the tahini and offers several different seasoning or spice options to give it lots of flavor.
You need: 400 g chickpeas, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 garlic clove, 1 lemon, 1 tsp cumin, salt.
- Blend all ingredients.
- Add water to loosen.
- Serve with olive oil.
Pesto Tortellini Salad
This recipe takes pasta salad in a different direction. Using only five ingredients, it can be whipped up in under 20 minutes. It’s vegetarian-friendly and can be made totally vegan as long as you choose the proper pasta.
You need: 250 g tortellini, 3 tbsp pesto, 100 g cherry tomatoes, 50 g mozzarella, basil.
- Cook and cool tortellini.
- Toss with pesto, tomatoes and mozzarella.
- Garnish with basil.
Tuna Croissant Sandwich
This tuna croissant sandwich brings all of the flavor. Mixing buttery, flaky croissant with soft, rich tuna and tangy, crispy pickles, it’s a taste sensation.
You need: 4 croissants, 1 tin tuna, 2 tbsp mayo, 1 celery stalk, lettuce.
- Mix tuna, mayo and celery.
- Split croissants.
- Fill with lettuce and tuna.
Instant Pot Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders
Making pulled chicken in the Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi reduces the workload. Use that chicken to make these BBQ sliders, the perfect size for a picnic.
You need: 500 g chicken breast, 150 ml barbecue sauce, 100 ml stock, 12 slider buns, coleslaw.
- Pressure cook chicken with sauce and stock 12 min.
- Shred and stir back into the sauce.
- Serve on buns with coleslaw.
Mexican Burrito Roll Ups
Here’s another roll-up recipe that is too good to pass up. These incorporate multiple flavors of Mexican cooking for a flavorful treat that is super easy to make.
You need: 4 tortillas, 200 g cream cheese, 200 g black beans, 100 g corn, 50 g salsa, 100 g cheese.
- Spread cream cheese on tortillas.
- Add beans, corn, salsa and cheese.
- Roll tightly, chill and slice.
Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Every picnic should end with some sort of sweet treat. Rice Krispie treats are a great option because they hold up better than other desserts. And these peanut butter chocolate Rice Krispie treats are the perfect choice.
You need: 60 g butter, 300 g marshmallows, 150 g crispy rice cereal, 100 g peanut butter.
- Melt butter, marshmallows and peanut butter.
- Stir in cereal.
- Press into a tin and cool.
Creamy Lime Bars
Another good travel-friendly option is these creamy lime bars. Inspired by Martha Stewart’s key lime bars, this recipe uses regular limes to keep the ingredient list easy to manage.
You need: 200 g biscuits, 80 g butter, 400 ml condensed milk, 100 ml lime juice, 250 g cream cheese.
- Press crumb base into a tin.
- Beat condensed milk, cream cheese and lime juice and pour on.
- Chill 4 hours and cut.
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