70 Picnic Food Ideas for Porches, Patios, Yards & Parks
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.
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.
Classic Southern Pimento Cheese and Quick Refrigerator Pickles
Homemade pickles and dip are an absolutely delicious picnic snack.
Get the recipe for Classic Southern Pimento Cheese and Quick Refrigerator 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.
Strawberry-Lemonade Angel Pie
It's not a picnic without pie! This classic mid-century American dessert is, as Jocelyn Delk Adams puts it, "like a reverse lemon meringue pie."
French Onion Flatbread
Think of this rich-but-simple cheesy bread as a way to take French Onion soup to a picnic, without the splashing or mess!
Orzo Pasta Salad
This perfectly packable pasta salad is ideal for picnics: It's tasty at room temp, and it's very easy to scoop.
Salade Niçoise
This combo of sturdy ingredients and tart dressing originated in the French seaside city of Nice, and it's been delighting denizens — and likely beachgoers — for well over a hundred years.
A Charcuterie Board
A beautifully cut and arranged snack board is practically made for sitting on the grass and nibbling — possibly while sipping a glass of something cold and sparkling. Watch the video for some tips on how to keep your charcuterie picnic-friendly.
Roasted Hazelnut & Pistachio Dark Chocolate Bark
You can't forget the dessert at a picnic! This packable snack is tasty and easy.
Asparagus Quiche
Quiche is an under-sung picnic addition: The sturdy pie is easy to carry, and careful picnickers can pick it up and eat with their hands, pizza-style.
Any Fruit Crisp
Think of this as less of a recipe and more a template, so you can turn whatever you have on hand into a scoop-worthy picnic treat.
Heirloom Tomato Salad
This simply dressed salad is perfect a perfect summertime side.
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