Picnic season is officially here! The days are longer, the sun is warmer, and the great outdoors is calling. You’ve got your picnic blanket, your basket is ready, and you’re eager to enjoy some al fresco dining. But wait – what about the food? Finding the perfect dishes that are not only delicious but also travel well is key to a successful and stress-free picnic.
In our experience as food experts at foods.edu.vn, the best Good Picnic Foods are a harmonious blend of flavor, simplicity, and portability. Think recipes that can be prepared in advance, maintain their taste and texture even when not served immediately, and are easy to pack and serve with minimal fuss. Ideally, you want to minimize the need for extensive cutlery and focus on enjoying the company and the beautiful setting.
Whether you’re planning a romantic picnic for two, a family outing, or a gathering with friends, we’ve curated a list of over 50 good picnic food ideas that are sure to impress. From satisfying sandwiches and wraps to refreshing salads, delightful side dishes, and sweet treats, you’ll discover something to please every palate. Get ready to elevate your picnic game!
Sensational Sandwich Picnic Food Ideas
Sandwiches are undeniably a picnic staple, and for excellent reasons. They are incredibly convenient, require minimal space in your picnic basket or cooler, and are perfect for hand-held eating. For optimal packing, consider wrapping them tightly in reusable wraps or foil to ensure they stay intact until you’re ready to enjoy them.
Caprese Sandwich: Proof that good picnic foods don’t need to be elaborate. This Caprese sandwich is a testament to simplicity and fresh flavors. The combination of juicy ripe tomatoes, creamy fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil creates a symphony of textures and tastes that’s simply irresistible.
Chickpea Salad Sandwich: Looking for a vegetarian or vegan option? Skip the traditional chicken salad and opt for a vibrant chickpea salad sandwich instead! This creamy, plant-based filling offers a delightful contrast to crisp vegetables and a soft, crusty baguette. It’s a good picnic food choice that’s both satisfying and healthy.
Tomato, Basil, and Artichoke Picnic Sandwich: This is a truly exceptional sandwich, and a secret weapon for picnic perfection! What makes it stand out is that it actually gets better as it sits. Prepare it in the morning of your picnic, or even the night before, to allow the flavors of the juicy tomatoes and marinated artichoke hearts to meld together beautifully. This ensures a deeply flavorful and good picnic food experience.
Best Egg Salad: When we say “best,” we truly mean it. This isn’t your average egg salad. Elevated with Dijon mustard, bright lemon juice, briny capers, fresh chives, and fragrant dill, this egg salad is bursting with freshness and flavor. It’s a significant step up from standard versions and a fantastic good picnic food. For a vegan twist, simply substitute crumbled tofu to create a delicious vegan egg salad alternative.
Heirloom Tomato Sandwich: When summer tomatoes are at their peak of ripeness and flavor, there’s no better way to celebrate them than in a simple, yet exquisite sandwich. Let the quality of the heirloom tomatoes shine in this good picnic food option.
Vegetarian Club Sandwich: Who says club sandwiches are only for meat-eaters? You won’t even miss the meat in this vibrant vegan take on the classic club sandwich! It’s generously layered with savory marinated tempeh, crisp fresh vegetables, creamy avocado, and not one, but two flavorful spreads. It’s a hearty and satisfying good picnic food choice.
Romesco Cauliflower Sandwich: There’s so much to adore in this substantial and flavorful sandwich. It features caramelized roasted cauliflower for a touch of sweetness, juicy tomatoes for freshness, and crusty bread for texture. However, the true star is the Romesco sauce. This creamy, tangy sauce, made from roasted red peppers, tomatoes, almonds, and red wine vinegar, elevates this sandwich to an irresistible good picnic food level.
Wonderful Wrap and Roll Picnic Recipes
Similar to sandwiches, wraps and rolls are excellent good picnic food ideas that are conveniently utensil-free. If you’re concerned about wraps staying together during transport, a simple trick is to tightly roll them in foil before you leave. This will keep them secure and prevent them from unraveling.
Avocado Summer Rolls: These summer rolls, filled with refreshing peach, aromatic herbs, and creamy avocado, are delightful on their own. However, to truly elevate this good picnic food, don’t forget to pack the accompanying coconut-basil dipping sauce. Its fresh and unique flavor profile transforms these rolls into something truly exceptional.
Fresh Spring Rolls: Juicy mango, delicate vermicelli noodles, crisp fresh vegetables, and fragrant herbs create a light and refreshing filling for these spring rolls. They are incredibly satisfying and become even more delicious when paired with a flavorful peanut sauce for dipping. A fantastic good picnic food for warmer days.
Spinach Hummus Wrap: This hummus wrap embodies good picnic food at its finest. Simply spread creamy hummus onto a tortilla, generously pile in your favorite crisp veggie fillings, and roll it all up. Because the vegetables used are crisp and not overly watery, this wrap stays wonderfully fresh for hours, making it a perfect make-ahead option for your picnic.
Chickpea Shawarma Wraps: Once you make these chickpea shawarma wraps, they will undoubtedly become a permanent fixture on your good picnic food menu. Bursting with bright and bold flavors from pickled red onions, spicy zhoug sauce, and tangy yogurt sauce, they are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Quinoa Veggie Wrap: While any wrap filled with nutritious quinoa and fresh vegetables is a good choice, the addition of a generous slather of vibrant kale pesto truly elevates this quinoa veggie wrap to something special. It’s a wholesome and flavorful good picnic food option.
Chickpea Salad Lettuce Wraps: For the freshest possible lettuce wraps, we recommend packing the components separately. Pack the flavorful chickpea filling, crisp pickled onions, creamy avocado-dill sauce, and refreshing lettuce leaves individually. This way, the lettuce remains crisp and you and your guests can assemble and customize your wraps just before eating. This ensures the best texture and flavor for your good picnic food.
Effortless Bean and Pasta Salads for Picnics
These salads are ideal good picnic recipes because they are exceptionally well-suited for making ahead of time. A pro-tip to enhance their freshness is to reserve a portion of fresh herbs and add them just before serving. Packing herbs separately in a container or baggie will prevent them from wilting and allow you to add a burst of fresh flavor right before you eat, taking your picnic food to the next level.
Easy Pasta Salad: This is a go-to pasta salad recipe that’s perfect for picnics! Packed with salty feta cheese, fresh herbs, and a generous amount of lemon zest and juice, it’s bright, refreshing, and utterly delicious. A classic and reliable good picnic food.
Vegan Pasta Salad: Don’t think vegan pasta salad can be as good as traditional versions? Think again! This vegan pasta salad is just as satisfying and flavorful as any pasta salad made with meat or dairy. The creamy, no-mayo dressing is rich and tangy, and the addition of artichoke hearts and briny olives adds a wonderful depth of flavor. It’s a surprisingly delicious and good picnic food option.
Broccoli Pasta Salad: This recipe cleverly incorporates zucchini noodles alongside traditional pasta. This ingenious addition makes it feel like you’re indulging in a hearty pasta salad while secretly loading up on vegetables! A smart and healthy good picnic food choice.
Cherry Tomato Couscous Salad: Cherry tomatoes prepared two ways? Yes, please! This vibrant couscous salad features a delightful combination of umami-rich roasted tomatoes and juicy raw cherry tomatoes, creating a bountiful and flavorful summer salad. A truly delicious and interesting good picnic food.
Orzo Salad: Fresh herbs, salty feta cheese, and a zesty Greek dressing infuse this fan-favorite salad with incredible flavor. To make it gluten-free, simply substitute the orzo pasta with quinoa, brown rice, or your preferred gluten-free pasta. A versatile and adaptable good picnic food.
Chickpea Salad: This vibrant and protein-packed salad truly shines after it has had a few hours to marinate in the refrigerator. This makes it an exceptionally convenient recipe to prepare ahead for a picnic. The flavors deepen and meld together, resulting in a truly delicious and flavorful good picnic food.
Radish Salad with Radish Green Pesto: If you have a bunch of fresh radishes with healthy greens still attached, this recipe is the ultimate way to utilize the entire vegetable. It features radishes prepared in two ways – roasted and raw – and is topped with a bright and nutty radish green pesto. A unique and flavorful good picnic food that reduces food waste.
Fresh and Flavorful Fruit and Veggie Salads
While green salads are wonderful at home, they are not always the best choice for picnics. Instead, opt for salads made with heartier ingredients that won’t wilt easily and may even improve in flavor when dressed ahead of time. The following recipes are all excellent choices for durable and delicious good picnic foods.
Best Broccoli Salad: If possible, prepare this broccoli salad a day in advance. As it sits, the broccoli softens slightly and beautifully absorbs the lightly creamy and tangy dressing. This allows the flavors to fully develop and meld together, making it taste even better after a night in the fridge. A fantastic make-ahead good picnic food.
Watermelon Salad with Feta: This refreshing salad, featuring juicy watermelon, salty feta cheese, creamy avocado, fresh mint, and zesty lime, is the perfect balance of savory and sweet. It’s a light, hydrating, and incredibly flavorful good picnic food, especially for hot summer days.
Cucumber Salad: Cucumbers have never tasted so good! Tossed in a sweet and tangy dressing with a generous amount of fresh herbs, they become completely irresistible. This simple cucumber salad is transformed into a flavor-packed good picnic food side dish.
Greek Salad: Even picky eaters will love this Greek salad! With just a handful of simple, high-quality ingredients, it’s bursting with fresh Mediterranean flavors. A classic and always appreciated good picnic food choice.
Best Potato Salad: This is our take on the classic potato salad, and we think it truly is the best! The secret? We mix in chopped dill pickles and a splash of pickle brine for an unexpected burst of tangy flavor that cuts through the richness of the salad. An elevated and delicious good picnic food side.
Strawberry Salad with Balsamic: We all know and love the classic pairing of tomatoes and basil, but for a delightful twist, try strawberries and basil! Combine them in this vibrant salad with a balsamic glaze, and you have an unbeatable summer salad that’s both sweet and savory. A unique and delicious good picnic food.
Fennel and Peach Salad: This salad recipe traditionally includes feta cheese, but it’s equally delicious if you omit it, making it a great vegan-friendly option. Topped with flavorful pesto, crunchy pistachios, fresh basil, and mint, the salad is packed with flavor even without the cheese. A versatile and flavorful good picnic food.
Mexican Street Corn Salad: This creamy and smoky salad actually improves as it sits, making it an absolutely perfect make-ahead good picnic food! The flavors meld and deepen over time, ensuring a delicious and flavorful experience whenever you’re ready to eat.
Watermelon Tomato Salad: Watermelon and tamari might sound like an unexpected combination, but together they create a salad that is both sweet and savory, making it incredibly exciting to eat. This unique flavor profile makes it a standout good picnic food.
Kale Salad: Packed with hearty vegetables and a vibrant carrot-ginger dressing, this energizing kale salad is substantial enough to be enjoyed as either a main course or a satisfying side dish. A nutritious and versatile good picnic food.
Cabbage Salad: This colorful cabbage slaw truly has it all: crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, and crunchy toasted pepitas. A tangy sesame dressing takes it over the top, creating a flavorful and texturally interesting good picnic food side.
Appetizing Picnic Recipes to Start
Perhaps you’ve already planned your sandwiches and salads but feel like your picnic is missing a little something extra. Consider packing cheese and crackers, fresh fruit, or any of the delightful appetizer recipes below for a fun, flavorful starter or side dish to complement your main picnic fare.
Ultimate Crudité Platter: This stunning crudité platter can be served as a delightful appetizer or even become the main attraction of your picnic! Loaded with creamy white bean dip, flavorful tart cherry compound butter, marinated feta cheese, and a rainbow of fresh vegetables, it’s a complete and delicious good picnic food experience in itself.
Deviled Eggs: Get a head start on your picnic food preparation by cooking the hard-boiled eggs a day or two in advance. Then, assemble these classic deviled eggs a few hours before you plan to eat. Follow the recipe as written for a traditional flavor, or add a tangy and spicy kick by blending pickled jalapeños into the filling! A timeless and always popular good picnic food.
Caprese Skewers: These adorable Caprese skewers transform the classic Caprese salad into a fun, bite-sized good picnic food appetizer! Keep them traditional with cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and mozzarella balls, or add a touch of sweetness with diced peaches for a delightful variation.
Focaccia Bread: If your picnic menu centers around a cheese board or a salad, good bread on the side is an absolute must. This focaccia bread would be an excellent choice – it’s wonderfully crisp on the outside, delightfully chewy in the middle, and surprisingly easy to make at home. A perfect good picnic food accompaniment.
Salsas for a Zesty Picnic Kick
Nothing quite captures the essence of summer like fresh salsa and a large bag of crispy tortilla chips. These vibrant salsas are guaranteed to add a zesty and flavorful dimension to your picnic spread.
Tomatillo Salsa: This tangy tomatillo salsa is incredibly simple to make – just roast the ingredients and blend! It boasts an amazing zesty flavor that’s perfect for dipping tortilla chips. If you happen to have any leftovers, save them to spoon over tacos the next day! A versatile and flavorful good picnic food.
Pico de Gallo: The key to exceptional pico de gallo is using the best quality tomatoes you can find. Make this refreshing salsa during summertime when tomatoes are at their peak flavor. It’s a quintessential summer good picnic food.
Easy Mango Salsa: Can a recipe be too simple? This mango salsa is proof that simplicity can be extraordinary. You only need 7 ingredients and about 5 minutes to create this sweet and spicy salsa. A delightful and effortless good picnic food option.
Pineapple Salsa: A helpful tip for this recipe: if you don’t feel like breaking down a whole pineapple, use pre-cut pineapple chunks to make this salsa in mere minutes! We recommend dicing all the ingredients finely so you get a little bit of everything in each delicious bite. A tropical and convenient good picnic food.
Delicious Dip Picnic Food Ideas Beyond Salsa
Not in the mood for a salad? No problem! Pack a generous container of fresh vegetables and enjoy them with a flavorful dip for a satisfying and lighter picnic option. These dips are all excellent choices for good picnic foods.
Pesto: We often think of pesto as a sauce for pasta or a topping for pizza, but it’s easy to forget how incredibly delicious it is on its own as a dip. When you have an abundance of fresh summer basil, consider packing a jar of homemade pesto (or vegan pesto) in your picnic basket. It’s fantastic for spreading onto crackers or dipping good crusty bread. A versatile and flavorful good picnic food.
Best Hummus: 7 ingredients. 5 minutes. 1 amazing dip. Once you taste homemade hummus, you’ll likely never buy store-bought again! It’s incredibly easy to make and a healthy and delicious good picnic food choice.
Baba Ganoush: Make this silky and smoky baba ganoush as often as you can when eggplants are in season. While it’s delicious enjoyed straight off a spoon (we won’t judge!), it’s also fantastic with fresh pita bread and a variety of vegetables. A unique and flavorful good picnic food dip.
Red Lentil Hummus: Red lentils blend into a dip that is every bit as rich and creamy as traditional chickpea hummus. This version is liberally spiced with turmeric, cumin, coriander, and cardamom, giving it a delightful curry-like flavor. A flavorful and unique good picnic food dip.
White Bean Dip: If you’re searching for quick and easy good picnic food ideas, this zesty white bean dip might be just what you need. It only requires 5 basic ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. Effortless and delicious!
Sweet Treats: Best Picnic Food Ideas for Dessert
Fresh fruit, such as berries, cherries, peaches, or melon, is always a wonderful and refreshing good picnic food idea for dessert. However, if you’re craving something a bit more decadent, consider baking! The recipes below include cookies, bars, brownies, and loaves – all baked goods that are easy to pick up and enjoy without needing a knife or fork, making them perfect for picnics.
Best Homemade Brownies: These rich and fudgy homemade brownies are actually even better on the second day, making them ideal for preparing ahead and packing for your picnic. A classic and crowd-pleasing good picnic food dessert.
Perfect Oatmeal Cookies: Soft, chewy, and warmly spiced, these oatmeal cookies are everything an oatmeal cookie should be. They are a comforting and delicious good picnic food sweet treat.
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies: You don’t have to be vegan to absolutely adore these chocolate chip cookies! They have irresistibly soft centers, perfectly crispy edges, and plenty of melty chocolate chips in every single bite. A universally loved good picnic food dessert.
Best Peanut Butter Cookies: These peanut butter cookies are incredibly addictive! They boast chewy middles, wonderfully crumbly edges, and a delightful sweet and nutty flavor. A classic and always satisfying good picnic food cookie.
Lemon Cookies: These bakery-perfect lemon cookies would be a lovely and sophisticated addition to any picnic. They are so incredibly delicious that you might find yourself tempted to keep them all for yourself! A delightful and elegant good picnic food dessert.
Strawberry Rhubarb Bars: When strawberries and rhubarb are in season, these crispy and nutty crumble bars are the perfect way to end a picnic on a sweet note. Made with wholesome ingredients like coconut oil, whole rolled oats, and almond flour, they are also vegan and gluten-free! A wholesome and delicious good picnic food dessert bar.
Chocolate Zucchini Bread: If you have zucchini in your kitchen, you have a perfect excuse to make this incredibly moist and fudgy chocolate zucchini bread, whether you’re planning a picnic or not. It’s so delicious that you won’t be able to resist reaching for a second slice! A decadent and surprisingly healthy good picnic food dessert loaf.
51 Easy Picnic Food Ideas: Heirloom Tomato Sandwiches
rate this recipe:5 from 25 votes
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Serves 4
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These tomato avocado sandwiches are easy to wrap up and take as good picnic food!
Ingredients
- 2 avocados
- 1/2 lemon
- 8 slices toasted bread
- 3 heirloom tomatoes, sliced
- Butter lettuce, arugula or microgreens
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- sprinkle of hemp seeds, optional
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Instructions
- Lightly mash the avocados with a few pinches of sea salt and a squeeze of lemon.
- Assemble the sandwiches with the toasted bread, avocado, tomatoes, lettuce, and hemp seeds, if using. Season with salt and pepper.
