Last Updated on June 15, 2023 by Ellen Christian
These quick picnic recipes are perfect for your next picnic! Check out these cheap picnic ideas for couples to enjoy. Take them hiking or to the beach!
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Quick Picnic Recipes
I am going to pack up the picnic basket and head outside to the back yard to have a picnic on the picnic table. I don’t want to spend hours inside cooking for our picnic so I’ve gathered a few easy summer picnic recipes together to get started.
Of course, it’s always a good idea to toss in some carrot and celery sticks and a big bowl of fruit salad. Meat and cheese rolls from the deli work well as a main dish.
Picnic finger foods are always popular. Don’t forget to add an ice pack if you’ll be traveling to your picnic spot. Food must stay cold to prevent spoilage.
Picnic sandwich recipes
- Cobb Egg Salad (with or without the buns)
- Chicken Ceasar Wraps
- Roast Beef Sandwich
Picnic salad recipes
- 20 Minute BLT Pasta Salad
- Broccoli Salad with Bacon
- No Mayo Apple Slaw
- Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Country Style Cucumber Salad
- Cranberry Zucchini Slaw
- Easy Southwest Salad
- Cranberry Waldorf Salad
- Cajun Spice Pasta Salad
- Loaded Tuna Mason Jar Salad
- Tomato Caprese Cups
- Tuna Macaroni Salad
- Watermelon Feta Mint Salad
- Fully Loaded Black Bean Salad
- Orzo Pasta Salad
Beverages for a picnic
- Watermelon Lemonade
- Grandma’s Iced Rhubarb Tea
- Lemonade with Stevia
- Elderflower lemonade
- Easy lilac lemonade
Easy picnic dessert ideas
- Chocolate Dipped Pineapple Slices
- Lemon Cream Fruit Dip
- Strawberry Jalapeno Salsa
- Strawberry Gallette
Classic picnic recipes
I don’t eat a lot of desserts (because carbs and sugar) and in the summer, I would much prefer to have a slice of watermelon or a big bowl of melon balls.
They’re naturally sweet from nature without any extra work on my part. If you must include a dessert, these easy mini berry tarts are delicious and quick to make.
I find that it’s easiest to use a picnic basket for our picnics. We have one that fastens the plates, cups, and silverware to the inside of the lid and the food fits in neatly inside the basket.
With the addition of ice packs and cloth napkins, we are all set for a picnic. If you’re bringing the kids along, you might want to add some outdoor toys to keep them occupied.
Remember a big blanket to sit on if you don’t have a picnic table and a good book to read.
If you’re bringing the kids along, you might want to add some outdoor toys to keep them occupied. Remember a big blanket to sit on if you don’t have a picnic table and a good book to read. Do you have any other picnic food suggestions?
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Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
The cranberry waldorf salad sounds great. Can’t wait to have a summer picnic with the family.
Hope you have a chance to try it!
never tried chocolate dipped pineapple, sounds interesting, might have to give it a try…after all it does have chocolate on it.
So true!
Unlike you I live on carbs and sugar. heh
Our picnics are more hikes in the woods and sit on a tree trunk for a break. I have to admit I love it when we get out in the forest. It’s so peaceful.
I wish I could without it staying on my hips!
The salads look wonderful. I’ll be making some of them this summer in the Arizona heat.
Glad to help, Tiffany!