31 Easy Picnic Recipe Ideas

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If you’re planning a picnic and searching for some delicious yet easy-to-pack recipes, you’ve landed in the right place. This post is all about making your outdoor dining experience memorable, hassle-free, and absolutely scrumptious.

From wraps that hold their own against the elements to refreshing drinks that’ll keep you cool, I’ve got you covered. So grab your picnic basket, and let’s dive into some recipes that are sure to make your next open-air meal a hit!

Looking for more summer recipes? Try these summer salads or summer charcuterie boards next.

Wraps & Pinwheels

First up, let’s talk about wraps and pinwheels – the MVPs of any picnic basket. These guys are not just tasty; they’re incredibly portable and make for mess-free eating.

Whether you’re into veggies and hummus or something a bit more hearty, we’ve got a wrap for you. Let’s roll into some recipes that are as fun to make as they are to eat!

Zesty Italian Pinwheels Recipe

Roll up lunch with Italian Pinwheels! These savory snacks are packed with meat, cheese and herbs. They’re easy to assemble and make a great meal for a picnic.
Check out this recipe
Zesty Italian Pinwheels Recipe

Ham and Pimento Cheese Wraps

Crisp lettuce, sweet honey ham, and creamy pimento cheese — these Ham and Pimento Cheese Wraps are the perfect fresh and easy lunch for a picnic.
Check out this recipe
Ham and Pimento Cheese Wraps

Veggie Pinwheels

Bite-sized veggie pinwheels are a nutrition-packed snack or lunchbox hit for a picnic.
Check out this recipe
 Veggie Pinwheels

Grilled Chicken Wraps

These grilled chicken wraps are perfect for a quick summer lunch! They’re packed with flavor, easy and perfect for packed lunches and picnics.
Check out this recipe
Grilled Chicken Wraps

Sandwiches

Is any picnic really complete without sandwiches? I don’t think so. But we’re not just throwing ham and cheese on bread and calling it a day.

We’re talking about sandwiches that will make you look forward to lunchtime. From classic combinations to some new twists, these sandwiches are easy to make, easy to pack, and easy to love.

Pressed Italian Sandwiches

Summer picnic food is easy with pressed Italian sandwiches that are neat to hold and eat. Make these the day before, then grab and go!
Check out this recipe
Pressed Italian Sandwiches

Shareable BLT Sub Sandwich

This is a crash course on building the perfect BLT sandwich and the recipe for a shareable sub version that feeds a crowd.
Check out this recipe
Shareable BLT Sub Sandwich

Curried Chicken Salad

This delicious Curried Chicken Salad is packed full of tender chicken, crunchy almonds, celery, sautéed onions and sweet grapes.
Check out this recipe
Curried Chicken Salad

Muffuletta

Muffuletta pressed Italian American recipe with olive salad spread. Make-ahead, easy, delicious and known as a picnic sandwich.
Check out this recipe
Muffuletta

Classic Egg Salad Recipe

This classic egg salad recipe is infinitely versatile in what you add to it and how you serve it. Stick to 3 ingredients. Or jazz it up. It’s up to you. Nothing fancy. Not original. Just delish.
Check out this recipe
Classic Egg Salad Recipe

Easy Tuna Salad

This classic Tuna Salad recipe is quick & easy. Canned tuna is mixed with celery, onion & creamy tangy dressing for a simple lunch to pack for a picnic.
Check out this recipe
Easy Tuna Salad

Salads

Now, let’s get into the fresh part of our picnic – cold salads. These aren’t your ordinary salads; they’re picnic-perfect.

Think pasta salads, potato salads, and greens that stay crisp. We’re focusing on flavors that meld beautifully as they chill and salads that bring a refreshing crunch to your outdoor feast.

Quick Pesto Pasta Salad

When you need a salad FAST, this quick Pesto Pasta Salad is ready to go in the time it takes to cook the pasta! This salad is full of classic Caprese flavour, with grape tomatoes, basil pesto, fresh mozzarella, and tender pasta; perfect for a potluck, BBQ, or picnic!
Check out this recipe
Quick Pesto Pasta Salad

Caprese Pasta Salad

Easy to make, juicy, Caprese salad that’s loaded with tomatoes, baby mozzarella, and full of flavor.
Check out this recipe
Caprese Pasta Salad

Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

easy pasta salad made with chicken, veggies, and tossed in homemade caesar dressing.
Check out this recipe
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad

Easy Coleslaw Salad Recipe

This easy coleslaw salad recipe combines fresh vegetables with a homemade dressing. Make it today for a healthy side dish!
Check out this recipe
Easy Coleslaw Salad Recipe

Greek Quinoa Salad

This Greek Quinoa Salad is bright, earthy, and tangy! It’s perfect for meal-prep, hearty lunches, or a healthy side dish.
Check out this recipe
Greek Quinoa Salad

Loaded Baked Potato Salad Recipe

Loaded Baked Potato Salad takes everything you love about potato salad, and everything you love about loaded baked potatoes, and marries them together.
Check out this recipe
Loaded Baked Potato Salad Recipe

Southern Potato Salad

Southern Potato Salad is a classic recipe for potlucks, picnics and BBQs. It’s creamy, tangy and ready in 30 minutes, or make it a day ahead.
Check out this recipe
Southern Potato Salad

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is made lighter with Greek Yogurt for a super creamy pasta salad that saves on calories but not on flavor.
Check out this recipe
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad

Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad

This colorful and flavorful Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad is the perfect summer dish! It’s so quick and easy to make strawberry pasta salad.
Check out this recipe
Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad

Fruit Salad

The BEST fruit salad recipe! Tossed in honey-lime dressing, this easy fruit salad is loaded with fresh berries, grapes, pineapple, and more.
Check out this recipe
Fruit Salad

Orzo Pasta Salad

This classic orzo pasta salad is a colorful mix of fresh chopped veggies with tender orzo pasta and coated in a flavorful homemade lemon-dijon vinaigrette.
Check out this recipe
Orzo Pasta Salad

Ambrosia Salad

This easy ambrosia salad recipe is sure to become an essential dish to have at your next party! It’s a delicious no-bake alternative to heavier desserts.
Check out this recipe
Ambrosia Salad

Desserts

What’s a meal without a sweet ending? This dessert section is all about treats that travel well and taste even better under the sun.

From chewy cookies to bars and bite-sized goodies, these desserts are not just delicious but also picnic-proof. Let’s enjoy some sweets that will ensure your picnic ends on a high note.

Peach Cobbler Pound Cake

Soft but dense, this vanilla pound cake has a thick layer of fresh peach slices and a cobbler topping that creates a biscuit-like crust as it bakes. It keeps well for several days and can be frozen.
Check out this recipe
Peach Cobbler Pound Cake

Chocolate Dipped Oranges Recipe

These chocolate dipped oranges are the perfect addition to your next picnic. They’re so quick and easy to make!
Check out this recipe
Chocolate Dipped Oranges Recipe

Lemon Sugar Cookies

These Lemon Sugar Cookies are soft, sweet, and lemony! With a subtle crunch from the sugar coating, these are simple perfection!
Check out this recipe
Lemon Sugar Cookies

Blueberry Chocolate Cake

This light and fluffy blueberry chocolate cake is easy to make and topped with a delicious, not-too-sweet blueberry cream cheese frosting.
Check out this recipe
Blueberry Chocolate Cake

Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes

These homemade strawberry crunch cupcakes are baked full of fresh strawberries, topped with fluffy cream cheese frosting and crunch topping.
Check out this recipe
Strawberry Crunch Cupcakes

Lemon Blueberry Blondies | Savor The Spoonful

These lemon blueberry blondies are dairy-free and so easy to make with no mixer. They are full of blueberries and topped with lemon icing!
Check out this recipe
Lemon Blueberry Blondies | Savor The Spoonful

Drinks

Last but definitely not least, let’s quench our thirst with some refreshing drinks.

Whether you’re in the mood for something fizzy, fruity, or a little bit of both, I’ve got drink recipes that will keep you cool and hydrated. These are the perfect sips to clink glasses to a perfect day out.

Easy Homemade Strawberry Peach Lemonade With Real Juice

Homemade, easy strawberry peach lemonade is made with real strawberry and peach juice and will quench your thirst in seconds.
Check out this recipe
Easy Homemade Strawberry Peach Lemonade With Real Juice

Copycat Chick-fil-A Watermelon Mint Lemonade

This sweet and refreshing watermelon mint lemonade is a summer staple at Chick-fil-A but you can make it at home with just 4 ingredients!
Check out this recipe
Copycat Chick-fil-A Watermelon Mint Lemonade

Homemade Peach Iced Tea

Homemade peach iced tea is healthy summer drink — refreshing, peachy, sweet, and perfect. It’s loaded with real fruit and vitamins and easy to make.
Check out this recipe
Homemade Peach Iced Tea

Peach Lemonade

Peach Lemonade The most refreshing drink of your summer, and with just a few simple ingredients, this peach lemonade is a must make. The peaches add a sweet mellowness to a classic homemade lemonade, and amp up the summer vibe.
Check out this recipe
Peach Lemonade

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