There is something about a picnic that makes everything taste better. It could be the open air, or the fact that you are eating with your hands on a blanket instead of at a table. Maybe it is just that food tastes different when the setting is right. Summer is best spent outside, and the meal you bring with you matters.
A great picnic does not require much advance planning, as long as you have the right recipes ready. These are the picnic recipes worth returning to. They are easy to prep ahead, built to travel, and delicious at room temperature. Pack your basket, grab a blanket, and let the food do the rest.
Spring Crudité with Green Goddess Dressing
Fresh vegetables and a green goddess dressing that is worth making in double batches. It is refreshing, polished, and the ideal way to start a meal outside.
Burrata with Pesto & Figs
Four ingredients, zero cooking, and maximum payoff. Pack the components separately, assemble on-site, and enjoy one of the easiest picnic appetizers.
Honey Sriracha Tempeh Spring Rolls
Fun to pack, easy to eat, and that honey sriracha sauce is worth making extra of. The mango brings a salty-sweet combination that is completely craveable. Pack them tightly and they travel like a dream.
Burrata Toast with Blood Orange, Pistachios & Honey
Impressive enough to feel special, simple enough to pull off without stress. Pack the components separately and assemble at the park for a picnic appetizer that earns its place at any outdoor table.
Tartines with Heirloom Tomato, Blue Cheese, and Golden Beets
Chef Camilla Marcus’ tartine features fried bread, heirloom tomato, blue cheese, and golden beets. It comes together in minutes and looks stunning on a blanket. Pack the components separately and assemble on-site for maximum freshness.
Watermelon Tomato Caprese Salad
Summer on a plate. Fresh mozzarella, watermelon, basil, lime juice, and red pepper flakes create a simple and completely delicious dish. If you have leftover watermelon, this is exactly what to do with it.
White Bean & Radicchio Salad
Simple, sturdy, and surprisingly satisfying. Cannellini beans add heartiness while bitter radicchio keeps things interesting, and generous shaves of Parmigiano Reggiano tie it all together. It is a great starter or side that holds up beautifully in transit.
Green Goddess Pasta Salad
Creamy green goddess dressing meets tender pasta, avocado, artichoke hearts, cucumber, peas, and celery in this fully vegan bowl. Make a big batch because it disappears fast.
Tomato, Avocado, & Cucumber Salad
Cool, refreshing, and a showstopper. Tomato, cucumber, avocado, jalapeño, pickled red onion, and fresh herbs come together under a honey lime vinaigrette that pulls it all into focus.
Summer Pasta Salad
A hearty mix of edamame, kalamata olives, and grilled vegetables including broccolini, summer squash, eggplant, and zucchini. It is tossed in olive oil and lemon juice. Best enjoyed at room temperature, which makes it ideal for a picnic. Get a good char on those vegetables.
Mediterranean Tuna & White Bean Salad
This no-cook, protein-packed salad features white beans, arugula, tuna, and a lemony vinaigrette. It is one of the easiest and most satisfying picnic recipes. Pack it in a jar and go.
Pesto Pasta Primavera
Pesto coats every noodle and vegetable in this quick, vibrant pasta salad. Asparagus, sugar snap peas, and goat cheese crumbles are included. It takes about 30 minutes of prep for a bowl of nutty, creamy deliciousness that travels well and tastes great at any temperature.
Quinoa Cauliflower Salad
Roasted cauliflower, quinoa, cashews, and a citrus-honey vinaigrette make this salad as nourishing as it is flavorful. It packs beautifully, tastes great at room temperature, and holds up well over the course of an afternoon outside.
Cucumber and Crispy Rice Salad
A make-ahead salad built for exactly this kind of occasion. Crispy rice, cool cucumber, and a protein-packed base hold up beautifully in transit.
Pasta Salad With Feta & Lemon-Tahini Dressing
Macaroni, crunchy vegetables, and a miso-tahini dressing keep everything light and flavorful. Peas, radishes, cucumber, and fresh herbs make this one worth adding to your regular rotation.
Gluten-Free Strawberry Shortcake
Gluten-free, dairy-free, and genuinely delicious. Fluffy shortcake, coconut whipped cream, and macerated strawberries make this a picnic dessert worth the effort. Chill the coconut milk overnight for the thickest, creamiest whipped topping.
Orange Almond Loaf Cake
Moist, citrusy, and made with almond flour, olive oil, and sweet potato. The loaf is easy to slice and pack and is not too sweet. It is perfectly portable and the kind of thing people ask about after the first bite.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Galette
Rustic, beautiful, and surprisingly easy. A buttery almond crust holds a cream cheese filling topped with fresh strawberries. It slices cleanly and travels well.
A Gluten-Free, Vegan Brownie That’s Actually Delicious
Fudgy, rich, crispy-edged, and gooey-centered. These brownies taste like the real thing and happen to be gluten-free and dairy-free. A flaxseed-and-water egg substitute does the heavy lifting. Everyone will ask for the recipe.
No Bake White Chocolate Lemon Cardamom Slices
No-bake and made for transporting. Freeze the slices ahead of time and let them thaw to the perfect cool-but-not-melted texture by the time you are ready to eat. Grind your own cardamom if you can.
