Picnics are a relaxing way to help you connect with friends and family and enjoy the warmer months. Enjoying a picnic in a local park, on the beach, near a lake, or even in your backyard is a great way to spend an afternoon.
When selecting the best picnic foods, there are a few things to consider. Picnic food needs to be easy to eat with your hands, fingers, or minimal utensils. The foods you choose should be easy to transport and fit into a cooler or picnic basket. Finally, ideal picnic foods should also remain safe at room temperature or with an ice pack for a few hours. For example, you wouldn’t want to take raw oysters or sushi to a picnic. For those quick trips, versatile picnic snacks are always a good idea, providing energy and flavor without the fuss.
Whether you are picnicking with your partner, a big group of friends and family, or your kids, we gathered some of our favorite picnic food ideas to help you get started planning your afternoon outdoors.
Picnic Food Ideas For Couples
An outdoor picnic can be a peaceful and romantic way to connect with your partner and enjoy some quiet conversation in nature. Just pack up a few of your favorite foods, a bottle of wine (or beverage you enjoy), and a blanket, and find a romantic picnic spot. Here are a few picnic food ideas for couples to get you started.
Picnic Trays
A spin on a traditional charcuterie board, picnic trays are a way of displaying food using a muffin tin or tray. Fill your tray with your favorite veggies, our Chomps meat sticks, and your favorite cheese. These are the best picnic foods for an easy and romantic meal outdoors.
Salami Salad Bites
Is it a salad or is it charcuterie? No matter. All charcuterie lovers will enjoy picnic foods like these quick and easy salami salad bites. A bright vinegary dressing, sharp feta cheese, creamy pine nuts, and slightly bitter greens, are all rolled up with large slices of salami and spicy sopressa.
Orzo and Arugula Pasta Salad
Every picnic needs a pasta salad. This orzo and arugula pasta salad is a great option and one of the more popular picnic food ideas. It is loaded with seasonal veggies and bright and fresh flavors and makes the perfect summer side dish.
Cantaloupe Salad with Crushed Pistachios
This beautiful salad features lots of summer ingredients such as cantaloupe, cucumbers, and fresh basil sweetened with a bit of honey in the dressing. The salty feta cheese and crunchy pistachios create a unique flavor combination in this easy picnic food.
Mason Jar Jalapeno Margaritas
Need something fun to drink? Try these margaritas in a mason jar that are easy to transport and are sure to complement your other picnic food ideas..
Gourmet Sandwiches or Wraps
Elevate your picnic food with sophisticated sandwiches or wraps. Think fresh mozzarella, basil, and sun-dried tomato pesto on ciabatta, or hearty chickpea shawarma wraps packed with flavor. Perhaps one of the best picnic foods, these are easy to prepare ahead of time.
Cheerful Picnic Food Ideas For Large Groups and Friends
An outdoor picnic is a great way to spend time with friends. Whether you make it a potluck where everyone contributes or you provide all the food yourself, you still need some simple picnic food ideas that are easy to throw together for a large group. Here are our best picnic ideas for large groups or friends:
Quinoa Arugula Salad
If you need to feed a large group, this quinoa and arugula salad is an easy picnic food to make and full of fresh and tangy flavors. Plus it packs a nice dose of fiber, protein, and delicious veggies.
7-Layer Dip
Always a group favorite, this 7-layer dip recipe uses our Chomps Jalapeno beef sticks to add a little kick. While our recipe serves the dip in a mason jar, it would work perfectly in a large dish to share with your friends.
Healthy Cranberry Walnut Coleslaw
Here’s a healthier twist on coleslaw that doesn’t include mayo. It uses a variety of cabbage, carrots, green onions, and cranberries with Greek yogurt dressing to create a higher protein colorful salad.
Classic Italian Pasta Salad
This spin on the classic Italian pasta salad uses our Italian Beef Chomps sticks for a little zest, along with mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, and basil.
Fruited Sun Tea
For picnic food ideas for a big group, consider serving iced tea as a beverage - it pairs great with a picnic meal! This fruited sun tea is a delicious, refreshing drink that's so easy to make and you don’t even need the sun. It works on a cloudy day as well!
Fun-Filled Picnic Ideas For Kids and Family
Kids love eating outdoors, as it allows them to eat and play at the same time! Their favorite things all in one. Here are some picnic ideas for kids, whether you are just enjoying family time or looking for non-perishable field trip snack ideas for when the school year begins again.
Kid-Friendly Pizza Lunchables
Our homemade take on Lunchables is a great way to pack a portable easy picnic food your kids will love and that they can assemble all on their own.
Carrot, Broccoli, and Cheese Pinwheels
These portable, handheld broccoli and cheese pinwheels are colorful, packed with veggies, and kid-approved. Not only do kids love them, they are one of the most ideal picnic ideas for a family that everyone can enjoy!
Rainbow Charcuterie Board
While a kid might not be able to pronounce “charcuterie” they certainly love a nice snack board. This rainbow charcuterie board uses our Chomps beef sticks variety pack and tons of veggies to create a colorful, rainbow that is adorable to look at and delicious to munch on.
Green Goddess Pasta Salad
This vegan green goddess pasta salad is perfect for picnics. It proves that picnic food ideas can be refreshing, flavorful, and packed with fresh herbs and creamy avocados to help sneak in some extra nutrition.
Chocolate Chip, PB, and Banana Sandwiches
These sweet sandwiches are a creative twist on the classic PB&J, a favorite picnic food for kids everywhere. Is your kid allergic? Swap the peanut butter for sun butter for an allergy-friendly alternative.
Fruit Skewers with Yogurt Dip
Make eating fruit fun with colorful skewers. Pair this easy picnic food idea with a simple yogurt dip (sweetened or plain) for a refreshing and healthy treat that kids can easily handle.
Delicious Picnic Snacks
If your picnic will be more of a grazing experience than a full meal, here are a few picnic snack ideas to help you get started. These are all easy picnic food options that double as excellent picnic finger food.
Soft Pretzels and Dip Snack Board
This snack board has all of the best of all picnic snacks including soft pretzels, protein, and nutrient-rich veggies.
Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad
A copycat recipe of a popular dish at a famous Taiwanese restaurant, this simple cucumber salad is a great addition to any list of the best picnic foods. The cucumber stays crisp and is packed with umami and a little spice.
Roasted Rosemary Snack Cups
These snack cups are a little individual charcuterie inside a mason jar. They start with rosemary-flavored roasted nuts and pair them with Chomps Beef sticks, cheese, and crunchy green apples. These are truly satisfying snacks for carnivores.
Fruit Salad
A fruit salad is a great addition to the summer as it allows you to enjoy all of the delicious berries and stone fruits the summer has to offer in a single easy picnic food.
Classic Southern Pimento Cheese
Pimento cheese is a staple for many Southern meals as it pairs well with a hot summer day in the south or anywhere else. Serve this one with crusty bread and celery sticks for a delicious picnic snack.
Tasty Picnic Food Ideas for Any Time of Day
While all the picnic food ideas above could work at any time, you may be looking for ideas for specific times of the day. Here are some of our best picnic foods for specific meals.
Breakfast Picnic Ideas To Start Your Day
On a warm day, starting your day with a breakfast picnic can help you beat the heat. We gathered a few easy breakfast picnic ideas to help you get started planning your meals.
Bagel Bar
A good bagel bar is easy to set up and transport to your favorite picnic area. Cream cheese, smoked salmon, veggies, and even your favorite Chomps beef sticks make great toppings and are some of the best picnic foods to start your day.
Spinach and Mushroom Quiche
This make-ahead spinach and mushroom quiche that uses our Original Beef Chomps for flavor is a great, high-protein option for a breakfast picnic. This picnic food would pair well with fresh fruit or a refreshing glass of juice.
Midday Picnic Lunch Ideas
A sandwich paired with a nice light salad is a great meal for a picnic lunch. Here are a few picnic food ideas that you might enjoy for lunch.
Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwiches
A croissant is always a great base for a picnic sandwich. This one is a chicken salad sandwich with chicken, grapes, and some celery for crunch.
Watermelon Salad
This refreshing watermelon mint salad is a favorite for summer months - specifically for mid-day picnic food ideas as it is not only delicious but also helps you stay hydrated in the heat of the day.
Savory Picnic Dinner Ideas
Need something a little more filling for a picnic dinner? Here are a few recipe ideas that can help keep you full and can be enjoyed in your favorite spot.
Greek Lentil Salad
This filling, yet refreshing Greek lentil salad can be prepped in less than 30 minutes. As a picnic food, it features creamy feta, veggies, and mouthwatering Mediterranean flavors.
Ultimate Mediterranean Bowl
A no-heat bowl can be a great option for a dinner picnic as it can be prepared ahead of time. This Mediterranean bowl is one of the best picnic foods for improvising since you can use it as inspiration to create your ultimate meal bowl.
Cold Noodle Salads
Vibrant Asian-inspired cold noodle salads with peanut dressing, crisp vegetables, and perhaps some grilled chicken or tofu can be some of the more satisfying and refreshing evening picnic foods.
Perfect Picnic Dessert Ideas
What is a meal without a dessert to wrap it up? These desserts are easy to make ahead and transport to your favorite picnic spot.
Irresistible Raspberry Oatmeal Bars
These raspberry oatmeal streusel bars are an irresistible summer picnic food made with fresh raspberries, oats, nuts, and an almond flour shortbread crust.
Strawberry Shortcake Rice Krispies Treats
This twist on classic Rice Krispies treats adds a bit of summer flair to the classic recipe with the addition of strawberries. They are a great dessert to make ahead and transport to any outdoor summer gathering.
Tips for the Perfect Picnic
To guarantee your picnic is not only delicious but also safe and enjoyable, keep these tips in mind:
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Food Safety First: Always pack perishable picnic food in an insulated cooler with plenty of ice packs. Keep cold foods cold (below 40°F) and hot foods hot (above 140°F) until serving. Perishable food should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours, or one hour if the temperature is above 90°F.
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Travel-Friendly Packaging: Opt for sturdy, leak-proof containers and jars. Mason jars are excellent for salads, dips, and even drinks. Pre-cut ingredients and pack dressings separately to add just before serving. This keeps your picnic foods fresh and mess-free.
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Don't Forget the Essentials: Beyond the food, remember picnic essentials like a comfortable blanket, napkins, wet wipes, a trash bag, a bottle opener (if needed). Bring along a small cutting board and a knife for cheese or fruit.
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Stay Hydrated: While delicious picnic foods are central, don't forget beverages! Bring plenty of water, iced tea, or other refreshing drinks to stay hydrated, especially on warm days.
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Embrace Individuality: Portioning food into individual servings or containers can make eating picnic foods much easier, especially for larger groups or when kids are involved. It also helps with portion control and minimizes shared utensils.
Picnic Food Ideas FAQs
What are the best foods to take on a picnic?
The best picnic foods are those that are easy to eat with minimal utensils, transport well, and remain safe to eat at room temperature or with an ice pack for a few hours. Think hearty salads, sandwiches, wraps, individual portions of savory tarts, and of course, Chomps meat sticks. Items that are not overly saucy or prone to melting are ideal.
What finger food is good to bring to a picnic?
Excellent picnic finger food options include mini quiches, fruit skewers, vegetable sticks with dip, cheese and cracker selections, deviled eggs, and various types of savory bites like salami salad bites. Anything that can be easily picked up and enjoyed without a plate or fork is a winner.
What to bring to a picnic besides sandwiches?
Beyond sandwiches, you can bring a wide variety of delicious items! Consider pasta salads, grain salads, lentil salads, fresh fruit salads, pretzels, cucumber salads, and individual snack cups. Chomps meat sticks are also a perfect addition, offering a convenient and filling option.
What to bring on a picnic that won't spoil?
For foods that won't spoil easily, focus on items that are shelf-stable or have low moisture content. Good choices include whole fruits (apples, oranges), nuts, dried fruit, crackers, and individually wrapped Chomps meat sticks. For items requiring refrigeration, always use a good quality cooler with plenty of ice packs.
These are just a few of the best picnic food ideas to help you get started planning your summer picnic meals. Our Chomps meat sticks should be a staple for any outdoor event, as they are shelf-stable and can be tossed into any picnic basket for a quick high-quality protein snack. To be sure you always have Chomps available for the busy summer months, consider our subscribe and save option to stock up on your favorite meat sticks.
