Summer Sandwiches for a Picnic

Whether a simple sandwich or a gourmet sandwich spread. A staple of picnic history, sandwiches are one of the most versatile picnic foods.

In honor of the humble sandwich, I’ve put together a collection of delicious summer sandwiches to make your summer picnic season special.

Fig and prosciutto baguette sandwich cut in half and wrapped in paper tied with string on a wooden board.

Picnic Sandwich Tips

Don’t let your summer picnic sandwiches fall short. Ensure your sandwiches arrive fresh at the picnic with these tips for preventing soggy sandwiches.

Food safety must always be considered when creating sandwich ideas that are hot and cold, with and without meat and dairy. I’ve got you covered with tips on how to keep food warm for a picnic and how to keep your picnic food cold so your summer picnic sandwiches are always fresh and fabulous.

Summer Sandwich Recipes

When the weather warms and we’re thinking about summer picnic food ideas, as with summer salads, we start looking for summer sandwich ideas that are both easy to make and tasty.

For more sandwich ideas, see my collection of Vegan Sandwich recipes and creative Sandwiches without Bread. I’ve also got more than 20 ideas for delicious Chicken Sandwiches.

Fig and Chicken Baguette Sandwich Recipe

Try a classic French baguette sandwich with fresh figs, tender chicken, matured cheese, and sturdy baby spinach for an effortlessly elegant picnic. Thanks to the sturdy baguette, this classy combination tastes fantastic and stays fresh. It's a gorgeous sandwich for a romantic picnic menu.

Save Recipe for Later

Get the Chicken and Fig Baguette Recipe

Chicken, fig and goat cheese salad baguette on a plate next to a straw hat.

Pesto Caprese Sandwich

This fresh and fragrant Pesto Caprese Baguette bundles the classic Italian salad of ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil into a crusty baguette for some delicious picnic dolce vita.

Save Recipe for Later

Get the Pesto Caprese Sandwich Recipe

Two pesto Caprese sandwiches with arugula on a wooden cutting board.

Classic Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich

It’s hard to resist a classic sandwich that elegantly combines grilled chicken and crispy bacon. This Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich Recipe is a mouthwatering contrast of flavors and textures and a versatile sandwich for any season.

Get the Chicken Club Sandwich Recipe

A sandwich on a plate with a toothpick in the middle.

Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich

This fresh and flavorful veggie sandwich is brimming with the essence of summer and the Mediterranean. Easy to make, it is as eye-catching as it is delicious.

Save Recipe for Later

Get the Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich Recipe

A vegetable Mediterranean sandwich is sitting on a cutting board next to chips.

Burrata Prosciutto Sandwich with Roasted Red Pepper Butter

With creamy burrata, salty prosciutto, summer red peppers, tomatoes, and basil, this sandwich is Italy's best produce in a summer sandwich.

Save Recipe for Later

Get the Burrata Sandwich Recipe

Fresh ciabatta sandwich with prosciutto, burrata, arugula, and cherry tomatoes.

Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches

These Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches combine ease with elegance. A delightful mix of flavor and texture in a lemon-zested chicken dressing, these sandwiches are ideal for summer picnics and alfresco parties.

Save Recipe for Later

Get the Chicken Salad Tea Sandwich Recipe

Stacked chicken salad sandwiches with crusts removed on a wooden board, garnished with fresh herbs.

Creamy Pesto Chicken Wrap

With fragrant dill and parsley pesto and a classic Caesar-inspired salad, this Chicken pesto Wrap is a fantastic summer sandwich option for a summer picnic. Wraps are also portable and easy to manage, so it's a win-win as a picnic sandwich.

Get the Chicken Pesto Wrap Recipe

Chicken and vegetable wraps with pesto on a wooden board.

Bagels with Roasted Beets & Parmesan Pea Spread

This summer bagel is a vibrant and delicious choice for picnics, guaranteed not to go soggy. Perfect for showcasing seasonal produce, the versatile fillings can be used to create other picnic dishes, such as salads or dips. See my Roasted Beet recipe for tips on cooking beets.

Save Recipe for Later

Get the Roasted Beet Bagel Recipe

Bagel with beetroot and pea spread on a chopping board

Veggie Pinwheels with Cream Cheese

This delightful recipe combines summer’s fresh and fragrant flavors with the addition of cream cheese. Cut them into pinwheels to serve as a snack or appetizer, or leave them as a whole wrap for individual servings. What’s not to love?

Get the Veggie Pinwheel Recipe

A ladies hands arranging pinwheel sandwiches on a wooden board.

Fig, Goats Cheese & Prosciutto Baguette Sandwich

This prosciutto baguette ups your picnic sandwich game with just a few high-quality ingredients. With prosciutto, soft goat cheese, and sweet fresh figs, it combines strong, salty flavors with sweetness for a standout taste, and it won't go soggy in your picnic basket.

Save Recipe for Later

Get the Fig, Goat Cheese & Prosciutto Baguette Recipe

Fig and prosciutto baguette sandwich on a wooden cutting board.

Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe with Slow Roasted Tomatoes

A well-made roast beef sandwich can be magical. A perfectly rare roast beef sandwich is a thing of beauty. For my version of the classic roast beef sandwich recipe, I put a slight twist on the classic with the addition of gorgeously slow-roasted tomatoes and sticky-sweet caramelized onions.

Save Recipe for Later

Get the Roast Beef Sandwich Recipe

Close-up of a steak sandwich with fresh greens on a wooden board.

Mexican Style Avocado Chicken Wraps

A chicken and avocado wrap is an elegant and healthy picnic choice. Enhance it with fresh cherry tomatoes, cilantro, lime, and a dash of Mexican spices for a flavorful twist. This delightful summer wrap can be prepared in under 10 minutes.

Get the Mexican Avocado Chicken Wrap Recipe

Photo credit: saltandbaker.com

Italian-Inspired Ciabatta Sandwiches

The Italian Ciabatta sandwich is quickly becoming a picnic favorite due to its robust flavor and portability. Packed with classic Italian ingredients, it offers the essence of a beautiful antipasto plate in sandwich form and can easily be customized for vegetarians without sacrificing taste

Get the Italian Ciabatta Recipe

Photo credit: aboutamom.com

Italian Pressed Picnic Sandwich

Another version of a simple Italian ciabatta sandwich is the Italian pressed picnic sandwich. This standout picnic sandwich is pressed under a heavy weight for a few hours or overnight, tightly compacting the ingredients and enhancing their flavors. Fully customizable to taste, it's a champion of make-ahead options, perfect for any picnic style

Get the Italian Pressed Picnic Sandwich Recipe

Photo credit: theschmidtywife.com

Toasted Cheddar, Ham and Arugula Sandwich

Black forest ham, sharp white cheddar, fresh arugula, red onion, and garlic aioli combine for a heavenly toasted sandwich. Though many avoid toasting sandwiches for picnics, using high-quality sourdough, toasting it just before departure, and wrapping it in foil keeps the sandwich deliciously warm.

Get the Toasted Cheddar and Ham Sandwich

Photo credit: amandascookin.com

Cream Cheese Cucumber Sandwiches with Jalapeno

Summer is the time for cucumbers, so why not make cucumber sandwiches? They are, after all, a summer picnic classic.

Spice up the traditional cucumber sandwich with some fresh jalapeno, garlic, and a squeeze of lime. You get the same summer fresh sandwich but with a kick that doesn't overwhelm the humble cuke.

Get the Cucumber Sandwich Recipe

Photo credit: midwexican.com

Stack of cucumber sandwich quarters on a plate.

Chicken Salad Wraps

This versatile chicken salad combines shredded chicken breast, crunchy Granny Smith apples, pecans, and celery in a tasty dressing. It stays fresh for up to three days, making it perfect for grab-and-go picnic sandwiches.

Get the Chicken Salad Wrap Recipe

Photo credit: marathonsandmotivation.com

Grilled Balsamic Chicken Sandwiches with Fresh Mozzarella and Tomatoes

Take all the flavors of a Caprese, add tender grilled chicken on a toasted roll, and you have a summer picnic winner. This Grilled Balsamic Chicken Sandwich uses simple, quality ingredients—fresh mozzarella, beefsteak tomatoes, roasted red peppers, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil—for a deliciously classy picnic option.

Get the Grilled Balsamic Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Photo credit: amycaseycooks.com