When the weather warms, it’s time to dig out our favorite picnic basket and dust off our alfresco best for long lazy, summer picnics in the sun.
These summer picnic food ideas have your alfresco season covered.
Planning a Summer Picnic
Whether you enjoy beach picnics, casual al fresco evenings in the backyard, or woodsy retreats to escape the heat, summer is one of the busiest picnic seasons.
Summer picnics are fun but can take a little planning, especially considering the weather.
- Location: In summer, choosing a spot that offers sunshine and shade is important. If it doesn’t have shade, make sure you bring a beach umbrella or sunshade.
- Plan Your Menu Wisely: Opt for dishes that travel well and don’t require too much refrigeration, such as sandwiches, wraps, salads, and pasta salads. Summer is not the time for delicate desserts.
- Keep Cool: Bring a cooler with ice and ice packs for perishables. Remember to bring plenty of water for the duration of your picnic.
- Prepare for Comfort: Bring a large, comfortable picnic blanket, and consider a folding picnic table for placing food on. Pack sunscreen and bug spray.
- Entertainment and Activities: Summer picnics are all about fun in the outdoors. See my selection of the best picnic games for all ages to entertain everyone. For low-key picnics, a board game, a portable speaker for music, or a good book could be just the ticket.
Summer Picnic Recipes
These stunning summer picnic recipes tick all the boxes of the movable feast, so you spend less time preparing and more time enjoying the outdoors.
From summer picnic salads, sandwiches, desserts, and everything in between, I’ve got summer picnic recipes to suit every taste and diet—from British classics to Asian-style picnic finger food and elegant morsels perfect for concert picnics in the park.
Summer Sandwiches for a Picnic
Picnic sandwiches are such an essential part of any summer picnic menu that they warrant their own list. I have rounded up the best summer picnic sandwiches with modern twists on the classics, wraps, baguettes, and more—each with the flavors and freshness of summer.
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Fresh Summer Salads for a Picnic
We often think of classics such as green salad, slaws, potato salad, and pasta salad for picnics I've put together a list of fresh summer salads, including new takes on the classics to help inspire your summer salad menu.
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Sublime Summer Picnic Dessert Recipes
Picnic desserts can be tricky at the best of times, and no more so in the heat of summer. But summer gives us some of the most beautiful produce for desserts—think fresh berries and tropical fruits. Get inspiration for picnic desserts for hot weather that are perfectly portable.
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Salmon Avacado Cucumber Roll Ups
I love this appetizer for summer picnics when cucumbers are plentiful. This simple cucumber appetizer is a fantastic picnic finger food option because it is so quick and easy to make and looks great.
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Roasted Red Pepper Bruschetta with Bacon
Light and fresh, this Roasted Red Pepper Bruschetta is a quick and easy finger food idea and a great seasonal recipe for summer picnics. Serve it as an appetizer, part of a finger food platter, or if you’re looking for lighter summer picnic sandwich ideas.
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Easy Homemade Lemonade
Homemade lemonade is a nod to old-fashioned picnics, blending the sweet, tart essence of summer into a simple, three-ingredient drink.
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Veggie Pinwheels with Cream Cheese
With all the flavors of summer, these easy-to-make veggie pinwheels are the perfect picnic idea for a light and delicious appetizer.
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Spanish Tortilla de Patatas
Spain's famous potato omelette, the Tortilla, is one of those wondrous dishes that is so simple but incredibly versatile. Once you have mastered a Spanish Tortilla, you have one of the best picnic dishes for any season. Serve it hot or cold, as a main, a tapas-style snack, or even in a crusty roll with ham.
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Photo credit: discoverspain.today
Roasted Veggie Flatbread
Put those delicious summer veggies to good use with a Mediterranean-style roasted veggie flatbread. This simple recipe makes a great main dish, or cut it small as a delicious appetizer.
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Photo credit: itsavegworldafterall.com
Easy Smoked Duck Summer Rolls
If you're looking for a light, portable, and elegant summer picnic idea, look no further than Summer Rolls. They are incredibly versatile and delicious and easy to transport and manage al fresco.
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French Rustic Tomato Tart
The tastes of summer in one delightfully portable tart. Make the most of flavourful summer tomatoes and fresh summer herbs with this beautiful rustic French tomato tart. Easy to pack and perfect as a hot or cold picnic dish.
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Blended Strawberry Mint Lemonade
Fresh, sweet, and zesty, this Strawberry Mint Lemonade is a gorgeously refreshing drink for summer picnics. This quick and easy recipe adds a dash of homemade charm to any picnic or summer get-together.
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Roasted Eggplant Dip – Baba Ganoush
Dips are picnic-perfect any time of year because they are versatile and portable. Summer is the season for eggplant, and Baba ganoush makes a lovely side to BBQ meats as part of a summer Mediterranean antipasto platter or an addition to a wine and cheese picnic platter.
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Chicken Kiev Balls
Summer is the time for parties and gatherings. These deliciously crispy bite-sized balls oozing with herbed garlic butter, are so easy to make that they’ll become your favorite picnic appetizer
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Prosciutto Wrapped Figs with Goat Cheese and Arugula
Whether it’s a wine and cheese picnic, a finger food affair, or a picnic appetizer, these prosciutto-wrapped figs with goat cheese and crisp arugula are about as simple as it gets and will always impress.
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Crispy Air Fryer Scotch Eggs
Scotch Eggs are a staple British picnic snack also found in pubs. Usually enjoyed cold, they are a hearty snack for summer picnis. This version introduces a healthier spin with air-frying, but I also give the traditional deep-fried or baked options for cooking. There's also a tasty mustard dipping sauce included.
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How to Make Roasted Red Peppers
Summer is the time for the best red peppers, and Roasted red peppers are one of the easiest and most adaptable ingredients for picnics. Add them to mezze platters, salads, sandwiches, or tarts; they make a great side to grilled meats and even whip up nicely into a dip or sauce.
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Cucumber Shrimp Bites
These Cucumber Shrimp Bites with creamy avocado, succulent shrimp, and crisp cucumber are a gorgeous summer appetizer – light, refreshing, easy to prepare, and visually stunning.
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How to Make Roasted Vine Tomatoes
Another wonderful summer ingredient is tomatoes. Fresh tomatoes are lovely, but roasted tomatoes are a whole other world. Slow-roasted tomatoes can bring a whole new flavor profile to your summer picnic dishes. Add them to salads or sandwiches, use them in tarts and frittatas, or serve them on a mezze plate with dips and roasted peppers.
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Mango Corn Salsa
This 15-minute mango corn salsa is a delightfully fresh summer dipper. It's a great dish for summer picnics and of course, Mexican-themed alfresco gatherings.
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Photo credit: littlenonni.com
Marinated Heirloom Tomatoes
Capture summer’s most prized flavor with a simple yet flavorful heirloom tomato dish. Summer tomatoes marinated in olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh garlic, and oregano are perfect for a summer DIY sandwich spread, on their own, or with a simple salad.
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Photo credit: twocloveskitchen.com
12 Fresh Cucumber Appetizer Recipes
There are so many ways to jazz up summer cucumbers into bite size appetizers. These cucumber appetizer recipes will show you how versatile this fresh summer vegetable is.
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Easy Chicken Picnic Recipes
Chicken is such a versatile and crowd-pleasing ingredient; these recipes show how many great chicken dishes you can easily pull together, especially for summer picnics.
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Summer picnics are all about embracing the great outdoors and indulging in seasonal produce and delicious eats. The ideal summer picnic menu is fresh and easy to prepare. From vibrant seasonal salads to tasty summer sandwiches, sweet, portable desserts, and delicious appetizers for simple lunches or large picnic parties. Make the most of your summer outdoors, not stuck in the kitchen.
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