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    Home » Picnic Food

    Simply Perfect Summer Picnic Food Ideas

    Published: Dec 12, 2020 · Modified: Aug 24, 2023 by Kate O'Malley · This post may contain affiliate links. See end of article for more information · Leave a Comment


    When the weather warms, it’s time to dig out our favourite picnic basket and dust off our alfresco best for long lazy summer picnics in the sun.

    Whether it’s beach picnics you enjoy, casual al fresco evenings in the backyard, or woodsy retreats to escape the heat. We’ve rounded up loads of stunning summer picnic food ideas that tick all the boxes of the movable feast, so you spend less time preparing and more time enjoying the outdoors.

    Don’t let flies ruin your summer picnics. See our guide to natural solutions for keeping flies away from your picnic.


    Summer Picnic Food Ideas

    From summer picnic salads, sandwiches, desserts and everything in between, we've got summer picnic recipes to suit every taste and diet—British classics to Asian style picnic finger food and elegant morsels perfect for concert picnics in the park. 

    Whether feeding a crowd or looking for romantic picnic ideas for two, shake out your favourite picnic blanket and start planning your summer picnic menus. 

    1

    Best Summer Sandwiches for a Picnic

    Picnic sandwiches are such an essential part of any summer picnic menu they warranted their own list. We have rounded up the best summer picnic sandwiches with modern twists on the classics, wraps, baguettes and more—each, with the flavours and freshness of summer.

    2

    Best Summer Salads for a Picnic

    When we think of picnic salads, the mind turns to the classics such as green salad, slaws, potato salad and pasta salad. We've put together a list of summer perfect salads, including new takes on the classics to help inspire your summer salad menu.

    3

    Summer Picnic Desserts

    Picnic desserts can be tricky at the best of times and no more than 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 for a picnic.

    4

    French Rustic Tomato Tart 

    Photo Credit: sevenroses.net

    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.

    5

    Grilled Eggplant Dip - Baba Ganoush Recipe

    Dips are picnic-perfect any time of year because they are such versatile and portable food. Baba ganoush makes a lovely side to bbq meats, as part of a summer Mediterannean antipasto platter or addition to a wine and cheese picnic plattter.

    6

    Easy Hummus Recipe

    Another picnic hero, a quality homemade hummus will hold you in good stead with so many summer picnic menu ideas. Serve with a summer fresh vegetable crudités platter, with flatbread and olives as a starter, or even as a topping for Mediterranean burgers. Hummus has limitless possibilities. We even have a smoked pumpkin hummus recipe if you want to jazz it up a bit.

    7

    Pea and Mint Dip Recipe

    For a bright addition to your summer picnic spread, look no further than this delightful pea and mint dip. Whip up this cheery dip in minutes – you can even use frozen peas for an impromptu picnic dip if you don't have any fresh peas on hand.

    Serve it as a snack, appetiser or even use for wraps and sandwiches for a fresh spread.

    8

    Super Simple Mexican Salsa Roja Recipe

    Add some spice to everything from DIY picnic tacos or tortillas; a Mexican inspired antipasto platter, or even bbq meats; the possibilities are endless with this so easy to make Mexican Salsa Roja recipe. Once you realise how simple yet flavourful this fresh and sassy dipping sauce is, it will quickly become a picnic staple.

    9

    Beetroot Falafel - Fantastic Vegan Middle Eastern Starter

    Photo Credit: www.greedygourmet.com

    What better pairing for hummus and baba ganoush than this vibrant take on the classic falafel.

    Beetroot Falafels are great for picnics and makes a lovely change from their traditional counterpart. Serve with dips, in a salad or as a pita filling.

    10

    Easy Smoked Duck Rice Paper Rolls

    Looking for a light, portable and elegant summer picnic idea, look no further than smoked duck rice paper rolls. Easy to transport and manage al fresco, they are incredibly versatile and are one of the more elegant cold picnic food ideas to grace the blanket. We also give the thumbs up to rice paper spring rolls in our Spring Picnic Ideas edition.

    Add Asian coleslaw for a complete Asian inspired picnic.

    11

    Easy Vietnamese Spring Rolls

    Photo Credit: profusioncurry.com

    Looking for a bright, summery vegetarian rice paper roll? These super easy vibrant and light Vietnamese Spring Rolls are great as a picnic appetizer or a light meal. Full of bright summer veg, they are also low calorie and very good for you. Mix up sauces and fillings to suit.

    12

    Roast Pumpkin and Feta Mini Frittata Recipe

    Mini frittatas are little picnic marvels. One of the simplest picnic finger foods around yet, they still make a big picnic statement. 

    Serve them as a starter or as part of a finger food spread. So quick and easy to make, switch fillings to suit your taste, the seasons or how much time you have to prepare.

    13

    Prosciutto Wrapped Figs with Goats Cheese and Arugula

    Whether it’s a wine and cheese picnic, a finger food affair, or as a picnic appetiser, these prosciutto-wrapped figs with goats cheese and crisp arugula are about as simple as it gets and will always impress.

    Delightfully salty and sweet, add these prosciutto rolls to a cheese platter or an antipasto plate. Or, serve as a side to a hearty salad such as our potato and broccoli salad with fresh bread for an easy yet classy picnic. 

    14

    Fig & Prosciutto Picnic Bread

    We love a dish that doesn't require lots of ingredients to make it special. Make the most of summer figs and add a gloriously decadent touch to your picnic feast with this delicious fig & pig picnic bread.

    Somewhere between a flatbread and focaccia, you can make this dish the day before. Serve it is an accompaniment or as a central dish.

    15

    Grilled Pear Appetizer with Blue Cheese, Fig & Walnut.

    Another elegant summer picnic appetiser. Perfect for summer wine and cheese evenings or a romantic summer picnic. Salty, sweet, and crunchy, these grilled pear and blue cheese appetiser with fig and walnut appetisers are so portable and make a beautiful picnic statement.

    16

    Australian Beef Party Pies (Mini Meat Pies)

    Photo Credit: www.wandercooks.com

    We also featured these meaty morsels in our Winter Picnic Food edition because as any Aussie will tell you, and probably a Brit or two, a quality meat pie is as good as a winter warmer as it is on a hot summers day.

    Crispy flaky pastry with beef gravy perfection for deliciously portable tiny bites. Freeze them for make-ahead picnic or party food or a quick snack on the go.

    17

    Super Easy Homemade Sausage Rolls

    Photo Credit: mypoppet.com.au

    Another Australian and British favourite, sausage rolls are the perfect portable snack. Enjoy with homemade tomato chutney, your favourite ketchup, or "tomato sauce" as Aussies call it. Pack these with some mini meat pies for a bakery-style picnic feast.

    Our tips for keeping food warm for a picnic will ensure they stay piping hot from the oven to your summer alfresco location of choice.

    18

    Italian Sausage Pinwheel Appetisers

    Photo Credit: noshingwiththenolands.com

    Sweet or savoury, pinwheels are a classic picnic favourite because they are so easy and so adaptable. For a hot savoury version, try these Italian inspired Sausage Pinwheels made in a buttery puff pastry filled with Italian sausage meat, spinach, cheese, and pesto.

    19

    Traditional Hawaiian Food: Instant Pot Kalua Pork Recipe

    Photo Credit: hawaiitravelwithkids.com

    Bring the taste of a Hawaiian luau to your summer picnics. While traditionally cooked in the ground at a luau, you can get all the same smokey, tender flavours with this easy Kalua Pork instant pot recipe.

    Use it as a sandwich or slider filling or layer over lettuce for a tender pulled pork salad. You'll find so many ways to use this crowd-pleasing picnic dish.

    20

    Summer Picnic Roll

    Photo Credit: lostinfood.co.uk

    For a different spin on the sausage roll, try a summer picnic classic. It's like a sausage roll and Scotch egg rolled into one.

    So easy to make and just as good cold as hot, it makes a perfect dish for summer picnics, especially when you have to feed a crowd.

    21

    Summer Cheese Plate

    Photo Credit: smackofflavor.com

    Sometimes a well-curated cheese plate is all you need for a summer picnic.

    Whether the centrepiece of a date night wine and cheese picnic or as an appetiser for a group picnic or bbq, a cheese plate with the seasons best produce is always a winner. It's also a great way to feed a crowd without too much hassle.

    22

    Savoury Cheese Scones with Cheddar

    Photo Credit: www.abakingjourney.com

    Light and fluffy Cheese Scones with cheddar cheese and spring onions make the most delicious savoury picnic snack. Serve them as savoury afternoon tea or as part of an appetiser plate.

    Eat them with butter and a sprinkle of sea salt, or add toppings such as cream cheese, chutneys or dips.

    23

    Ploughman's Lunch

    Photo Credit: culinaryginger.com

    You don't get much more of a British picnic tradition than a classic ploughman's lunch. Traditionally, the lunch is centred around bread, cheeses, and pickled onions. Meats, relishes, boiled or Scotch eggs (see further on for Scotch eggs recipe.) or whatever you fancy can also be added to the simple yet abundant platter style lunch.

    24

    Cheese and olive savoury picnic muffins

    Photo Credit: family-friends-food.com

    Muffins are a great picnic addition because they travel so well and don't require any equipment to eat them. Savoury muffins give you a whole new way to serve them at a picnic.

    These tasty morsels are packed with olives and flavourful cheese. Serve them as a snack or alongside a picnic salad. It's a great alternative to serving bread.

    25

    BEEF PASTIES (WITH OPTIONAL HORSERADISH)

    Photo Credit: www.littlesugarsnaps.com

    Another British marvel, these beef pasties with optional horseradish are stuffed full of root vegetables and beef with a generous peppery seasoning – a handheld savoury pie to devour with delight.

    Up there with pies and sausage rolls, pasties are the kings of the portable feast. After all, they were invented by miners wives on the British Isles to be a portable and substantial meal to keep workers going during long shifts down the mines.

    26

    Tender Sous Vide Glazed Beef Short Ribs 

    Photo Credit: foodlove.com

    Make your picnic a little decadent with these finger-licking, melt in your mouth sous vide short ribs. Meltingly tender, juicy and glazed in your favourite BBQ sauce, they make fabulously delicious finger food for a picnic.

    Don't forget to pack the wet wipes!

    27

    How to Make Scotch Eggs

    Photo Credit: whereismyspoon.co

    Traditional Scotch eggs are another famous UK picnic food. A hard-boiled egg wrapped in a sausage meat casing spiced with herbs and other spices, coated in breadcrumbs and traditionally deep-fried.

    Famed for its portability and as a flavourful yet substantial snack on the go, many versions of the Scotch egg have appeared over the years, but the classic is always a winner.

    Serve hot or cold, on their own or with a chutney or sauce of your choosing—a delicious addition to a Ploughmans lunch.


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    About Kate O'Malley

    Picnic enthusiast, passionate cook, and the creative force behind Picnic Lifestyle. With a globe-trotting background and a keen eye for local ingredients, she's mastered the art of crafting delectable picnics and portable feasts (especially for long travel days). Kate's passion for al fresco dining comes alive in this guide, curating perfect picnics for every occasion.

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