Summer Picnic Sandwiches: Recipes for a Flavorful Feast Under the Sun

If you are looking for easy picnic food ideas that will make an impression, look no further than a crusty French baguette and some fresh figs – a seasonal picnic sandwich that is all class.

A simple yet stylish picnic sandwich recipe that makes it into the category of sandwiches that will stand the test of time, as we talk about in our tips for picnic perfection.

Made with fresh figs, tender chicken, matured cheese, a crusty baguette, and sturdy baby spinach, this sandwich will hold its own in the soggy stakes, looking fresh and elegant every time—a gorgeous sandwich contender for a romantic picnic menu.

Why just have one chicken sandwich idea when you can have 20? Chicken sandwiches make great summer picnic food and there are so many ways you can prepare them.

We've got 20 chicken sandwich recipes to ignite your picnic imagination for your summer alfresco season.

Vibrant and delicious, this summer bagel ticks so many boxes. Bagels are perfect picnic sandwiches as they definitely won't go soggy on you and lend themselves to so many different fillings.

This bagel filling idea is a definite nod to the seasons produce and uses ingredients that are so versatile, any leftovers can be used to create other picnic dishes such as salads or dips.

Another sandwich holding its own on the soggy stakes is a picnic sandwich that takes it up a notch without relying on loads of fillings to make it unique.

This prosciutto baguette relies on only a few quality ingredients, yet it stands out for flavor and longevity in the picnic basket – Prosciutto, quality soft goat's cheese; the strong salty flavors offset with sweet fresh figs.

A well-made roast beef sandwich can be a thing of magic. A perfectly rare roast beef sandwich is a thing of beauty. 

As far as picnic sandwiches go, the roast beef sandwich sits high in the pecking order of meat sandwiches. I believe the roast beef sandwich is relevant any time of year.

For our version of the classic roast beef sandwich recipe fit for a picnic, we put a slight twist on the classic with the addition of gorgeously slow-roasted tomatoes and sticky-sweet caramelized onions.

Mix up your summer sandwich routine with these creative and delicious ideas for sandwiches without bread. From mouthwatering bunless burgers to imaginative wraps and Asian inspired sandwich creations.

Want a light and fluffy low carb bread alternative for your summer sandwiches? Our Keto Cloud Bread recipe is low carb, gluten and grain-free. It's also delicious and can be used in so many ways beyond sandwiches.

Crunchy Peanut Butter Sandwich Wraps are so incredibly easy to make, really tasty and full of nutrient-rich fruits, whole grains and lots of protein. Perfect for make-ahead picnic lunches.

Kids will love them but they are also great for an easy yet satisfying hiking picnic, super manageable for beach picnics or roll and cut into pinwheels for snacks.

Wraps are not just super convenient and manageable, they are so versatile. These vibrant, healthy, and delicious raw veggie wraps with avocado are a great vegetarian or vegan picnic option.

They are also a fresh, crunchy, and lighter alternative to traditional sandwiches—another excellent option for hiking or beach picnics.

A chicken and avocado wrap is such an elegant, healthy and simple picnic sandwich solution.

But why just have chicken and avocado when you can spritz it up with bursts of fresh summer cherry tomatoes, cilantro, a spritz of lime and a sprinkle of Mexican inspired spices.

You can whip this delightful summer picnic wrap up in under 10 minutes.

No one said a sandwich has to be made with bread. These millet and veggie-stuffed rainbow wraps make a perfectly portable, healthy, colorful sandwich alternative.

Naturally gluten-free and easy to customize, these plant-based wraps are the perfect grab-and-go meal, made with crunchy collard greens (instead of tortilla wraps), millet, roasted veggies, and a fruity sauce.

The Italian Ciabatta sandwich is fast becoming a picnic favourite for a good reason. They are so full of flavour and hold up well in the portable stakes.

With all the best classic Italian ingredients, it's like having a gorgeous antipasto plate in a sandwich. You can also customise for vegetarian without losing any of the flavours.

Another version of a simple Italian ciabatta sandwich is the Italian pressed picnic sandwich.

With all the same flavours (this is entirely flexible to suit your taste), this beauty of the picnic sandwich scene is pressed under a heavy weight for a few hours, or even overnight to densely pack all the ingredients together. The process also seems to bring out the best in whatever fillings you have chosen—a champion of make-ahead picnic sandwiches which suits any picnic style.

Chickpea and smashed avocado make a really tasty and versatile sandwich filling that is so easy to make. Throw in some cilantro and a spritz of lime for a fresh summer finish, and you have a wonderfully healthy and filling sandwich.

What I like about this sandwich is you can build it easily at the picnic, and you don't even have to have it on bread. This tasty vegan sandwich filling can go on wraps, spooned into lettuce wraps or even served solo with a side of pita bread or crackers.

Black forest ham, sharp white cheddar cheese, fresh arugula, red onion, and garlic aioli is a toasted sandwich made in heaven.

Many steer away from the toasted sandwich for a picnic. Use a good quality sourdough or similar and toast just before leaving and wrap in foil for a delicious warm picnic sandwich.

Looking for a spin on the classic BLT, or want a vegan alternative that is full of flavour?

Here's a crisp sandwich with a smoky kick mixed with the smooth, nutty taste of avocado. Yep, it's a drool-worthy Vegan Tempeh Sandwich.

It’s a whole lot healthier than your traditional BLT, but you’re guaranteed to be just as satisfied whether you are vegan or not.

Cucumber sandwiches are a classic picnic sandwich that always seems so elegant. Switch up the classic a bit by using light lavash bread instead of traditional white—a lovely light summer sandwich idea.

Cut them into pinwheels to serve as a snack or appetiser or leave them as a whole wrap for individual serves.

Jazz up your avocado sandwich fillings with two simple steps – sun-dried tomato and pesto (this recipe calls for vegan pesto). Nothing says summer better than perfectly ripe avocado, fragrant basil pesto and tomatoes.

It is such a delicious combo, so easy to make, and versatile. You can make it on slightly toasted bread, fresh baguette or even in a wrap. While you can use store-bought, this recipe gives you the rundown on making your own vegan pesto which is added points in my book.

Take a sub sandwich to new tasty and healthy levels with a flavour-packed grilled vegetable marinade.

Loaded with fresh, colourful veggies marinated in a gorgeous spicy mix and grilled. Add cheese and mayo and wrap in foil for a hot sub sandwich that is everything summer. Want a vegan version, use vegan mayo and cheese or just go straight veggie. The flavourful marinade is tasty enough to stand alone.

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.

Another tasty vegan alternative to a classic sandwich filling. This vegan chickpea tuna sandwich filling is creamy, yet crunchy with zingy capers mixed with creamy vegan mayo.

And much like our other chickpea sandwich fillings, this take on the classic tuna salad can be used in any bread of your choice, wraps or even wrapped in a sturdy lettuce leaf – a fresh way to incorporate gluten free into your picnic sandwiches.

Chicken salad is another sandwich filling that lends itself to so many variations. For a healthy and crunchy version, try tender shredded chicken breast, crunchy Granny Smith apples, pecans, celery, in a delicious dressing.
Once made, the chicken salad will keep for up to three days, so it is perfect for grab and go picnic sandwiches.

Take all the flavours of a Caprese, add tender grilled chicken on a toasted roll and you have a summer picnic winner.

This Grilled Balsamic Chicken Sandwich only needs simple quality ingredients – fresh mozzarella, beefsteak tomatoes, smoky roasted red peppers, leafy basil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil for a deliciously classy picnic sandwich.

We've said it before – Chickpeas make great sandwich fillings because of their ability to lend themselves to so many flavour profiles. That and a good chickpea sandwich filling works wonders in a wrap or even solo with pita.

This vegan curry chickpea salad is quick, easy, and versatile. It combines the aromatic spices of curry powder with the crunch of the veggies and the earthiness of the chickpeas. Bring it all together with vegan mayo or yoghurt and serve it as a sandwich, salad, or wrap.

I love roasted or grilled eggplant for so many picnic dishes. We talk about preparing eggplant at length in our baba ganoush recipe.

Eggplant works so well in a sandwich or a wrap. Pair it with the full flavour of homemade olive tapenade and some crunchy fresh salad veg and you have a glorious Mediterranean style sandwich.

Another nod to the versatility of eggplant for picnic food. This vegan eggplant sandwich uses a flavourful marinade to create layers of smoky eggplant and vegetables packed in panini bread toasted and wrapped in foil.

This sandwich is one of those comfort foods you crave no matter the season.

Looking for a vegan alternative to the classic egg salad sandwich, this is it. Easy to make, this vegan egg salad tastes just like the real thing, and best of all, it keeps in the fridge for 3-5 days. Perfect for grab and go picnic lunches.

A classic egg and cress sandwich but with a gratifying twist – home-made carrot soda bread.

Before you think making your own bread might be too demanding, the beauty of soda bread is it takes no time to make as it doesn't have to be kneaded or proved like regular yeast bread. You'll have picnic bragging rights knowing you made the sandwich, bread and all.

And of course, you don't have to limit your fillings to egg salad.