Winter Picnic Food Ideas

While not all winter picnic food needs to be hot, sometimes hearty comfort food is warming enough. But there is no doubt, a hot winter picnic meal will warm the soul on a cold day.

We've rounded up the best tips and simple picnic accessories to ensure your picnic food always arrives on the blanket piping hot.

There is something about a good roast beef sandwich on a cold day that ticks all the boxes. We've come up with a take on the classic roast beef sandwich (don't worry, it still has mustard) that is perfect for a winter picnic.

Perfectly cooked rare roast beef (we give you tips for this as well) with flavourful slow roasted vine tomatoes and sticky sweet caramelised onions brings new life to a classic sandwich.

A chicken sandwich is a classic picnic staple any time of year – there are so many ways you can prepare chicken and so many chicken sandwich possibilities.

We've rounded up 20 sandwich variations, including some winter warming chicken sandwich ideas which make super simple winter picnic food.

Looking for a winter warming vegan take on the pulled pork sandwich - We have that. Try this warm, juicy vegan jackfruit sandwich to satisfy those BBQ pulled pork cravings.

A delicious and easy vegan sandwich packed with nutrients and fibre. Perfect vegan picnic comfort food to keep you warm.

It's what millions of Australians reach for on a cold day, a good old Aussie meat pie. Crispy flaky pastry meets beef gravy perfection in these tiny bites. They're the ultimate portable snack when it's cold outside.

Pack them steaming hot into your hamper for a warming flaky picnic feast. These meat pies are mini so they make very manageable finger food.

Embrace winter veg with this hearty and wholesome brussel sprout salad.

Fresh Brussels sprouts, crunchy pecans, sweet and tart apples, crisp beets and creamy cheddar cheese are tossed in a delicious balsamic dressing to make the best Brussel sprout salad ever.

Not all winter picnic food has to be heavy. Looking for a lighter wrap that can double as a picnic starter? We have what you are looking for.

Add some heat to your picnic without the calories. Hot jalapenos with a homemade Mexican take on hummus and crispy salad make an easy and light wrap that can be left whole or sliced into pinwheels to have as a picnic starter or finger food.

What's more portable than a meat pie? A Cornish Pastie. Popular in the UK, Australia and some parts of the States, these very portable winter warming meat treats have a long history of being lunch box favourites - they were favoured by Cornish miners because the meat stayed warm for hours in their pastry casing and they were super portable – no utensils required.

These Cornish Beef Pasties are a slightly fancier take on the miner's version, rosemary burgundy steak in flaky pie crust, dunked in rich burgundy gravy. I think this is winter picnic decadence at its best.

While available all year round, the cooler months are peak broccoli season so winter is a perfect time to incorporate this nutritious and delicious veg into your picnic salads.

There's also nothing better than a roast potato to warm the soul, even when served cold. Team these pair for a delicious no mayo picnic potato salad. You can even serve this as a warm salad.

Easy to make, this roast potato and broccoli salad with roast garlic dressing is a great make-ahead salad that gets better with age.

Looking for a low carb alternative to a traditional creamy potato salad, this cauliflower salad punctuated with tasty sundried tomatoes hits the mark.

A great make-ahead salad that keeps well for days, it's easy to make and make a hearty winter salad.

A classic Spanish tortilla (potato omelette) is such a simple yet tasty dish and perfect for a picnic. Only 3 ingredients, ready in 25 minutes and you can serve it hot or cold.

Serve it in wedges with salad and soup for a winter warming picnic lunch or cut it cold into squares and top with small dollops of chilli jam or chutney for tapas-style picnic finger food. A simple yet versatile little picnic dish.

Sweet pears with salty blue cheese, fennel and ricotta make a lovely warming tart for a sophisticated winter picnic spread. Serve it hot as a main with salad and bread or make small slices to add to a hearty wine and cheese platter. Either way, it goes very well with a nice bottle of red.

Want a winter salad but need something hearty? This chicken cobb salad is the king of comfort food in the salad realm.

With loads of tasty and filling ingredients such as chicken, eggs, bacon, and cheese, this salad is a meal in itself perfect for a simple winter picnic where portability is key. A great contender for a winter hiking picnic or where you need to feed a hungry crowd.

Put a fresh Thai spin on your winter picnic salad routine with this Thai Quinoa Salad. Butternut squash, kale, and creamy ginger dressing, this easy quinoa salad is hearty yet with the classic freshness of Thai flavours.

A perfect make-ahead salad it's also vegan and gluten-free.

While we often think about summer when talking about pasta salads, they make a perfectly hearty meal or side for a winter picnic. Easy to make, pasta salads often do well from being made well in advance which makes them the perfect picnic salad.

The other wonderful thing about pasta salad is no one ever said that have to be served cold. Some pasta salads will be just as good served warm as cold. You'll find some fabulous picnic pasta salad ideas here.

Gluten-free small and puffy cheese rolls are a perfectly portable snack or side. There are so many ways you can enjoy these tasty Brazillian morsels, with both savoury and sweet accompaniments but I think they make a great side for picnic-perfect winter soups and salads.

Another perfectly portable snack or side, these cheesy snacks are perfect with a mug of hot picnic soup or turned into a teeny snack-size sandwich, simply fill with slices of meat, cheese, tomatoes, or whatever tickles your fancy.

Soups are perfect winter picnic food and nothing says winter like a hearty pumpkin soup. This butternut squash, carrot and ginger soup is nourishing and cosy, and the ginger adds a bit of fiery heat to keep your warm on your picnic.

Add some Indian flair to your picnic menu with these delightful and easy to make Veggie Puffs.

Lightly curried vegetables wrapped and baked in puff pastry, these can be served warm or at room temperature.

Vibrant, smooth and full of flavour, you only need 6 ingredients for this tasty vegan or vegetarian beetroot soup. It is similar to borscht soup and is hearty and filling - perfect to take to a winter picnic.

This hearty crustless quiche can be eaten hot or cold and is perfectly portable for picnics.

Packed with chorizo, mushrooms, spinach and goat’s cheese, it's a great low carb picnic meal. It's also forgivingly versatile, switch out ingredients to your liking or to suit your diet.

Get all the classic flavours of a cabbage roll in a super portable and hearty soup. It's so easy to make and ticks all the winter comfort food boxes. Add a dollop of sour cream for a creamy version.

Why have chicken soup when you can put a Mexican spin on the classic? This authentic Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe is made with fresh ingredients, shredded chicken, and topped with crispy tortilla strips—a perfect make-ahead meal for a picnic.

This vegan potato soup is so hearty and flavorful and just perfect for a cold day al fresco. Loaded with classic aromatic veggies, infused with herbs and finished with smoked paprika for a smoky kick, this soup comes together in just 30 minutes. Add chunky potatoes and top with Vegan Bacon Bits for a wholesome comfort food classic.

Creamy carrot soup with some added kick from the ginger makes a delicious winter warming picnic soup. Pack assorted garnishes such as crostini, croutons, bacon or herbs to customise to your liking.

You really can't go past tomato soup, especially when it is so quick and easy to make. Using canned tomatoes with the help of some roasted peppers and a little cream and parmesan, you have a picnic worthy soup in a jiffy.

Pair this beauty with some grilled cheese sandwiches for extra picnic points.

Make a meal of your picnic soup. Cranberry beans (aka Borlotti beans) and farro give this wholesome soup extra oomph on the hearty steaks, while fresh herbs and a hint of bacon give it a deep and resonant flavour. A great picnic meal when you need something robust but still want to pack light.

A low carb chicken noodle soup loaded with veggies. Spaghetti squash noodles make a perfect noodle substitute for those who want a low carb alternative with extra nutritious flavour. A heartwarming and wholesome take on the chicken noodle soup classic.

I always think of potato and leek soup as the elegant one when it comes to hearty winter soups. It's wholesome, warming and satisfying yet has a rich, creamy finish that makes it feel a little more refined than your average soup. Make this gorgeous soup in under half an hour and team with some crusty bread for a tasty and portable picnic lunch

So easy to make, this delicious, hearty and flavorful Crockpot Pinto Bean Soup – with no soaking required, is a winter warmer winner.

Super portable and versatile, you can switch out meats, play with the spice profile for a completely different taste, add vegies or even introduce a side of rice or quinoa.

I love a picnic tart because they are so easy to make and are a lovely addition to the picnic spread. Filled with cheese and mushrooms this vegetarian mushroom tart is so easy to make. Pair it with a salad and crusty bread or serve it as a side to a picnic soup.

I love dips for picnics. They make a great finger food picnic addition - Think mezze platter with flatbreads and robust cheese. Picnic dips, and especially winter picnic dips need to be robust which is where hummus is king.

Hummus is so easy to make yet many never embark on the task and opt for inferior store-bought. Once you know how you'll never go back. We've also included below some winter-worthy hummus variations to peak your interest.

While hummus is the king of dips for any season, this baked broccoli cheese dip is a winter winner.

Super hearty and toasty warm, serve this broccoli dip with crusty bread or a simple raw veggie platter. I like this dip as an addition to a charcuterie board with a nice picnic bottle of red for a delicious winter picnic menu.

Another winter warming winning dip is this deliciously decadent Cauliflower Buffalo Dip.

A vegetarian take on the classic yet no less indulgent, serve with chunks of crusty bread and a cheese plate or charcuterie board (and maybe a bottle of crisp picnic white) for a hearty picnic finger food menu. Or, serve with raw veggie sticks or crackers as a picnic appetiser.

Want a hearty winter warming dip but looking for vegan options? This deliciously creamy Spinach and Artichoke Dip is a fabulously easy winter vegan picnic dish. As flavoursome as the original recipe, this is a super easy spinach artichoke dip recipe that is also a much healthier alternative.

Light and creamy, this dip recipe only relies on quality ingredients; it doesn't even need vegan cheese substitutes.

It's a perfect all-around dip, especially for a vegan picnic menu, or an appetiser for any occasion.

If you love hummus, you're going to love this hummus. Deliciously creamy, sweet and smokey smoked pumpkin hummus, is a refreshing spin on traditional hummus recipe and a great addition to any winter picnic menu.

For another take on hummus, Sriracha Sweet Potato Hummus is slightly spicy but majorly delicious. Healthy and easy homemade hummus with zing it's another great contender for winter picnic appetisers, snacks or even on a sandwich or wrap.

Deliciously creamy, this sun-dried tomato pâté is perfect to pack up with crackers or crusty bread as an appetiser or picnic finger food. Spread it on sandwiches or wraps or even use it as a condiment for a vegan burger. It's perfect picnic food.

My other favourite picnic dip is baba ganoush. Deliciously smokey eggplant dip compliments so many picnic dishes and seems at home equally in cooler weather as warm.

Serve it with crackers or mezze style as you would with hummus. Or, serve it as a dipper to mini spiced lamb or chicken kebabs.

Deviled eggs are the quintessential appetiser. take the Devilled egg next level with these Creamy Buffalo Fried Deviled Eggs. Quick and easy, they pack well for a picnic for a pre picnic snack or as part of a finger food affair.

Pumpkin cookies with white chocolate and pecans. Soft and full of warm winter spices finished with creamy white chocolate and a sprinkle of pecans, it's a winter cookie made in heaven.

People often don't think of fruit salad in winter but there are so many great winter fruits why wouldn't you?

Seasonal citrus, pineapple, kiwi, pomegranates and apples combine with a simple honey-lemon dressing in this gorgeous winter fruit salad. Fruit salad is so easy to make and so portable, it's perfect for a winter picnic.

Winter is the perfect season for this deliciously moist gingerbread loaf topped with rich cream cheese frosting. All the flavours of gingerbread with creamy, sweet and tangy lashings of cream cheese topping – a perfect dessert for a cold-weather picnic.

No-bake and low carb, this Dark Chocolate Fudge recipe has a lot going for it – guilt-free and easy to make. Thanks to the star ingredient – sweet potato, this fudge recipe is beautifully soft and creamy and decadently delicious.

Deliciously soft cinnamon cookies with a dainty cinnamon icing drizzle make a gorgeous winter picnic cookie. Wash them down with a hot mug of tea or enjoy them as a post picnic sweet treat.

Tahini makes the perfect partner to chocolate, especially when paired with honey or maple syrup - you choose. These delightfully decadent choc chip & tahini bites make a great winter picnic treat you can whip up in under 15 minutes. They're also just a little bit healthy.

Wonderfully sweet, delightfully gooey, it's just the winter sweet treat we all need. Indulge yourself with this vegan fudge without the guilt – This is without question, the best chocolate fudge recipe made without condensed milk (and sugar) so pack some extra.

You can't go past a muffin as the ultimate portable treat. There is something cosy about apple, cinnamon and mixed spice which makes them a wonderful winter picnic addition.

If you want a winter muffin with pumpkin and spice and all things nice – but also a little bit guilt-free, try these deliciously moist, low carb pumpkin spice muffins.

The portable winter picnic treat that is easy to make and deliciously sweet but doesn't break the calorie bank.

Love apple pie but can't be bothered to make one for a picnic. The apple galette is the lazy man's apple pie which makes it perfect for picnics. Apples cooked in a spiced brown butter also makes it a much sassier apple pie. A great make-ahead dessert, you can serve hot or cold.

Hearty comforting vibes and a sweet treat at once. These Sweet Potato Chocolate Brownies are magical guilt-free brownies. Decadent, rich, moist and fudgy, these Grain-Free Brownies are low calorie and sneakily healthy for a guilt-free indulgence. The best part; they also qualify under the Clean Eating Concept.

Want more delicious brownie recipes? We've got five more unique brownie recipes here for you.

Ginger and spice and all things nice, that what these little gems are made of. These little sticky ginger apple cakes are perfect for alfresco eating in the colder months of the year.

Gingerbread and white chocolate fudge made from only six ingredients and takes only 15 minutes to make. That's a picnic dessert winner in anyone's books.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies loaded with cosy cool weather spices – the perfect combination of flavours for winter. You can whip these little beauties up in less than 20 minutes.

Hot mulled grape juice full of spices associated with autumn, winter and Christmas. This no alcoholic take on mulled wine is a warm and cosy winter picnic drink for the whole family.

There’s something about a cup of warm apple cider on a chilly fall or winter day. This homemade apple cider is so easy to make and pop in a thermos for a cool weather picnic.

Who doesn't love hot chocolate, especially on a cold day? A perfect drink to throw in a thermos, especially for family picnics. Warm and comforting, this gingerbread hot chocolate is full of flavour with a slight kick. Make it with whole milk or plant-based milk of your choice for a vegan version.