How to Create a Summer Picnic (with recipe ideas!)

One of my favourite things to do in the summertime is to enjoy meals outdoors so I’m going to show you how to create a summer picnic with easy recipe ideas!

Grab your family and friends, some simple dishes, a blanket and let’s picnic!

When I was a teenager my friend and I used pack a baguette and cheese in our backpacks and head out on our bikes to picnic by the shores of Lake Ontario.

You’re probably thinking, ‘what teenager knows what a baguette is,’ and I have my Mom to thank for introducing me to one of my favourite breads everrrr!

And that is how I was introduced to the easiest way to enjoy food with friends; a picnic.

Why you’ll love a summer picnic

Location: It can be anywhere, even in your backyard! You don’t have to go far to enjoy a picnic.

Gathering together: A picnic is a fun and delicious way to enjoy time with family & friends.

Make the food easy: You don’t have to make any recipes for a picnic; while you’re sure to enjoy some of my recipes ideas, grabbing your favourite take-out food also works!

What does a picnic consist of?

A great picnic consists of:

• Simple, delicious food and drink
• A blanket or picnic table
• An outdoor location
• A fun game or two to play

How to pick the best location

Picking a location is key to a great picnic and you don’t need to go far from home. A backyard with space for a blanket can be just perfect! Or, look for a nearby park with trees that provide some shade. Either way, give yourself a bit of space to spread out and enjoy.

Picnic essentials

Picnic basket (or other bag): While a picnic basket can certainly be the perfect carryall for all of your picnic items, you really just need a sturdy bag for your supplies. 

Blanket: A blanket is perfect for setting the scene and if you’re driving to your location or at home, outdoor pillows or fold-up chairs can add a nice touch too. 

Eating utensils & plates: Of course, you’ll need a few key utensils, plastic dishes, cutlery, a serving board and napkins.

Decor: This is totally optional but you can set the picnic vibes with some fresh flowers.

Tidying up: One more item to pack is a garbage bag to use for dirty dishes afterwards which makes clean-up much easier.

Recipe ideas for a summer picnic

The food is what makes the entire picnic experience. I am all for dishes that can be prepared, packaged and stored in the fridge which makes for easy packing.

Here are a few easy picnic food ideas to help you plan your picnic menu:

Mason Jar Salads

Mason Jar Salads are wonderful for picnics because you can layer all the ingredients so the salad stays crisp. Then, just shake the mason jar prior to eating to mix all of the ingredients. I made a quick salad by layering dressing, roasted vegetables and chickpeas, quinoa, arugula and parmesan cheese. I mixed the vegetables (small zucchini, red pepper and a cup of baby tomatoes) with about 1 cup of chickpeas plus olive oil and a 1/4 tsp of thyme, basil, garlic powder, oregano and salt & pepper. Then roasted everything for about 25-30 minutes at 400F.  Once cooled, layer all of the ingredients in jars and store in the fridge until ready to pack.

Other salads perfect for packing in mason jars:

Italian Chopped Pasta Salad

Mason Jar Pesto Pasta Salad

Roasted Summer Vegetable Salad 

Mason Jar Watermelon Salad

Sandwiches

A sandwich is a staple at a picnic and the recipe combinations are endless. I like to use a sturdy bread like baguette which does well with so many ingredients. A favourite sandwich combination of mind is: pesto, seasonal marinated vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers, mozzarella and arugula.

More recipe ideas for picnic sandwiches:

Fig Jam & Brie Baguette Sandwich

Make a wrap or sandwich with my dill pickle chicken salad

Make Peach & Prosciutto Summer Focaccia recipe into a sandwich

Double wrap sandwiches and wraps – use parchment paper as the first wrap layer and the second layer use foil

Summer charcuterie board

Making charcuterie boards with seasonal ingredients is one of my favourites for a picnic. I like to mix up tastes and textures with a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, jams and crackers. A couple of my favourite ingredients for summer:

• Cheeses: brie, gouda, manchego
• Meat: prosciutto, spicy salami
• Fruits: plums, peaches, apricot
• Vegetables: fill in the board with crisp veggies like cucumbers or carrots

Make your board, wrap it up and store in the fridge so it’s ready to pack. And, this cheeseboard is a lovely option for dessert too by adding some chocolate, nuts or a couple of sweets of your choice.

SEE BELOW IN THE RECIPE CARD FOR MY CHARCUTERIE BOARD RECIPE

A quick dip

An easy to make dip or appetizer could also work for a picnic. I like to stay away from overly creamy dips (like dips with cream cheese) that might not fair too well in warmer temperatures. Here are a few of my favorite dips and appetizers that would do well for a picnic:

Buffalo hummus (skip the feta to make it dairy-free)

Bruschetta with boursin cheese (bring the juicy tomatoes separately from the boursin and assemble on site OR just enjoy the bruschetta on it’s own)

Kid-friendly finger foods

My son LOVES a picnic and he really enjoys making his own snack box to bring with him. Some great, easy finger foods you can pack for the kids at a picnic include:

• Cheese sticks
• Pepperoni (or turkey) sticks
• Crackers
• Popcorn
• Tortilla chips and salsa
• Mini-muffins
• Veggie sticks
• Fruit skewers

Dessert

Pack dessert in a Jar: An easy way to pack a treat for your picnic is to use small mason jars (or really any jar you have) and fill it with dessert! I like to use small jam jars that I’ve kept because they’re for perfect one-person desserts. One of my favourites desserts is a cheesecake in a jar!

Prep my Summer Fruit with Whipped Cream recipe. Then, make each jar into a ‘cheesecake in jar’ by layering crumbled graham crumbs at the bottom of the jar followed by the mascarpone cheese and finished with the fruit. 

Fresh pastries from your favourite bakery: A great way to end the picnic is with a sweet treat! I love to grab donuts or my favorite baked goods and cut them into smaller pieces so everyone can have bite. This is a great alternative to making some from-scratch.

Fresh Fruit: Bring whichever fruit is in season. Just wash and cut (if needed), then store in a reusable container to bring in your picnic basket. Some of my favourites in the summer are:

• Strawberries
• Peaches
• Watermelon
• Cherries

A drink to cheers with

A bottle of bubbly or perhaps a rosé is the perfect summer picnic drink to cheers with! You could also opt for a bottle of lemonade or sparkling water instead. And, don’t forget juice boxes if you have kids joining you 🙂

Whichever your choice, always remember to bring lots of water and drink responsibly. If you’re bringing glass bottles, wrap them in napkins for packing.

How to pack a picnic and keep food cold

Ice packs work great to keep food cool. However, you could also freeze a bottle of water which serves two purposes: the ice water keeps the food cool and then you can enjoy the water as a refreshing drink as the ice melts.

Layer items in your picnic basket, bag or cooler bag, starting with the heaviest items at the bottom. Then, put more delicate items towards the top of the basket. Use food containers that stack easily helps to make packing much easier.

Atmosphere – set the mood for your picnic

While enjoying a picnic with a few people is lovely, having a picnic by yourself can be just as enjoyable. Grab a good book like The Recipe Club to enjoy along with your food. Totally disconnecting to enjoy the company of friends or reading a book can be magical. You could even bring cards to play a game after you eat or maybe even an easy lawn game like bocce ball.

There are so many ways to enjoy time together with a picnic, let your tastes guide you! And, if you’d rather not make food just pop by your favourite bakery or take-out restaurant, grab your favourite baked goods or dishes and take those with you. Make the summer picnic experience as detailed or as simple as you want, and make it your own.

Tips and tricks for the best picnic food

• Temperature: Pick foods that travel well and stay fresh at outdoor temperatures.
• Little to no assembly required: Make sure the food you bring is ready to eat.
• Wrap sandwiches and wraps tightly: Double wrapsandwiches and wraps – use parchment paper as the first wrap layer and the second layer use foil.
• Ask others to bring their favourite food: Don’t do it all yourself. If planning a picnic for a group, ask others to bring a dish for a picnic-potluck!
• Be ready to eat: Unpack and enjoy the food when you arrive at your destination to avoid the food sitting out in the sun.

FAQs