48 perfect picnic recipes (2024)

Lucky enough to head outside? Take your feast with you.

Sep 23, 2021 7:00am

For a successful picnic, you need to strike it lucky on two counts – good weather, and permission under your state government rules. Tick both boxes? Then take it outside. Make sure all your food is easily transportable – think savoury tarts, do-it-yourself sandwiches, and pull-aparts and focaccias. For sweet treats, we favour easy one-tray cake bakes (the pineapple and coconut number is a winner). Just don't forget the picnic rug.

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Focaccia

Photo: Mark Roper

2 / 0

Spring green frittata

3 / 0

JoyBird's chicken Scotch eggs with tarragon mayonnaise

Photo: Mark Roper

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Pea and mint dip with labne and radishes

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Pumpkin, taleggio and pancetta rolls

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Devilled ham with cornichons and cheddar

Photo: William Meppem

7 / 0

Artichoke and salted ricotta tart with salsa verde

Photo: Chris Chen

8 / 0

Oregano eggplant with freekeh, feta and dill

Photo: Ben Dearnley

9 / 0

Stromboli

Photo: Ben Dearnley

10 / 0

Smoky eggplant and walnut dip

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Rosemary focaccia with salume

12 / 0

Chicken pie

Photo: William Meppem

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Zucchini, black olive and goat's cheese tarts

Photo: William Meppem

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Caramelised onion and Gruyère scrolls

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Roast broccoli and cheddar filo tart

Photo: William Meppem

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Sausage rolls

Photo: Chris Chen

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Cacio e pepe sausage rolls

Photo: Will Horner

19 / 0

Herb frittata with mushrooms

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Rice salad with peas, mint, zucchini, lemon and pine nuts

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Broccoli tabbouleh

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Pea and cucumber rice salad

Photo: William Meppem

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Poached chicken and millet salad with peas and mint

Photo: William Meppem

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Carrot and burghul salad

Photo: William Meppem

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Charlie Carrington's Yemenite pickled cabbage and chickpea salad

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Yoghurt roast chicken

Photo: William Meppem

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Roast beef and potato salad rolls

Photo: William Meppem

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Rare roast beef baguettes with roast tomato and currant chutney

Photo: Sharyn Cairns

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Jellied ham with condiments

Photo: Sharyn Cairns

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Goat's cheese and potato salad

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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White bean salad with preserved lemon

Photo: Sharyn Cairns

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Scotch eggs

Photo: William Meppem

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Prawn and fennel brioche rolls

Photo: Prue Ruscoe

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Leek and cheese flamiches

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Lemon and raspberry iced tea

Photo: William Meppem

36 / 0

Pineapple and coconut cake

Photo: Chris Chen

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Ginger cordial with mint, lime and cucumber

Photo: Prue Ruscoe

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Buttermilk and vanilla cake with raspberries

Photo: Prue Ruscoe

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Yoghurt and almond cake with orange-caramel peaches and vanilla yoghurt

Photo: William Meppem

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Strawberry crème fraîche cheesecake

Photo: Chris Chen

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Peach, raspberry and ricotta crumble cake

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Fennel and orange sugared brioche

Photo: William Meppem

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Gluten-free passionfruit coconut slice

Photo: William Meppem

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Rhubarb and raspberry brownie

Photo: Chris Chen

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Hazelnut and chocolate swirl nougat

Photo: Chris Chen

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Chocolate madeleines with mascarpone and marmalade

Photo: William Meppem

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Lime and coconut cake with pineapple glaze

Photo: William Meppem

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Sticky cinnamon finger buns

Photo: Sharyn Cairns

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48 perfect picnic recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular food at a picnic? ›

Contents
  • Potato Salad.
  • Fried Chicken.
  • Watermelon.
  • Pasta Salad.
  • Pinwheel Sandwiches.
  • Bread, Cheese and Cold Cuts.
  • Deviled Delights.
  • Ready to Grill.

What can I take in a picnic instead of sandwiches? ›

Best Picnic Food Ideas for Large Groups
  • Pinwheel Wraps. Pinwheel wraps are a fun spin on finger sandwiches. ...
  • DIY Sandwich Platter. What is the most popular food at a picnic? ...
  • Greek Salad. A cool salad on a hot summer day is perfect. ...
  • Chips and Dip Potluck. ...
  • Deviled Eggs. ...
  • Pasta Salad. ...
  • Fruit Platter. ...
  • Cut-Up Subs.
May 23, 2024

How do you picnic like a pro? ›

Choose a simple, streamlined menu with finger-friendly foods that don't require many containers. Skip plates and utensils, and instead serve food in colorful parchment wrappers or paper food trays. Use toothpicks or craft sticks for single bites, or portion foods into paper cupcake liners.

What food is good for picnic in the car? ›

Fruits and veggies: Chop your fruits and vegetables, so they are easy to use on the road trip. Jerky/ dried meats: Jerky does not require refrigeration, which makes it perfect for picnic food. Protein bars/ crackers: Crackers and protein bars are healthy snacks to satisfy your cravings mid-trip.

What food tastes good even when cold? ›

To experience just how good these meals are when cold, you should buy a refrigerator to keep them cool until you're ready to consume them.
  • Fruits.
  • Soups.
  • Fried chicken.
  • Pizza.
  • Sweets.
  • Coffee.

What is a good picnic food that doesn't need refrigeration? ›

Here are 11 picnic foods that keep well in hot weather:
  • Fresh vegetable salads. Nothing beats a fresh, light summer salad full of colorful vegetables, Ali says. ...
  • Fish and chicken in pouches. ...
  • Mediterranean foods. ...
  • Fresh fruits. ...
  • Dried fruits, nuts and seeds. ...
  • Fruit salsas. ...
  • Slaws dressed in oil and vinegar. ...
  • Fruit bars.
May 30, 2022

What picnic sandwiches won t get soggy? ›

A thick, crusty roll like ciabatta, baguette, or an Italian-style loaf won't go limp and fall apart next to moist ingredients like veggies, spreads, or salad-type fillings (like chicken or tuna), Andrea Slonecker, co-author of The Picnic, tells SELF.

What is a French picnic? ›

Traditional French picnic foods include cheeses (we love brie, chèvre, blue, and camembert), crusty bread, crackers, selection of fruits, vegetables, cornichons, some type of sauce for dipping, butter, and sandwich meats. You can also include a cold salad to round out the meal.

What are 3 taboos in Italy? ›

Taboos
  • Asking an Italian if they have a relative or a friend who's in the mafia. ...
  • Ordering a cappuccino after noon. ...
  • Putting cheese on fish. ...
  • Serving food in different plates. ...
  • Entering a home with an open umbrella or openning it once you're inside. ...
  • Putting bread upside down on the table.

What food is good for park party? ›

Easy park party food ideas include chicken salad sandwiches, pinwheel sandwiches, buffalo chicken sandwiches, etc. You can't go wrong with slow cooker hot dogs for a crowd or Insta Pot hot dogs! You will also find savory dip like buffalo chicken dip, walking tacos, black bean salsa.

What is best to pack for a picnic? ›

Picnic List Items
  • Picnic Blanket.
  • Baby Wipes.
  • Ice Packs.
  • Bug Spray.
  • Sunscreen.
  • First Aid Supplies.
  • Trash Bag.
  • Don't Forget To Bring Some Entertainment For Kids.

References

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