28 Summer Picnic Food Ideas

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There’s nothing better than outdoor eating in the summer so try one of these picnic food ideas! These are great for making ahead and serving to a crowd at your next summer picnic.

Picnics are one of my favourite things about summer. There is nothing better than enjoying the sunshine while tucking into some amazing food and there’s so many different options for picnic food!

Whether you keep it simple with sandwiches and salads or try something a bit different like savoury pastries or cold pasta dishes you’re guaranteed to find something in this post which will fit perfectly in your summer picnic.

Picnic food suggestions

Of course there’s picnic food classics like potato salad, sausage rolls and scotch eggs which are always a hit with kids and adults alike but below I’ve listed all kinds of other picnic recipes from healthy to quick and easy.

Scroll down to find something for everyone this summer season 😎

Basic picnic foods

Easy Roasted Tomato Pasta Salad

This easy roasted tomato pasta salad is full of sweetness from the tomatoes and saltiness from the feta. It makes the perfect grab and go lunch or light dinner! 

1 hour 10 minutes

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Easy Homemade Baked Parmesan Crisps

Quick and easy homemade Baked Parmesan Crisps make a simple snack or appetizer for wine pairing. Shredded Parmesan cheese with curry powder, baked into crunchy, golden brown crisps…all in about 10 minutes.

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Summer Salad with Pearl Barley & Feta

This summer salad is bursting with fresh ingredients including cherry tomatoes and cucumber all topped off with a zingy lemon and mint dressing. 

55 minutes

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Easy Raspberry Mango Iced Tea

Raspberry mango iced tea is the perfect cold drink for summer! This iced tea recipe uses fresh raspberries and mango, giving the iced tea a burst of refreshing fruit flavor.

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Lighter Herby Baked Falafel

Baked falafel is a perfect vegetarian meal and it's light and healthy as well! Serve with flatbread and some cucumber and tomato for added crunch.

25 minutes

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The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is the best chocolate chip cookie recipe ever! No funny ingredients, no chilling time, etc. Just a simple, straightforward, amazingly delicious, doughy yet still fully cooked, chocolate chip cookie that turns out perfectly every single time!

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Picnic food for kids

Veggie Wrap with Curry Roasted Cauliflower

This veggie wrap is an easy, healthy lunch or dinner made with curry roasted cauliflower, spinach, quinoa and a herby yoghurt sauce. It's also a great meal prep option!

40 minutes

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Pizza Hummus

Do you love pizza–and hummus? Then you are sure to love this Super Creamy Pizza Hummus. It's not just the melding of two uber popular comfort foods, but it's sesame-free and dairy-free too, making it great for almost anyone on a special diet too!

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Caprese Pasta Salad with Basil Dressing

This caprese pasta salad has all the classic flavours of an Italian caprese salad but with the addition of pasta and pine nuts. It's the perfect summer dish

20 minutes

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Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwich Rolls

Cucumber pinwheels, or cucumber and cream cheese sandwich rolls, are always a huge hit, no matter where or when you serve them. Great for picnics, bbqs, school or work packed lunches, afternoon tea or even a light dinner!

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Lime & Mint Roast Chicken Sandwich with Garlic Butter

This lime & mint roast chicken sandwich recipe is a delicious weekend treat! Serve drizzled with garlic butter and topped with peppery rocket leaves.

1 hour

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The Best Classic Potato Salad

Summer Potlucks and BBQs don’t seem complete without a big bowl of this Classic Potato Salad.

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Picnic food ideas for large groups

Harissa Halloumi Salad with Couscous

This harissa halloumi salad is so quick to make and is bursting with healthy ingredients! The salty halloumi is the perfect addition to this vegetarian dish. 

30 minutes

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Lemon Artichoke Vegan Pasta Salad

Tangy and herby, this quick and easy dish is perfect for BBQs, potlucks, picnics, lunchboxes, and simple summer meatless dinners. It’s got texture and flavor and could easily feed a crowd.

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Chipotle Chicken Salad with Quinoa & Lime Crème Fraîche

This chipotle chicken salad is a simple summer dinner with roasted tomatoes, quinoa, chorizo and baby spinach. It's the perfect way to celebrate summer produce.

50 minutes

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Mexican Street Corn Potato Salad

Mexican Street Corn Potato Salad is a delicious and easy potato salad recipe. Bright and flavourful, the Mexican Street Corn element adds some fiesta to a classic potato salad.

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Greek Orzo Salad with Lemon Dressing

Throw together this simple Greek orzo salad for a quick summer dinner. With all the ingredients of a classic Greek salad but tossed with orzo pasta and herby dressing this is my favourite thing to serve as a side at a summer party.

20 minutes

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Pea Salad with Bacon

This pea salad with bacon recipe has the most delicious chipotle dressing that’s a fun twist on this southern American classic!

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Noodle Salad with Peanut Sesame Dressing

This healthy egg noodle salad is great served cold for a quick vegetarian dinner or summer side dish with a peanut sesame dressing. Add chicken or tofu for an even heartier dinner!

15 minutes

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Cold picnic food

Sweet Potato & Quinoa Salad with Sesame Dressing

Salads are only worth eating if they're going to fill you up and make you feel amazing. This sweet potato and quinoa salad does exactly that. Drizzle with a good helping of creamy sesame dressing and you've got a perfect lunch or dinner.

40 minutes

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Baked Scotch Egg

These baked scotch eggs are perfect picnic fodder, robust enough to rattle around in a picnic basket and tasty enough to raise smiles all round!

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Simple Pasta Salad with Balsamic

What's a summer celebration without pasta salad? This recipe is so simple, it takes just 6 ingredients but is bursting with flavour from roasted tomatoes, balsamic and rocket. It is the epitome of a summer dish!

40 minutes

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Beet Hummus

This beet hummus is as beautiful as it is tasty! Eat hummus with crackers, pretzels, vegetables, or slather it on a slice of bread for lunch. However you choose to eat it, you’ll have no regrets.

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Summer Orzo Salad with Roasted Vegetables

This summer orzo salad with roasted vegetables is the perfect thing to take along to your next barbecue. A great mix of tangy capers and sweet roasted veg.

45 minutes

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Smoked Salmon Spring Rolls

Smoked salmon spring rolls are a quick and easy light recipe you can have ready in minutes! Great for those on low carb diets or for when you just don’t feel like bread or a tortilla.

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Baked Aubergine with Tahini and Goat's Cheese

This baked aubergine recipe is so easy to make and yet is impressive enough for a dinner party. Just a few ingredients like tahini, goat's cheese and olive oil make this an incredible meal. 

55 minutes

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Smoked Mackerel Pasta Salad with Asparagus

Smoked mackerel pasta salad is a delicious fish dish with roasted asparagus, cherry tomatoes and rocket. It's the perfect summer dinner!

20 minutes

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Spicy Tofu Sandwich with Pink Pickled Onions

This crispy fried tofu sandwich is full of spicy flavour. Stuffed with rocket, coriander and some pink pickled onions, these sandwiches make an incredible lunch or dinner.

25 minutes

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