Picnics are far from being soggy sandwiches and diluted salads. If you put in some effort, you can take your outdoor feast to the next level. Try delicious pies, potato salads, and cakes that work well chilled, and portable desserts with a great on-the-go factor – along with the advice and tricks you need to get them safely to their destination. Read our best-ever picnic recipes for ideas.
Potato salad with crispy Parma Ham
This recipe takes the humble potato salad to new levels of deliciousness. Dress the spuds with a light mixture of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt, with lemon, chives, and capers adding sharpness as a contrast to the creaminess. Stir in chopped boiled eggs and top with fried Parma Ham for a sweet and salty crunch. Just transport the ham separately, then add to serve.
Herby potato salad
The dressing combines soft cheese with garlic & herbs – we’ve omitted the standard mayonnaise for this potato salad – along with olive oil and lemon juice. We’ve also added plenty of chopped celery, onion, capers and we finished it with loads of fresh herbs. Prep it all beforehand and cover in a lidded plastic box but do keep the herbs under a damp kitchen towel and dress the potato salad when you are serving.
This is the dish for you if you don’t like thick, creamy, mayonnaise potato salads but want a potato salad that’s packed with flavor. Toss the potatoes with oil and vinegar while they are still warm – this will allow the dressing to seep into the potatoes. Top with fresh mint and chives just before you’re ready to serve and enjoy!
Buttermilk biscuits
Another alternative to bread rolls Buttermilk biscuits for crispy, fluffy buttermilk biscuits packed with fried chicken or pulled pork – or as an accompaniment to your salads and cheeses. These are similar in many ways to British scones – just throw them all together on the morning of your picnic, let them cool and off you go! You can pile them high with fresh cream and summer fruit and you’ll have a biscuit dessert for supper too.
Chips and dips
You can't have an outdoor party without tortilla chips, and no, you can't just chuck much dip into any random pot from your fridge, can you? Just pack up the dips in their serve bowls covered in cling-film and serve straight away. Make sure your guac has a lot of juice in there - that'll keep discolouration at bay! Have a peek at the three-ingredient dip ideas for some other ideas!
Summer rolls
Light, refreshing and portable picnic fare, summer rolls (shredded lettuce, carrot, mint, Thai basil and vermicelli noodles wrapped in spring roll wrappers) served as the ideal option for our day out. The wrappers were simple enough to source and we could complete the rolls entirely the day prior, ready to serve alongside our dipping sauce of choice, just throwing them into a plastic container to chill until serving. Our rolls were vegetarian, but of course we could add a few shelled prawns or strips of chicken!
Fried chicken
Cook more fried chicken than you ever expect, because people always crave more. Poach the chicken in water with garlic and thyme until it becomes fall-off-the-bone tender. Coat each piece of chicken with a delicate spicy flour that you've seasoned with celery salt, cumin, mustard powder, and cayenne. Carry the flavorful chicken in a plastic container lined with sheets of grease-proof paper, and place it inside a cool bag or box for transport.
Curry leaf popcorn chicken
If you like a bit of fried chicken, you'll adore this! Use chicken breasts - no awkward bones. Be generous with the time your chicken marinates in seasoned buttermilk! Do this in portions and shake the pieces well into seasoned flour just before putting them into the oil; this is your best bet for really crisp chicken. Then top with fried curry leaves and chilli! Just stick it in a box lined with greaseproof paper.
Classic coleslaw
The amazing thing about coleslaw is how simply you can whip it up at home – it turns out much, much nicer than any version you'll ever buy in a supermarket. Cabbage stays crunchy and delicious, so there are no worries; just make everything the day before and coat it in a dollop of mayo right before you pop it in a lidded pot. Our team enjoyed tossing a handful of toasted seeds into the mix for extra texture – why not try sweetening yours with some sultanas or dried cranberries?
Hot and fruity Caribbean slaw
If you don't like a coleslaw with lots of mayo – I know, what's not to like! – then this could well be a recipe for you. It contains the familiar ingredients of cabbage and onion, but the vinaigrette-like oil and vinegar dressing enhances with a shot of hot sauce to spice things up a bit. Fresh mango sweetens things down to cut the heat, then stir together and pack this in a box with a lid.
FAQ's
1. What are the best types of recipes to bring on a picnic?
Cold or room-temperature dishes that don't spoil quickly or lose structure work best. Top choices include pressed sandwiches, pasta salads, grain bowls, frittatas, hard cheeses, cured meats, and sturdy baked goods like brownies or cookies.
2. How do I prevent sandwich bread from getting soggy?
Create a moisture barrier by spreading a thin layer of butter, mayo, or cheese directly onto the bread before adding filling. Pack wet ingredients like tomatoes, pickles, and dressing in separate containers and add them right before eating.
3. What food safety guidelines should I follow for an outdoor meal?
Keep cold perishables (meats, dairy, mayo-based salads) at or below 40°F (4°C) using an insulated cooler with ice packs. Discard any perishable food that sits out above 40°F for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour if the outdoor temperature exceeds 90°F / 32°C).
4. How should I pack salad and dressing to keep greens crisp?
Keep greens and delicate toppings dry in a sealed container and transport dressings or vinaigrettes separately in small jars. Toss the salad right before serving so the leaves don't wilt.
5. What are clean, utensil-free finger foods for easy cleanup?
Chicken salad pinwheels, mini quiches, caprese skewers, stuffed pita pockets, and firm fruits like grapes or berries require no cutlery and produce minimal mess.
.
.webp)
