Easy Recipes To Pack For A Picnic

One of the best parts about summer is the chance to spend more time outdoors. The days are longer and the kids are out of school, giving you plenty of time to head out and explore.

Picnics are a fun way to bring mealtime outdoors. They don’t have to be fancy. They can even take place in your own backyard or on your deck if needed. But if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, pack up a cooler or backpack and venture away from the house for a picnic lunch or dinner!

While pretty much any food COULD be eaten at a picnic, some are definitely better suited for outdoor eating than others.

Here are a few tips:

Skip the Plates. Choose foods that can be eaten with your hands so you don’t have to deal with bringing along plates and utensils. You could assemble several of these Asian Chicken Cheddar Lettuce Wraps ahead of time, pack them in a container and they’d be perfect to just grab and munch on once you stop to eat!

Think versatile. Dips can be a great option for picnics. They’re easy to pack and can be served with a variety of dippers to make everyone happy! Bring a batch of this California Cobb Dip and pack some sliced peppers, cucumbers and carrots, plus some chips and crackers and let everyone dip away!

Skip The Heat. It can be hard to bring warm meals on a picnic and keep them at a safe temperature. Look for recipes that taste good room temperature or cold like this Bow Tie Pasta Salad.

Also consider recipes that are designed to be snacks. They’re often highly portable and may travel better than a more traditional lunch or dinner recipes.

As you pack up your picnic, remember these important food safety tips:

Keep cold food cold. Fill your cooler with ice packs to help keep food at or below 40 degrees F.
Keep beverages and food in separate containers so that if people are in and out of the drink cooler, it won’t affect the temperature of your food.
Don’t leave food out for more than an hour in hot weather.
If you’re driving, keep the cooler in the car, instead of the hot trunk.
If you’re grilling, transport raw meat separately from other foods and always ensure meat is cooked to the appropriate temperature.

Need more ideas picnic recipe ideas?! Try these:

BBQ Yogurt Dip