With summer days on the wane, there\u2019s never been a better time for a picnic. Now, you just need to decide what to pack in your bag, cooler, or basket. We\u2019ve compiled a list of our top 14 most picnic-friendly recipes, whether you\u2019re hitting the beach, park, or other outdoor venue. What makes these dishes especially good to spread out on a blanket and enjoy al fresco? Well, they\u2019re sturdy enough to withstand travel and downtime, easy to share between friends, and taste as good at room temperature as they do warm\u2014if not better. From easy dips to pair with chips and crudit\u00e9 to substantial sandwiches and refreshing salads, here are some go-to recipes to bring to your next picnic.<\/p>\n
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1. Peach & Tomato Salad With Fish Sauce Vinaigrette<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\nThis salad is pretty much as simple as it gets. Making the flavorful, punchy vinaigrette in a jar means it\u2019s easy to travel with\u2014just pack your salad fixings in a separate container, and combine the two elements once you\u2019ve found your picnic spot.<\/p>\n
2. My Harabeoji\u2019s Avocado BLT<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\nThis no-frills BLT with avocado, courtesy of Christine Byun\u2019s grandpa<\/a>, is exactly what we want to eat when tomatoes are in season.<\/p>\n3. Black-Eyed Pea Dip With Tahini & Lemon<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\nThis dip has hummus vibes, but it substitutes black-eyed peas for the usual chickpeas. Serve it with pita chips and an assortment of crunchy vegetables for an easygoing picnic snack.<\/p>\n
4. Sheet-Pan Frittata Sandwiches on Ciabatta<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\nThe star of these sandwiches is the easy-to-slice, sheet-pan frittata. Though the recipe calls for add-ins like zucchini, peas, prosciutto, and Monterey Jack cheese, you can use any combination of vegetables, cheese, and protein you prefer.<\/p>\n
5. Jennie\u2019s Burmese Slaw With Frizzled Onions<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\nColeslaw goes hand-in-hand with summer picnics. This one deviates from the usual mayo-laden versions, but it\u2019s just as satisfying and refreshing.<\/p>\n
6. Spicy Tuna Kimbap<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\nKimbap is the ideal snack or lunch food when you\u2019re on the go. Packed with spicy tuna, creamy avocado, and bright, tangy pickles, and wrapped in crispy seaweed, these rice rolls hit all the right notes.<\/p>\n
7. Cheesy Tortellini Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\nTake pasta salad, but instead of regular farfalle or penne, use cheesy tortellini: It\u2019s the perfect example of a simple upgrade that makes all the difference.<\/p>\n
8. Chickpea \u201cTuna\u201d Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\nThis salad features many of the same elements as your classic tuna salad\u2014like a creamy base and crunchy components like celery and red onion\u2014but by swapping the tuna for chickpeas, you get a vegetarian-friendly alternative.<\/p>\n
9. Eggplant-Harissa Sandwiches With Tahini<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\nMaking harissa from scratch is wildly rewarding, but in a pinch, a high-quality, store-bought version (like ours)<\/a> will certainly do the trick. Layered with roasted eggplant and spicy arugula, it\u2019s a reliable\u2014and delicious\u2014choice.<\/p>\n10. Bloody Mary Cheese Plate<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\nDo you prefer a snacky picnic rather than a full-on meal? If so, this bloody mary-inspired cheese plate\u2014complete with bacon, celery stalks, and olives\u2014has you covered.<\/p>\n
11. Kiwi & Feta Salad From Nadiya Hussain<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\nTart, sweet, and refreshing, kiwis are an underrated salad addition, especially when paired with salty feta, fresh dill, and crunchy cucumbers.<\/p>\n
12. Molly Baz’s Ni\u00e7oise Sando With Smashed Eggs & Black Olive Mayo<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\nThis ni\u00e7oise-inspired sandwich from Molly Baz features all the flavors of the iconic salad, from meaty tuna and briny olives to the requisite potatoes\u2014represented here by some generous handfuls of potato chips layered onto the sandwich itself.<\/p>\n
13. My Mother’s Lebanese Tabbouleh<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\nTabbouleh is an ideal picnic food: It\u2019s light and refreshing enough for summer days, but it\u2019s make-ahead friendly, with hearty bulgur and curly parsley that can withstand your commute to the beach or park.<\/p>\n
14. Vegetarian Muffuletta<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n\u201cWhat if the least important part of a traditional muffuletta sandwich is the meat?\u201d asks recipe developer Josh Cohen. Here, homemade roasted red peppers and broiled carrots and cauliflower replace the usual cured meats for a final result that\u2019s just as satisfying.<\/p>\n
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\nWhat\u2019s your go-to picnic recipe? Tell us in the comments!<\/em>
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This no-frills BLT with avocado, courtesy of Christine Byun\u2019s grandpa<\/a>, is exactly what we want to eat when tomatoes are in season.<\/p>\n This dip has hummus vibes, but it substitutes black-eyed peas for the usual chickpeas. Serve it with pita chips and an assortment of crunchy vegetables for an easygoing picnic snack.<\/p>\n The star of these sandwiches is the easy-to-slice, sheet-pan frittata. Though the recipe calls for add-ins like zucchini, peas, prosciutto, and Monterey Jack cheese, you can use any combination of vegetables, cheese, and protein you prefer.<\/p>\n Coleslaw goes hand-in-hand with summer picnics. This one deviates from the usual mayo-laden versions, but it\u2019s just as satisfying and refreshing.<\/p>\n Kimbap is the ideal snack or lunch food when you\u2019re on the go. Packed with spicy tuna, creamy avocado, and bright, tangy pickles, and wrapped in crispy seaweed, these rice rolls hit all the right notes.<\/p>\n Take pasta salad, but instead of regular farfalle or penne, use cheesy tortellini: It\u2019s the perfect example of a simple upgrade that makes all the difference.<\/p>\n This salad features many of the same elements as your classic tuna salad\u2014like a creamy base and crunchy components like celery and red onion\u2014but by swapping the tuna for chickpeas, you get a vegetarian-friendly alternative.<\/p>\n Making harissa from scratch is wildly rewarding, but in a pinch, a high-quality, store-bought version (like ours)<\/a> will certainly do the trick. Layered with roasted eggplant and spicy arugula, it\u2019s a reliable\u2014and delicious\u2014choice.<\/p>\n Do you prefer a snacky picnic rather than a full-on meal? If so, this bloody mary-inspired cheese plate\u2014complete with bacon, celery stalks, and olives\u2014has you covered.<\/p>\n Tart, sweet, and refreshing, kiwis are an underrated salad addition, especially when paired with salty feta, fresh dill, and crunchy cucumbers.<\/p>\n This ni\u00e7oise-inspired sandwich from Molly Baz features all the flavors of the iconic salad, from meaty tuna and briny olives to the requisite potatoes\u2014represented here by some generous handfuls of potato chips layered onto the sandwich itself.<\/p>\n Tabbouleh is an ideal picnic food: It\u2019s light and refreshing enough for summer days, but it\u2019s make-ahead friendly, with hearty bulgur and curly parsley that can withstand your commute to the beach or park.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat if the least important part of a traditional muffuletta sandwich is the meat?\u201d asks recipe developer Josh Cohen. Here, homemade roasted red peppers and broiled carrots and cauliflower replace the usual cured meats for a final result that\u2019s just as satisfying.<\/p>\n 3. Black-Eyed Pea Dip With Tahini & Lemon<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n4. Sheet-Pan Frittata Sandwiches on Ciabatta<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n5. Jennie\u2019s Burmese Slaw With Frizzled Onions<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n6. Spicy Tuna Kimbap<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n7. Cheesy Tortellini Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n8. Chickpea \u201cTuna\u201d Salad<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n9. Eggplant-Harissa Sandwiches With Tahini<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n10. Bloody Mary Cheese Plate<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n11. Kiwi & Feta Salad From Nadiya Hussain<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n12. Molly Baz’s Ni\u00e7oise Sando With Smashed Eggs & Black Olive Mayo<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n13. My Mother’s Lebanese Tabbouleh<\/a>
\n<\/h3>\n14. Vegetarian Muffuletta<\/a>
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\nWhat\u2019s your go-to picnic recipe? Tell us in the comments!<\/em>
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