Picnics are one of the best parts of summer, combining two wonderful things: enjoying delicious food and relaxing in nature. Picnicking grew in popularity during the summer of 2020 as a way to have a small gathering outdoors while social distancing.
This year, thanks to the COVID-19 vaccine, we can celebrate picnics with as many people as we want at whatever distance feels comfortable. Whether you’re taking your picnic on the road to a scenic location or hosting a picnic-themed party in your backyard, try one of these ideas for your menu.
Go back to basics with the original picnic: sandwiches and sides. But instead of the traditional peanut butter and jelly or ham and cheese sandwich, go for something more modern. Think Caprese sandwiches, wraps with hummus and chicken, or veggie wraps. This list from Love and Lemons has 51 modern picnic recipes for sandwiches and sides.
If you’re spending a day at the beach, snacks are a must. But there are a few challenges to consider, including the hot sun, the wind, and the sand that gets into everything you carefully placed on your beach blanket. Pack your cooler with sandwiches and green or pasta salads from this list of recipes from The Kitchn — you can avoid sand in your food by picking up the sandwiches with a napkin and using plastic utensils on the salads. Or prepare your beach bounty on skewers (check out these suggestions from PureWow) that are easy to grab and eat.
A picnic is the perfect setting to enjoy a charcuterie board (is there ever a bad place to enjoy charcuterie?). And it’s easy to set up, whether you’re displaying your snacks on paper plates or getting fancy with a packable charcuterie board set. The beauty of a charcuterie board is that in addition to the basics of cheese, meats, and crackers, anything goes. Add your favorite fruits, veggies, spreads, breads, preserves, nuts, or whatever else you’re in the mood for. And don’t forget the wine, cider, or beer. Honest Cooking has a great guide to making your charcuterie picnic perfect.
Want to avoid the beach crowds and busy restaurants and spend some time with your significant other with a meal outside? Make a picnic to go and impress them with your culinary skills. Zestful Kitchen suggests turkey, gouda, and apple tea sandwiches; avocado fruit salad with tangerine vinaigrette; s’mookies (s’more cookies), and other delicious recipes. Pack some wine, beer, or cocktails, and you’ll have everything you need for a picnic date.
The modern Southern picnic combines portability, charm, and a new take on old favorites. Southern Living has 60+ ideas with a twist for fried chicken, pecan pie, egg salad, coleslaw, iced tea, and more. Set the scene with a quilt and a wicker picnic basket.
Do you have other outdoor picnic ideas? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or leave us a comment below!
Looking for the perfect restaurant or unique venue to hold your next summer party or event? Check out EventUp venues — our listing includes over 15,000 venues to browse to find the perfect space for any event.