Portable Picnic Recipes

Jennifer Davick

Sunny days, blue skies, and a gentle breeze make for perfect picnic weather - there is nothing like a hike in the country and an outdoor meal of your favorite picnic foods. Paired with a soft blanket and a patch of green grass, these easy and impressive picnic recipes will enliven any outdoor event. Similar to hosting a tailgating event, a hostess needs to think about portability and casual charm for picnic food ideas. To minimize pre-party prep and stress, and maximize praise from your picnic guests, try these delicious, make-ahead picnic recipes, including bite-size fried chicken and sweet hand-pies. So ditch the dining room this season and take it outside. Our best picnic ideas will help you enjoy every minute of these glorious days. Check out thrift stores or antique shops for not-so-perfect wicker baskets, hand-me-down vintage blankets, and charming quilts to help you set up a perfect picnic. Armed with these picnic recipes, you are sure to pull together a memorable movable feast.

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Picnic Planning

Jennifer Davick

Think portability and casual charm for picnic recipes. Find not-so-perfect wicker baskets, hand-me-down vintage blankets, and charming quilts to set up a perfect picnic. These picnic recipes are both portable and casual, making for the perfect picnic menu.

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Spring Salsa

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Spring Salsa

Fill inexpensive, reusable glass jars with Spring Salsa and chips for easy carrying. This colorful salsa of corn, tomatoes, and cilantro would be equally delicious served over salad greens or in warm tortillas with grilled chicken.

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Fruit, Cheese and Herb Skewers

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Fruit, Cheese, and Herb Skewers

Thread various combinations of fruit, fresh small mozzarella cheese balls, and herbs on 6-inch wooden skewers up to three hours ahead. It's easy and makes for a pretty display.

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Fried Chicken Bites

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Fried Chicken Bites

These fried chicken nuggets with a slightly spicy kick are great dipped in honey mustard or ranch dressing.

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Strawberry-Rhubarb Hand Pies

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Strawberry-Rhubarb Hand Pies

Crisp rhubarb has a tart flavor that teams up perfectly with sweet strawberries.

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Lime Fizz

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Lime Fizz

This lime soda is a refreshing drink for a picnic. For an adult version, stir in 2/3 cup vodka. The leftover simple syrup can always be stirred into unsweetened iced tea.

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Summer Rice Salad

Photo by: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Summer Rice Salad

Ditch a mayonnaise-laden potato salad for this fresh, minty number. Drizzle the versatile dressing over fresh fruit or grilled fish or veggies.

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Ginger and Lime Marinated Melon

Photo by: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Ginger and Lime Marinated Melon

Skewer the melon after marinating for easy-to-eat melon pops.

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Cucumber-and-Sugar Snap Salad

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Cucumber-and-Sugar Snap Salad

Almost any raw veggie works in this cucumber salad. Try using bell peppers, jicama, or fresh corn kernels.

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Roasted Green Bean, Apple, and Bacon Sandwiches

Photo by: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Roasted Green Bean, Apple, and Bacon Sandwiches

A green bean sandwich? Trust us on this one. We fell for the combo of tender beans, crisp apples, salty Parm, and tangy dressing. Keep it tidy by hollowing out the baguette to create a cradle for the fillings.

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BBQ-Ranch Popcorn

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: BBQ-Ranch Popcorn

Try other flavors, like chili powder-lime zest and cinnamon-sugar.

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Picnic Egg Salad

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Recipe: Picnic Egg Salad

It’s all the name! This simple, old-school egg salad recipe will fit right in on your picnic spread, whether you put it between two slices of bread or spread it on toasted baguette slices.

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Smoky Snack Mix

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Smoky Snack Mix

Go ahead and double this addicting recipe—it won’t last long.

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Almond-Chicken Wrap

Photo: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Mary-Claire Britton;

Recipe: Almond-Chicken Wrap

This healthy update on chicken salad is wrapped up for easy toting.

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Spicy Pineapple Slaw

Southern Living

Recipe: Spicy Pineapple Slaw

This vibrant slaw recipe will kick your picnic game way up.

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Turkey and Pimiento Cheese Club Sandwich

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Turkey and Pimiento Cheese Club Sandwich

Keep these hearty sandwiches together with toothpicks to ensure every bite is a good one.

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Blackberry-Peach Cobbler Bars

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Blackberry-Peach Cobbler Bars

This delicious recipe has everything you love about a summery fruit cobbler in grab-and-go form that’s perfect for picnics.

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Southern-Style Potato Salad

Southern Living

Recipe: Southern-Style Potato Salad

This Southern classic is always a welcome sight at a picnic.

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Mini Muffulettas

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Amy Burke

Recipe: Mini Muffulettas

This tiny take on the muffuletta sandwich can be made a day in advance so you don’t waste any daylight on the day of your picnic.

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Lemonade Iced Tea

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Lemonade Iced Tea

Our riff on a classic Arnold Palmer is refreshing for hot summer days.

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Shaved Cucumber Salad with Pickled Blackberries

Photo: Helen Norman; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Marian Cooper Cairns

Recipe: Shaved Cucumber Salad with Pickled Blackberries

This simple summer salad only gets better the longer it marinates, so it’s great to make ahead of your picnic.

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Black-Eyed Pea Fritter Sandwiches with Slaw

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Black-Eyed Pea Fritter Sandwiches with Slaw

Swap out your tired deli meat sandwiches for this Southern spin on falafel.

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No-Bake Granola Bars

Photo: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: No-Bake Granola Bars

These healthy homemade granola bars will keep everyone full throughout the day, and there are three flavor options to satisfy every family member.

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Tomato Sandwiches

Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

Recipe: Tomato Tea Sandwiches

This new spin on a classic tomato sandwich features our all-time favorite Summer Sauce.

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Field Pea and Pasta Salad

Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Julia Levy

Recipe: Field Pea and Pasta Salad

Mini glass jars make for easy and adorable toting for this summery pasta salad recipe.

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Chicken Caesar Salad Sandwiches

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Chicken Caesar Salad Sandwiches

This easy sandwich recipe makes the most of that rotisserie chicken you have in the fridge.

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Classic Pimiento Cheese

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Basic Pimiento Cheese

Throw a Tupperware container full of pimiento cheese and an assortment of crackers into your basket, and you’re good to go. You could always make easy-to-tote sandwiches with this favorite spread, too.

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Fresh Fruit Salad

Jen Causey

Recipe: Fresh Fruit Salad

Fresh fruit is always welcome at our picnics. Bring skewers or toothpicks for utensil-free serving.

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Crunchy Pecan Pie Bites

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Crunchy Pecan Pie Bites

To round out your picnic with a bite of something sweet, toss a few of these easy pecan pie bites into a Mason jar.

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Turkey, Apple, and Brie Sandwich

Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Turkey, Apple, and Brie Sandwich

Crunchy apple and nutty, creamy brie are a perfect match with sliced turkey for a sandwich that’s anything but boring.

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Egg Salad Sandwiches

Jen Causey

Recipe: Egg Salad Sandwiches

Egg salad is a potluck favorite, so we made it picnic accessible in Masters-style tea sandwiches.

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Cheddar Cheese Straws

Lee Harrelson

Recipe: Cheddar Cheese Straws

Cheese straws are an all-time favorite Southern snack for parties, hostess gifts, and any occasion that might arise because they’re so easy to toss in a tin and take with you.

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Dianne’s Southwestern Cornbread Salad

Southern Living

Recipe: Dianne’s Southwestern Cornbread Salad

Remember cold layered salads? We never forgot about them! These vintage recipes are so easy to package and take on a picnic.

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Cheese Puffs with Ham Salad

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Cheese Puffs with Ham Salad

This old-school recipe is delicious, nostalgic, and easy to pack and take in zip-top plastic bags for a satisfying lunch at the park.

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Chewy Chocolate-Peanut Butter Bars

Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Chewy Chocolate-Peanut Butter Bars

You can still enjoy a bite-size picnic dessert when it’s too hot to turn the oven on. These no-bake bars fit the bill perfectly.

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Portable Picnic Recipes

1 of 41

Picnic Planning

1 of 41

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Spring Salsa

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Fruit, Cheese and Herb Skewers

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Fried Chicken Bites

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Strawberry-Rhubarb Hand Pies

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Lime Fizz

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Summer Rice Salad

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Ginger and Lime Marinated Melon

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Cucumber-and-Sugar Snap Salad

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Roasted Green Bean, Apple, and Bacon Sandwiches

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BBQ-Ranch Popcorn

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Picnic Egg Salad

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Smoky Snack Mix

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Almond-Chicken Wrap

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Spicy Pineapple Slaw

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Turkey and Pimiento Cheese Club Sandwich

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Blackberry-Peach Cobbler Bars

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Southern-Style Potato Salad

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Mini Muffulettas

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Lemonade Iced Tea

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Shaved Cucumber Salad with Pickled Blackberries

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Black-Eyed Pea Fritter Sandwiches with Slaw

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No-Bake Granola Bars

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Tomato Sandwiches

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Field Pea and Pasta Salad

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Chicken Caesar Salad Sandwiches