48 perfect picnic recipes (2024)

Lucky enough to head outside? Take your feast with you.

Sep 23, 2021 7:00am

For a successful picnic, you need to strike it lucky on two counts – good weather, and permission under your state government rules. Tick both boxes? Then take it outside. Make sure all your food is easily transportable – think savoury tarts, do-it-yourself sandwiches, and pull-aparts and focaccias. For sweet treats, we favour easy one-tray cake bakes (the pineapple and coconut number is a winner). Just don't forget the picnic rug.

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Focaccia

Photo: Mark Roper

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Spring green frittata

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JoyBird's chicken Scotch eggs with tarragon mayonnaise

Photo: Mark Roper

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Pea and mint dip with labne and radishes

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Pumpkin, taleggio and pancetta rolls

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Devilled ham with cornichons and cheddar

Photo: William Meppem

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Artichoke and salted ricotta tart with salsa verde

Photo: Chris Chen

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Oregano eggplant with freekeh, feta and dill

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Stromboli

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Smoky eggplant and walnut dip

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Rosemary focaccia with salume

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Chicken pie

Photo: William Meppem

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Zucchini, black olive and goat's cheese tarts

Photo: William Meppem

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Caramelised onion and Gruyère scrolls

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Roast broccoli and cheddar filo tart

Photo: William Meppem

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Sausage rolls

Photo: Chris Chen

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Cacio e pepe sausage rolls

Photo: Will Horner

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Herb frittata with mushrooms

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Rice salad with peas, mint, zucchini, lemon and pine nuts

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Broccoli tabbouleh

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Pea and cucumber rice salad

Photo: William Meppem

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Poached chicken and millet salad with peas and mint

Photo: William Meppem

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Carrot and burghul salad

Photo: William Meppem

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Charlie Carrington's Yemenite pickled cabbage and chickpea salad

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Yoghurt roast chicken

Photo: William Meppem

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Roast beef and potato salad rolls

Photo: William Meppem

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Rare roast beef baguettes with roast tomato and currant chutney

Photo: Sharyn Cairns

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Jellied ham with condiments

Photo: Sharyn Cairns

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Goat's cheese and potato salad

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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White bean salad with preserved lemon

Photo: Sharyn Cairns

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Scotch eggs

Photo: William Meppem

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Prawn and fennel brioche rolls

Photo: Prue Ruscoe

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Leek and cheese flamiches

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Lemon and raspberry iced tea

Photo: William Meppem

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Pineapple and coconut cake

Photo: Chris Chen

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Ginger cordial with mint, lime and cucumber

Photo: Prue Ruscoe

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Buttermilk and vanilla cake with raspberries

Photo: Prue Ruscoe

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Yoghurt and almond cake with orange-caramel peaches and vanilla yoghurt

Photo: William Meppem

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Strawberry crème fraîche cheesecake

Photo: Chris Chen

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Peach, raspberry and ricotta crumble cake

Photo: Ben Dearnley

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Fennel and orange sugared brioche

Photo: William Meppem

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Gluten-free passionfruit coconut slice

Photo: William Meppem

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Rhubarb and raspberry brownie

Photo: Chris Chen

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Hazelnut and chocolate swirl nougat

Photo: Chris Chen

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Chocolate madeleines with mascarpone and marmalade

Photo: William Meppem

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Lime and coconut cake with pineapple glaze

Photo: William Meppem

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Sticky cinnamon finger buns

Photo: Sharyn Cairns

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48 perfect picnic recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the number one picnic food? ›

Sandwiches

Nothing beats a homemade sandwich when having a picnic lunch. Because there are so many different kinds of sandwiches, you can pack along everyone's favorite. Whether it's classic PB&J, traditional ham and cheese, yummy egg salad, or mouth-watering BLT, sandwiches are both versatile and travel-ready.

What is good finger food for a picnic? ›

This kid-friendly recipes can all be eaten with your hands making them perfect for a day spent outside!
  • Pea hummus. ...
  • Portuguese custard tarts. ...
  • Two cheese crackers with chia seeds. ...
  • Strawberry scrolls. ...
  • Healthy satay rice paper rolls. ...
  • Vegetarian rolls with yoghurt salsa verde. ...
  • Almond, rosemary and fennel crackers.

What is America's favorite picnic food? ›

Popular foods to take include potato salad, pasta salad, watermelon, deviled eggs, lemonade, and stuff to make sandwiches, like cold cuts, cheese slices, and bread. If you're going to take a portable grill or are somewhere with a charcoal grill or fire pit, consider taking hot dogs and hamburgers to cook.

What food makes a good picnic? ›

Sandwiches, pies, scotch eggs, sausage rolls and chicken drumsticks are considered classic picnic treats for a reason – they're all finger foods that travel well.

What food won't spoil on a picnic? ›

Here are 11 picnic foods that keep well in hot weather:
  • Fresh vegetable salads. Nothing beats a fresh, light summer salad full of colorful vegetables, Ali says. ...
  • Fish and chicken in pouches. ...
  • Mediterranean foods. ...
  • Fresh fruits. ...
  • Dried fruits, nuts and seeds. ...
  • Fruit salsas. ...
  • Slaws dressed in oil and vinegar. ...
  • Fruit bars.
May 30, 2022

What can I take in a picnic instead of sandwiches? ›

How to pack a picnic without bread
  • Farro salad with roasted veg. A big salad of mixed grains, roasted veg and herbs is a really easy picnic dish. ...
  • Cornish pasties. Handheld food is the key to a successful picnic spread. ...
  • frittata. A slice of flavour-packed frittata is great on a picnic. ...
  • Vegetable tartlets. ...
  • potato salad.
Aug 16, 2019

What food is good for outdoor party? ›

Easy park party food ideas include chicken salad sandwiches, pinwheel sandwiches, buffalo chicken sandwiches, etc. You can't go wrong with slow cooker hot dogs for a crowd or Insta Pot hot dogs! You will also find savory dip like buffalo chicken dip, walking tacos, black bean salsa.

What do couples eat at beach picnic? ›

The best food for a romantic picnic depends on personal preferences. Still, some popular choices include cheese and charcuterie, fresh fruits, gourmet sandwiches or wraps, salads, chocolate-covered strawberries, and sparkling beverages like champagne or sparkling water.

What are the 3 most popular foods in America? ›

popularity is the % of people who have a positive opinion of a american dish. Find out more
  1. 1 Mashed potatoes86%
  2. 2 French Fries86%
  3. 3 Hamburgers85%
  4. 4 Cheeseburger83%
  5. 5 Grilled Cheese82%
  6. 6 Steak and Baked potato82%
  7. 7 Hash browns82%
  8. 8 Fried Chicken82%

What is the most uniquely American food? ›

Take a look at 20 American foods that might seem strange in other parts of the world.
  • Jell-O salad.
  • Biscuits and gravy.
  • American cheese.
  • Meatloaf.
  • Root beer float.
  • Girl Scout cookies.
  • Spam.
  • Po'boy.
Mar 18, 2023

What is the number 1 most loved food? ›

Here is the top 10:
  • Pizza.
  • Burger.
  • Ramen.
  • Paella.
  • Pierogi.
  • Moussaka.
  • Boeuf Bourgignon.
  • Eisbein.
May 24, 2023

What are the top 3 most popular foods? ›

popularity is the % of people who have a positive opinion of a american dish. Find out more
  1. 1 Mashed potatoes86%
  2. 2 French Fries86%
  3. 3 Hamburgers85%
  4. 4 Cheeseburger83%
  5. 5 Grilled Cheese82%
  6. 6 Steak and Baked potato82%
  7. 7 Hash browns82%
  8. 8 Fried Chicken82%

What is the number 1 most liked food? ›

pizza! Whether it's piled high with pepperoni, cheese, or other toppings, many people around the world reach for this marinara-covered pie come dinnertime. Of course, pizza has several delicious competitors. The second most popular food in the world is sushi, and burgers are third.

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