18 Delicious Recipes Perfect for Summer Picnics

Meike Peters of Eat in My Kitchen transforms a humble cheese and tomato sandwich into something spectacular! Melted sliced chèvre and roasted cherry tomatoes are sandwiched between a toasted baguette. Simply slice and serve onsite for your outdoor guests.

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Slow cook pork with beer for a pulled pork recipe that’s tender and full of savory flavors. Top this with coleslaw and your bread of choice for a delicious picnic sandwich.

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Mix in a perfectly ripe nectarine with a classic caprese salad over toasted baguette slices. Drizzle it all with olive oil and you’re good to go.

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Salad greens can wilt easily when they sit in the sun too long. That’s why this beet salad is an ideal go-to picnic side. Not only does it hold well but it's dressed in a horseradish dressing for a spicy kick.

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Thick slices of white bread are filled with piles of veggies and eggs, all dressed in a salad cream. The combination of textures with the soft white bread and crisp lettuce makes this a crowd-pleasing sandwich for vegetarians and meat eaters alike.

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If you’re equipped with a bamboo mat, you can roll some Korean-style sushi packed with ground beef, crab sticks, seaweed, and more. Slice up the rolls and place them in Tupperware’s for portable picnic dining.

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An old-fashioned potato salad is great; but a potato salad with chipotles in adobo, corn kernels, and a lime squeeze? That’s a party-starter.

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This Southern classic has had a home in picnic baskets for decades. Made in the morning or the night before, it will still taste great by the time you unload it at the beach. This version includes a buttermilk bath that serves as a tenderizing brine that makes the chicken extra moist and flavorful.

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Here are 10 simple sandwich recipes, all constructed with picnicking in mind. The perfect picnic sandwich bread? A crusty piece of baguette which won't go soggy on you, no matter how much garlic aioli you slather on.

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Calling this fresh and nutty salad “healthy” is an understatement. Farro is an ancient grain (and not a wheat, carb-counters!) that’s rich in fiber, protein, magnesium, and Vitamin B.

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Fry grated zucchini and potato in olive oil and top the bites with herbs of your choice. Or ketchup because it's delicious.

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Tangy, creamy, and perfect for summer, this pasta salad is topped with a delectable mixture of buttermilk, sour cream, and cider vinegar as dressing. Did we mention it includes crumbled bacon?

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Fresh tomato salad is especially great to have in the summer. Bring this juicy combination to your next picnic, and spoon it onto flatbread or pita bread and enjoy it as a bruschetta 2.0.

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Most cakes and pies can be difficult to transport and serve but easy-to-pass dessert bars are the perfect picnic companion. These colorful marshmallow bars are a riff on the classic Rice Krispies treat but instead are made with Fruit Loops.

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These chocolate chip cookies are fudgy without being under-baked and the sweetness is balanced with a sprinkling of flaky sea salt.

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If you'll have a grill with you, this is the sandwich for you. Assemble your classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich, but end it with a plot twist: on the grill. Make sure you butter both sides of your sandwich, and keep each side on the hot pan until they’re golden brown.

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The great thing about this recipe is that you can base it off your fruit of choice. Want something juicy? Start off with peaches or blueberries. For something dryer, try apples and pears – or even cherries and apricots.

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This cake is not only easy to pack away but stays moist because of the extra-virgin olive oil in the batter. Plus, it's gluten-free!

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