There’s something magical about enjoying a meal outdoors, but that magic fades fast when your food doesn’t travel well. Enter these 17 picnic-friendly dishes that are here to save your sunny day. They’re not just easy to make and pack but also foolproof for eating al fresco. With these dishes, the only thing you’ll have to worry about is finding the perfect spot to enjoy them.
Shirazi Salad
If you’re looking for a dish that screams fresh and is a breeze to take along, this one’s a winner. It’s refreshing, straightforward, and holds up well, making it a no-brainer for outdoor dining. Shirazi Salad is the go-to for a light, healthy option that adds a splash of color to your picnic spread. Plus, it’s so easy to pack, you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making it all along.
Get the Recipe: Shirazi Salad
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Gone are the days of messy eating with corn on the cob at picnics. This salad brings all those beloved flavors in a convenient, fuss-free form. Mexican Street Corn Salad has that perfect mix of sweetness and tang that makes it an absolute crowd-pleaser. It’s robust enough to not get soggy, ensuring it tastes just as great outdoors.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Salad
Pizza Pasta Salad
Think about combining two favorites – pizza and pasta – in one dish that’s perfect for picnicking. Pizza Pasta Salad does exactly that, creating a comforting and familiar taste that’s surprisingly refreshing. It’s great at room temperature and even better after the flavors have mingled for a while. This one will have everyone reaching for seconds before you know it.
Get the Recipe: Pizza Pasta Salad
Spring Salad With Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes
For those who appreciate the bounty of spring, this salad is a celebration of it. With Spring Salad with Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes, you get a vibrant dish that’s hearty yet fresh. It’s wonderful for a picnic because it’s just as delicious served cold. Best of all, it travels well, ensuring a crisp, garden-fresh experience anywhere.
Get the Recipe: Spring Salad With Asparagus, Peas & Potatoes
Chinese Chicken Salad
Bringing an Asian twist to your picnic, this salad is as flavorful as it is colorful. Chinese Chicken Salad combines crunch and delicious in a way that’s hard to resist. It’s a fantastic option for those who love a dish that’s both visually appealing and packed with taste. And it holds up beautifully, ensuring you can enjoy every bite as intended, even after a bit of travel.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Chicken Salad
Tabouli Salad With Smoked Tomatoes
When you want something light yet fulfilling, this is the dish to pack. Tabouli Salad with Smoked Tomatoes offers a unique twist with the addition of smoked tomatoes, upgrading it beyond the ordinary. It’s perfect for those who enjoy herbaceous flavors and a dish that stays fresh for hours. This dish proves that salads need not be boring or predictable.
Get the Recipe: Tabouli Salad With Smoked Tomatoes
Easy Salmon Pasta Salad
For a touch of elegance without a lot of effort, this salad ticks all the boxes. Easy Salmon Pasta Salad is not just simple to make, but it’s also wonderfully flavorful and filling. It’s an ideal choice for a more sophisticated picnic without compromising on convenience. Plus, it’s just as delicious cold, making it a hassle-free option for outdoor dining.
Get the Recipe: Easy Salmon Pasta Salad
Grilled Asparagus And Potato Salad
If you’re a fan of smoky flavors, this salad brings them to the forefront in a delicious way. Grilled Asparagus and Potato Salad stands out with its charred edges and hearty ingredients. It’s a robust side dish that complements almost any main and holds its own when it comes to traveling well. This is definitely for those who like their picnic dishes with a bit more character.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Asparagus And Potato Salad
Mediterranean Couscous Salad With Smoked Tomatoes
Here’s a dish that invites you on a Mediterranean adventure without leaving your picnic blanket. Mediterranean Couscous Salad with Smoked Tomatoes is light, refreshing, and filled with flavors that speak of sunny days by the sea. It’s incredibly versatile, pairing well with a variety of foods. Plus, it’s just as delicious after a bit of travel, making it perfect for any outdoor gathering.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Couscous Salad With Smoked Tomatoes
Wild Rice Salad
For a dish that’s both healthy and hearty, this one’s a surefire hit. Wild Rice Salad offers a delicious mix of textures and tastes that feel fulfilling and indulgent. It’s a great way to introduce a bit of whole-grain goodness into your picnic fare without sacrificing flavor. This salad’s robustness means it can easily withstand a bit of travel.
Get the Recipe: Wild Rice Salad
Yellow Bean & Potato Salad
This salad is a colorful twist on a classic, making it a refreshing addition to any picnic spread. Yellow Bean & Potato Salad is perfect for those who enjoy their picnic classics with a bit of a twist. It’s hearty enough to feel like a substantial part of your meal yet light enough not to weigh you down. And it travels beautifully, looking just as appetizing on arrival as when it was packed.
Get the Recipe: Yellow Bean & Potato Salad
Mediterranean Chopped Salad
Bursting with vibrant ingredients, this salad is a feast for the eyes and the palate. Mediterranean Chopped Salad is your go-to for a dish that’s as refreshing as a gentle sea breeze. It’s packed with flavors that complement each other beautifully, making every bite a treat. Plus, it’s hardy enough to handle a bit of a journey, ensuring peak deliciousness upon unfolding your picnic blanket.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chopped Salad
Pesto Orzo Salad
Who says picnics can’t be a bit fancy? Pesto Orzo Salad brings a touch of sophistication to your outdoor meal with its flavorful and creamy pesto base. It’s surprisingly light, making it a perfect side dish that won’t weigh you down. What’s more, it keeps really well, ensuring that your first bite is as good as your last, no matter where you are.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Orzo Salad
Cucumber Salad With Feta
For a truly refreshing side dish, look no further. Cucumber Salad with Feta combines crisp cucumbers with the creamy tang of feta cheese in a way that’s hard to resist. It’s incredibly easy to pack and even easier to enjoy, making it a staple for any outdoor meal. This salad is the epitome of picnic-ready, offering a cool respite on warm days.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Salad With Feta
Potato Salad With Herbs & Green Garlic
This is not your average potato salad. Potato Salad with Herbs & Green Garlic brings a burst of fresh, herby goodness to the table, making it a standout dish. It’s creamy, it’s flavorful, and it travels remarkably well, making it a reliable choice for any picnic. This dish is a testament to how a few simple ingredients can come together to create something truly memorable.
Get the Recipe: Potato Salad With Herbs & Green Garlic
Horiatiki Salad
If you’re after something that will make you feel like you’re dining in the Greek countryside, this is it. Horiatiki Salad is all about simplicity and letting the flavors of fresh ingredients shine through. It’s robust, requiring no special care to keep it looking and tasting great. This dish is a celebration of texture and taste that’s perfectly suited for outdoor dining.
Get the Recipe: Horiatiki Salad
Mediterranean Orzo Salad With Shrimp
Adding a touch of the sea to your picnic, this salad is a light yet rewarding choice. Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Shrimp is the perfect balance of pasta and seafood, dressed in a way that’s both refreshing and rich. It’s an elegant addition to any picnic that’s as delicious to eat as it is easy to transport. You’ll find it’s a dish that gets everyone talking and coming back for more.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad With Shrimp