Planning Your Perfect Picnic Menu

Ready to eat outdoors? We’ve got you covered!

Summer is just around the corner, and nothing says summer like a picnic. So, in honor of International Picnic Day, we’re sharing a few recipes sure to liven up any outdoor table!

a couple enjoying a picnic on green grass

Tailgate Sandwiches

Tailgate sandwiches, also commonly called sliders, are always a crowd pleaser. Using an entire bag of Hawaiian rolls, they’re fairly easy to make and can be pulled together in a few minutes with whatever ingredients you have on hand. The general idea is bread, meat and cheese, and brush the tops of the rolls with a bit of butter, dry mustard, Worcestershire sauce, dried onions, Parmesan cheese and poppy seeds, then bake in the oven for a few minutes. If you need a recipe to follow, we suggest this one.

Amish Macaroni Salad

Macaroni salad is a old-timey favorite, a staple at church potluck dinners of days gone by. While it may not be a standard in your rotation of sides, it’s a great summer or picnic addition, and our favorite recipe is better than any pre-packaged version you can pick up in the grocery store. The recipe we recommend extols the virtues of Miracle Whip, but we’ve always made it with Duke’s mayonnaise and the listed amount of sugar and liked it just fine! Get the recipe.

Potato Salad

What’s not to love about potato salad? A versatile side, there are a million variations on this Southern staple, from mustard-based to red potatoes and Ranch and countless more options! Whatever your preference, there’s probably a recipe for you. For a no-mayo, no-mustard version, try this one from our founder. For a Southern-style mustard potato salad, here’s a recipe to try. For a few unique twists on the All-American side dish, try this tzatziki version from the Smitten Kitchen or this recipe featuring bacon (what’s not to like?).

Charcuterie & Veggies

Picnics are made for grazing and finger foods, and a simple charcuterie platter and veggie tray are perfect additions to your outdoor dining experience! Creating a simple, no-fuss charcuterie selection for your picnic is easy. Simply collect a few of your charcuterie favorites, from crackers and cheese to nuts, dried fruits, olives, cured meats or small, sweet treats. If your picnic destination takes a bit to get to, you may want to pack your charcuterie items in separate small containers or create individual charcuterie containers for each person. Add a few sliced veggies, such as carrots, cucumber, celery, cauliflower, snap peas or whatever else you like, and you’ve got great snacking or side dish options.

Blondies

Blondies are basically bar cookies, but whatever you call them, they’re delicious! There are countless recipes out there, but here’s our tried-and-true favorite. Feel free to add you own flair—peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, nuts, whatever you’d like—and enjoy!