55 picnic food ideas

Picnic food ideas

Picnic sandwiches and wraps

Our sandwich recipes are easy to follow, we have cut muffuletta and focaccia into squares so they're portable.

Coronation chicken

For your next picnic, make brilliant use of leftover roast chicken with this classic sandwich filling, great as a creamy filling for sarnies and jacket potatoes as it is for spooning into crisp lettuce leaves or over salads. For veggies and vegans, try our coronation tofu recipe.

Picnic platter

For an elevated picnic spread, try our platter with help-yourself nibbles including slices of sourdough, cured meats, crudités, hunks of cheese and nuts.

Muffuletta squares

This New Orleans muffuletta looks and tastes great, the zingy olive salad layer really makes this sandwich. Just cut into squares before packing up you're picnic and you'll be good to go.

Falafel wrap

Why not freeze a big batch of easy homemade falafel for a speedy lunch option? For added kick, add a spoonful of za’atar or a pinch of chilli powder.

Italian picnic loaf

Our door-wedge sandwich idea is simple and quick to make. Simply stuff ciabatta bread with an olive salad, salami, roasted red peppers, mozzarella and you've got the perfect picnic loaf.

Black bean crunch wraps

Looking for a vegetarian picnic wrap? Try our toasted crunch wraps with black beans, crunchy tortilla chips and avocado. Wrap in foil and take on your next picnic.

Stuffed focaccia

Stuff a classic Italian bread with mozzarella cheese and antipasti for an instant crowd-pleaser at your next picnic with friends. Learn to make this delicious bread recipe with our easy step-by-step guide. Many more bread recipes here.

Vegan burritos

A colourful, vegan burrito recipe, rammed with tomatoes, black beans, sweetcorn, lime, coriander, avocado and red chilli. This is a super quick picnic idea and can be ready to eat in just 30 minutes.

Pitta

With just a handful of storecupboard ingredients you can achieve superior fluffy pitta breads that make shop-bought versions pale by comparison.

Picnic dips

Whip up a batch and pop into jars for a tasty sauce that you can use for dipping in your favourite crisps and breadsticks.

Butter bean dip

A speedy dip that’s great for picnics or a meze spread, whizz together creamy butter beans, tahini and lemon, and top with a chilli and garlic drizzle.

Beetroot, yogurt and lime dip

This vibrant, tangy dip is ideal served with slices of grilled halloumi. A great one to pack in that basket for your alfresco spread.

Pea hummus

Bring a tub of fresh homemade pea hummus to your next picnic, it’s perfect for scooping up with slices of crispy pitta.

Taramasalata

Make this classic Greek meze dip with soft white bread, smoked cod's roe, freshly squeezed lemon juice, garlic and a pinch of paprika.

Green goddess and red devil dips with homemade breadsticks and veg

These green goddess and red devil dips will complement your picnic snacks and drinks perfectly.

Taramasalata

Make this classic Greek meze dip with soft white bread, smoked cod's roe, freshly squeezed lemon juice, garlic and a pinch of paprika.

Beetroot hummus

Make the most of beetroot in this earthy hummus recipe, ready in 10 minutes for a last-minute picnic idea.

Picnic dip jars

Not only are these snacks packed with flavour, but they're also a great alternative to the usual picnic food. These simple picnic dip jars are sure to become a family favourite in no time.

Red cabbage kimchi

One of the best-known ferments is this gloriously spicy kimchi from Korea, serve it as part of your next picnic spread.

Picnic pies

A pie is a must at a picnic, try one of our ideas from cute pork pies to a picnic pie jam-packed with flavour.

'Eat your greens' quiche lorraine

Take your quiche lorriane to the next level with our ultimate recipe packed with crispy pancetta and wilted green veggies. It serves six, so it's perfect for a picnic served cold. More quiche recipes here.

Mini pork and chorizo picnic pies

Looking for a traditional picnic recipe with a twist? These mini pork and chorizo picnic pies have a hidden quail's egg in the middle and make a great snack.

Chicken picnic pies

If you like pies, you’ll love these individual portable ones, filled with chicken and broad beans in a cream sauce and held together in flaky filo. Perfect for a picnic!

Picnic pie

You'll need to put in some extra effort for this picnic pie recipe, but the payoff will be great. This meaty pie also makes a hearty meal. Check out our best pie recipes here.

Jamaican beef patties

A batch of these miniature pies, infused with Jamaican-style spices, would make a tasty addition at your next picnic spread. See more Caribbean recipes to try next.

Picnic snacks

Go the extra mile with your picnic and add some savoury snacks to enjoy alongside your sandwiches. From summery Vietnamese rolls and bitesize muffins to frittata.

Salmon sushi sandwiches

A new way to eat sushi! Fill your nori wraps with sushi-grade salmon, red pepper, cucumber and sushi rice, then dip in soy sauce for best results.

Mini quiches with salmon and courgettes

These little wonders look striking, are gorgeously crunchy and easy to put together. Great for an early summer picnic. See more quiche recipes.

Prawn and avocado Vietnamese summer rolls

Our Vietnamese picnic recipe is filled with prawns, avocado, chilli and ginger, shredded carrot and noodles. If you're a fan of spice, serve with chilli sauce for a dip.

Chicken katsu scotch egg

Jazz up your next picnic with our impressive chicken scotch egg with katsu curry. This picnic recipe is perfect for feeding a hungry crowd. Our method gives you a perfectly cooked yolk, juicy sausage meat filling and a crunchy breadcrumb coating. We also have a classic scotch eggs recipe here.

Mini picnic frittatas

Check out our frittata idea for a last minute picnic treat. Make a large batch and you can also enjoy throughout the week for a snack or with a salad. Check out our best frittata recipes here.

Fennel-spiced sausage plait

This fennel-spiced sausage plait is a grown-up take on everyone's favourite picnic snack. Made with an added kick of chilli and mustard with a crunch of sesame, this makes for a comforting midweek meal. Many more sausage roll recipes here.

Honeyed fig and curd cheese tart

Our recipe for honeyed fig and curd cheese tart is easy to make and ready in under an hour – simply slice up for a treat at your next picnic. Check out more of our fig recipes here.

Gruyère, spring onion and marmite muffins

Fancy a picnic muffin recipe with a cheeky twist? We've added marmite to this fun recipe to give a delicious savoury flavour to these cheese and onion muffins. Perfect for a quick on-the-go snack. More muffin recipes here.

Classic Cornish pasty

What's more fitting at a picnic than a Cornish pasty? Take a look at our pasty recipe which sticks close to the tradition and only contains onion, swede, potato and skirt steak.

Pickled onion and rarebit flatbreads

These simple pickled onion and rarebit flatbreads are quick and easy to make. Cook at home then take along to a picnic for a posh savoury snack.

Classic tortilla

A well-made tortilla is the best addition to a tapas-style picnic. This Spanish classic only needs four ingredients for a crowd-pleasing treat.

Cheddar, leek and amaranth flapjack

This herby flapjack recipe makes a filling and wholesome snack that would go well as an easy, healthy snack or for a weekend picnic with friends.

Spiralized summer rolls

Spiralized veg takes the place of noodles in these super-healthy, Vietnamese-style vegan rolls. They're great to pack for a posh picnic idea.

Pink pickled turnips

These pink pickled turnips look stunning and make a great, easy-to-make addition to any picnic collection.

Picnic salads

Make a large salad to share out at your next picnic. We have some refreshing, summery ideas, and even a handy way of carrying your salad to your favourite picnic spot. Going on a picnic last minute? Here are our favourite 15 minute salad recipes to try.

Jam jar salads

Deliciously healthy and packed with fresh ingredients, this salad recipe can be made in advance and is ideal for picnics. Need ideas for dressings? Rapeseed oil is a good choice – it's low in saturated fat and rich in omega-3.

Pasta salad with bocconcini, capers and tomatoes

Pasta gets tossed with tomatoes, olive oil, red wine vinegar and capers here, before being finished off with mozzarella cheese balls and fresh herbs. Another plus - it's ready in 20 minutes.

Courgette and chimichurri salad

Fresh beans, courgette ribbons and crunchy walnuts meet in this vibrant summer salad, perfect for an al fresco lunch for two. See more courgette recipes.

Thai watermelon salad

Watermelon stands in for green papaya in this update of a Thai classic. It’s best to buy a whole watermelon for this picnic idea as the flesh closest to the skin tends to be firmer. Discover more watermelon recipes to try all summer.

Goat's cheese and beetroot citrus salad

If the sun's not around enough to brighten up your days this summer, this colourful beetroot salad – bursting with citrusy flavours and creamy goat's cheese – will do the job instead!

Roasted cauli and couscous salad with zhoug and crispy shallots

Check out our vibrant roast cauliflower salad recipe with giant couscous, crispy fried onions and a punchy zhoug dressing. This easy salad is vegan and low in calories, too. We've got plenty more vegan salad recipes to try.

Healthy bean salad

Ready in just 20 minutes, this colourful salad is packed with green beans, kidney beans and cannellini beans, and comes finished with a green tahini dressing to boost the flavour.

Kale waldorf salad with buttermilk dressing

Make our kale salad recipe with buttermilk dressing for a clever update on a classic and with a good amount of crunch and tangy dressing, it makes for a really useful picnic side dish.

Sweet picnic treats

You can't have a picnic without some sweet treats. Retro brownies, coffee cupcakes, delicious loaf cakes – we have it all. We've even made it possible to carry cheesecake to your picnic, with our portable apricot cheesecake bars. See our full pick of the best picnic desserts here.

Lemon and blueberry bars

This simple picnic dessert recipe is seriously moreish; the lemon and blueberry bars are gooey on the inside and crunchy on the out, making them the ideal summertime picnic treat.

Apricot cheesecake bars

Check out these bright summery cheesecake bars for a delicious picnic snack. We've used fresh seasonal apricots and crunchy amaretti biscuits. What's more, they're perfectly portable so you can satisfy your cheesecake craving on the move!

Butterscotch and pretzel millionaire shortbread

Take your millionaire shortbread up a notch with decadent butterscotch and salty pretzels. The butterscotch gives this classic childhood favourite a real grown up taste – an ideal treat for a picnic with friends.

Salted peanut and honeycomb rocky road

These salted peanut and honeycomb rocky road squares are a great twist on a classic and will please everyone. Plus, this picnic dessert recipe only takes 15 minutes of work – what's not to love?

Custard cream blondies

Ever thought of adding custard creams to your blondie mixture? It's genius! Have a go at our picnic dessert idea this weekend.

Picnic drinks

Drinks are often an afterthought at a picnic, usually resorting to shop-bought drinks. Make your picnic extra special with our refreshing summer drinks recipes, from iced tea cocktails to super healthy smoothies and portable cocktail bottles.

Homemade lemonade

When temperatures rise, nothing beats an ice-cold glass of sweet-sour lemonade. Make your own using four simple ingredients (including a sprig or two of thyme).

Elderflower and raspberry mocktail bottles

Make a batch of these summery portable mocktails in just ten minutes and pop in your picnic hamper.

Contessa cocktail bottles

Pre-made cocktails are all the rage at the moment, and they're definitely a picnic must-have. Think of the contessa as a summery version of a negroni. The orangey Aperol and dry vermouth help lighten things up.

Easy iced tea

This refreshing summer cocktail of apple (and brandy)-infused iced tea is easy to make and perfect for a balmy summer evening. This picnic drink idea is a great cocktail to share with family and friends. Check out our best tea cocktail recipes for some unique tea ideas.

Berry smoothie (without yogurt)

Our best berry and banana smoothie, made without yogurt. This picnic smoothie uses avocado for extra creaminess, plus apple juice and fresh lime juice to pack in more flavour. For more healthy smoothie recipes, click here.

Blackberry vodka

Fancy something a little stronger? There's no better way to make use of a glut of blackberries than to make blackberry vodka. Be sure to experiment with different amounts of sugar for this picnic drink recipe, but we would suggest using a little sugar to sweeten the tart blackberries.