Picnic Recipes

Find recipes for picnic food that is easy to make and easy to pack, including baked beans, no-fuss salads, and classic fried chicken.

Staff Picks

Chef John's Salami Bread

Rating: 4.8 stars
2
What started out as a frustrating attempt to test some pizza dough, turned into what we're calling salami bread. It would make a great Italian submarine sandwich, or just load it up with lots of Italian cheeses and fresh and pickled vegetables.
By Chef John

Old Fashioned Potato Salad

Rating: 4.49 stars
957
This is potato salad the old-fashioned way, with eggs, celery and relish. It's really good to serve with chili.
By jewellkay

Chunky Cheesecake Brownies

Rating: 4.55 stars
478
Wow! Melt-in-your-mouth brownies that are easy and elegant. Chocolate brownies marbled with cheesecake make fabulous squares! This is by far my most requested recipe.
By bakergirl

Classic Macaroni Salad

Rating: 4.46 stars
2054
This is a salad that everyone seems to love. I always get lots of compliments on this recipe and it is just a pleasing taste that seems to suit everyone.
By Graden

Watermelon and Strawberry Lemonade

Rating: 4.37 stars
151
This recipe makes for fresh fruit that you can drink! It's best served cold over ice.
By MaryAnn Rajczewski

Triple Dipped Fried Chicken

Rating: 4.42 stars
722
This is the crispiest, spiciest, homemade fried chicken I have ever tasted! It is equally good served hot or cold and has been a picnic favorite in my family for years.
By QUIRKYIQ

White Texas Sheet Cake

Rating: 4.52 stars
346
This cake is good to make a day ahead, and is very popular at pot-lucks.
By Diane Kester

Picnic Baked Bean Casserole

Rating: 4.83 stars
3
Smoked bacon adds zest to this bean bake recipe I got from my mother. I must confess that lima beans have never been among my favorite foods, but I actually like them in this casserole, and their color brightens up the mixture.
By JimChicago52

Authentic German Potato Salad

Rating: 4.65 stars
1136
This is my mother's recipe. Everyone, German or not, loves it. It is easy to double the recipe as well. I often bring it to potlucks, and we also have it at home on special occasions. There are usually no leftovers, but if there are, they don't last long!
By Angela Louise Miller

Best Brownies

Rating: 4.53 stars
10067
These brownies always turn out!
By Angie

Delicious Egg Salad for Sandwiches

Rating: 4.64 stars
1386
This is a wonderful-tasting egg salad sandwich that you will definitely devour. It's really good on rye.
By wifeyluvs2cook

Marinated Cucumber, Onion, and Tomato Salad

Rating: 4.71 stars
393
This is an easy salad that is perfect for a warm summer day.
By BogeyBill
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Inspiration and Ideas

Triple-Dipped Fried Chicken

Triple-Dipped Fried Chicken
"This is the crispiest, spiciest homemade fried chicken I have ever tasted! Good hot or cold, it has been a picnic favorite in my family for years." – QUIRKYIQ
7 New Twists on Potato Salad

7 New Twists on Potato Salad
Pile your plates high with these potato salads: they'll be the stars of the picnic.
Joanne's Super Hero Sandwich

Joanne's Super Hero Sandwich
Chef John's Shooter's Steak Sandwich

Chef John's Shooter's Steak Sandwich
Cucumber Lemonade

Cucumber Lemonade
15 Top-Rated Creamy Salads for Summer Picnics

15 Top-Rated Creamy Salads for Summer Picnics

Melt In Your Mouth Blueberry Cake

Rating: 4.48 stars
368

This is a nice tender cake - one of my Mom's specialties from years ago. It is a great cake to take along to a picnic.

More Picnic Recipes

Three Bean Salad

Rating: 4.64 stars
219
We like a buffet with all the family here. We serve a variety of salads. This is also great for summer picnics and cookouts. Keeps well, and serves a lot of people.
By JJOHN32

Awesome Pasta Salad

Rating: 4.63 stars
508
This is the best pasta salad I've ever eaten, and people request it frequently. It's a very easy, light-tasting side dish for a picnic or dinner.
By Irlandes

Leslie's Salty Grilled Potatoes

Rating: 4.39 stars
110
These fantastic grilled potatoes will have everyone eating the skin! But be careful, no other baked potato will do after this. So be prepared to make it again.
By Leslie

Boston Baked Beans

Rating: 4.58 stars
1035
A wonderful old-fashioned baked bean flavor. This recipe has served by family for 29 years and originally came from my mother-in-law. It tastes great served with fresh cornbread or biscuits and honey. Although you need to allow time for soaking and simmering the beans, this recipe is still quite easy.
By AJRHODES3

Cedar Planked Salmon

Rating: 4.84 stars
579
This is a dish my brother prepared for me in Seattle. It is by far the best salmon I've ever eaten. I like to serve it with an Asian-inspired rice and roasted asparagus.
By Wendy Freeman-More

Antipasto Pasta Salad

Rating: 4.63 stars
1090
A delicious pasta, meat and cheese combination with a homemade dressing. It serves a crowd and is great for a picnic.
By Dayna

Chef John's Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Rating: 4.49 stars
327
I love the tangy tenderization that the buttermilk provides. After the buttermilk soak, dredge the chicken pieces in seasoned flour, and fry them in hot oil until crisp and cooked.
By Chef John

Southern-Style Egg Salad

Rating: 4.8 stars
51
Southern egg salad, primarily used for sandwiches. Serve on fresh bread of your choice. My wife likes to make double-decker sandwiches (utilizing whole wheat bread for the center slice) with pimento cheese on the other half. Trim the edges and cut into 2 or 3 pieces. Great for tailgating.
By Walter R.

Chef John's Classic Macaroni Salad

Rating: 4.78 stars
268
Whether it's sitting next to some smoky ribs or just a humble hot dog, this deli-style macaroni salad will always be a crowd favorite, as long as you pay attention to a few key details.
By Chef John

Potato Salad

Rating: 4.63 stars
162
Quick and easy potato salad recipe with a lot of old-fashioned potato salad flavor. This will become a go-to summer side dish recipe. Better if made the day before.
By MRANDAL

Banh Mi

Rating: 4.65 stars
57
A Vietnamese sandwich, made with chicken and full of pickled vegetables. My husband works around a lot of Vietnamese restaurants, and I was making him bring me home these tasty sandwiches. Finally I attempted to make one, and found that my recipe was even better than the restaurants, mainly because I used chicken breast and fresher ingredients. I also love the pickled vegetables, so I made sure there was plenty of those.
By metzstar

Absolutely Fabulous Greek/House Dressing

Rating: 4.63 stars
1506
This is the 'secret' Greek dressing recipe from the pizzeria that I work at. The recipe makes almost a gallon but can be scaled down easily. It can be used for picnics and travels very well, since it doesn't need to be refrigerated. This is the best dressing I have ever tasted, people offer to buy it constantly, but if we sold it we wouldn't be able to make enough to use in the restaurant!
By DANIELLE M.

Creamy Broccoli Salad

Rating: 4.87 stars
17
This scrumptious salad is the best tasting broccoli salad, and the dressing really makes it.
By Mark Simma

Nina's Cucumber Salad

Rating: 4.41 stars
44
The recipe for this easy salad came from my grandma, who made it in the summers with fresh dill and cucumbers from her garden.
By Brandi Rose

Broccoli Salad with Red Grapes, Bacon, and Sunflower Seeds

Rating: 4.87 stars
56
Try a flavor from the beaches of the eastern shore. This refreshing yet hearty family recipe has been adopted into the families of all of our friends. We never steam a bushel of crabs without having a huge bowl of this salad and corn on the cob on the table. This dish is simply mandatory at every BBQ, potluck or pitch-in event. Give it a try!
By Coastal Roots

Chex® Muddy Buddies®

Rating: 4.77 stars
122
Another popular name for this favorite mix is puppy food. Chow down; it's doggone good!
By Chex
Sponsored By Chex

Restaurant-Style Potato Salad

Rating: 4.64 stars
299
This is a traditional and easy to make potato salad.
By Jill D

Simple Grilled Lamb Chops

Rating: 4.71 stars
253
This very tasty and easy marinade for lamb chops can also be used for steaks.
By Noor

Easy Broccoli Bacon Salad

Rating: 4.65 stars
54
Anybody who doesn't like broccoli will change their mind upon taking their first bite.
By readycooker

The Ultimate Berry Crumble

Rating: 4.75 stars
71
I don't tack the word ultimate onto just any recipe. This berry well may be my favorite summer dessert, with the perfect balance of sweet and tart, tender and crisp, fruit and crumble. Some ice cream on the side is highly recommended.
By Chef John

Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri

Rating: 4.2 stars
34
This drink is probably the best drink I have ever had in my life! You make it with strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, ice, and lemon-lime soda. You can substitute red cream soda or your favorite flavor for the lemon-lime.
By Helena W.

American-Italian Pasta Salad

Rating: 4.39 stars
159
Garden veggies with fusilli pasta, Italian Parsley, Genoa salami and creamy Italian dressing makes for a pasta salad that will be a favorite at your next picnic or pot-luck.
By Carol Emory

Southern Dill Potato Salad

Rating: 4.64 stars
209
My mother made this potato salad for me as a boy growing up in Spanish Fort, Alabama (on the Gulf of Mexico). I have re-created it with a slight modern tangy twist. I know you will like it! Best taste is achieved when the salad is covered and placed in refrigerator overnight.
By NE1canCook

Rainbow Pasta Salad II

Rating: 4.48 stars
131
This is a really quick and easy pasta salad. Great for picnics and BBQ's.
By JENNIEANNE
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