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: Unrated
3
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
Sponsored By Food Wishes

Old Fashioned Potato Salad

Rating: Unrated
960
This is potato salad the old-fashioned way, with eggs, celery and relish. It's really good to serve with chili.
By jewellkay
Sponsored By Allrecipes Magazine

Chunky Cheesecake Brownies

Rating: Unrated
484
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
Sponsored By Allrecipes Magazine

Classic Macaroni Salad

Rating: Unrated
2074
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: Unrated
152
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: Unrated
730
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: Unrated
348
This cake is good to make a day ahead, and is very popular at pot-lucks.
By Diane Kester

Picnic Baked Bean Casserole

Rating: Unrated
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

Best Brownies

Rating: Unrated
10224
These brownies always turn out!
By Angie
Sponsored By Allrecipes Magazine

Delicious Egg Salad for Sandwiches

Rating: Unrated
1400
This is a wonderful-tasting egg salad sandwich that you will definitely devour. It's really good on rye.
By wifeyluvs2cook
Sponsored By Allrecipes Magazine

Marinated Cucumber, Onion, and Tomato Salad

Rating: Unrated
397
This is an easy salad that is perfect for a warm summer day.
By BogeyBill

Chef John's Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Rating: Unrated
335
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
Sponsored By Food Wishes

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

These 15 Twists on Potato Salad Are the Pride of the Picnic

These 15 Twists on Potato Salad Are the Pride of the Picnic

Three Bean Salad

Rating: Unrated
222

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.

More Picnic Recipes

Authentic German Potato Salad

Rating: Unrated
1151
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
Sponsored By Allrecipes Magazine

Ham Salad Spread

Rating: Unrated
147
Whip up a quick and easy ham salad spread with hard-cooked eggs, mayonnaise, and pickle relish. Serve with assorted crackers.
By smile_u_nut

Crispy Fried Chicken

Rating: Unrated
578
I experimented for many years before developing this recipe. It's bits and pieces of hints I had heard over the years. I have had many compliments on this chicken. Most of this recipe is dependant on your own taste. It's more a matter of preparation and cooking method!
By Elaine O
Sponsored By Allrecipes Magazine

Boston Baked Beans

Rating: Unrated
1044
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
Sponsored By Allrecipes Magazine

Homestyle Potato Chips

Rating: Unrated
174
Making homestyle potato chips is fun and easy. Guaranteed they won't last long! A food processor with a slicing attachment is very helpful. Experiment with the thickness; you may like them thicker or thinner. I like to use olive oil because it has less trans fats, but you can use safflower, corn, or peanut oil as well as vegetable oil.
By ALMALOU

Chex® Muddy Buddies®

Rating: Unrated
123
Another popular name for this favorite mix is puppy food. Chow down; it's doggone good!
By Chex
Sponsored By Chex

Cast Iron Cornbread

Rating: Unrated
39
When it comes to deciding what to bring to a cookout, this super easy cast iron cornbread is the clear winner. You don't even need a cast iron pan! Ribs or brisket are great, though not cheap, while a bag of chips is just weak sauce. On the other hand, this cornbread is very inexpensive to make, but that'll be the last thing anyone will be thinking about as they eat. In fact, you'll probably be asked to bring it to the next gathering!
By Chef John
Sponsored By Food Wishes

Absolutely Fabulous Greek/House Dressing

Rating: Unrated
1520
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.

Banh Mi

Rating: Unrated
59
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

Cedar Planked Salmon

Rating: Unrated
586
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
Sponsored By Allrecipes Magazine

Southern-Style Egg Salad

Rating: Unrated
52
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.

Seafood Boil

Rating: Unrated
10
An old recipe that's especially good for family get-togethers. It's good, it's fun, and clean-up is easy. It's best done outside around a picnic table. When shrimp and crabs are done, cover picnic table with four to five layers of newspaper. Remove everything from pot, drain, and spread in center of table. Gather everyone around and enjoy the feast. When everyone has had their fill, gather up the leftovers (if there is any), put all the scraps in the center of the table, roll up the newspaper around them, and put them in the trash. Go wash the one pot and the cleanup is done. Have fun and enjoy.
By Gary W. Brown

Easy Broccoli Bacon Salad

Rating: Unrated
56
Anybody who doesn't like broccoli will change their mind upon taking their first bite.
By readycooker

Sweet Restaurant Slaw

Rating: Unrated
2413
This tastes just like the cole slaw served at popular fried chicken or fish restaurants. It's excellent with burgers or on top of BBQ'd pork sandwiches, too!!!
By Sandi Gregory Johnson

Southern-Style Buttermilk Fried Chicken

Rating: Unrated
146
This is a down home recipe that I have used for years, and thought I would share it! The buttermilk marinade is terrific and is such a comfort food. However this is not a recipe that can be done quickly, but the wait is WELL worth it!
By pinkchef

Chili Sauce

Rating: Unrated
81
This made-in-minutes chili sauce is a great substitute for bottled chili sauce.
By ELLENMEL

Honey Garlic Chicken with Rosemary

Rating: Unrated
173
A succulent, moist, easy-to-make chicken.
By Linette Gall Kalbach

Muffuletta Pinwheels

Rating: Unrated
32
A appetizer sized version of the New Orleans traditional sandwich.
By Greg

The Ultimate Berry Crumble

Rating: Unrated
77
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
Sponsored By Food Wishes

Detroit Hot Honey Wings

Rating: Unrated
300
A sweet, spicy wing recipe that is amazing on the grill! This is a Detroit recipe, so enjoy!
By MMMMFOOD1

Cream Cheese Banana Bread

Rating: Unrated
33
Banana bread made with cream cheese.
By Matthew Taylor

Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri

Rating: Unrated
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.

Calico Beans

Rating: Unrated
182
This casserole is the best! I take it to pot lucks, picnics, camping trips, etc.
By Kathy

Simple Lemon Cake

Rating: Unrated
17
This simple lemon cake is perfect for picnics and parties. It's moist and soft.
By BakingTwins
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