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Picnic Food Ideas for National Picnic Week

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Grab a basket, a blanket and some of our totally delicious picnic food ideas and recipes and head off out for lunch al fresco!

Is there anything better than packing up a picnic lunch and heading off into the outdoors for a little laze in the sunshine with great food and drinks?

We think not – so we’ve put together some amazing picnic food ideas and picnic recipes that’ll make your picnic extra special!

picnic food ideas spread across a table - platter of roast beef sandwiches, salami and cheese board, bowl of crisps, strawberries, hummus, rice salad

Picnic Recipes – Sandwiches

Put together a selection of picnic sandwiches to enjoy – sandwiches are a great picnic food idea for large groups as it’s just so easy to make loads!

Picnic food ideas – sandwiches

Love sandwiches – get lots more sandwich recipes and ideas here

picnic food ideas - platter of tortilla wedges with tomatoes

Picnic Recipes – Snacks & Picky Bits

It wouldn’t be a proper picnic without snacks and picky bits – try including a selection of easy picnic recipes – from dips and breadsticks to scones, sausage rolls and pasties.

Picnic food ideas – snacks and salad

Here’s what snacks to bring to a picnic

gluten free scotch egg cut into half served on a metal tray with bowl of piccalilli

Get lots of fresh and healthy salad recipes here

Get loads of lunch recipes and ideas here

picnic food ideas spread across a table - platter of roast beef sandwiches, salami and cheese board, bowl of crisps, strawberries, hummus, rice salad

Get The Look!

If you’re loving the look of that picnic tableware then you can pick up a 12 piece set for just £17.50 from Green Tones – Eco Friendly Homeware. It’s lightweight and super portable – great for picnics, outdoor dining, caravanning and camping.

And… guess what? It’s RECYCLED and BPA FREE! Moulded in bamboo fibre it’s durable and dishwasher safe.

Buy it here!

Picnic Recipes – Pasta Salad

Pasta salads are great for picnics – they’re easily transported in food storage boxes and go great with sandwiches and snacks – especially if you’re feeding a crowd.

homemade greek orzo pasta salad in a large Joesph Joseph green bowl

Picnic food ideas – pasta salad

picnic food ideas - bowls of strawberries alongside a bowl of melon and orange slices with raspberries

Picnic Recipes – Sweet Things

We always take a nice selection of picnic dessert food – fruit salads, chocolate dipped fruit or simple tray bakes all work well.

Picnic food ideas – dessert

Get more snack recipes here

picnic food ideas - boiled new potatoes, stuffed peppers, hummus and crisps, strawberries, melon and raspberries, rice salad, cheese and neat platter, sandwich platter

Picnic Recipes – Vegetarian

It’s super easy to do vegetarian picnic food – choose from our delicious vegetarian sandwich recipes, snacks and dips below.

Picnic food ideas – vegetarian

picnic food ideas spread across a table - platter of roast beef sandwiches, salami and cheese board, bowl of crisps, strawberries, hummus, rice salad

Picnic Essentials

If you’re wondering “What should I bring to an outdoor picnic?” then don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! When heading off for a picnic here’s a few essentials to have to hand….

  • Rubbish bags
  • Drinks
  • Picnic blanket
  • Ground sheet to go under blanket on wet ground
  • Deckchairs
  • Wind break
  • Fairy lights

How Do You Pack A Perfect Picnic?

Okay so the perfect picnic is going to differ each time, depending on who you are going with and where you’re going. So – before your picnic, take a few minutes to think about what food and equipment you’re going to need. Things to think about….

  • If there’s young children going to the picnic – think about making up little packed lunch boxes for them to dip into.
  • Think about entertaining the kids – footballs, frisbees, colouring books with crayons.
  • Make sure you take enough cups, plates, glasses.
  • Pack enough ice-packs to keep the food cool and the drinks chilled.
  • Pack salads in air tight boxes so they’re easily portable.
  • Sandwiches are fine wrapped in greaseproof paper and then a layer of tin foil – this makes them easier to fit in around the boxes of salads and snacks.
  • Make sure you’re comfortable so take everything you’ll need – blankets, groundsheets, windbreak, cushions, deckchairs – maybe a small pop up tent or sun shade to keep young children out of the sun.

Get more picnic ideas here

picnic food ideas - bowls of strawberries alongside a bowl of melon and orange slices with raspberries decorated with lemon slice fairy lights

Lemon Slice Fairy Lights available here priced at just £11.99 – they’re battery operated and suitable for outdoor use and…. JUST HOW CUTE?!

Wondering where to go for your picnic? Well… here’s Britains best picnic spots across the UK countryside and coast.

When is National Picnic Week? This year picnic week is 19th – 27th June 2021

Get more delicious meal ideas and easy recipes here

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