Picnic Food Ideas for National Picnic Week

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 picnic baskets with a tasty 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 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!

Love sandwiches – get lots more sandwich recipes and ideas here

PICNIC RECIPES - SNACKS AND 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.

Get lots of fresh and healthy salad recipes here

• Vegetable Pasties
• Couscous Salad
• Bean Salad
• Greek Potato Salad
• Cucumber Salad
• Courgette Fritters

Get loads of lunch recipes and ideas here

PICNIC RECIPES - PASTA SALADS

Pasta salads are great for picnics, they're easily transported in food storage boxes and go great with sandwiches and snacks. Especially good if you're feeding a crowd.

PICNIC RECIPES - SWEET THINGS

Finish your picnic off in style with a delicious selection of picnic dessert food, fruit salads, chocolate dipped fruit or a simple tray bake all work well and are super portable.

Get more snack recipes here

PICNICE RECIPES - VEGETARIAN

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

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