Let's Gather
The Perfect Picnic: Ideas to Make Your Outdoor Meal a Breeze
As the weather gets warmer, I'm determined to soak up every ray of sunshine with my family. There's something about eating outside that just makes me feel like the best version of myself. Maybe it's the fresh air, maybe it's the simple act of mixing things up, or maybe it's the promise of a simple, delicious meal. Whatever it is, I'm hooked.
But let's be real, packing for a picnic can be overwhelming. That's why I've put together my go-to menu for any outdoor gathering. The preparation is minimal, and I can pull it together without much effort. (And isn't that the real win?) Trust me, these dishes will make you the hero of any picnic.
My Tried & True Picnic Menu:
- Chicken Ranch Wraps - This is the main course of our meal. Sometimes I'll cook the chicken, and other times I'll order the PCC grilled chicken for the sake of convenience.
- Caprese Salad - This ready-made salad is simple and comes with a delicious balsamic vinaigrette. It's perfect for two adults, with some to share with the kids.
- Cheese Plate - I stick with the classics for this one: Merlot Cheese, Sweet Soppressata, and La Panzanella Rosemary crackers.
- Fruit - I bring along cherries when I don't have time to cut up a watermelon.
- Lofthouse Cookies - Eating outside feels extra special, so we pick up a dessert to match. Our entire family is obsessed with this classic cookie.
- Spindrift Pink Lemonade - It's easy to toss a few of these in the cooler. They're so delicious and refreshing.
The possibilities are endless, but here are a few other recipes and products that keep things simple and beautiful.
Sandwich Ideas:
- Turkey Focaccia Sandwich: A tasty sandwich made with focaccia bread, turkey, provolone cheese, and pesto. Perfect for school lunches, hiking trips, or weekend picnics.
- Classic Chicken Salad: A creamy salad with just a few ingredients that can be used as a sandwich filling or wrap.
- Egg Salad: A classic salad that is always a crowd-pleaser.
- Brie and Prosciutto Sandwich: An Italian-inspired sandwich with creamy Brie cheese, peppery arugula, and assorted deli meats.
- Caprese Sandwich: A classic Italian sandwich with ripe red tomatoes and sliced fresh mozzarella, topped with a creamy basil sauce.
- Classic Jambon Beurre Sandwich: A simple yet amazing baguette topped with slightly salted French butter and spiced Parisian ham (jambon de Paris). The perfect combination that's hard to resist.
- And if you don’t want to cook, we love the PCC premade chicken salad or one of their many pre-made sandwiches, like the Cubano.
Salad Ideas:
- Avocado Cucumber Salad - An easy, excellent (5-minute) Avocado Cucumber Salad with the easiest lime dressing.
- Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad - This salad is perfect in late summer, when blackberries are dripping off the vine. Pistachios, chèvre and honey-mustard vinaigrette pair perfectly with peppery arugula and sweet vine-ripe fruit.
- Strawberry Spinach Salad - A strawberry spinach salad with fresh mint, briny feta, and a lemony balsamic dressing that will have your taste buds firing on all cylinders.
- Spinach Orzo Salad with Basil Dressing - This colorful, hearty spinach orzo salad tastes like a garden at its summertime best—juicy tomatoes, fragrant basil, garlic, and plenty of sunshine-y lemon.
- And there is nothing wrong with opting for a bag salad. I'm obsessed with this Everything Bagel one.
Snacks:
- Hummus Heaped with Tomatoes and Cucumbers - This is the trifecta of simple, beautiful, and oh so delicious.
- PCC Beet Hummus - You'll definitely want to mix it up and try this beautiful pink beet hummus.
- You can't go wrong with a really good baguette (Macrina is our go-to) with Salted French butter. Yum!
Drinks:
- Ollipop - There’s a flavor for everyone, but our go-to are the Root Beer and Strawberry Vanilla.
- Sparkling Soda - We love the Metro Market Italian Sodas - Lemon and Grapefruit are my favorites.
Desserts:
- Cupcakes - Why do we save these perfect desserts for birthday parties? I’m obsessed with all of the Rubicon Bakery flavors, especially the Chocolate Creme.
- Metro Market Favorites - You can’t go wrong with bite-size brownies or THE very famous Met Market cookie.
Amazon Favorites:
- Hydroflask Soft Cooler - This is a perfect size, lightweight and easy to clean.
- Charcuterie Boxes - No one needs these, but I love showing up with a simple charcuterie box for our summer picnics or wine tastings. They also fit perfectly in our soft cooler.
- Melamine Plates - Again, not a necessity, but these plates are indestructible and keep with my pretty picnic vibe. They are also dishwasher safe.
- Hydroflask Salad Bowl with Lid or this plastic version - These bowls with lids get used ALL the time. The Hydroflask ones are a bit pricey, but perfect for keeping food cool when hosting any outdoor summer gatherings.
- Low Folding Table - I’m a little extra when it comes to picnics, but I love this low folding table to keep my kids from stepping all over the food.
- Table Cloth - If having beautiful things is a core value of mine, then buying this table cloth is me living out my true self. Using it makes me so happy.
- Picnic Blanket - This picnic blanket rolls up quickly and so easy to clean.
Recent
Let's Gather
Effortless Cheese Boards