20 Fun Summer Picnic Food Ideas to Keep You Full & Satisfied!

Tasty picnic food ideas for your summer adventures!  

Summer is the wonderful season of backyard BBQ’s, camping adventures, and of course, picnics! If you’re looking to add some variety to your usual picnic recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Keep reading for 20 different picnic food ideas (with recipes linked)!  

Balanced Picnic Meals  

Planning a balanced picnic meal can help keep you full and satisfied for hours during your summer adventures.  

You’ve probably heard of the balanced plate, which is a great place to start when understanding the foundations of a balanced meal: 

• 1/4 plate of grains/starch (giving our body energy) 

• 1/4 plate of protein food (supporting our muscles as well as providing lasting fullness) 

• 1/2 plate of fruits and vegetables (providing all those great vitamins, minerals, and fibre to support health) 

Before we jump into some examples of balanced picnic meals, let’s chat quickly about some tips for packing foods for a picnic.  

Picnic Tips for Packing & Food Storage

Cooking and storing food outdoors mean we need to consider things like temperature, time, and practicality to ensure your food stays fresh, safe, and fun! Here are some tips to keep your picnic food safe and delicious!   

1. Use Insulated Coolers and Ice Packs

 These helps maintain the temperature of perishable items like meats, cheeses, and dairy products.

2. Pack in Stages

Keep hot foods hot by wrapping them in foil and towels and keep cold foods cold in coolers with ice packs. 

3. Separate Raw and Cooked Foods

Prevent cross-contamination by using separate containers and utensils for raw and cooked foods OR cook any raw food at home and bring cooked food warm to the picnic. 

4. Pre-wash and Pre-cut

Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly and cut them at home to reduce preparation time and mess at the picnic site.

5. Use Food Storage Containers

Packing food in airtight containers prevent spills and keep food fresh for longer. 

6. Bring Sanitizing Wipes and Hand Sanitizer

Keep hands and surfaces clean before and after handling food.

7. Dispose of Garbage Responsibly

If you’re picnicking in bear country (or anywhere else there may be other animals like racoons, squirrels, or birds), make sure to keep your picnic site clean and dispose of any leftover food or garbage properly to avoid attracting animals. Read more about the Leave No Trace Principals here.  

20 Balanced Picnic Food Ideas

1. Grilled Chicken Wraps

Whole wheat tortillas with grilled chicken, mixed greens, avocado, and a yogurt-based dressing. TIP: keep warm or cold 

Try this for inspiration: Grilled Chicken Wraps  

2. Quinoa Salad

Quinoa with black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and a lime vinaigrette. TIP: keep cold!  

Recipe: Quinoa Black Bean Salad  

3. Turkey and Veggie Roll-Ups

Sliced turkey breast rolled with cucumber, carrot sticks, and hummus. TIP: keep cold! 

Try this for inspiration: Turkey Pinwheels  

4. Fruit and Nut Yogurt Parfaits

Greek yogurt layered with mixed berries, honey, and granola. TIP: keep cold! 

Recipe: Quinoa Yogurt Parfait  

5. Caprese Skewers

Cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and basil leaves drizzled with balsamic glaze. TIP: keep cold! 

Recipe: Caprese Skewers  

6. Hummus and Veggie Platter

Assorted veggies like bell peppers, carrots, and celery with hummus for dipping. TIP: keep cold! 

Try this Creamy Hummus or Beet Hummus! 

7. Whole Grain Pasta Salad

Whole grain pasta with cherry tomatoes, spinach, olives, feta, and Italian dressing. TIP: keep warm or cold.  

Try this Pesto Pasta Salad or Mediterranean Pasta Salad!  

8. Smoked Salmon Bagels

Whole grain bagels with smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers, and red onions. TIP: keep cold! 

Try this for inspiration: Smoked Salmon Bagels  

9. Chicken and Avocado Salad

Grilled chicken breast with mixed greens, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and a lemon vinaigrette. TIP: keep cold! 

Try this Chicken Avocado Quinoa Salad  

10. Veggie and Cheese Quesadillas

Whole wheat tortillas filled with cheese, black beans, bell peppers, onions, and zucchini. TIP: keep warm! 

Recipe: Easy Black Bean Quesadilla  

11. Lentil and Veggie Pita Pockets

Whole grain pita stuffed with lentils, cucumber, tomato, and Tzatziki sauce. TIP: keep warm or cold! 

Try this for inspiration: Mediterranean Lentil Pita Pockets  

12. Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

 Butter lettuce leaves filled with chicken, shredded carrots, and a peanut sauce. TIP: keep cold! 

Or these Hoisin Turkey Lettuce Wraps 

13. Egg Salad Sandwiches

Whole grain bread with egg salad made from hard-boiled eggs, Greek yogurt, and mustard. TIP: keep cold.  

Recipe: Egg Salad Sliders  

14. Fruit and Cheese Platter

A variety of cheeses with fresh fruits like grapes, apple slices, and berries.  

15. Greek Salad with Grilled Shrimp

 Mixed greens with cucumbers, olives, feta, and grilled shrimp with a lemon-oregano dressing. TIP: keep salad cold and shrimp warm (pack separate) 

16. Stuffed Bell Peppers

Bell peppers filled with quinoa, black beans, corn, and topped with cheese. TIP: keep warm!  

Recipe: Stuffed Peppers  

17. Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches

Whole grain bread with peanut butter and banana slices. 

18. Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Mushrooms

Baked mushrooms filled with a mixture of spinach, ricotta, and herbs. TIP: keep warm!  

Recipe: Ricotta Stuffed Mushrooms  

19. Chickpea Salad

Chickpeas with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and a tahini dressing. TIP: keep cold 

Recipe: Mediterranean Chickpea Salad  

20. Veggie Sushi Rolls

Brown rice, tofu, and veggies like cucumber, avocado, and carrot rolled in nori seaweed. TIP: keep cold!  

Recipe: Vegetarian Sushi Rolls