In the spirit of Memorial Day, I wanted to share some of my favorite healthy and easy picnic food ideas with you!
From tasty finger food to crunchy, tangy salads, you’ll be putting that picnic basket to good use this summer. 🙂
Healthy Summer Picnic Ideas
Is there anything more peaceful than a picnic in the summer sunshine? I think not!
It’s an awesome family activity or date idea, plus it involves getting out into nature. Just pack up your favorite picnic foods and away you go! Don’t forget the refreshments: water, lemonade, sparkling wine, etc.
Read on for some delicious, easy picnic food ideas and recipe inspiration!
Main Dishes for Picnics
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is the quintessential summer picnic food! It’s easy to make ahead and pack up, plus it’s flavorful and refreshing.
Grilled Pork Tenderloin Tacos with Homemade Salsa Verde
Just prep ahead the pork, salsa verde, and slice the veggies, and you have yourself a fancy picnic meal – all that’s left is the assembly!
Healthy Egg Salad with Avocado
Egg salad is so comforting, and goes great on its own, on a sandwich, or served with crackers.
(Not feeling eggs? Check out this healthy tuna salad recipe!)
Lentil Veggie Burgers
These lentil burgers are another great main dish you can make ahead and assemble later! They’re extra tasty topped with mixed greens, sliced avocado, and hot sauce.
Pesto Pasta with Chickpeas & Broccoli
This veggie-packed pesto pasta is easy to make ahead, and is just as tasty cold as it is hot! Plus, you can easily swap out the broccoli for your favorite vegetables, or whatever you have in your vegetable drawer.
Easy Picnic Finger Foods
Healthy Deviled Eggs
This is a lightened-up (but just as flavorful) version of the classic finger food.
Cheesy Sun-Dried Tomato Pizza Bars
It’s like pizza, but crunchier and in bar form! These savory granola bars are easy to make and pack up to go.
Hard-Boiled Egg & Cheddar Muffins
These portable muffins are packed with protein and flavor! A filling, savory snack that’s fun to cut into and discover a hard boiled egg hiding inside!
Ham & Pear Crostini
Need inspiration for your epic picnic charcuterie spread? This sweet and salty crostini would make a delectable addition.
These kale chips are a crispy, flavorful snack to munch on! Plus, you can choose between four different flavors to make (such as nacho cheese) for your ideal snacking pleasure. 🙂
Healthy Picnic Salads & Sides
Crunchy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
This raw broccoli & cauliflower salad is super tangy (thanks to the creamy Greek yogurt dressing!). It’s the perfect cold salad to enjoy on a warm day!
Grilled Steak & Strawberry Salad
Grilled steak and strawberries pair with greens, goat cheese, and a homemade strawberry vinaigrette to make a drool-worthy salad.
Quinoa Taco Salad
Quinoa taco salad is one of my blog’s most popular recipes, and for good reason!
It’s super quick to throw together, it’s nutritious, and it’s full of tasty goodness. Super versatile, too – feel free to mix up the add-ins based on what you have on hand!
Green Goddess Bowl with Honey Herb Vinaigrette
This crunchy, nutritious salad is made even tastier with a delicious homemade vinaigrette.
Apple Cabbage Slaw with White Beans
This white bean cabbage slaw is inspired by fall flavors (hence the apple), but it’s just as delicious and refreshing in the summer! It’s easy to prep ahead and bring along in your picnic basket.
If it’s going to be a while before you dig in, though, I’d recommend waiting until you’re ready to eat to slice and add the apple (so it doesn’t get brown). Or, you can leave it out – up to you!
Heirloom Tomato & Peach Caprese Salad
Heirloom tomatoes and juicy peaches come together for a refreshing salad that screams summer.
Quinoa Salad with Orange Vinaigrette, Avocado & Arugula
This portable quinoa salad is easy to make and packed with flavor – a great picnic side dish!
Mediterranean Bulgur Salad w/ Lemon Mint Vinaigrette
I’m a big fan of grain salads, and this bulgur salad features Mediterranean flavors like cucumber, feta, and lemon. If you’re grilling out, toss a grilled protein on top – or enjoy the salad as-is!
If you have leftover watermelon rinds, this is the perfect opportunity to use them. They’re actually super refreshing (similar to cucumber) and tasty!
This easy slaw recipe features grated watermelon rind, bell peppers, grated carrots, fresh herbs, and a flavorful mustard vinaigrette dressing.
Tasty Picnic Dessert Ideas
No Bake Vegan Lemon Bars
These lemon bars would make a fabulous picnic dessert. They’re creamy and zesty – and they happen to be vegan!
Fruit Salad with Yogurt Honey Lime Dressing
Fruit salad is always a good idea, and with this zesty yogurt dressing, it’s even more crave-worthy.
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
These cookies are packed with protein, super peanut-buttery, and sweetened only with maple syrup! A healthy, tasty treat that’s easy to take on the go.
Cranberry Yogurt Scones
These scones are amazing on their own, but feel free to top with butter and/or jam if you’re feeling extra fancy. 😉
Vanilla Protein Balls with Figs
These little protein bites taste like Fig Newtons, but are made with wholesome ingredients and don’t require any baking! They’re naturally sweetened with dried figs, and have a lovely hint of vanilla.
Dark Chocolate Quinoa Bars
If you’re a chocolate lover, these quinoa bars with dark chocolate chips are a perfect portable dessert. They’re gluten-free, too!
Vegan Zucchini Lemon Muffins
The zucchini and lemon combination in these muffins just screams summer! Plus, they’re moist and full of flavor.
I hope these easy picnic food ideas have you inspired to get out and enjoy the sunshine (while eating some yummy food, too)!
Tell me: what’s your favorite picnic dish? Where do you like to picnic in the summer?
