Perfect Picnic Food Ideas to Suit Everyone This Summer
The sun is shining, kids are off school and the whole family is ready for some fun in the sun. If you’re looking for something to do this summer, why not get outdoors and have a fun-filled family picnic? Whether you’re heading to the back garden or your local park, we’ve chosen a selection of our favourite summer picnic ideas to suit everyone this summer. From savouries to sweets, if you’re wondering what food to take on a picnic, we’re there for you.
Easy Picnic Recipes: Savoury Sensations
Spicy Spanish Sausage Rolls
Put a twist on the classic sausage roll with spicy Spanish sausage. Roll out 375g of puff pastry into a rectangle, on a lightly floured surface. Cut in half lengthways, place on a baking sheet and put in the fridge to chill. Meanwhile, chop and boil 2 large Maris Piper potatoes in salted water – drain and leave to cool. Place 225g of skinless chorizo into a food processor, alongside a small pack of chopped parsley, 1 tbsp. nigella seeds and your cooled potatoes. Pulse, but be careful not to break up the potatoes too much.
Take the pastry out of the fridge, and shape your chorizo mix into 2 long sausage shapes. Put them into the middle of your pastry and brush the pastry’s edges with beaten egg. Wrap the chorizo mix in the pastry, compressing slightly with a fork to seal. Cut the rolls into 9 pieces and brush with egg and scatter over 1 tbsp. nigella seeds. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden and cooked through. Leave to cool and enjoy.
Cheese & Onion Rolls
For a vegetarian alternative, all you’ll need to do is make a different filling. Cheese and onion rolls are an easy picnic recipe idea – and just as delicious. To make your filling, boil your potatoes in salted water until tender. Drain, and leave to cool. In a frying pan add 30g butter, 2 diced onions and a pinch of salt. Stir occasionally over a medium heat. Move to a bowl and add the potatoes. Once cool, add a handful of thyme leaves, ½ tbsp. English mustard, 200g vegetarian cheddar, a handful of chopped gherkins. Season to taste, and add to your cooled pastry.
Coronation Drumsticks
Chicken drumsticks are always a fan favourite at any picnic. Just a hint of spice will turn the humble drumstick into a crowd favourite. For the perfect coronation drumsticks, mix together 140g Greek yoghurt, 2 tbsp. mild curry powder, 3 tbsp. mango chutney, 2tsp nigella seeds with seasoning. For gluten free attendees, be sure to use gluten-free curry powder. Add 8 chicken drumsticks, coating them with the mixture. These can be cooked immediately, or stored in the fridge for up to 48 hours. Place the covered drumsticks on a baking tray covered in foil for 40 minutes. Turn halfway through, brushing on any remaining marinade, and continue cooking until crisp.
Summer Picnic Recipes: Sumptuous salads
Bean Salad
For an easy picnic recipe, finely chop 1 bunch of spring onions and place in a bowl with 2 crushed garlic cloves and a finely chopped red chilli (with the seeds removed). Mix in 2 400g cans of cannellini beans and 1 can of butter beans. Whisk in 6 tbsp. olive oil, 2 tbsp. white wine vinegar and season to taste. Grab a handful of chopped parsley and stir through the salad. Want easy picnic food for a crowd? Simply increase your quantities proportionately.
Chicken & Mango Salad
Spread 1 tsp olive oil and curry powder over 6 mini chicken fillets, season and mix together. Cook on a foil lined baking tray for 20 minutes. Put to one side to cool. To make your dressing, combine 1 tsp. curry powder, 4 tbsp. Greek yoghurt, 2 tbsp. mango chutney, 2 tsp. lime juice and the zest of ½ a lime. If the dressing is a little thick add water. Put 1 little gem lettuce, 1 mango and ½ diced red onion in a bowl. Add the chicken and drizzle over the dressing. A delicious summer picnic recipe.
Picnic Food Ideas: Delicious Desserts
Fruity Skewers
For healthy and easy picnic recipes, you can’t beat our simple but delicious fruit skewers. You’ll need 5 strawberries, ¼ cantaloupe melon, 2 bananas, 1 apple, a handful of grapes and, of course, skewers. Chop up your fruit so you have similarly sized chunks. Thread individual pieces of fruit onto your skewers – be sure to vary the types of fruit you put on each skewer for a little variety.
Strawberry Cheesecake
It wouldn’t be summer without picnics and strawberries, so why not combine the two with our easy summer picnic recipe. Cheesecake can be messy, so we recommend you make individual cheesecakes and put them into jars – jam jars work well. Crush 6 biscuits in a bowl, and combine with 2 tbsp. butter and 2 tbsp. sugar until blended. Divide the mixture between 6 jars, and gently press into the bottom. Beat together 200g cream cheese, 2 tbsp. lemon juice and 6 tbsp. sugar until smooth. Fold in 6 tbsp. whipped cream and 350g chopped strawberries, and divide evenly among your jars.
Summer Picnic Recipes: A Brilliant Beverage
Pink Lemonade
With all our delicious picnic food ideas, you’ll need something to wash it all down with. Grate the zest from 8 lemons and put to one side. Remove the juice from the lemons and mix with the zest, 200g caster sugar, 140g raspberries and 1.2 litres boiling water. Leave to cool and sieve – pressing through the juice with the back of a spoon. Add sugar to taste, and put in the fridge to chill. Serve with sliced lemon, raspberries and ice.
A summer picnic is a great way to get outdoors, spend time with the family and, of course, enjoy some delicious food! Our picnic food ideas will help everyone feel full and happy. Get all the ingredients you need for summer picnic foods and more at your local SPAR.