When it comes to picnic food ideas, there’s the ham and cheese sandwiches group and the quirky, different picnic ideas group. We’re assuming you’re here because you’re part of the latter, so let’s learn how you can turn up to your local park looking like a picnic champion. Find all the ideas for a summer picnic you’ll need below.
1. Salad
Okay, so when you say it like that, it doesn’t conjure up any particularly inspiring flavours for the imagination. But that’s the point. A salad can and should be made to exactly the way you like it – and that’s what makes it different. Throw out the cook book and defined ingredients lists and simply grab what you like to start experimenting. Use different combinations to make your unique, easy picnic food. Check out our list of some less traditional ingredients below for some inspiration.
And for an even better twist, why not combine them all in a mason jar to really infuse the flavours, and make for impressive presentation?
2. Chicken, Veg, or Chicken & Veg Skewers
Skewers are a thing of beauty. Everything you like, huddled up next to one another in a uniform line so you don’t have to wait too long before taking the next bite. When it comes to cool picnic ideas, few come closer to the perfect skewer. Whether veggie, carnivorous or a mi of both so you can have your cake and eat it – the nature of the skewer means you can easily make no two alike. Olives, tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, mushroom, chicken chorizo, ham, beef. Use any, all or other for some great different picnic ideas.
3. Grilled & Garnished Halloumi
Who doesn’t love Halloumi? Grab a block or two (chilli or herb are even more flavoursome) and slice before frying. Once done, simply add to a tub and garnish however you like for quick, tasty finger bites while basking in the sun. Pomegranate seeds, fresh mint and tzatziki work particularly well. And if you have a few slices too many, they can go and join the back of the skewer line with the meat and veg.
4. Houmous & Different Dippers
Carry on collating your cool picnic ideas with a twist on a classic. This different picnic food idea only really comes into its own based on what you decide to use as a dipper. So grab your houmous (or even make it fresh if you have the time), leave the cucumber, carrots and peppers, and prepare any of the following for a dipping taste fusion you might not have tried before.
5. Homemade Frozen Ice Lollies
These are just as great for those who are young at heart as they are for actual kids – not least because you might have to eat them first so they don’t melt. Simply make a batch of your favourite cordial and freeze in an ice lolly mould the night before. Or, if you really want to put in the effort, why not check out our Strawberry & Raspberry Milk Pops recipe.
6. Watermelon Fruit Salad
This can serve as a healthier dessert, a quirky starter or a constant nibble throughout the day. Regardless of when you eat it, it’s a cool picnic food idea you can be pretty sure you won’t see sitting on any other tartan blanket across the park. Summer picnic ideas don’t get much better than this. Slice a watermelon in half and scoop (or devour) the majority of the fruit in one-half so you’re left with a bowl. Now fill with all your favourite fruits and a sprig of mint for a fresh and tasty fruit salad. Why not get started with the below?
The best thing about summer picnic ideas is that they have no defined rules or list of what you can and can’t add. Putting down the crisps and sandwiches and thinking outside the box can make for a fresh, tasty and impressive picnic this summer. Cool picnic ideas start with you, so think about what you like, and what you’re prepared to eat sitting in the middle of a park. From there, you really can make anything.
Grab ingredients for all the bits you need from your local convenience store. And if you try any of the above, be sure to share them with us on social!
