33 Best Picnic Food Ideas
Are you looking for picnic food ideas for your next outing? It’s picnic season. Get your picnic basket and blanket ready. It is time to go outside, enjoy the weather, and soak up some sun while savoring delicious picnic food.
These picnic food ideas may not be your traditional food ideas. When we say let go on a picnic in the Caribbean, we mean “LET’S GO AND ENJOY SOME REAL GOOD FOOD”! Many of us want to see rice, pasta, and even fried plantains. As long as we have a way to keep the food warm, we will make it.
We’ve got something for everyone. With everything from beverages, sandwiches, salads, pasta, grains, side dishes, and sweets, you’re bound to find something you love. We’ve rounded up a few food ideas to please adults and kids. It is time for a new adventure. Happy picnicking!
What to bring to a picnic
When thinking about a picnic, the first reaction is always what food we should bring. It is normal to think about food. A picnic without food is not a picnic.
There are a few items that must be on the list besides food. The following are a few ideas for you to get started. Remember, keep it light and simple. A picnic is supposed to be enjoyable and not a workday.
Check out these ideas from Amazon.
- Picnic Baskets
- Picnic Blankets
- Ice Packs for food
- Thermos for hot or cold drinks
- Bottle Opener
- Picnic Knife
- Napkins
- Paper Towels
- Wipes
- Hand Sanitizers
- Trash Bags
If your picnic baskets do not come equipped with plates, utensils, and cups. bring the following:
Here are 33 food picnic ideas and condiments ideas to enjoy on your next outing.
Beverages
Fresh Lemonade with Vanilla is the most popular and favorite Summer drink. But have you ever tried it with vanilla extract? This particular method of adding vanilla extract is a Haitian Caribbean thing.
2. WATERMELON LEMONADE, A REFRESHING DRINK
Watermelon Lemonade is very refreshing, simple, and easy to make. You have an excellent beverage to quench your thirst with just a good size watermelon and fresh-squeezed lemonade.
3. CARIBBEAN SORREL DRINK, ONE OF THE FAMOUS CARIBBEAN HOLIDAY DRINK
This Caribbean Sorrel Drink is a wonderful spiced infused beverage mostly enjoyed during the holidays in many Caribbean homes. This will make the perfect picnic drink with lots of ice.
Bread
4. HOW TO MAKE THE BEST HOMEMADE CRACKERS
Homemade Crackers or “Biscuit Secs” as they call them in Haiti are delicious, simple, and easy to make. Make crackers for the entire family and see how fast they go.
5. EASY BUTTERMILK WARM PARSLEY BISCUITS RECIPE
This buttery, soft and homemade biscuit recipe deserves a permanent place in your recipe repertoire. They are made with buttermilk!
Easy Skillet Flatbread made for just under one hour. Just six ingredients and the recipe is perfect for beginners.
Salads, Veggies, and Sides
7. WATERMELON, FETA AND PROSCIUTTO SALAD
Something sweet! Something Salty! Something Creamy! Something Yummy! Something Juicy!
8. PINEAPPLE, PAPAYA, AND CUCUMBER SALAD
This refreshing recipe of Pineapple, Papaya, and Cucumber Salad is simply delicious and easy to make. A fruits and vegetable salad is a great combination to complement fried chicken or your favorite sandwich.
9. FRENCH CARROT SALAD WITH LEMON DIJON VINAIGRETTE
Tangy, sweet, and flavorful, this French Carrot Salad with Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette is the perfect side dish for a picnic. Ready in less than 30 minutes!
The best-tossed salad is prepared with fresh ingredients we all love and enjoy. Fresh lettuce or leafy spring mix tossed with cherry tomatoes, seedless cucumbers, scallions, apples, carrots, and radishes is the perfect combination of vegetables.
11. CHICKPEA SALAD WITH CUCUMBER AND ROASTED BELL PEPPERS
An easy and delicious Garbanzo Bean or Chickpea Salad seasoned with an aromatic and perfectly flavored balanced vinaigrette.
12. EASY ROASTED SWEET AND WHITE POTATOES
This Roasted Potato recipe is the perfect side dish to accompany fried chicken or fish.
13. A QUICK AND EASY BROCCOLI SALAD
Broccoli salad, raw fresh broccoli tossed with cucumber, radishes, sweet peppers, and almonds, topped with a homemade guava vinegar dressing.
14. BAKED SPICY AND SWEET PLANTAINS
This baked sweet plantains recipe is quick, simple, and healthy. Add your favorite seasoning blend, and you have a delicious snack in less than one hour.
15. HOW TO MAKE CRISPY FRIED GREEN PLANTAINS
Plantains are versatile and have many health benefits. They make a great side dish and a wonderful snack idea. Use green or yellow and you have a delicious dish to enjoy.
Pasta and Grains
16. DITALINI PASTA SALAD WITH PASSION FRUIT VINAIGRETTE
Ditalini Pasta salad with Passion Fruit Vinaigrette is delicate, flavorful, and delicious. The best pasta salads are created with simple ingredients. Try this one!
17. HOW TO MAKE HAITIAN SPAGHETTI, MY VERSION
Haitian Spaghetti is an easy and friendly recipe that is made entirely from scratch. Not too saucy, flavored with the right spices and tons of deliciousness from the uncured sausages.
18. DELICIOUS WHITE RICE WITH PEAS AND CARROTS
Delicious White Rice with Peas and Carrots is a staple dish that will bring a smile to your face with its aroma from the herbs and spices.
19. WILD RICE PILAF WITH SNAP PEAS AND ALMONDS
Rice does not have to be boring. Rice does not need to be cooked the same way all the time. If you are tired of eating the same rice dish, this Wild Rice Pilaf with Snap Peas and Almonds may be the answer for you.
Meat, Poultry, and Seafood
20. HOW TO MAKE HAITIAN GRIOT OR FRIED PORK CHUNKS
One of the national dishes of Haiti, Griot or fried pork pieces, marinated in herbs and spices, cooked and served with Pikliz.
Beef Tassot or Tassot Boeuf (Tassot Boeuf/Beef Tassot/Fried Beef Bits) is meat that has been marinated, boiled, and fried. It is part of what Haitians call “Fritaille” which is a mix of different types of fritters.
Easy Peri-Peri Chicken ~ Chicken pieces rubbed and marinated with spicy sauce and roasted to perfection in the oven.
23. HOW TO MAKE MY EASY CRISPY SPICY FRIED CHICKEN
It is an easy crispy spicy fried chicken prepared with a mixture of dried herbs and spices, just as it should be made. Easy, quick, and tasty.
24. TASSOT TURKEY, A HAITIAN CARIBBEAN TRADITIONAL DISH
Do you want another way to enjoy eating turkey during the holidays or whenever you want? Tassot Turkey or Fried Turkey Pieces is a traditional dish often made in every Haitian household throughout the year.
25. EASY AND SIMPLE FRIED FISH
An easy and simple recipe for Fried Fish that can be tailored to your taste. This recipe is made with fresh herbs and fresh spices only—a Caribbean basic fish recipe.
Sandwiches
26. HOW TO MAKE PORK MEAT POCKETS OR GRIOT POCKETS
Meat Pockets sandwiches are an excellent way to use leftover meat. And a great lunch and picnic food idea. They are made with Griot.
27. CANNED SALMON SALAD SANDWICHES RECIPE
A quick, tasty, and easy meal with Canned Salmon Salad for lunch and even dinner. Make it for your next picnic.
28. TURKEY SANDWICH MADE WITH HAITIAN BREAD
A homemade Turkey Sandwich made with warm Haitian Bread makes a delicious and satisfying snack or meal.
The Ciabatta Veggie Sandwich is full of wonderful and healthy roasted veggies. The perfect sandwich!
30. EASY TUNA WRAP SALAD RECIPE
This easy tuna salad recipe makes the best tuna wraps or bread sandwiches!
Dessert
31. AN ENJOYABLE AND FRESH PINEAPPLE BAKE RECIPE
Fresh Pineapple Bake, a decadent, light, delicious, and addicting dessert, is a wonderful treat after a Sunday meal. Prepare for under 30 minutes only!
Plum and Muscat Wine Cake a delicious dessert made with firm plums and Muscat Wine. Fruity, addictive, and just delicious.
33. TAPIOCA COOKIES, AN EASY VERSION OF BONBON AMIDON
Bonbon Amidon is the name of one of the most popular treats in Haiti. Bonbon Amidon is normally made with cornstarch. This updated recipe is prepared with all-purpose flour, tapioca flour, and confectioner sugar.
