Everything You Need to Know About Picnics

Here’s how to take your picnics to the next level.

Making food for a picnic is just half the battle. How you get it to the destination is equally important. Here are some pieces of equipment to make your picnic extra-special. 

• Picnic backpack or basket. If you eat on the go often, it might be worth investing in a dedicated picnic bag to help you pack in style. Our favorites also come with almost everything you’ll need, including plates, silverware, and cloth napkins.  
• Soft Cooler. Looking for a more lightweight and portable way to keep food chilled? A soft cooler allows you to pack perishables without sacrificing space in your car.  
• Waterproof picnic blanket. Don’t let your picnic be ruined by wet grass. A waterproof blanket will help you stay dry so that you can enjoy the food and the company. (Tip: Our favorite picnic backpack comes with its own blanket!)

• Reusable food storage containers. Make sure to pack your food in leakfree containers. Pack dishes in glass or plastic containers with airtight seals.
• Wine tumblers. Get creative by using wine tumblers to keep individual sangria chilled as you travel to the picnic site. Our winner is grippy and leakproof. 
• Bar board. Put a little effort into serving the food you spent preparing. A bar board is small enough to take with you and can be used to arrange food (even as simple as cheese and crackers!) to make it more inviting. Or, use it to slice lemons to add to water or chop herbs for a final garnish.
• Reusable cutlery. Plastic utensils often break and can’t always cut through food. Make sure to pack sturdy forks and knives.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of making the usual (and admittedly sometimes boring) dishes for every picnic. But some recipes are classics for a reason. Strike a happy medium and choose dishes that are familiar, but include something new. 

The best picnic foods are:

• Portable
• Good at room temperature
• Not fussy or messy

A staple such as broccoli salad can be updated by adding a refreshing, light avocado dressing. Instead of the typical chicken salad sandwiches try something like Grilled Chicken Panzanella, which makes enough for a larger group.

In the mood for sandwiches? Select something that just keeps getting better as it sits, such as our Turkey Picnic Sandwiches with Sun-Dried Tomato Spread (or try the capicola and artichoke or ham and olive versions instead). These are made ahead and pressed down with a Dutch oven so that the layers fuse together, making them sturdy enough for travel and easier to eat.

If you don’t feel like spending too much time in the kitchen, opt for a stripped-down recipe that can still steal the show. A grilled vegetable platter that uses seasonal produce paired with a citrus vinaigrette and rich burrata makes you look fancy without much effort. All you have to do is grill the vegetables ahead of time (even the day before!), pack them in reusable storage containers, and set up the board once you arrive at your picnic destination.

And let’s not forget about something sweet. Pick a dessert that is sturdy, handheld, and easy to eat, such as Almond Sables, Lemon Cookie Bars, or Browned Butter Blondies. If you want to make a cake, Blueberry-Lemon Coffee Cake is sophisticated without being too fussy (skip anything with a lot of frosting that can easily melt).

You know what you’re making to eat, and you know the gear you need. Here are some more tips to ensure your picnic goes off without a hitch.

• Go at the right time of day. Picnicking midday when the sun is highest is a recipe for disaster. Instead, go in the early evening (or morning! Brunch picnic, anyone?) to ensure your experience is relaxed and not too hot.
• Pack your cooler properly. To keep your picnic fare the coldest, make sure the food and drinks are cold before putting them in the cooler. Even better? Pre-chill your cooler. And for the best cold retention, fill your cooler all the way up.

• Protect yourself from the elements. Remember: You’re dining outside. You’ll want to prepare more than just food. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and bug spray to keep critters at bay. If it’s really hot, consider packing a few paper fans for you and your fellow picnic-goers.
• Bring pillows and extra blankets. You’re probably already packing a picnic blanket (if not, you should!) but consider bringing two or three more so you can layer them for extra comfort. Grab some pillows before you head out, too, to make lounging feel a bit more extravagant.
• Choose your spot wisely. Whether you’re on a beach or at a park, nothing ruins a meal like sitting on rocks or wet grass. Seek out a spot that’s on level ground and in the shade (or at least not in direct sunlight). Make sure the grass is dry before you lay out your blankets.