Though it has French origins (piquenique), this alfresco ritual is now a stateside staple. This roundup includes picnic-worthy recipes from picnic pros and tastemakers, plus a selection of our all-time favorite Country Living classics, so you can enjoy the most delicious open-air meal possible. Add a DIY outdoor game, and it’ll be the party of the summer.
Smoky German-Style Bacon Potato Salad
This crowd-pleasing recipe comes from the family behind the famed smoked pork products Bentons Country Ham. For bacon enthusiasts, the name “Benton” is basically shorthand for prestige pork, which is why Darrell Benton left his job as a radiologist to take over his father Alan’s widely respected 50-year-old smokehouse. His preferred potato salad (which includes bacon, naturally) skips the mayo in favor of tangy apple cider vinegar and spicy mustard. Trust us—you may never go back to the creamy variety!
Get the recipe for Smoky German-Style Bacon Potato Salad.
Chicken Finger Sub with Cabbage Slaw
Need a main dish that feeds a crowd? This recipe delivers. Use homemade chicken tenders for extra flavor, or save time with store-bought. Either way, the crispy slaw adds plenty of crunch, flavor, and texture.
Get the recipe for Chicken Finger Sub with Cabbage Slaw.
Caprese Pasta Salad
Sweet, savory, and picnic-perfect, this eight-ingredient Caprese pasta salad is packed with fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, and basil for big summer flavor.
Get the recipe for Caprese Pasta Salad.
Tarragon Chicken Salad on Croissants
This classic chicken salad, made with sweet raisins, tangy vinegar, and fresh tarragon, is served on a buttery, flaky croissant. While the chicken salad travels well, the croissant can get soggy over time, so you may want to pack them separately if you have a bit to travel.
Get the recipe for Tarragon Chicken Salad on Croissants.
Root Beer Baked Beans
Nothing says “summer party” quite like a scoop of baked beans. But this hall-of-fame dish steps it up a notch and will have everyone asking what your secret ingredient is… root beer! Sweetened with the nostalgic beverage and a bit of molasses, then balanced with tangy mustard and apple cider vinegar, this side dish tastes like old-school summer in every bite.
Get the recipe for Root Beer Baked Beans.
Roast Beef Baguettes
Deli meats are always a good choice for a picnic. They travel well and make the perfect sandwich, which just might be the ultimate picnic food. This version features pickled onions and horseradish butter for plenty of bold flavor. Eating outside doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice taste.
Get the recipe for Roast Beef Baguettes.
Charred Baby Peppers with Lime and Cashew Vinaigrette
These colorful charred sweet peppers are the kind of picnic side that disappears fast. Tossed with a bright lime-and-cashew vinaigrette, they’re smoky, crunchy, and packed with fresh flavor that gets even better as the dish sits.
Get the recipe for Charred Baby Peppers with Lime and Cashew Vinaigrette.
Jalapeño–Sour Cream Cornbread with Honey Butter
Why have just plain cornbread, when you can have this crowd-favorite upgrade. A little spicy, a little sweet, and completely irresistible, this cornbread is the perfect sidekick to fried chicken and crisp coleslaw for an all-star picnic spread.
Get the recipe for Jalapeño–Sour Cream Cornbread with Honey Butter.
Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken
We know sweet tea goes well served with fried chicken, but on the chicken? Turns out, yes! It was no surprise to us that the CEO of Milo’s Tea Company (and granddaughter of the Milo), Tricia Wallwork, knows a thing or two about Southern staples—and as it turns out, the region’s most beloved beverage can multitask. “Sweet tea is a natural brine—the tea tannins tenderize the meat, and the sugar enhances carmelization, creating that beautiful golden crust,” says Tricia.
Get the recipe for Sweet Tea-Brined Fried Chicken.
Toasted Seed Coleslaw
Every picnic needs a good coleslaw, and while this one may look simple, it’s packed with flavor. Spiced with cumin, coriander, celery seed, and caraway, then finished with tangy sour cream, there’s nothing bland about this hall-of-fame side dish.
Get the recipe for Toasted Seed Coleslaw.
Spiced Peach Hand Pies
Handheld desserts are the way to go when having a picnic, and while cookies are great, hand pies are even better—especially if they are filled with peaches! With a flaky crust, sweet fruit filling, and a drizzle of glaze, these little treats were made for eating outdoors.
Get the recipe for Spiced Peach Hand Pies.
Gingham Shortbread Cookies
California-born textile designer Heather Taylor has elevated the iconic gingham pattern with the high-quality, high-style wares from table linens to party decor to bedding she sells through her company Heather Taylor Home. So, it’s no wonder that her picnic preference is checked as well. These smile-inducing treats take their cue from her iconic picnic-perfect patterns. We’re partial to the classic blue-and-white color pairing, but you can use any color food coloring you like. They’d be especially cute dyed to match your picnic blanket!
