How to Pack the Perfect Picnic
When summer rolls around, ”eating out” takes on a whole new meaning. Reservations are swapped for road trips, and cramped booths make way for picnic blankets laden with summery fare.
But there is an art to creating the perfect picnic. If your past outings have been punctuated with soggy sandwiches, limp salad greens, and grandma’s chocolate cake melted all over your crisp, white T-shirt, then we’ve got the antidote: a delicious menu that steers you clear of these and other common picnic pitfalls. Whether you’re driving a few hours into the country or just down the street, fill your basket or backpack with these treats, and we guarantee your next moveable feast will be a surefire success.
get the recipes
Mediterranean Pressed Picnic Sandwich
This sandwich turns take-along food flaws—travel time, cramped packing quarters, moist ingredients—into assets. Pressing the sandwich lets the crusty bread soak up roasted vegetable juices, and travel time gives flavors a chance to meld.
more
Barbecued Tofu and Grilled Corn Salad
This hearty salad offers all the flavor of a backyard barbecue even when you’re miles from the nearest grill.
more
Coney Island Chili Dogs
Pack warm hot dogs and chili in separate thermoses for boardwalk fare anywhere.
more
Sugar Snap Pea Salad with Lemon-Mint Vinaigrette
To keep sugar snap peas bright green, add the vinaigrette just before serving.
more
Picnic Caviar
There’s nothing fishy about this combination of beans, corn, and peppers. The easy-to-make gem gets better as it marinates in its sweet-’n'-spicy dressing.
more
Raspberry Oatmeal Bars
Feel free to try this recipe with different jams (blueberry and apricot work well). You can also add 1/2 cup nuts to the batter for extra protein and energy on long hikes.
more
at a glance
