30+ Favorite Spring Time Picnic Recipe Ideas You’ll Love
Every year, as the weather starts to warm and the sun begins to make a more regular appearance, I look forward to even more time spent outside. Springtime is the ideal time for friends and families to get together and enjoy the beauty of nature, and, in my opinion, going on a picnic is one of the best ways to enjoy being outside. I love eating outside! Today I’m sharing a collection of favorite springtime picnic recipes you’ll love.
What makes a picnic so great is not just the fact that you get to enjoy a meal outside, but you get to refresh your spirit by being outside in nature! Being outside is good for the body and soul! I’m trying to spend as much time as possible outside this year (as many as 1000 hours) – and I’m even tracking the hours in my planner.
As the season changes, the landscape transforms into springtime and pastel colors, offering a perfect backdrop for outdoor meals. The mild weather creates a comfortable setting for relaxation and socialization. And there’s nothing like the warm sun and a cool breeze to set the mood.
Planning the perfect springtime menu for your picnic doesn’t have to be hard. There are some basic ideas to keep in mind when you’re thinking about what to pack up to serve your family and friends at the next picnic.
Whether you’re planning a family outing, a casual get-together with friends, or a more intimate picnic for two, the focus will be on recipes that are easy to pack, serve, and savor against the backdrop of spring’s natural beauty.
Planning a nutritious and enjoyable picnic menu can be straightforward with a focus on simplicity and balance. Here are a few tips for how to plan your springtime picnic menu:
- Assess the Location: Your menu should fit the picnic setting. Opt for finger foods and dishes that are fine at room temperature if you’ll be without tables or grills.
- Balance the Menu: Include a mix of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, incorporating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats for a varied and balanced meal.
- Use Seasonal Produce: Seasonal fruits and vegetables offer better taste and nutritional value. They’re perfect for adding freshness to your picnic.
- Choose Durable Dishes: Select foods meant to be eaten cold or at room temperature and can hold up well over time, like pasta salads, wraps, and sandwiches.
- Simplify Clean-Up: Go for minimal packaging and foods that require few utensils to ease the clean-up process and reduce waste.
Cucumber Water Recipe: with 10 Easy Tips for GREAT Infused Water
So refreshing on a warm spring day, and much tastier than plain ol' tap water! Pack a picnic jug full of Cucumber Water to make your outing feel extra special (and extra delicious)!
Healthy Sour Green Apple & Lime Soda (No Added Sugar)
Bring this Sour Green Apple and Lime Soda along on your picnic for a refreshing, healthy and delicious thirst quencher!
Refrigerator Dill Pickles | How to Make Homemade Dill Pickles
Simple homemade pickles that keep in the fridge for weeks. You'll love the fresh bite!
Lemon Basil Couscous Salad | Simple, Quick, Easy
This Lemon Basil Couscous Salad can be made ahead or served immediately. It’s simple to prepare and can be served a side dish or main entree.
Cucumber Tea Sandwiches (Kid Friendly Lunch!)
Made with an herb packed cream cheese and thinly sliced cucumbers, these delectable Cucumber Tea Sandwiches are savory, refreshing and oh so cute!
How To Make Pea Salad
Loaded with peas, cheddar cheese, red onion and lots of bacon! This is sure to be a crowd favorite!
Delicious Raspberry Shortbread Bars
These raspberry dream bars are the perfect picnic treat with a buttery shortbread base and a tangy raspberry topping - yum!
Soft And Chewy Lemon Cookies
These sweet and easy soft lemon cookies are the perfect little cookie for a delicious treat. Full of fresh lemon zest, these are bright, yummy cookies you’ll want to make again and again!
Whole Orange Cake - made in a blender
With a delicious and fresh taste, this whole orange cake is made with a whole orange, including peel, pulp and juice. How easy is that?! Made in a blender, you won't even need a mixer!
Strawberry Blondies
Strawberry Blondies are a sweet springtime dessert that you won’t be able to get enough of. A chewy, rich blondie batter meets it’s match with fresh, juicy strawberries that give this recipe a fantastic burst of flavor.
Oreo Bumblebee Cookies
This will be hit when you serve them at your next picnic. So simple to make and a really cute idea.
Pecan Pie Muffins | Easy Pecan Pie Muffin Recipe
These muffins taste so much like a pecan pie without all the work! Perfect for picnics, potlucks or holiday gatherings.
The BEST Tuna Salad Recipe
This tuna salad's refreshing flavor and ingredients, take a tuna salad sandwich to a whole new level. The fresh herbs and lemon that it uses is absolutely amazing!
Asparagus Salad
This asparagus salad is tender asparagus, tomatoes, olives, red onion and radishes, all tossed in a homemade dressing and topped with feta cheese. A unique and delicious springtime salad that is sure to get rave reviews!
Penne Pesto Primavera
This delicious pasta dish is packed with fresh vegetables and coated in a flavorful pesto sauce. It tastes amazing when served cold for a picnic. It's sure to leave you wanting more.
Lemon Spring Orzo Pasta Salad with Feta and Asparagus
Sure to be a crowd-pleaser, this lemon orzo salad with spring vegetables is delicious and healthy. This is a great salad for make-ahead lunches because it gets better the longer it marinates!
Green Garlic Potato Salad
A perfect potato salad for a spring picnic! This Italian potato salad has no mayo, but is incredibly tasty, for a vegan salad everyone can enjoy (and won't spoil when it's left out)!
Snackle Box - the ultimate grazing box / charcuterie
A traveling charcuterie board… a grazing box on the go… a tackle box meets snacks? Call it what you want, but the Snackle Box might be my new favorite way to snack. Organize a box with your favorite goodies, open it up, sit back, and enjoy. You’re in for a treat! Perfect for a couples picnic or for kids to enjoy!
Easy 2 Ingredient Fruit Dip - Our Love Language is Food
This 2-Ingredient Fruit Dip recipe is a classic and easy recipe for any fruit tray. Perfect for parties of all kinds, potlucks, picnics, and snacking.
Vegan Potato Salad with Dill
This vegan potato salad with dill is a classic that is completely mayo-free and tossed in a creamy cashew sauce. It’s a side dish that’s perfect for bringing along to a pool party, BBQ, or potluck!
Crunchy Thai Peanut Salad
This easy Thai peanut salad (peanut slaw) combines fresh, crunchy veggies with a creamy, tangy, sweet, savory peanut dressing in just 10 minutes—perfect for pairing with a plant protein and enjoying as a main or side dish at picnics, potlucks, BBQs, or a mid-week meal!
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad Recipe
Welcome to a Hawaiian paradise of creamy, tangy, and savory flavors! Authentic Hawaiian Macaroni Salad is an easy-to-make side dish for your next BBQ or picnic!
Flavor Packed Cucumber Salad with a Little “BAM”
A light and refreshing cucumber salad is the perfect snack on a spring day. Simple ingredients and no refrigerator needed.
Strawberry Goat Cheese Walnut Salad
Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad is a delicious, beautiful salad with fresh strawberries, creamy goat cheese, red onion, candied walnuts, and baby spinach with a homemade honey lime dressing.
EASY BROCCOLI SALAD WITH CRANBERRIES
This salad is packed with crunch from the sunflower seeds and broccoli along with a burst of flavor from the sweet cranberries. The dressing is incredibly creamy and flavorful which makes this salad perfectly sweet and savory.
Vegetarian Spring Salad with Peas & Lentils (22g protein!)
Looking for a salad that is filling, healthy and high in protein? Try this spring salad with lentils & veggies now!
Easy Canned Chicken Salad
Make the most of your pantry staples with this canned chicken salad. It's a quick and satisfying lunch - no cooking required. Scoop it onto crackers, serve it on a sandwich, or add it to a mixed greens salad.
5 Ingredient Tortellini Salad
This 5 ingredient caprese tortellini salad is perfect for spring picnics! Make it a day or two ahead of time and add fresh arugula just before serving for a bright, fresh crunch.
Panera Copycat Napa Almond Chicken Salad (Without Celery)
These California chicken salad sandwiches are packed with a creamy, tangy dressing, and the perfect sweet punch of grapes and almonds. Whether you sandwich it between soft, brioche bread, flakey croissants, or use it to top off a quick salad, this chicken salad is anything but boring. Call it the perfect spin on a retro classic!
Easy Colorful Rainbow Pinwheels
Turkey Veggie Rainbow Pinwheels are a fantastic idea for a colorful spring picnic! They're a breeze to make, easy to pack, and will keep until you're ready to eat them.
Veggie Pinwheel Tortilla Rollups
Creamy vegetable cream cheese rollups are packed full of delicious herbs, cheese and vegetables all rolled up in a tortilla. Perfect for a cold lunch.
Whether you’re gathering with family or friends, these recipes are sure to make your next picnic a memorable and effortless affair. Embrace the season with these simple but delicious spring time picnic recipes, and make the most of your outdoor picnics this spring.
