GET FREE SAMPLES

sign up for our newsletter to get free sample alerts

15 Healthy Picnic Recipes for a Gorgeous Summer Spread

From fresh salads and dips to guilt-free desserts, these are the best picnic recipes for healthy outdoor eating
Photo 8/15
Best Picnic Recipes: Caprese Skewers
The key to good picnic food is convenience, and these delicious skewers require neither cutlery nor plates. The Mediterranean flavors and colorful aesthetic makes this easy healthy recipe a total crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients (serves 8):
16 ripe cherry tomatoes
16 small fresh mozzarella balls
16 basil leaves
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Premium balsamic vinegar
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper

Directions:
Wash and dry cherry tomatoes. Pierce one tomato on each skewer, then one chunk of mozzarella on top of the tomato, and place a basil leaf on top. Repeat the process until there are 6 pieces on each skewer. Drizzle with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Recipe courtesy of Reluctant Entertainer

Photo 9/15
Best Picnic Recipes: Arugula Watermelon Salad
Salad recipes don't get simpler (or prettier) than this fresh picnic food idea. With watermelon as its centerpiece, the dish takes full advantage of summertime.

Salad Ingredients:
6 cups baby arugula, washed and spun dry
1/8th of a seedless watermelon, rind removed, and cut in 1-inch cubes 12 ounces feta cheese, diced
1 cup whole fresh mint leaves, julienned

Dressing Ingredients:
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup minced shallots
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black

Directions:
For dressing, whisk together orange juice, lemon juice, shallots, honey, salt and pepper. Slowly pour in olive oil, whisking constantly, to form an emulsion.

Place arugula, watermelon, feta, and mint in a large bowl. Drizzle with enough vinaigrette to coat the greens lightly, and toss well.

Recipe courtesy of Ina Garten

Photo 10/15
Best Picnic Recipes: Pear Chicken Salad Wrap
Keep your chicken salad sandwich fillings from spilling out to the rapture of a thousand ants by folding them up into a tasty picnic wrap.

Wrap Ingredients (serves 4):
2 cups shredded roast chicken
1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
1 pear, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup slivered almonds
4 large spinach tortillas
mixed field greens Sauce Ingredients: 1 teaspoon canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce 1/2 cup fresh or frozen raspberries (thawed)
Juice from half a lime
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons sugar

Directions:
For sauce, place chipotle pepper, raspberries, lime juice, olive oil, salt, pepper and sugar into a food processor. Process until smooth.

In medium bowl, combine chicken, cheese, pear, almonds and sauce. Mix well. Place 1/4 of chicken salad at one end or tortilla. Place desired amount of mixed greens on top. Roll up burrito style. Cut in half.

Recipe courtesy of Culinary Circle and The Wanderlust Kitchen

Photo 11/15
Best Picnic Recipes: Tahini Dijon Coleslaw
Don't worry -- we haven't forgotten your perfect picnic slaw. This version incorporates Middle Eastern flavors for a tangy addition to your roster of picnic recipes.

Coleslaw Ingredients:
1 head green cabbage, shredded
1 1/2 cups carrots, julienned
4 scallions, sliced
12 pepperoncini or banana peppers, julienned or diced
Himalayan salt & fresh cracked pepper to taste
Sesame seeds

Dressing Ingredients:
3 tablespoons tahini
3 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons pure cane sugar or pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar or juice of 1/2 lemon
Pinch of fresh cracked pepper

Directions:
In a small bowl combine dressing ingredients. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, add cabbage, carrots, scallions and pepperoncinis. Drizzle with dressing and toss. Add salt & fresh cracked pepper to taste. Serve at room temp or chilled with a sprinkle of white sesame seeds over top.

Recipe courtesy of The Simple Veganista

Photo 12/15
Best Picnic Recipes: Spicy Mango Guacamole
Picnickers will rejoice when you whip out the chips and a bowl of this scrumptious guac. Mango and jalapeños add a fun pop of color and kick to this easy picnic food.

Ingredients:
1 avocado
1 mango
1 tomato
1 jalapeño pepper
Juice from 2 limes
Cilantro
Sea salt
Cayenne pepper

Directions:
Cut avocado in half, and use a fork to mash until smooth. Chop tomato, mango, and jalapeño into small pieces -- set aside some tomato and mango for garnish -- and mix with the avocado in a small bowl. Mix in the lime juice and a few sprinkles of sea salt. Top your guacamole with extra tomato and mango, plus a sprinkling of cayenne pepper. (If you like a smoother consistency, blend all ingredients in a food processor). Scoop with tortilla chips.

Recipe courtesy of Free People Blog

One of the best things about summer: eating outdoors (preferably in the park, on a blanket, with a chilled bottle of wine). Summer is picnic season, and while classic picnic fare is fine for an impromptu gathering, we prefer our picnic dishes to be next-level, Instagram-worthy affairs. Anyone can slap together a basic cheese plate, but these easy, healthy recipes are the kind that taste as lovely as they look against a checkered blanket. Want to put your fellow picnickers to shame without blowing your summer diet? From inventive new recipes to nutritious takes on traditional picnic cuisine, these are all the picnic food ideas you need to have the best summer spread on social media.
BY AMANDA MONTELL | JUL 27, 2015 | SHARES
VIEW COMMENTS
Full Site | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
TotalBeauty is a property of Evolve Media Holdings, LLC. © 2024 All Rights Reserved. | Affiliate Disclosure: Evolve Media Holdings, LLC, and its owned and operated subsidiaries may receive a small commission from the proceeds of any product(s) sold through affiliate and direct partner links.