Forget everything you thought you knew about ideal picnic foods—gone are the days of potato salads and chocolate bars because we’ve got the low down on which foods to bring and which foods to leave at home.
1. Seafood
We like seafood as much as the next person, but it’s generally a terrible picnic food idea. Without the right temperatures, cold seafood like sushi or shrimp is a one-way ticket to stomach upset—however, cooked fish also needs regulated temperatures. All in all, fish is best reserved for at-home dinners.
2. Chocolate
The best picnics happen on a warm, sunny day…meaning chocolate doesn’t stand a chance. Unless you have some way to protect it, your chocolate will surely melt in the sun, leaving you with nothing but the promise of what could have been.
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3. Baguettes
The smell and taste of fresh bread lures in just about everyone, however, it’s not the smartest picnic food. Unless you’ve sliced it beforehand or already used it for sandwiches, a full baguette causes more trouble than its worth. Not to mention, cutting it on site brings a bunch of crumbs, too.
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4. Ice Cream
As delicious as it is, don’t bring ice cream to a picnic. Whether it’s a one-liter tub or convenient sandwiches, ice cream makes a mess and attracts every bug in existence.
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5. Leafy Salads
Salads are healthy, versatile, and packed with flavor—so why not bring them along? Well, between travel time and how quickly it’s eaten, unattended salad goes soggy. Even if you brought the dressing separate (also a bad idea), it’ll likely go to waste.
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6. Soft Cheese
Like it or not, soft cheese will betray you at a picnic. When left to bake in the summer heat, don’t be surprised when brie melts into an inedible mess. If you’re itching to bring cheese, stick with cheddar or Gouda.
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7. Fried Foods
Fried chicken is great in the bucket, but at a picnic it goes soggy and cold and soon becomes a disappointment. To make matters worse, you’ll need dozens of napkins or wetnaps to get those greasy hands clean.
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8. Mayo-Based Salads
The first thing mayo does in the sun is spoil, which is exactly why you should leave certain dishes at home. Keep items like tuna, macaroni, and potato salad off your picnic menu—everyone’s stomachs will thank you later.
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9. Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a staple at large gatherings; they’re easy to make and a great option for sensitive palettes. What they aren’t great at, however, is standing strong in the summer heat. Deviled eggs are really more of an indoor food.
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10. Dips
One person brings chips, you bring the homemade guac—everything’s made in the shade, right? The issue with dips is that they need regulated temperatures to stay fresh, so leaving guacamole or hummus to sweat in the sun isn’t the best idea.
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The good news is that you still have plenty of picnic food options!
1. Fresh Fruit
Watermelon slices in the summer? Yes, please! Fresh fruit is good for you, it’s refreshing, and it’s one of the more affordable picnic menu options. Everyone loves the person who shows up with a bowlful of berries.
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2. Wraps
Don’t leave out cold cuts or cheese—make them into handy wraps instead! They’re simple enough to make and cater to everyone’s tastes because you can experiment with toppings.
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3. Fresh Veggies
Carrot sticks, bell pepper wedges, cucumber slices…the possibilities are endless. Fresh veggies are a picnic tradition, and you can rest easy knowing they’re often the first platter to get picked clean.
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4. Cookies
If you’re stuck on what to bring, or just want everyone to love you, show up with homemade cookies. You have dozens of recipes to choose from and you know people will indulge.
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5. Pasta Salad
In the salad kingdom, pasta salad is the safest picnic option. Though you can play around with ingredients, it often consists of no more than noodles, fresh veggies, and a drizzle of olive oil. It keeps in the sun and won’t scare away sensitive stomachs.
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6. Quiche
What’s so great about quiche is that it can be served hot or cold, making it a perfect picnic food. You can pre-cut it for easier serving and don’t have to worry about a ton of food waste either.
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7. Sandwiches
Sandwiches are not only delicious, but convenient, too. They’re easy to pack, can be customized for everyone’s tastes, and don't require utensils. Talk about a slam dunk!
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8. Granola Bars
We know it’s easier to buy a box, but try your hand at homemade granola bars. They’ll taste way better and some recipes are actually no-bake—you might even find some that only need a handful of ingredients to make.
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9. Mini Muffins
As great as cookies are, sometimes you need a lighter option. Mini muffins are perfect picnic snacks because they’ve got the best of both worlds: they’re bite-sized and packed with flavor. You also allow guests a chance to graze without getting too full.
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10. Pickles
Pickles make a good picnic great, so don’t be shy about bringing them. This classic side dish doesn’t need refrigeration, pairs well with mains, and is a widely sought-after finger food.
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