Last Updated on August 13, 2017 by Karen
Picnics are one of my favorite things about summer. There’s no better way to enjoy a meal outdoors than to gather some friends for a picnic on the lawn or at the nearby park and relax in the shade all day long.
The key to a successful picnic is planning and preparing ahead of time, so that you can simply relax and enjoy yourself once you unpack your picnic basket. Let’s go through the picnic essentials and some tips to make your picnic a success!
PICNIC FOODS
- Non-dairy or mayo-free dips and spreads with raw vegetables, pita, or chips — hummus, salsa, and avocado dips are great options.
- Vinegar-based potato salads — opt for a mayo-free dressing so that the dish won’t spoil quickly when left in the sun.
- Pasta salads — pasta salads dressed in vinaigrette or pesto keep better than mayo-based ones. Pack the dressing separately and mix in when you get there to keep the dish nice and fresh.
- Sandwiches — cut sandwiches into small pieces so you can eat without utensils. Alternatively, serve cheese and cured meats with baguette.
STAY HYDRATED!
- Fruits with high-water content — think grapes (frozen ones too), watermelon, and cantaloupe.
- Water bottles — on a hot, sunny day, you might find yourself wanting to chug a whole lot of cold drinks. Bring some frozen water bottles which can double as ice packs.
- Flavored sparkling water — flavored sparkling water is a healthy alternative to soda and lemonade. Make sure there’s room in the cooler for IZZE’s new organic sparkling water in the best fruit flavor combos: Blackberry Pear, Mandarin Lime and Raspberry Watermelon. I’m loving these sparkling waters! It’s thirst-quenching, refreshing, and has a hint of organic pure cane sugar, clocking in at just 10 calories per 12oz serving!
PORTABLE TREATS
- Brownie bites
- Cookies
- Granola bars
- Pie bars or hand pies — easier to transport than an actual pie!
OTHER PICNIC GEAR
- Picnic blanket or woven mat
- Bottle opener/corkscrew — we always forget this one! ;)
- Plates
- Cups
- Utensils
- Napkins
DON’T FORGET TO CLEANUP
- Paper towels
- Wet wipes
- Trash bags
EXTRAS
- Pack foods in resealable containers to avoid spills and messes.
- Keep things chilled, especially dishes made with mayonnaise, dairy, or other ingredients that may spoil in the heat.
- Use ice packs, or fill a couple of resealable bags with ice cubes to be added to drinks during the picnic.
And there you have it — I hope these tips come in handy!
Now it’s your turn. What are your favorite picnic foods? Any picnic tips to share?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
