Summer is all about enjoying the outdoors. And whether you’re going on a date, hanging out with a good friend or enjoying the sun on your own, you deserve to relax without having to stress or spend hours in the kitchen. So fold up the blanket, pack up the picnic basket (or backpack) and get ready to head to the park with some of your food favorites in tow. To help you plan the ultimate summer picnic, we’ve done the hard work for you and selected top picks from our stores, easy recipes and simple picnic food ideas. You’ll thank us later.
Tips for Picnic Success – It’s All in the Bag (or Basket)
- Insulated containers and cold packs will be your friend on hot days. Delight children by freezing juice boxes the night before so they stay cold. And filling an extra thermos with ice water never hurts either.
- Pack a lightweight cutting board and paring knife for last-minute prep. And don’t forget utensils!
- Pack it in and pack it out. Remember to bring a receptacle for trash, recycling and compost so you can leave your picnic site tidy for the next visitors.
- A sun hat, sunscreen, hand sanitizer and bug repellent are must-haves.
- Fun for later — don’t forget a ball, Frisbee, kite or bubbles to continue the merriment after mealtime.
To Start: Meat, Cheese and More
Let’s be honest for a minute: The appetizers are just as good as the main course. Live by that rule, and start your meal off with some antipasto. And no, you don’t have to source the ingredients and make a fancy plate. Visit our olive bar (found in the Prepared Foods department) for varieties from Kalamata to Castelvetrano and other accoutrements like cornichons. Pair with an easy meat and cheese plate: Try thinly sliced prosciutto and aged sharp cheddar from our Cheese department. If you want something sweet, a bit of fruit is always a nice pairing for prosciutto — try melon or strawberries.
Next: Bring on the Veggies and Dips
Aka crudités, but let’s call it: crudités on summer vacation. It can be just as easy as chips and guac. The picnic version skips the cutting-the-vegetables step by subbing in precut vegetables and rich, creamy dips to go with them. Try a bag of mixed raw veggies like carrots, broccoli and cauliflower. If you’re a carrot fan, try baby carrots or carrot chips. Serve with Homemade Ranch Dressing or Creamy Cucumber Dip.
The Main Event: Fried Chicken
Fried chicken is a classic picnic dish because it tastes just as great out of the fridge as it does out of the fryer. You can make it from scratch with our Picnic Chicken Drumsticks. Or let us do the frying! Pick up Crispy Fried Chicken from our Prepared Foods department and you’ll be ready to go. (Availability varies by location.) If you’re not in a fried-chicken mood, grab a container of our Sonoma Chicken Salad. Serve it with crackers, on bread or even with salad greens.
Side Dishes: Salads, Salads, Salads
As for side dishes, there are plenty of salads to choose from in our Prepared Foods department, including delicious pasta salads, potato salads and grain salads. If you have the time, you can also whip up your own. We love this BLT Pasta Salad, Mediterranean Crunch Salad and Southwestern Couscous Salad.
Dessert: Pie (of Course)
The real dream date here is between you and pie. We suggest pie not only because a good pie makes for a solid picnic centerpiece, but also because pie makes everything better in general. You don’t even have to bake it: Pick up one of our apple or cherry pies. Just remember to bring some sort of utensil for cutting and serving. Pie goals? Check.
To Drink: Canned Wine, Hard Seltzer and More
No need to bring a corkscrew to your picnic — bring canned versions of your favorite libations like hard seltzer, cider, beer and wine.* Cans are a must-have when you’re headed to places that prohibit glass. Make sure to check with your local parks department to make sure you’re allowed to drink alcohol, though.
Keep It Simple with Sandwiches
Don’t have the time for a full picnic spread but still want to enjoy an alfresco meal solo or with friends? Sandwiches and wraps are summer's handheld heroes for maximizing your outdoor mealtime enjoyment. Pick up your favorite sandwich from your local store, like our classic Turkey Picnic Sandwich on Wheat from our Prepared Foods department. Or prep your own! We’re pretty partial to the Tuna Sandwich with Radish and Lemon Mayo, but you can’t go wrong with any of these picnic-perfect sandwiches.
*Must be 21+. Please drink responsibly.
