Our best ever picnic recipes
If you're looking for picnic ideas to celebrate the warmer weather then look no further!
We have lots of wonderful picnic ideas so that you can celebrate in style. From an array of tasty salads to gourmet sandwiches, we have all tastes covered.
If you're hosting an afternoon tea, then check out our Afternoon Tea recipes for inspiration.
Pimm’s Scones
Inspired by a favourite summer cocktail, these decadent scones up the ante of any afternoon tea.
Recipe: Pimm’s Scones
Coronation Chicken Pies
Guests will love these individual pies with a mellow curried filling. Be as creative as you like with the decoration, we’ve gone with pastry crowns, or keep them plain, if pushed for time.
Recipe: Coronation Chicken Pies
Lox Brioche Rolls
A speedy pickled cucumber adds freshness to this classic combination. Use sliced white bread, if you prefer.
Recipe: Lox Brioche Rolls
‘Chuna’ Mayo Sandwiches
A vegan version of the ever-popular tuna sandwich. Remember to check your bread choice is suitable too.
Recipe: ‘Chuna’ Mayo Sandwiches
Pastrami Bagel Quarters
Quick to assemble and packed with flavour. If you don’t like Jarlsberg, you can use any sliced hard cheese.
Recipe: Pastrami Bagel Quarters
Sticky Glazed Chicken Drumsticks
Simple ingredients combine to make a moreish barbecue classic. These sticky drummers can also be cooked in the oven.
Recipe: Sticky Glazed Chicken Drumsticks
Mixed Bean Falafel and Sweet Potato Hummus
The falafel and hummus can easily be doubled for a tasty lunchbox treat.
Recipe: Mixed Bean Falafel and Sweet Potato Hummus
Quinoa and Chimichurri Steak Salad
Toasting the quinoa first gives it a nutty taste and slight crunch in this steak salad recipe
Recipe: Quinoa and Chimichurri Steak Salad
Chicken and Pineapple Satay Skewers with Rainbow Salad
Nutty, sweet and oh-so good, we’ve paired these moreish skewers with a refreshing, crunchy salad.
Recipe: Chicken and Pineapple Satay Skewers with Rainbow Salad
Pesto Potato Salad
Super simple and packed with flavour: you’ll never buy potato salad again!
Recipe: Pesto Potato Salad
Mini Watercress and Salmon Pies
These little pies are perfect for a garden party celebration this Jubilee season. If you don’t like watercress, try baby spinach instead.
Recipe: Mini Watercress and Salmon Pies
Ploughman’s Scones
We’ve taken this traditional lunch and turned it into an easy and delicious scone recipe.
Recipe: Ploughman’s Scones
Asparagus and Hollandaise Tart
This tart recipe is so easy – just use a jar of hollandaise and ready made puff pastry.
Recipe: Asparagus and Hollandaise Tart
Ultimate Fish Finger Sandwich
You cant be a fish finger sarnie and this one is a winner.
Recipe: Ultimate Fish Finger Sandwich
Chicken Pasty
These oh-so simple pastries are made using Jus-Rol Pastry
Recipe: Chicken Pasty
Griddled Nectarine and Feta Salad
Sweet and salty, this simple salad will complement any main.
Recipe: Griddled Nectarine and Feta Salad
Garlic and Herb Mushroom Skewers
These skewers require a bit of extra prep but they cook quickly and are a great addition to a spread.
Recipe: Garlic and Herb Mushroom Skewers
Strawberry Fluff Brownies
Freeze-dried strawberries add a real punch of flavour to the squidgy homemade marshmallow fluff layer in these amazing brownies.
Recipe: Strawberry Fluff Brownies
Crab Roll
We used a mixture of tinned and fresh crab for added flavour in this simple recipe, while keeping costs low.
Recipe: Crab Roll
Summer Rolls with Satay Dip
Add prawns or shredded cooked chicken to the roll, if you like, and whatever crunchy vegetables you have to hand
Recipe: Summer Rolls with Satay Dip
Shrimp Po’ Boy
Po’Boy is a traditional sandwich from Louisiana that most often consists of deep fried meat or seafood in a crusty French loaf. We’ve chosen king prawns, or ‘shrimp’, for our taste of the deep south.
Recipe: Shrimp Po’ Boy
Vegetarian Cheese, Pear and Walnut Pie
We’ve taken inspiration from the classic Lancashire butter pie, but given ours a little twist. Feel free to swap the Lancashire cheese for a sharp Cheddar.
Recipe: Vegetarian Cheese, Pear and Walnut Pie
Raspberry Lemonade Bars
With a tangy fruity filling that tastes just like fresh raspberry lemonade, set on buttery shortbread, you may find it hard to stop at just one!
Recipe: Raspberry Lemonade Bars
Roasted Tomato and Burrata Salad
This creamy burrata salad is irresistible when combined with sweet summer tomatoes and basil.
Recipe: Roasted Tomato and Burrata Salad
Goats’ Cheese and Fig Muffins
Recipe: Goats’ Cheese and Fig Muffins
Nectarine and Almond Bakewell Cake
Put the kettle on – this easy and light bake is sure to impress.
Recipe: Nectarine and Almond Bakewell Cake
Deluxe Sausage Rolls
So simple to make and can be enjoyed hot or cold.
Recipe: Deluxe Sausage Rolls
Flatbread Lamb Burgers
Use lean lamb mince here and there’s no egg or breadcrumbs needed to bind. Chopped fresh herbs work well in the burger mixture, too.
Recipe: Flatbread Lamb Burgers
Nectarine Melba Froyo Bark
This frozen treat is easy to make and fun to eat, and you can try it with different yogurt flavours and fruits.
Recipe: Nectarine Melba Froyo Bark
Greek Salad Flatbreads
A simple flatbread perfect for the picnic.
Recipe: Greek Salad Flatbreads
Peanut Butter Caramel Slice
This tasty no-bake treat is surprisingly easy to assemble. Swap the smooth peanut butter for crunchy, for some extra bite.
Recipe: Peanut Butter Caramel Slice
Goat’s Cheese, Rosemary and Red Grape Focaccia
We’ve suggested using a freestanding mixer, as this dough is fairly sticky (this gives the bread its unique texture), but it can be achieved by hand. Grease your worksurface and hands with a little extra oil and knead for 10min, until dough its elastic and soft.
Recipe: Goat’s Cheese, Rosemary and Red Grape Focaccia
Kedgeree Scotch Egg
Our take on a classic Scotch Egg is inspired by the warming breakfast staple kedgeree, using the spiced risotto rice to coat the egg instead of traditional sausage meat.
Recipe: Kedgeree Scotch Egg
Mexican Corn Wraps
Wrapped up in foil, these make great packed lunches or picnic food.
Recipe: Mexican Corn Wraps
Greek Polenta Frittata
It doesn’t get much easier than this midweek frittata! The addition polenta may seem a little strange, but it gives the dish a wonderful texture.
Recipe: Greek Polenta Frittata
Great Big Pork Pie
This pie is ideal for buffets and has a surprise layer of onion marmalade in the middle. The ingredients are cheap to buy, and it's a great freeze-ahead meal too.
Recipe: Great Big Pork Pie
Classic Scotch Egg with Home-made Mustard Mayo
Surprisingly simple to make, these just need the punchy dressing and a salad to make them a complete meal.
Recipe: Classic Scotch Egg with Home-made Mustard Mayo
Salmon, Asparagus and Pea Quiche
Any leftovers make for a lovely lunch served straight from the fridge. For a quicker dinner, use bought shortcrust pastry instead.
Recipe: Salmon, Asparagus and Pea Quiche
Sticky Garlic, Thyme and Goat’s Cheese Quiche
A lot of garlic goes into this spectacular quiche, but fear not: its strength gets mellowed with the cooking process, so you are left with its sweetened warmth.
Recipe: Sticky Garlic, Thyme and Goat’s Cheese Quiche
Grated Halloumi Quesadillas
Mix and match the filling ingredients here to whatever you fancy. Shredded cooked chicken, refried beans and Cheddar would all make great additions.
Recipe: Grated Halloumi Quesadillas
Deli-style Pastrami Sarnie
Inspired by the classic New York 'pastrami on rye', this sarnie is packed full of delicious ingredients
Recipe: Deli-style Pastrami Sarnie
Pea Scotch Eggs
If you’re short on time, use cooked and peeled quail eggs. You won’t get the joy of the runny yolks, but they will still go down a treat
Recipe: Pea Scotch Eggs
White Port and Tonic
Your go-to gin sidekick just got a new best friend. Floral white port pairs perfectly with sharp fizzy tonic. Swap the rosemary for fresh mint, if you like.
Recipe: White Port and Tonic
Limoncello Collins
A jug of this citrussy cocktail is sure to get the party started. Perfect for summer alfresco dinning.
Recipe: Limoncello Collins
Rosemary Rosé Spritzer
This cocktail is completely refreshing, and the perfect drink for your next summer party.
Recipe: Rosemary Rosé Spritzer
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