Picnic recipes

Choose a mix of a filling main, a salad or vegetable and something sweet, then pack it in containers with tight lids. Sturdy breads, wraps and dressings packed separately help keep food from getting soggy. Freeze a few water bottles to double as ice packs, and bring a cutting board, a knife, wet wipes and a bag for trash.

Common questions

How long can food sit out at a picnic?

Perishable food, including meat, poultry, dairy, cut fruit and prepared salads, should not sit out for more than 2 hours. When the temperature is above 90F, the limit drops to 1 hour. After that, throw it away. Keep food in the cooler until you are ready to eat, and put leftovers back on ice right away.

How do you keep picnic food cold?

Pack cold food straight from the refrigerator into an insulated cooler with plenty of ice packs or frozen water bottles, aiming to keep it at 40F or below. Pack it full, since a full cooler stays cold longer, and keep it in the shade with the lid closed. Separate drinks into another cooler so the food cooler is opened less.

What food is good for a picnic?

Look for food that holds up without refrigeration for a short time and doesn't need utensils: wraps, sturdy sandwiches, pasta salad with a vinaigrette, cheese and crackers, whole or cut fruit, cut vegetables with hummus, and cookies or bars. Avoid anything that melts easily or needs to be served hot unless you are bringing a portable grill.

How do you keep picnic sandwiches from getting soggy?

Use sturdy bread like ciabatta, baguette or toasted sandwich bread, and spread a thin layer of butter, mayonnaise or cream cheese all the way to the edges to act as a barrier. Pat tomatoes and other wet fillings dry, layer greens between bread and fillings, and wrap tightly. You can also pack wet ingredients separately and assemble on site.