23 Picnic Recipes for Salads, Sliders, and Skewers

Picnic food has to make sense once it leaves the kitchen. Pick a salad when you want something for a bowl, a slider for a handheld plate, or a skewer when you want something more substantial. Set out a few napkins, add drinks, and let people fill their plates outside.

Three pulled pork sliders with coleslaw on a white plate, topped with a sprig of parsley. — BBQ Chicken Sliders with Homemade Slaw. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Charred Grilled Chicken Kabobs

Grilled chicken skewers with red bell peppers, green bell peppers, and onions are served on a white plate, garnished with chopped herbs. — Charred Grilled Chicken Kabobs. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Honey and paprika season Charred Grilled Chicken Kabobs with chicken breast, bell peppers, red onion, and portobello mushrooms. The four-serving recipe takes 30 minutes, plus 30 minutes to 4 hours for marinating. Each skewer grills for 12 to 15 minutes and can be served with rice, tzatziki, or flatbread. Pack them in a sturdy container for a picnic where one portable main needs protein and vegetables together.
Get the Recipe: Charred Grilled Chicken Kabobs

Bacon Wrapped Smokies

A close-up of Bacon Wrapped Sugar Smokies, held together with toothpicks and cooked to a crispy finish. — Bacon Wrapped Smokies. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Thin bacon wraps Bacon Wrapped Smokies before brown sugar caramelizes over the small sausages in the oven. The recipe makes 12 servings from about 32 pieces and takes 25 minutes from prep through baking. Spiced mayonnaise is suggested for dipping, and the assembled bites can be refrigerated overnight before cooking. Bring them warm in a covered container when the picnic needs a sweet-savory appetizer that is already portioned.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Fresh Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies

A bowl of vibrant pasta salad with penne, cherry tomatoes, black olives, diced cucumbers, red onions, and a drizzle of dressing. — Fresh Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Charred zucchini, peppers, onion, and tomatoes fill Fresh Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies around cavatappi and black olives. A balsamic dressing with Dijon, garlic, basil, olive oil, and lemon coats four servings. Prep and cooking take 40 minutes, and the finished salad works at room temperature or slightly chilled. Carry it in a sealed bowl when the picnic needs a pasta side that can sit beside grilled food and sandwiches.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Pasta Salad with Grilled Veggies

Antipasto Skewers

Mozzarella, prosciutto, salami, artichokes, tomatoes, and two kinds of olives make Antipasto Skewers a no-cook platter. Sixteen servings take 20 minutes to assemble before pesto and fresh herbs go over the top. The skewers can be chilled until serving and should sit out for 10 to 15 minutes before eating. Pack them flat in a lidded container for a picnic appetizer that does not require forks or serving spoons.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Skewers

Buffalo Chicken Sliders

A stack of slider sandwiches filled with shredded chicken and melted cheese, topped with herbs, on a light surface. — Buffalo Chicken Sliders. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Shredded chicken turns Buffalo Chicken Sliders into 12 pull-apart sandwiches with buffalo sauce, ranch, honey, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Hawaiian rolls are brushed with garlic butter before baking under foil and then uncovered. Prep takes 10 minutes and cooking takes 25 minutes. Wrap the pan or transfer the sliders to a covered carrier when the picnic needs a warm handheld dish that can feed a group.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Grilled Shrimp

Lemon herb butter gives Grilled Shrimp garlic, citrus, parsley, oregano, and dill before the skewers reach the table. One pound of shrimp makes four servings in 20 minutes. The skewers grill for 4 to 5 minutes per side and can be paired with vegetables, salad, or rice. Serve them soon after cooking at a nearby picnic spot when seafood belongs on the menu but long transport does not.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp

Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

A bowl of rotini pasta salad mixed with peas, cherry tomatoes, bacon bits, chopped herbs, and a creamy dressing, with a black serving spoon beside the dish. — Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Rotini holds the creamy dressing in Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, joined by bacon, cheddar, tomatoes, peas, onions, and celery. Mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder coat six servings. The recipe takes 25 active minutes plus an hour of chilling. Keep the bowl cold with ice packs when the picnic needs a make-ahead side that travels well and can be stirred before serving.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Grilled Chicken Thighs

Grilled meat ribs garnished with chopped herbs and garlic, served on a white platter with fresh parsley in the background. — Grilled Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Fresh parsley and cilantro create the chimichurri for Grilled Chicken Thighs, with garlic, red wine vinegar, oregano, and olive oil. Four servings take 20 minutes of prep, 20 minutes of cooking, and at least 30 minutes of marinating. The thighs grill for 10 to 15 minutes before resting and receiving the reserved sauce. Slice them before packing when the picnic needs a grilled main that can be served without handling whole pieces.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Thighs

Beef Kabobs with Chimichurri Sauce

Grilled meat and vegetable skewers with zucchini, red onion, and red bell pepper, garnished with chopped herbs, served on a beige plate. — Beef Kabobs with Chimichurri Sauce. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Sirloin alternates with bell pepper, zucchini, and red onion in Beef Kabobs with Chimichurri Sauce for four servings. Curry powder seasons the beef, while parsley, vinegar, lemon, garlic, and olive oil form the separate sauce. Prep and grilling take 35 minutes after at least 30 minutes of marinating. Transport the kabobs and chimichurri in separate containers so the picnic main stays firm and the sauce does not spill.
Get the Recipe: Beef Kabobs with Chimichurri Sauce

Mediterranean Orzo Salad

A bowl of orzo salad with mixed vegetables, including olives, tomatoes, and spinach, garnished with herbs. — Mediterranean Orzo Salad. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Cooled orzo gives Mediterranean Orzo Salad a substantial base with spinach, peppers, onion, cucumber, olives, and feta. Lemon juice, canola oil, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper make the dressing for six servings. The recipe takes 20 active minutes plus an hour of chilling. Prepare it before leaving and keep it cold for a picnic side that can fill plates without reheating.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Orzo Salad

Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers

Thai chicken skewers topped with a creamy sauce and garnished with chopped herbs and peanuts, served over a bed of white rice. — Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Ginger, lemongrass, curry paste, lime, sesame oil, and fish sauce season Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers before cooking. Eight chicken thighs make four servings with a peanut sauce of soy, Sriracha, lime, and honey. The full recipe takes 1 hour 5 minutes, including skewer soaking, marinating, and grilling. Pack the sauce separately when the picnic needs a grilled skewer with a dip that can be added at serving time.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Thai Chicken Skewers

Taco Salad Cups

Crisp tortilla shells turn Taco Salad Cups into 12 handheld portions filled with seasoned turkey, salsa, lettuce, tomato, onion, cilantro, and avocado. The recipe takes 30 minutes, with the cups baking for 8 to 10 minutes while the filling cooks. Components can be prepared ahead, but assembly works best near serving time. Carry the shells and toppings separately when the picnic needs a buildable option that avoids soggy bottoms.
Get the Recipe: Taco Salad Cups

BBQ Drumsticks

Juicy, crispy glazed chicken drumsticks with herbs and dipping sauce. — BBQ Drumsticks. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Apple cider vinegar loosens the barbecue sauce on BBQ Drumsticks, helping the glaze coat 10 to 12 pieces. Four servings take 5 minutes of prep and 50 minutes of oven cooking. The chicken bakes in two stages before a brief broil caramelizes the outside. Let the drumsticks cool slightly and pack them in an insulated carrier when the picnic needs a substantial main that can be eaten by hand.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Drumsticks

Caprese Pasta Salad

A bowl of rotini pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, fresh basil leaves, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. — Caprese Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Pesto coats the short noodles in Caprese Pasta Salad, while tomatoes, bocconcini, basil, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar finish four servings. Prep and cooking take 30 minutes, and the pasta is rinsed cold before assembly. The salad can be served immediately or chilled and keeps in the refrigerator for up to three days. Pack it with bread for a picnic side that travels cleanly in one sealed container.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Pasta Salad

Greek Chicken Kabobs

Grilled chicken skewers topped with a creamy white sauce and chopped herbs, served on a plate with sliced vegetables. — Greek Chicken Kabobs. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Greek yogurt and lemon help season Greek Chicken Kabobs with garlic, oregano, paprika, olive oil, and red wine vinegar. Two pounds of chicken breast make six servings in 25 minutes, plus at least 30 minutes for marinating. The skewers grill for 10 to 15 minutes and finish with feta, parsley, and tzatziki. Carry the sauce in a small jar when the picnic needs grilled chicken that can be portioned without slicing.
Get the Recipe: Greek Chicken Kabobs

Cobb Salad

Rows of chicken, bacon, eggs, avocado, tomatoes, and blue cheese make Cobb Salad easy to divide from a large platter. Romaine supports the toppings, while Dijon, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, and sugar form the dressing. Four servings take 40 minutes, including 25 minutes for baking the chicken. Pack the dressing separately, so the picnic salad stays crisp until everyone is ready to eat.
Get the Recipe: Cobb Salad

Chicken Croquettes

Close-up of several breaded chicken nuggets on a plate, with one nugget bitten in half to show the cooked chicken filling inside. — Chicken Croquettes. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Cooked chicken fills Chicken Croquettes with a thick milk sauce seasoned with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic, and onion powder. The recipe makes 12 servings and needs 25 active minutes plus 12 hours of chilling. Each breaded croquette fries for 3 to 4 minutes before draining. Prepare the mixture the day before, then transport the fried pieces in a single layer for a picnic snack with a crisp coating.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Croquettes

Copycat Big Mac Salad

Close-up of a salad featuring ground beef, sliced pickles, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and diced onions, topped with a creamy dressing. — Copycat Big Mac Salad. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Ground beef makes Copycat Big Mac Salad hearty over butter lettuce with cheddar, pickles, onion, tomato, and sesame seeds. The sauce combines mayonnaise, relish, sugar, vinegar, mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper. Four servings take 30 minutes, including 7 to 10 minutes for browning the beef. Chill the toppings and sauce separately when the picnic needs a burger-inspired salad without buns or a grill.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Big Mac Salad

Stuffed Buffalo Chicken Rolls

Close-up of cheesy garlic bread rolls topped with chopped green onions on a white plate, reminiscent of Loaded Buffalo Chicken Rolls. — Stuffed Buffalo Chicken Rolls. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Hollowed Hawaiian rolls hold Stuffed Buffalo Chicken Rolls with shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch, Colby Jack, and scallions. Twelve servings take 10 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking. Garlic-parsley butter goes over the rolls before baking, and the filling can be made one day ahead. Carry them warm in a covered pan when the picnic needs individual sandwiches that do not require cutting at the site.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Buffalo Chicken Rolls

Doritos Taco Salad

A large bowl of taco salad with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, shredded cheese, olives, ground beef, and crushed tortilla chips, with salad tongs resting on the edge. — Doritos Taco Salad. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Crushed chips give Doritos Taco Salad crunch beside seasoned beef, romaine, tomatoes, radishes, cheddar, beans, olives, and jalapeños. A homemade Catalina dressing uses vinegar, ketchup, honey, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, onion powder, and oil. Six picnic-ready servings take 25 minutes from prep through cooking. Pack the chips and dressing separately so the picnic bowl stays crisp until the final toss at the table.
Get the Recipe: Doritos Taco Salad

Crispy Chicken Thighs

A plate of breaded and fried chicken cutlets served with lemon wedges, a bowl of dipping sauce, and greens in the background. — Crispy Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Parmesan breadcrumbs form the coating on Crispy Chicken Thighs, with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper seasoning for four servings. Prep takes 20 minutes, and frying takes 15 minutes. Each piece cooks for 3 to 4 minutes per side before resting on paper towels. Cool the chicken completely and pack it in one layer when the picnic needs a crunchy main that will not soften under trapped steam.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Chicken Thighs

Caprese Pesto Tarts

Fresh cherry tomatoes and herbs served in crispy puff pastry cups on a wooden surface. — Caprese Pesto Tarts. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Puff pastry cups make Caprese Pesto Tarts easy to lift from a platter, with pesto, tomatoes, mozzarella, pepper, and balsamic glaze inside. The recipe yields 24 pieces in 25 minutes. The shells bake for 10 minutes before filling, then return to the oven for another 5 minutes. Serve them warm or at room temperature for a picnic bite that already comes in individual portions.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Pesto Tarts

BBQ Chicken Sliders with Homemade Slaw

Saucy chicken and creamy cabbage fill BBQ Chicken Sliders with Homemade Slaw between 12 connected rolls. Green and purple cabbage, carrots, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon, paprika, and butter complete six servings. Prep and baking take 30 minutes, with the assembled sliders spending 13 to 15 minutes in the oven. Keep them together in the baking dish for a picnic main that can be divided after arrival.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Sliders with Homemade Slaw