31 recipes for every day of National Picnic Month

As July arrives, so too does National Picnic Month, a celebration of al fresco dining, leisurely afternoons and the art of packing delightful meals to enjoy under the summer sun. This month invites us to embrace the joy and simplicity of outdoor gatherings, where checkered blankets unfurl on grassy lawns or sandy beaches, laden with an array of tempting treats.

From refreshing salads bursting with seasonal produce to savory sandwiches piled high with comforting fillings, every picnic spread tells a story of culinary creativity and shared enjoyment. Imagine coolers filled with crisp cucumber salad on cottage cheese toast or fan-favorite delights like creamy potato salad and pigs in a blanket. Desserts like bright and tangy lemon bars and fresh fruit galettes promise a sweet finale, while drinks like herbal lemonade and berry sangria are a perfect way to beat the heat.

Whether you are planning a family outing, a romantic rendezvous or a gathering of close friends, National Picnic Month encourages us to slow down, savor good food and cherish moments spent in nature’s embrace.

Here, we’ve rounded up 31 of our favorite picnic dishes for 31 days of the month. Be bold, be creative and have some fun crafting your perfect picnic experience. Whether you’re lounging in a park, by the beach or in your backyard, these dishes are designed to elevate your picnic game. So pack your baskets, spread out your blankets and celebrate the joy of good food and great company on a sunny summer day.

Salads

Sort of Italian Chopped Salad by Daphne Oz

With a blend of hearty greens, savory chicken and pickled veggies, this salad is a delicious blend of textures and flavors. Tossed in a tangy Italian vinaigrette, it’s a refreshing picnic addition that’s easy to assemble for make-ahead or on-the-go meals.

Caprese Pasta Salad with Crispy Prosciutto by Elizabeth Heiskell

This vibrant pasta salad combines ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, basil and crispy prosciutto, all tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette. It’s a taste of Italy that’s perfect for summer picnics.

Couscous Salad with Watermelon and Feta by Will Coleman

Refreshing and light, this salad pairs sweet watermelon with pearl couscous, cucumber and a unique basil-mint vinaigrette that makes this dish a stand-out among the rest. Filled to the brim with summer flavor, you won’t want this left off your next picnic menu.

Spring Asparagus Salad with Parmesan and Mustard Vinaigrette by Amanda Freitag

Celebrate picnic season with this elegant salad featuring tender asparagus spears, shaved Parmesan and a tangy mustard vinaigrette. Each bite offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a crowd-pleaser and healthy addition to your next picnic.

No-Mayo Potato Salad by Casey Barber

This lighter take on potato salad features classic Yukon Gold potatoes, fresh herbs and the secret ingredient that brings everything together: tahini. This recipe is proof that you can leave mayo out of the equation and still have a creamy, satisfying potato salad to bring to the party.

Spring Roll Chopped Salad by Elizabeth Heiskell

For a salad that's as satisfying as it is refreshing, try this fusion of crisp vegetables, tender rice noodles, crunchy almonds, all tossed in a flavorful peanut butter dressing. It's like enjoying the flavors of a spring roll without the wrapper, a delightful and colorful addition to any picnic spread.

Tabbouleh by José Andrés

A fresh take on the classic Middle Eastern salad, tabbouleh bursts with vibrant flavors of parsley, tangy tomatoes and nutty bulgur. This herbaceous salad is not only refreshing, but also packed with nutrients, making it a perfect addition to your picnic basket.

Sides

Cucumber Cottage Cheese Toast by Melissa Ben-Ishay

Elevate your toast game with this cool cucumber salad atop creamy cottage cheese, crunchy sourdough bread and garnished with fresh dill. It’s the perfect picnic snack that’s easy and quick to prepare.

Marinated Picnic Vegetables by Carrie Parente

Preparing for a picnic requires some forethought. You want a selection of flavors, sweet and savory, but also need food that will stay fresh at room temperature for as long as possible. These veggies do just that, a delicious and effortless addition to your picnic that won’t gp soggy if you make them ahead.

Martha's Pigs in a Blanket by Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart’s take on this classic appetizer features savory sausages wrapped in buttery puff pastry, brushed with honey mustard and baked to golden perfection. The ultimate crowd-pleaser, they’re guaranteed to disappear fast.

Kimbap (Gimbap) by Caroline Choe

These colorful rolls are a classic Korean snack. Filled with egg omelet, rice, spinach, radish, cucumber and carrot matchsticks, and wrapped in seaweed, they are the perfect, bite-sized and versatile snack to savor at your next picnic.

Healthy Spinach Artichoke Dip by Casey Barber

This lighter version of a classic dip combines spinach, artichokes, Greek yogurt, and a blend of cheeses for a creamy and rich appetizer. Perfect for dipping vegetables, crackers or spreading on bread, this irresistible dip needs to be in your picnic basket.

Pulled Pork Char-cuterie Board by Megan Day

Create the ultimate spread with tender pulled pork and pair with whatever you like best. This recipe is perfect for feeding larger gatherings where people can customize their meal based on their own cravings.

Grandma Ruth's Smoky Eggplant Dip by Matt Abdoo

Rich and smoky, this vegan dip blends roasted eggplant, paprika, tahini and zesty lemon juice for a creamy and flavorful dish. It’s perfect for dipping pita chips or spreading on sandwiches for a Mediterranean-inspired treat.

Sandwiches

Pork Gyro Pita Sandwiches by Theodora Kaloudis

Tender shredded pork nestled in warm pita bread with cool tzatziki sauce, crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes and tangy red onions makes for the perfect Greek-style picnic bite.

Classic New Orleans Muffuletta by Alon Shaya

This New Orleans classic is so delicious it will transport you right to the French Quarter. With layers of cured meat, provolone cheese and pickled giardiniera vegetables, this sandwich captures the spirit of the Big Easy in every bite.

Charcuterie Sandwiches by Will Coleman

Packed with a variety of cured meats, creamy cheeses, fig jam, fresh vegetables and olive tapenade, this sandwich brings the flavors of a charcuterie board between two slices of rustic bread. It’s a gourmet delight to elevate any picnic spread.

Best Egg Salad by Becca Jacobs

You either love it or hate it, but this creamy, classic egg salad is a summer picnic staple. Combining perfectly boiled eggs with tangy mustard, mayonnaise and dill pickles, it’s great to serve on sandwiches, wraps or as a topping for salads.

Turkey and Cheese Roll-Ups by Winny Hayes

Quick and easy, these roll-ups feature sliced deli turkey and cream cheese wrapped in tortillas, then sliced into bite-sized pieces. Perfect for picnics with children or for sharing with a large crowd, these are sure to please at your next picnic.

Desserts

Blueberry Galette by Kayla Hoang

If you are craving pie but want to make something simpler, this galette will be your go-to for picnic desserts. This tart showcases sweet, juicy blueberries wrapped in a buttery, flaky crust. Sprinkled with sugar and baked until golden brown, it’s an easy yet elegant dessert that takes advantage of summer’s bounty.

Honey Nut Protein Bars by Daphne Oz

This is a delicious, elevated snack bar packed with oats, nuts, seeds, medjool dates and a hint of honey. With a chewy texture and nutritious filling, these bars are easy to meal-prep and a convenient addition for last-minute picnics.

Jamie Lee Curtis' Favorite Lemon Cake by Anne Byrn

Sweet and tangy, this lemon cake is Jamie Lee Curtis’ favorite dessert for good reason. You’d never guess this moist and flavorful treat is made from a packaged cake mix. Topped with a sugary glaze, each bite is a perfect balance of sweet and tart and bursting with fresh citrus.

Pretzel Chocolate Chip Super Crunch Cookies by Christina Tosi

Sweet and salty collide in these irresistible cookies loaded with chocolate chips, crunchy pretzel pieces and a hint of sea salt. It’s a treat that satisfies every craving and is perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Bourbon Pound Cake with Macerated Peaches by Kayla Hoang

Rich with bourbon-infused flavor, this Southern-inspired dessert is a comforting treat. A buttery bourbon syrup glaze is the cherry on top for the perfect soft, moist and scrumptious cake when you want to add a fruity flavor to your dessert picnic spread.

No-Bake Strawberry Cheesecake by Carrie Parente

The last thing you want to do on a hot summer day is turn on the oven. In this easy, no-bake, refreshing dessert, creamy cheesecake filling meets juicy strawberries to create a delightful taste of summer that’s sure to impress.

Siri's Lemon Bars by Siri Daly

Vibrant in both color and flavor, these lemon bars just scream “summer.” With a creamy, zesty and fresh citrus taste, these bars are sure to brighten up any picnic.

Drinks

Thai Basil Lemonade by Erin French

Refreshing lemonade gets a twist with aromatic Thai basil, creating a unique and flavorful drink that’s perfect for cooling down on a hot day. The herbal notes complement the citrusy sweetness, making each sip a satisfying delight.

Berry-Herb Sangria by Casey Barber

This vibrant sangria combines fresh strawberries, blackberries and rosemary sprigs with a crisp seltzer and red wine to create a fruity and festive drink. A must-have to beat the heat, it’s sure to be a favorite for your picnic.

Spicy Watermelon Sip by Maureen Petrosky

Cool watermelon meets a hint of spice in this nonalcoholic drink that’s both refreshing and invigorating. This drink will be your new go-to when you are craving a salty, sweet and spicy refreshment.

Strawberry Lemonade by Romel Bruno

Sweet strawberries and tart lemons come together in this staple summertime drink. Perfectly balanced and oh-so-refreshing, this tasy refreshment will be gulped down quickly by your grateful picnic guests.

Martha Stewart's Iced Red Tea by Martha Stewart

The iconic Martha Stewart has delivered an iconic drink you won’t regret bringing to your next picnic. With a refreshing blend of herbal red tea, citrus and mint, this beverage will cool you right off from the hot summer sun.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com