We're running out of warm weather, so let's take advantage of it! What better time to enjoy the outdoors with your family and friends...with the addition of a good meal of course. I love picnics because of the thought that goes into them; it's such a special time to spend with someone and can be really easy too!
What to Pack:
Snack (apples, grapes)
Salad/side (watermelon salad, crackers with cheese)
Main dish (pasta salad, sandwiches)
Dessert (cookies, lemon bars, cheesecake, ice cream sandwiches)
Drinks (sparkling water, lemonade, water, soda)
Utensils
Napkins
Plates
Blanket
Basket/cooler
Plastic bag for trash
For more recipe inspiration to pack along with your picnic, visit my Instagram @diywithsky.
How to Pack
The hardest part of packing a picnic is finding a way to keep refrigerated items cool and pantry items room temperature. I pack all refrigerated items in a small cooler, and put everything else (napkins, plates, utensils, pantry foods) in a traditional picnic basket. It is also important how you stack your refrigerated goods. Bury the drinks in the ice, then set any cheese, pasta salad, etc. on top in tupperware. Anything that has the potential to become soggy (sandwiches), should be placed on top of that so that it is not directly on ice.
I generally prefer glass tupperware just because of its look, but plastic tupperware will work great as well. I would stray away from plastic bags, though, because they are not eco-friendly and snacks can be easily smashed.
A wonderful idea I picked up is to pack sandwiches by wrapping them in parchment paper. Cut a strip and wrap it around the middle of the sandwich, then tie with string. Place the sandwich in tupperware before placing in the cooler. This makes it easier to keep a big sandwich together during transportation and while eating it. You can find my prosciutto & brie sandwich recipe HERE.
Best Picnic Locations
Beaches
Parks
Mountain Tops
Lakeside
Tips & Tricks
Freeze grapes and fruit so that they are cold once you arrive to the picnic site
Place drinks in the freezer while prepping the picnic (20 minutes before leaving)
Bring a small foldable table if possible. I love THIS one from Amazon because it is easily packable in the bag.
Pack everything in the order that you will be taking it out (dessert on the bottom, blanket on the top).
Picnic packing made EASY! Good luck, and enjoy your time with family & friends!
xoxo,
SKY
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