Not much can beat the combination of a sunny day, a picnic rug and a hamper bursting with food. Here we’ve rounded up our favourite mouth-watering savoury picnic recipes that will have you itching to eat alfresco at the next opportunity.
Rainbow Tabbouleh with Avocado, Radishes and Pomegranate
This elegant grain-based dish is packed with fresh herbs, avocado, radishes and pomegranate for a vibrant all-in-one Tupperware meal for the park.
Squash, Brown Butter and Sage Quiche
Quiche always goes down well at a picnic. It travels well, it’s delicious when eaten cold and it can be customised in any way you like. We’re particularly fond of this recipe from The Violet Bakery Cookbook, which is packed with flavour, colour and texture.
Savoury Pesto and Walnut Sourdough Buns
These mouthwatering savoury buns combine pesto and walnuts with the moreish tang of sourdough for an umami-rich picnic treat.
Broad Bean Spread with Roasted Garlic Ricotta
This fresh and herby broad bean spread from Plenty More makes for perfect picnic fodder. Whether you choose to spread it on crusty bread, dip crudité in it or stir it through a salad, you’ll want this one in your picnic basket.
Roasted Beets and Butternut Squash with Tahini
A hearty salad of maple-glazed squash and beets, salad leaves, tomatoes and nutritious lentils, all drizzled in a creamy tahini dressing. Delicious!
Torta di Pasta Frollo
This light, short-crust pastry tart is topped with ricotta cheese, spinach, sautéed onions and prosciutto for a stand-out picnic centrepiece.
Nadiya Hussain’s Easy Aromatic Meat Samosas
Nadiya has provided an easy hack to make samosas super simply, using flour tortillas instead of pastry as the casing. Filled with a spiced meat filling, then fried until crisp but still chewy, these are to die for.
Chorizo and Cheese Sausage Roll
For a twist on the classic sausage roll, this version includes smoky, spicy chorizo and buttery, sheep’s milk Manchego cheese for a lovely Spanish vibe.
Mary Berry’s Spiced Carrot Hummus with Garlic Herb Flatbread
You can’t go wrong with hummus and freshly made flatbreads for dunking into it. Mary’s version adds carrot and harissa for a vibrant twist.
Ham and Cheese Crown
Ham, cheese and pastry? What more could you want? Nadiya uses store cupboard ketchup and paprika to pep up her pastry for the whole family to enjoy.
Melissa Hemsley’s BLT Salad with Asparagus Recipe
This BLT salad is delicious served cold as a picnic spread with bacon, asparagus and eggs. If asparagus are out of season, feel free to use broccoli or green beans instead.
Focaccia
A loaf of bread is an essential at any picnic. Enjoy this focaccia one of two ways – torn up and eaten alongside the rest of your al fresco feast, or sliced in two to make a huge picnic sandwich, stuffed with cured meats, cheese and salad.
Fennel and Orange Pickle
Pickles are always welcome at a picnic. Make your own with this recipe from The Modern Preserver. Customise to your taste, what herbs you have in the garden and get ready to wow when the picnic blanket is finally rolled out.
