Packing a Delicious Vegetarian Picnic
Planning the perfect vegetarian picnic takes a little thought to find the right foods that not only taste great but also travel well and don't need reheating. The key is choosing portable picnic dishes that are flavorful, fresh, and easy to eat outdoors. With the right combination of recipes, you can create a fun, satisfying meatless picnic meal.
Tips for Planning a Vegetarian Picnic Menu
Keep these tips in mind when selecting your vegetarian picnic menu:
- Include a variety of colors, flavors, textures for variety.
- Bring foods that can be eaten without utensils for ease.
- Prepare recipes that don't require reheating or cooling.
- Bring items in single servings to prevent cross-contamination.
- Transport perishable foods in insulated containers with cold packs.
- Wrap or pack foods individually to avoid spillage.
- Bring napkins, wipes, and garbage bags to clean up.
Great Vegetarian Picnic Foods
Here are some vegetarian-friendly options that make for great portable picnic meals:
Main Dishes
- Vegetable sandwiches or wraps
- Hummus and veggie whole wheat pita pockets
- Burrito bowls with rice, beans, salsa, guacamole
- Chickpea salad sandwiches or lettuce cups
- Pasta or veggie grain salad
- Couscous stuffed peppers or tomatoes
- Vegetarian sushi rolls
- Tofu vegetable skewers
- Egg salad sandwiches
- Grilled veggie paninis
Sides and Snacks
- Fresh fruit like grapes, berries, melon, pineapple
- Veggies sticks and hummus
- Cheese cubes
- Roasted chickpeas or edamame
- Trail mix or granola
- Chips and salsa
- Crackers
- Dried fruit
- Pretzels
- Nuts and nut butter
Desserts
- Cookies, brownies
- Fruit salad
- Pudding cups
- Fresh fruit with chocolate dip
- Rice crispy treats
- Muffins, scones
- Fruit pizza
Drinks
- Water
- Sparkling water, seltzer
- Fruit juice spritzers
- Smoothies
- Iced tea
- Lemonade
Easy Vegetarian Picnic Recipes
These vegetarian picnic recipes check all the boxes—tasty, nutritious, portable, and easy to eat!
1. Chickpea Salad Sandwiches
Protein-packed chickpea salad makes for a satisfying sandwich filling at a veggie picnic. Bring the chickpea salad in a container and assemble on bread or lettuce leaves at the picnic site.
Ingredients:
- 2 (15 oz) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped celery
- 2 tbsp vegan mayonnaise
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Bread or lettuce leaves
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mash chickpeas together using a fork or potato masher until broken down but still chunky.
- Add remaining ingredients except bread and mix well to combine.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Serve chickpea salad on bread, rolls, or lettuce cups.
2. Mason Jar Salad
Salads make great portable picnic options when served in mason jars. Build the salad directly in the jar for easy transport.
Ingredients:
- Mixed greens
- Chopped veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers
- Chickpeas or beans
- Cheese, nuts, or seeds
- Dressing of choice
Instructions:
- Add dressing to the bottom of the jar.
- Layer in greens and other vegetables.
- Top with chickpeas and other mix-ins.
- Seal jar and refrigerate until picnic time.
- Shake jar to mix ingredients before eating.
3. Pesto Pasta Salad
Pasta salads are picnic favorites. The pesto dressing in this vegetarian pasta salad adds great flavor.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz pasta of choice, cooked
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/3 cup basil pesto
- 1/4 cup sundried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions:
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse in cold water and drain well.
- In a bowl, mix together cooked pasta, tomatoes, pesto, sundried tomatoes, olives and feta.
- Season with salt and pepper if desired. Chill until ready to serve.
4. Loaded Veggie Wraps
Wraps and sandwiches always make great on-the-go picnic options. These veggie wraps are packed with flavorful fillings.
Ingredients:
- Whole grain tortillas
- Hummus
- Lettuce leaves
- Sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers
- Guacamole
- Shredded cheese or crumbled feta (optional)
Instructions:
- Spread tortilla with hummus.
- Layer on lettuce, sliced veggies, guacamole and optional cheese.
- Roll up tightly. Cut in half or quarters to serve.
5. Picnic Fruit Pizza
Fruit pizza makes a fun, tasty plant-based dessert. Make the pizza up to the cream cheese frosting stage ahead of time then decorate with fruit right before the picnic.
Ingredients:
Crust:
- 1 tube refrigerated sugar cookie dough
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Assorted fresh fruit like berries, pineapple, kiwi
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Press cookie dough into well-greased pizza pan or baking sheet. Bake 12-14 minutes until lightly golden. Allow to cool completely.
- In a bowl, beat together cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spread frosting over cooled crust. Refrigerate until ready to decorate.
- Just before the picnic, top pizza with desired fruits. Cut into slices to serve.
- Chill perishable foods like dairy, eggs, cut fruit in a cooler.
- Discard any warm or melted ice packs and replace with fresh ones.
- Keep cold foods chilled at 40°F or below.
- Avoid cross-contamination by keeping foods separated.
- Wash hands before preparing and eating food.
- Don't let food sit out longer than 2 hours (1 hour if above 90°F).
- Throw away any perishable leftovers after the picnic.
- Use reusable plates, cups, utensils instead of disposable options.
- Pack foods in reusable containers instead of plastic bags.
- Bring reusable napkins or dishcloths instead of paper napkins.
- Use a reusable tablecloth instead of paper or plastic.
- Say no to straws and plastic utensils.
- Drink out of mason jars, thermoses or reusable water bottles.
- Sort waste into compost, recycle and landfill bins.
- Use natural decor like flowers, vines instead of plastic decorations.
- Group games like frisbee, cornhole, croquet
- Nature scavenger hunt
- Hula hoop contests
- Arts and crafts
- Tug of war
- Capture the flag
- Bubbles and sidewalk chalk for kids
- Horseshoes
- Volleyball
- Music
- Card games and board games
- Parks
- Beaches
- Lakes
- Botanical gardens
- Backyard
- Rooftop deck
- State park
- Campground
- Winery or orchard grounds
Frosting:
Toppings:
Instructions:
Keeping Food Safe at a Vegetarian Picnic
Proper food handling practices help keep your vegetarian picnic fare safe to eat and prevent foodborne illness. Follow these tips:
By taking steps to keep your picnic foods at safe temperatures and practicing good hygiene, you'll be able to feel confident your vegetarian picnic fare stays delicious and healthy.
Making Your Vegetarian Picnic Eco-Friendly
Hosting an eco-friendly, sustainable picnic is a great way to reduce your environmental impact. Here are some tips:
Choosing mostly whole, plant-based foods over processed items also helps reduce waste. With some small changes, your vegetarian picnic can be both delicious and eco-friendly.
Fun Picnic Activity Ideas
Great food is key, but fun activities make your vegetarian picnic truly memorable. Some ideas:
Get creative and come up with some fun ways for your group to interact and burn off some energy before or after your vegetarian picnic feast.
Finding the Perfect Vegetarian Picnic Spot
A beautiful, convenient location sets the stage for a memorable vegetarian picnic. Some places to consider:
Look for locations with amenities like parking, restrooms, shelter or shade. Get any necessary permits for certain public spaces. Choose your vegetarian picnic location wisely so you can relax and enjoy the outing.
Vegetarian Picnic Planning FAQs
What foods should you not take on a picnic?
Avoid food that may spoil like meat, dairy, eggs, potluck dishes. Also avoid delicate foods like tacos or sandwiches with wet ingredients that will get soggy.How do you plan games for a picnic?
Plan simple games that need minimal equipment like frisbee, tag, or water balloon tosses. Or try games using just paper and pens like charades, pictionary, or scavenger hunts.Can you put out picnic food the night before?
Only non-perishable items like sealed chips, bread, cookies, etc. Perishables like meats, cheeses, cut fruits/veggies need to stay chilled in coolers until picnic time.What are fun things to do at an outdoor picnic?
Outdoor games, nature walks, picnicking under the stars, taking family photos, playing frisbee or cornhole, stargazing, making s'mores over a firepit. Have fun!FAQs
What types of containers are best for picnic food?
Use reusable containers like silicone, glass, or stainless steel to avoid waste. Mason jars, bento boxes, and silicone bags are great portable options.
How do you keep fruit fresh for a picnic?
Pack cut fruit in an airtight container and store in a cooler with ice packs. Toss any leftover cut fruit after the picnic. Leave whole fruits like apples uncut until eating.
Can you freeze sandwiches for a picnic?
Yes, making sandwiches ahead then freezing is a great way to prepare for a picnic. Thaw in the fridge overnight and pack in a cooler.
What are good hot vegetarian picnic foods?
If you can reheat on-site, hot options like vegetable chili, pasta primavera, or soup in a thermos are good. Otherwise focus on foods that don't need reheating.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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