Planning the perfect picnic doesn’t have to be a puzzle, especially when it comes to choosing the right dishes to pack. You want food that’s not only easy to make and take along but also holds up well on the journey to your favorite outdoor spot. We’ve rounded up some fantastic salad recipes that are not just great for accompanying your picnic sandwiches but are guaranteed to be hits on their own. From refreshing greens to protein-packed grains, these salads are sure to make your next outdoor meal a success.
Feta Beet Salad
A mix of cooked beets, crumbled feta, and pistachios, thrown together with fresh herbs and a lemon olive oil dressing. Great for packing in a picnic because it’s simple to make and tastes just as good on the go.
Get the Recipe: Feta Beet Salad
Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad
This is a refreshing pasta salad with tofu, fresh veggies, and an easy balsamic dressing. It’s light, easy to make, and perfect for a picnic since it stays fresh.
Get the Recipe: Balsamic Tofu Pasta Salad
Blueberry White Bean Salad
White beans, blueberries, herbs, and seeds all dressed up with a creamy tahini turmeric dressing. It’s a nutritious and crunchy choice that’s great for bringing along to any outdoor meal.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry White Bean Salad
Cucumber Melon Salad
A cool salad with cucumber, melon, and pickled onions. It’s simple, refreshing, and goes great with any grilled dish, making it a perfect picnic companion.
Get the Recipe: Cucumber Melon Salad
Creamy Mediterranean Carrot Salad
Packed with chickpeas, raisins, feta, and parsley, all tossed in a creamy yogurt tahini dressing. It’s a fantastic side that travels well for any outdoor meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Mediterranean Carrot Salad
Greek Pasta Salad
With fresh veggies and a homemade vinaigrette, this pasta salad is a hit for any picnic. It’s easy to whip up and holds up well when traveling.
Get the Recipe: Greek Pasta Salad
Jicama Salad
Crunchy jicama, mango, and cucumber in a light honey lime dressing. This salad is fresh, healthy, and perfect for a picnic since it’s refreshing and easy to take along.
Get the Recipe: Jicama Salad
Mango Black Bean Salad
Quick to prepare, this salad mixes mango and black beans for a refreshing, protein-packed side or lunch. Great for a no-hassle picnic option.
Get the Recipe: Mango Black Bean Salad
Simple Summer Tomato Corn Salad
Just corn, tomato, and basil in this straightforward salad. It’s fresh summer flavors make it a great pick for picnics.
Get the Recipe: Simple Summer Tomato Corn Salad
Lentil Tabbouleh
A refreshing and filling salad with lentils, tomatoes, and herbs. It’s a fresh take that’s perfect for packing into your picnic basket.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Tabbouleh
Bulgur Salad
A hearty bulgur wheat salad with a sweet and tangy dressing. It’s a satisfying meal that’s great for taking on the go.
Get the Recipe: Bulgur Salad
Citrus Salad
Brighten up your picnic with a citrus salad tossed in honey dijon dressing, complete with lettuce, feta, and onions. It’s a refreshing pick-me-up.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Salad
Chopped Ham Salad
An easy salad with leftover ham, veggies, and a tangy Dijon dressing. Perfect for a hearty, no-mess picnic dish.
Get the Recipe: Chopped Ham Salad
Asian Chicken Salad
Made with smoked chicken and crunchy toppings like wonton strips. It’s easy, quick, and perfect to stuff in a wrap for a picnic.
Get the Recipe: Asian Chicken Salad
Instant Pot Pasta Salad
A quicker, easier way to make pasta salad with the Instant Pot. Great for when you need a picnic side in a hurry.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pasta Salad
Mediterranean Tortellini Pasta Salad
Tortellini with veggies, olives, cheese, and salami, all in a homemade dressing. It’s a flavorful mix that’s perfect for a main dish or side at your next picnic.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Tortellini Pasta Salad
Mexican Avocado Salad
Avocado, light, and ready in 10 minutes. This simple salad is perfect for a quick, refreshing picnic option.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Avocado Salad
BBQ Pasta Salad
Pasta with BBQ tofu, corn, tomatoes, and a creamy dressing. A fun and easy salad that’s great for BBQ lovers at a picnic.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Pasta Salad
Picnic Perfect Kale Quinoa Salad
Quinoa, kale, walnuts, apples, and cranberries in a cider vinaigrette. It’s nutritious, tasty, and holds up well for picnics.
Get the Recipe: Picnic Perfect Kale Quinoa Salad
Middle Eastern Chickpea Salad
Packed with flavors, chickpeas, preserved lemons, and za’atar make this salad a refreshing meal for a summer day outside.
Get the Recipe: Middle Eastern Chickpea Salad
Soba Noodle Salad
A vegan salad with crunchy veggies and a homemade dressing. It’s refreshing and healthy, making it a great picnic meal.
Get the Recipe: Soba Noodle Salad
13 Tips To Have The Best Spring Picnic
Planning a spring picnic? Let’s make sure it’s one for the books. Forget about those soggy sandwiches and wilted salads, level up your picnic game with some simple, yet game-changing tips. From choosing the right gear to packing the perfect blend of snacks, these pointers will help ensure your outdoor feast is nothing short of spectacular.
Read Them Here: 13 Tips To Have The Best Spring Picnic
11 Spring Vegetables To Grab On Your Next Farmer’s Market Visit
Spring has sprung, and that means it’s time to hit the farmer’s market for the freshest, tastiest veggies you can lay your hands on. Forget those plastic-wrapped, traveled-thousands-of-miles veggies at the grocery store. These are the real deal: crisp, vibrant, and packed with flavors that shout “spring is here!”
Read It Here: 11 Spring Vegetables To Grab On Your Next Farmer’s Market Visit
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
