Mediterranean meals are designed to be eaten outdoors, especially in summer! Here are 11 of my best picnic recipes for perfect packing salads, make-ahead sandwiches, and refreshing sides!
How to prepare a Mediterranean picnic
There is something about eating out that, for me, makes everything better! I’m looking forward to a summer full of picnics: outdoor concerts, poolside get-togethers, and, as long as it’s not too hot, even dinners on the patio. The good news for me is that many Mediterranean dishes make perfect picnic fare.
Grain salads like tabouli are even better with a little time in the fridge (or in a cooler) to marinate, and Mediterranean dips like baba ghanoush and muhammara pack wonderfully, and they’re perfect for the kind of snacks I like to rely on this time of year.
To make sure everyone stays hydrated, I’ll bring a big pot filled with peach iced tea or watermelon lemonade. For something a little more festive, make a refreshing summer cocktail to go. And because pasta salad is a picnic non-negotiable, here are more Mediterranean pasta salad recipes to inspire you. Here’s everything I’m packing for picnics this summer!
Salads designed for traveling
Mediterranean Three Bean Salad
I combine kidney beans, cannellini beans and chickpeas with capers, crunchy vegetables and fresh herbs. The tangy Dijon dressing soaks into the beans, so it gets better as it marinates. Pair it with Mediterranean Smoked Grilled Chicken Thighs with Dill Yogurt Sauce or Grilled Chicken Drumsticks.
Caprese Pasta Salad
This pasta salad features the iconic summer trio of sweet tomatoes, creamy mozzarella and fresh basil dressed with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. With just eight ingredients, the mixture comes together quickly and the pasta gets better as it absorbs the tomato juice. I love pairing it with prosciutto and melon.
Greek potato salad
No mayonnaise means no worries about bringing potato salad to a picnic on a hot day. Instead, warm potatoes soak up the flavor of a bold vinaigrette, Kalamata olives and lots of fresh dill and parsley. It’s equally good warm, at room temperature, or refrigerated, making it infinitely flexible for outdoor dining.
Pesto Pasta Salad
Vibrant basil pesto is the perfect dressing for a summer salad, and this one, bursting with zucchini, snow peas, and cherry tomatoes, soaks up all that summer flavor. Since it’s already full of fresh produce, it doesn’t need anything else. Top it with grilled chicken breast for extra protein!
Chickpea salad
This is what I do when a picnic is an impromptu decision. All you need are canned chickpeas, cucumber, grape tomatoes, roasted red peppers and a lemony vinaigrette. My only picnic-specific tip is to wrap the avocado separately and toss it in just before serving, as the avocado doesn’t travel as well as the rest of the salad. This is a nice match with Spanakopita or Turkish Borek.
Pre-prepared sandwiches
Antipasto Chicken Sandwich
This sandwich tastes like an entire Italian antipasto platter nestled between two slices of soft ciabatta. It’s lemony chicken topped with roasted peppers, marinated artichokes, olives and fresh mozzarella. Bonus: the only cooked ingredient is the chicken, so you can swap it to a roaster if that’s easier!
Pan Bagnat
If any recipe on this list was made for picnics, it’s this one. Pan bagnat is a classic Provençal sandwich filled with canned tuna, hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, radishes and olives, all dressed in a tangy anchovy vinaigrette and tucked into a baguette. It’s traditionally wrapped airtight and left to sit before eating, making it perfect to pack in your picnic basket or beach cooler. Add a pink lemonade, and that’s it!
Chickpea salad sandwich
Need a vegetarian or vegan meal for a picnic? This chickpea-based version of charcuterie-style tuna salad is one of my favorites. Pack it in a container and use it to fill lettuce cups, wraps, or sandwiches once you’ve set up your picnic table. It’s great garnished with quick pickled red onions or pickled cucumbers.
Cooling sides
Cucumber salsa + pita chips
This crisp and refreshing cucumber salsa skips the tomatoes completely, but it features jalapeño and Aleppo pepper for heat and pistachios for crunch. It moves easily and makes a fantastic shared appetizer or side with a bag of pita chips for dipping. It’s also one of my favorite toppings for seared red snapper!
Hummus + Vegetables
No matter what I pack for a picnic, I always bring at least one of my hummus recipes, and it’s sure to disappear. Accompanied by a plate of crunchy vegetables or Greek salad skewers, it will instantly become the dish everyone devours first.
Watermelon fruit salad
You can’t have a summer picnic without a juicy watermelon on the table, and this melon fruit salad is topped with a honey-lime syrup and toasted pistachios. Melons are naturally hydrating, making them a perfect addition to an afternoon out, and thanks to the honey, this recipe also transforms into a light, no-fuss dessert.
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The article Our 11 Best Picnic Recipes for a Mediterranean-Style Spread appeared first on The Mediterranean Dish.
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