Meal Plans Dinner Plans Healthy Summer Picnic Ideas to Pack Up for Dinner Tonight Follow this formula to create a healthy picnic dinner using easy-to-prep items that pack up well. Try our menu suggestions for kid-friendly, budget, romantic, vegan and allergy-friendly picnic spreads. By Victoria Seaver, M.S., RD Victoria Seaver, M.S., RD Instagram Twitter Victoria Seaver is a registered dietitian and Associate Editorial Director for EatingWell.com. She completed her undergraduate degree in nutrition, dietetics and food science and her masters degree and dietetic internship at the University of Vermont. Victoria has been a part of the EatingWell.com team since 2015. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 1, 2020 Share Tweet Pin Email The warm weather and long days are just begging you to lay out a blanket and do dinner outside. No-cook picnic dinners are perfect when it's too hot to turn on the stove. And there's relatively little cleanup. If you've got kids, packing up a quick picnic dinner means you can get out of the kitchen and outside to enjoy the sunshine with your family. Pack up a bottle of Prosecco and some chocolate-covered strawberries, for a romantic dinner for two. 20 Activities To Do with Your Family This Weekend To keep it healthy, look to your vegetable garden for inspiration—or whatever fresh fruits and veggies you have right now in your kitchen. Then round out your meal with easy-to-eat ingredients like assorted nuts, cheese, whole-grain crackers and healthy store-bought convenience items (like hummus and deli turkey). We came up with five different picnic variations to choose from, including a kid-friendly picnic and a vegan picnic spread (scroll down to see them all). Or use our simple formula to help you create a balanced meal that best suits your style. Don't forget to pack the picnic essentials, like a blanket (of course), utensils, plates, a bottle opener and bug spray. The Best Reusable Products for Outdoor BBQ Parties & Picnics Simple Formula to Pack a Healthy Picnic Dinner Choose at least one item from each category to create a healthy and balanced meal. 1. Load up on produce Get your fill of fruits and veggies in with your cheese and crackers. Here are some easy options that can be easily prepped in advance and pack up well. Plan to wash and cut what you can in advance, or bring a knife and small cutting board and do the prep on the picnic blanket. Fruit: GrapesCherriesFigsPlumsBlackberriesBlueberriesRaspberriesStrawberriesWatermelon wedgesHoneydew melon cubesCantaloupe cubesApple slicesOrange slices Vegetables: Carrot sticksCelery sticksCucumber slicesSliced peppers or mini bell peppersSnap peasCherry tomatoesBaby radishes 2. Add in healthy protein For satisfying staying power, add some protein to your picnic platter. Choose sliced meats and cheese, or go with a hummus or bean dip to help keep sodium and saturated fat levels in check. For ease, grab a prepared hummus or dip from the grocery store or, if you have time, make your own in advance. For cheese and sliced meat, plan to serve about 1 ounce of each per person, which is about 1 slice of cheese + 1 slice of protein each. Hummus & Bean Dips: Garlic hummusBeet hummusWhite bean & basil hummus Cheese: Sharp CheddarMozzarella pearlsParmesanMonterey JackBrie Sliced meats: Thinly sliced prosciuttoLower-sodium turkeyUncured hamRoast beef Healthy Hummus Recipes 3. Choose a Whole Grain Look for breads and crackers made with whole wheat or other whole grains for extra fiber and for more staying power. You could also go with a prepared grain salad from the grocery store, or you can make your own ahead of time. Whole-Grain Breads & Crackers: Seeded crackersWhole-grain crackersWhole-wheat baguetteWhole-wheat pita bread Healthy Grain Salads: Quinoa saladWhole-wheat pasta saladTabbouleh saladWild-rice salad Healthy Grain Salad Recipes 4. Include healthy fats Add in healthy fats in the form of nuts, seeds, olives and avocado. Nuts & Seeds: AlmondsCashewsPistachiosHazelnutsMacadamia nutsPistachiosPumpkin seeds (pepitas)Sunflower seeds Olives: Kalamata olivesStuffed olives (try blue cheese stuffed or garlic stuffed)Castelvetrano olivesHerb-marinated olives Other Healthy Fats: Guacamole (buy it premade or make one of these Guacamole Dip Recipes) Avocado hummus (try this recipe) Flavored-infused olive oil for dipping baguette slices or pita bread The Best Wine & Nut Pairings 5. Select your drink of choice Pick out a nice bottle of wine, a specialty beer, cider or whatever your drink of choice may be. Don't forget to pack a bottle opener! Wine Beer Cider Spiked seltzer Seltzer 100% fruit juice Unsweetened iced tea Infused water Feeling fancy? Mix up a batch of your favorite cocktail or iced tea to bring on-the-go. Try this recipe for Red Sangria or this Green Jasmine-Mint Iced Tea with Lemon. 6. Don't forget something sweet! Add in a little something sweet to finish off the meal. Pick up something from the store or a local bakery or plan to make something in advance. Dark chocolate squaresCoconut date rollsCookiesBrowniesChocolate-covered strawberries Healthy Cookie Recipes and Easy No-Bake Dessert Recipes 5 Summer Picnic Dinner Spreads to Try Kid-Approved Family Picnic Get the Recipe This kid-friendly Turkey, Cheese & Veggie Plate is one that kids and adults alike will love. We kept the flavors mild so everyone can enjoy the spread. Romantic Spread for Two Get the Recipe This Prosciutto, Mozzarella & Melon Plate is great for an outdoor date night or even just a quick, romantic dinner at home. The fresh melon, prosciutto and cheese combo pairs perfectly with prosecco for sipping. Chocolate-dipped strawberries for dessert make the meal extra-special. Plant-Based Vegan Picnic Get the Recipe This Mediterranean-inspired Tabbouleh, Hummus & Pita Plate features healthy and delicious vegan items like beet hummus, parsley tabbouleh and whole-wheat pita bread. Check to see if your local grocery store sells prepared tabbouleh and beet hummus or plan to make your own. Allergy-Friendly Picnic That Everyone Can Enjoy Get the Recipe This allergy-friendly Sweet & Savory Hummus Plate excludes the top allergens and food intolerances, so just about everyone should be able to enjoy it without worrying. This picnic is free of tree nuts, peanuts, dairy, soy, eggs and gluten. Budget Picnic Plan That Won't Break the Bank Get the Recipe This healthy Fruit, Veggie & Cheese Plate is easy and affordable to pull together for a fun snack-style dinner. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit