43 Picnic Recipes for Two
Updated: Jan. 05, 2022
Dig in to our best picnic food ideas for all those summer concerts in the park, lazy weekend picnics and fun in the sun at the beach!
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Greek Brown and Wild Rice Bowls
This fresh rice dish tastes like the Mediterranean in a bowl! It is short on ingredients but packs in so much flavor. For a hand-held version, leave out the rice and tuck the rest of the ingredients in a pita pocket. —Darla Andrews, Boerne, Texas
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Spicy Peanut Butter and Pork Sandwich
A little spicy, a little sweet, with just a hint of curry, this flavor combo is something you just have to try. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
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Deli Turkey Lettuce Wraps
I used to make these during my training days when I worked at a restaurant in Hawaii. They're low fat, low carb, high protein, quick and delicious—a great choice before or after a workout. —Duncan Omarzu, Astoria, New York
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Mixed Fruit Shortcakes
This delightful downsized recipe makes just two biscuitlike shortcakes. Fill them with fresh fruit of your choice and top with whipped cream for an impressive dinner finale. —Sue Ross, Casa Grande, Arizona
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Buffalo Sloppy Joes for Two
Lean ground turkey makes this a lighter sloppy joe than the standard ground beef version. A hefty splash of hot sauce and optional blue cheese provide an authentic Buffalo-style flavor. —Maria Regakis, Saugus, Massachusetts
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Watermelon-Blueberry Salad
People love the unique combination of flavors in the dressing that tops the fresh fruit in this salad. It's so refreshing on a hot summer evening. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Fast Macaroni Salad
Chopped veggies provide crunch, and cherry tomatoes add vibrant color to this refreshing and creamy pasta salad. —Frankiee Bush, Freedom, Indiana
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Crab-Stuffed Avocados
We enjoy having this creamy and crunchy salad out on our deck on summer evenings. And it goes together in minutes flat! —Gail VanGundy, Parker, Colorado
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Hasselback Tomato Clubs
This no-fuss, no-bread riff on a classic is perfect during tomato season. Make it for lunch or pair it with pasta salad for a light dinner. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Chicken Quinoa Bowls with Balsamic Dressing
I love this recipe because its simplicity allows me to spend time with my family while not sacrificing taste or nutrition. Plus the fresh spring flavors really shine through! —Allyson Meyler, Greensboro, North Carolina
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Peach Cobbler for Two
Everyone notices a special taste in this cobbler. It's orange zest, which enhances the color and gives this traditional dessert a delicious distinction. Cobblers usually are scaled to feed a crowd, so it's convenient to have a recipe that makes just enough for two. — Betty Clark, Mount Vernon, Missouri
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Classic Egg Salad
Egg salad is a refreshing, tasty change from lunchmeat or peanut butter sandwiches. The touch of mustard and lemon juice gives it extra zip. —Annemarie Pietila, Farmington Hills, Michigan
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Chocolate Mousse
Our favorite chocolate mousse recipe makes a light, fluffy, rich showstopper of a dessert.
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Southwestern Fish Tacos
These bright tacos take me on an instant trip to sunny Southern California. The recipe has been on my family's most requested list for years. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
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Thai-Inspired Roast Beef Sandwich
I love Thai food, but I wanted to see how its flavors would translate in a plain ol' peanut butter sandwich. The result is anything but plain—it's just darn delicious. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
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Rustic Fruit Tart
My husband and I love pie, but we can't eat a whole 9-inch pie by ourselves. So I make these easy tarts using rhubarb and raspberries picked at home. Sometimes I substitute apples, peaches or our garden blueberries for the rhubarb. —Naomi Olson Hamilton, Michigan
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Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
Elevate your appetizers with bacon-wrapped asparagus, a delightful combination of smoky bacon and fresh asparagus spears. This easy-to-make dish is elegant and irresistibly tasty for any gathering.
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Sesame Almond Slaw
Crunchy veggies and noodles are coated in a tangy dressing in this pleasant slaw. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Turkey Guacamole Wraps
Tuck smoked turkey and a creamy avocado spread into tortilla wraps and add a dash of hot sauce for a little heat. —Margee Berry, White Salmon, Washington
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Steak and Fries Salad
This is a very popular dish at restaurants in central Pennsylvania. Prepared sweet-and-sour dressing is good on this salad, too. —Nancy Collins, Clearfield, Pennsylvania
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Tuna Wrap
Loaded with the best tuna salad and fresh, colorful, crunchy vegetables, this heart-healthy tuna wrap is perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
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Savory Pork Salad
Make an easy-going meal in a bowl by tossing together healthful veggies, pork tenderloin, fresh herbs and spices with a warm soy dressing. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Strawberry Rhubarb Cream
A friend gave me this recipe a long time ago. It’s rich and creamy yet refreshing. I make this often in early summer when rhubarb is readily available. —Norma DesRoches, Warwick, Rhode Island
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Ramen-Veggie Chicken Salad
Like a salad with plenty of crunch? Then this refreshing recipe is sure to please. Toasted ramen noodles, almonds and sesame seeds provide the crunchy topping. The chicken makes it a main dish. —Linda Gearhart, Greensboro, North Carolina
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Fruit & Spinach Salad
The combination of sweet fruit and salty feta cheese makes this salad a winner. —Virginia Dack, Asheville, North Carolina
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Peanut Butter S'Mores Sandwich
Favorite flavors from s'mores come together in this tasty peanut butter sandwich—no campfire required. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
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Tropical BBQ Chicken
Here is my favorite slow-cooker recipe. The delicious, slightly spicy sauce will win you over, too! —Yvonne McKim, Vancouver, Washington
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Penne with Veggies and Black Beans
Chock-full of zucchini, tomatoes, sweet pepper and carrots, this hearty pasta dish puts your garden harvest to good use. For variety, I sometimes add one-half cup of salsa or one-half cup of thickened teriyaki sauce. —Vickie Spoerle, Indianapolis, Indiana
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Garden Chickpea Salad
Looking for a summer dish with a difference? Combine colorful crunchy veggies with soft feta cheese and good-for-you garbanzos. If you like, add sliced, cooked chicken or lamb. —Sally Sibthorpe, Shelby Township, Michigan
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Ground Beef Taco Salad
In spring we look for something light and refreshing on the menu after the heavier comfort food of winter; this salad is a great solution. —Muriel Bertrand, Shoreview, Minnesota
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Chicken Curry for Two
I love to try new recipes for my husband and me, and I actually have cookbooks and recipes from all over the world. When I find a recipe that's well-received, I make a copy and put it in a protective sleeve in a loose-leaf binder. I now have quite a few huge binders!
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Hearty Asian Lettuce Salad
This meatless version of your favorite restaurant salad packs 13 grams of protein per serving and is bursting with juicy flavor. It's a brilliant choice for lunch or a busy-day dinner. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Lemon Cream Delight
Indulging in this creamy dessert is like eating cheesecake out of a bowl. Light and luscious, it's a pleasing finish to any meal. —Inge Schermerhorn, Kingston, New Hampshire
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Chicken & Onion Caesar Salad
My Caesar with grilled chicken is a healthier alternative to heavy meat and potatoes dishes. After grilling the kabobs, we serve them family style. —Melissa Adams, Tooele, Utah
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Shrimp Panzanella Salad
These days, I’m only cooking for two. After working in the garden, I can dash indoors and have this shrimp and bread salad on the table pronto. —Kallee Krong-McCreery, Escondido, California
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Cucumber Salad Boats
Scoop out the seeds and fill fresh cucumbers with your favorite salad for a crunchy and refreshing light lunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Grilled Caprese Quesadillas
Here's a quick and easy summer lunch that makes great use of garden-grown tomatoes. Feel free to make your quesadillas heartier by adding grilled chicken. —Amy Mongiovi, Lititz, Pennsylvania
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Cheesecake Berry Parfaits
The summer berry season is a real treat. This is an easy way to enjoy berries with cheesecake, which is a refreshing change from traditional pudding and fruit parfaits. —Patricia Schroedl, Jefferson, Wisconsin
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Loaded Avocado BLT
My husband invented this twist on a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich. I like to make it with extra slices of bacon; if you want, you can leave the Gorgonzola cheese out of the avocado spread. —Lori Grant, Kingsport, Tennessee
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