Sunshine, crashing waves, and the soft caress of the sand between your toes – the beach beckons for a perfect summer day. But no beach trip is complete without a delicious spread to fuel your fun. Ditch the greasy fast food and skip the overpriced concessions. Packing your own picnic basket is a fantastic way to enjoy a healthy, delicious, and budget-friendly beach day. Whether you’re envisioning a romantic sunset rendezvous or a lively family gathering, we’ve got the ultimate guide to picnic food ideas that are perfect for spreading out your picnic blanket and soaking up the good vibes.
Picnic Basket
The Beach People’s Picnic Basket
Elevate your next beach day with The Beach People’s Picnic Basket. This woven beauty boasts a timeless design perfect for any outdoor gathering, while its fully insulated interior ensures your food and drinks stay perfectly chilled or refreshingly warm for hours.
Picnic Blanket
Tesalate Picnic Blanket
For your beach day, you’ll need more than just food and drinks. Don’t forget to pack your picnic blanket. You want one that will fit your party, dries fast, and provides comfort. I love Tesalate and their double-sided sand-free picnic blanket. They use bold and vibrant prints on antibacterial and odor-free material. And since it’s sand-free, you can “leave the beach at the beach!”
Picnic Food Ideas
Fresh and Flavorful Wraps
Ditch the bread and embrace the mess-free fun of wraps! Spread hummus or pesto on tortillas, layer with sliced veggies like peppers, cucumbers, and avocado, and add a protein punch with grilled chicken or crumbled tofu. Don’t forget to sprinkle cheese for a touch of indulgence! If you don’t feel like making food, stop by your local supermarket and buy pre-made wraps from the deli.
Charcuterie Board
I love a good charcuterie board, and it’s definitely on my list of picnic food ideas. Pack a selection of colorful crudités like baby carrots, sugar snap peas, bell pepper slices, meats, cheeses, nuts, and fruits. For the dips, keep it simple with hummus, veggie dip, or Ranch, or take it up a notch with a vibrant salsa or chunky guacamole.
Go Free Chips
What if I told you, there’s a line of snacks that offers a cleaner alternative to the high-caloric munchies you’re used to? Go Free chips, now available at over 400 grocery stores nationwide and on Amazon, are made with a revolutionary Pure Crisp™ technology that swaps the deep fryer for a more eco-friendly alternative. These crispy chips have fewer calories and fat than traditional options, as the air-drying process cuts emissions by up to 90% compared to deep-fried chips. Go Free chips are delicious, and come in a variety of flavors like Sea Salt, Barbeque, and Sweet Potato.
S’mores Kit
There are timeless beach picnic ideas that bring people together, and one of my favorites is making s’mores! The perfect combination of gooey marshmallows, melty chocolate, and crunchy graham crackers, s’mores are a quintessential treat for your beach day. *Remember safety always comes first! Make sure to check with your city laws to confirm where you’re allowed to light a fire.
Owl’s Brew Canned Cocktails
Looking for the perfect beach day sipper? Look no further than Owl’s Brew. The boozy tea and cocktail company offers some of the best canned cocktails on the market. Made with real ingredients, and offered in a variety of flavors, Owl’s Brew invites you to ditch the sugary coolers and artificial flavors – and choose a healthier, more sophisticated alternative for your next beach picnic!