My dream park day begins by tackling a dozen oysters within shouting distance of an adult Spikeball Tournament and ends with a 16 ounce prime rib dinner served underneath illegal fireworks. “Dream” is the key word here (with “adult” not far behind), as this surf and turf extravaganza is untenable in any picnic that grounds its blanket in reality.
Why? Oysters and prime rib would get weird at the park. Weird, as in, possibly smellier, perhaps squishier, and certainly worse due to some combination of heat exposure, transportation, and unrealistic packaging requirements.
It’s sad to learn that foods aren’t picnic proof. Some of it’s instinct: Like a puppy avoiding a hot oven, we’re born knowing even the best, Genius deviled eggs aren’t fit for an afternoon in the sun. Other times it’s a matter of inconvenient equipment, a phenomenon best understood through this gumbo delivery. And sometimes you learn while reading an article from Australian topical pain ointment brand Outback Natural Relief titled “5 Foods You Should Not Pack For A Picnic” that unapologetically informs you “ice sculptures, ice cream cakes, and ice luges” are not picnic approved. I guess I’ll cancel my order.
If accepting the loss of oysters, prime rib, and ice luges is the first step of picnic packing, identifying the best possible foods you can bring is the second. For that reason, I’ve spent the last few days scouring articles, badgering coworkers, and rifling through personal experiences to gather the ultimate list of foods that won’t get weird at the park.
1. Doritos Furikake
Romel Bruno pairs garlic, nori, and bonito flakes with Doritos to create a snack mix that’s complex, convenient, and capable of surviving an entire summer day.
2. Party Pretzel Bites
Making these bites pre-picnic allows your group to enjoy the bliss, warmth, and euphoric joy of Auntie Anne’s in an environment that’s both sunny and free of that Abercrombie smell.
3. Yotam Ottolenghi & Sam Tamimi’s Basic Hummus
Community member Stephanie best describes the beauty (and labor) of this Genius hummus from Yotam Ottolenghi and Sam Tamimi: “Deeelicious! What a difference from using canned chickpeas. It's a bit fiddly with skimming the chickpeas, but nothing a glass of wine in hand won't soothe. This will be a regular treat.”
4. Salsa de Aguacate
While there’s no world in which blending avocados with tomatillos, serranos, jalapenos, garlic, and scallion wouldn’t be tasty, the proportions outlined in this recipe from Rick Martinez are pitch perfect.
5. Chicken and Salad Milanese Style
At first glance, thinly fried chicken and a side salad might seem like a top-tier park option. But, if you make this recipe and subsequently pack it inside a wrap or between focaccia, it might become your favorite option from this list.
6. Celery and Za’Atar Tabbouleh
This tabbouleh from community member DrBabs swaps the salad’s traditional stars—tomato and cucumber—for the sturdier, more water-resistant duo of nuts and celery. The result? A bright salad that refuses to become soggy on a long afternoon.
7. Turkey Roll-Ups With Homemade Spinach Wraps
Frequent late afternoon trips to our office food court have informed my unwavering belief that cold cut wraps (of any kind) become better the longer they meld in the fridge. So, if you throw a bunch of these already delicious turkey roll-ups in a cooler, they'll get even better as the day goes on.
8. Detroit Style Pizza
Here’s the move: Make too much of this pepperoni-studded Detroit style pizza the night before your picnic. The next morning, cut your leftovers into slices, wrap each in tinfoil, then head to the park.
9. Magic Cookie Bars
As we’ve outlined before, these magic bars are the most crowd-friendly recipe on our site. And since they’ll disappear within seconds of arriving at the picnic, there’s no reason to worry about them melting.
10. Ovenly Vegan Cookies
After we crowned Magic Bars the crowd-friendly king, community member Antonia James suggested another treat had a claim to the throne: “These vegan chocolate chip cookies should be on every table where platters are arranged for crowd consumption, regardless of season or event.” Fun fact: We agree.
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