Side Dish Picnic Recipes
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Posted: 06/17/20
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Having a picnic this summer? Here’s a ton of ideas for the perfect picnic side dish recipes! They are easy, delicious and can be made ahead of time.
It’s summertime and that means picnics! If you are looking for a new recipe for your next picnic you are in the right place.
Everything from pasta salads, bean salads, bite size appetizers, vegetable pizza, dips and more!
I’m always looking to try new picnic recipes, so I’ll be using this round up of side dish picnic recipes all summer!
Click any of the headings below to jump straight to that section!
- Pasta Salads
- Bean Salads & Bite Size Appetizers
- Dips
- Vegetable and Fruits Salads & Sides
- Picnic Desserts & Drinks
Contents
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Pasta Salads
Cashew Chicken Rotini Salad
Loaded with Cashews, Grapes, Chicken, Pasta and Dried Cranberries! Perfect Pasta Salad Recipe for the Summer!
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Asian Ramen Salad
Quick, easy and full of flavor! Asian Ramen Salad is the perfect potluck salad and only takes minutes to throw Together!
Bruschetta Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe
Two of You Favorites Come Together In this Delicious Pasta Salad Loaded with Tomatoes, Red Onions, Fresh Mozzarella in a Tangy Balsamic Dressing! Perfect Side Dish for Grilling and Summer Cook Outs!
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Pesto Pasta Salad
This Italian Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe is an easy pasta salad that's full of flavor! Perfect for any night of the week or take it to your next summer BBQ.
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Crab Pasta Salad
Pasta Salad Loaded with Crab Meat, Peas, Broccoli, Green Pepper and Onion tossed in a creamy dressing!
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Pepperoni Cold Pasta Salad Recipe
This Pepperoni Cold Pasta Salad is an easy cold pasta salad with Italian dressing, pepperoni, 2 cheeses, and fresh vegetables. It’s perfect for a large crowd, potlucks, and summer BBQ’s!
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Greek Pasta Salad
This delicious cold pasta salad recipe is full of flavor from bell pepper, cucumber, lemon, and dill! Top this cold pasta salad with a creamy Greek yogurt dressing.
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Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
Creamy Pasta Salad Loaded with Pasta, Peas, Carrot, Bacon Bits and Ranch!
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Caesar Pasta Salad
Love Caesar salads? This cold pasta salad combines an easy Caesar salad and pasta for the ultimate combo. Make this Caesar Pasta Salad as a side dish at a BBQ or for an easy lunch or dinner recipe!
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Macaroni Salad
Quick and easy pasta salad that is always a hit at parties, potlucks and BBQs. Tons of flavor from the pasta, peas, ham, cheese and seasonings!
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Bean Salads & Bite Size Appetizers
Bean Salad Recipe
Every main dish deserves a great side dish and this bean salad is it! A delicious array of flavors and beans brings this side dish to a whole new level. Plus it’s easy to throw together on a busy night!
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Veggie Pizza Recipe
This vegetable pizza starts with a flaky crescent roll crust and is topped with creamy ranch cream cheese and your favorite vegetables like carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, olives and cheese!
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Tortilla Pinwheels
Bite sized pinwheels stuffed with a creamy mixture of cream cheese, black olives, green chiles, cheese spread on a tortilla, then rolled up, chilled and sliced.
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Cheesy Turkey Bacon Ranch Pinwheels
Perfect for Your Lunchbox! Tortillas Loaded with Turkey, Bacon, Ranch and Cheese! Also, Make a Great Appetizer for Your Parties!
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Ranch Pretzels Recipe
Ranch Pretzels flavored with ranch, dill, and garlic these pretzels will become your next addiction!
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Dips
Texas Caviar Recipe
Texas Caviar is also known as Cowboy Caviar! It’s a great dip, salad or topping to your favorite grilled chicken or steak!
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Corn Dip Recipe
This Corn Dip recipe is loaded with Corn, Tomatoes, Green Onions & Cheese! This dip will be the talk of the party!
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Grilled Corn Guacamole
Delicious homemade guacamole with grilled corn! This is perfect to snack on, top burgers or steaks with! This Grilled Corn Guacamole is bursting with flavor, healthy and so easy!
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Easy Taco Dip
Easy Taco Dip ~ Everyone Will Dig Into this Festive Taco Dip! Loaded with Sour Cream, Taco Seasoning, Salsa, Cheese, Lettuce, Tomatoes & Black Olives!
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Layered Taco Dip
Quick and Easy Meatless Taco Dip that is ready in 5 minutes! A taco cream cheese layer followed by salsa and cheese!
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Grilled Corn Salsa
Grab your chips and dunk them into this delicious Corn Salsa! It’s packed with flavor, yet healthy. It’s made with perfectly grilled and charred corn, juicy tomatoes, chopped red onion and is tossed with a cilantro lime dressing. It can be served as an appetizer at any summer party or piled on top of tacos, quesadillas, grilled chicken, salmon or pork.
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Dill Pickle Dip
Quick and easy creamy dip that's flavored with dill pickles. A perfect party appetizer.
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Kickin’ Ranch Corn Dip
Easy dump and go Corn Dip is the perfect party appetizer! This Kickin’ Ranch Corn Dip is Loaded with Ranch, Corn, Green Chilies & Cheese which makes it the perfect party appetizer!
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Vegetable and Fruits Salads & Sides
Couscous Salad Recipe
Quick and easy Couscous Salad with grilled vegetables is light, healthy and delicious. Perfect for summer!
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Southwestern Sweet Potato Salad Recipe
This Southwestern Sweet Potato Salad is an easy side dish recipe that is perfect for summer! The southwestern flavors and addition of sweet potatoes changes up the classic potato salad recipe, turning it into a fun and festive summer side dish.
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Potato Salad
Tender potatoes and hard boiled eggs make this traditional potato salad the BEST.
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Broccoli Salad Recipe
Broccoli Salad recipe is a quick and easy side dish for summer potlucks, holidays, parties and more!
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Seven Layer Salad
Perfect Make Ahead Salad or Side Dish for Holidays and Potlucks. This 7 Layer Salad Recipe has Chopped Lettuce, Peas, Celery, Onions, Bacon, and Cheese!
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Easy Smoked Vegetables
These quick and easy smoked vegetables are the perfect quick and easy side dish on your smoker! Tons of flavor from balsamic and seasonings, then perfectly smoked for a delicious flavor!
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Roasted Red Potato Salad
This simple potato salad recipe is full of flavor and easily customizable! With roasted red potatoes and bacon, this potato salad is irresistible!
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Sunshine Fruit Salad
Sunshine Fruit Salad ~ Delicious, Easy Fruit Salad Recipe filled with Strawberries, Pineapples, Bananas, Blueberries and Mandarin Oranges! Perfect as a Side Dish or for Brunch!
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Lettuce Frito Salad
A delicious Lettuce Salad Layered with Corn Chips, Bacon, Cranberries and Topped with a Tangy Poppy Seed Dressing!
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Grape Salad
Classic salad that's bursting with juicy fresh grapes in a sweet and tangy cream cheese dressing that's sprinkled with brown sugar and pecans.
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Easy Fruit Salad
Quick and easy fruit salad recipe with strawberries, blueberries, pineapple and mandarin oranges. Covered in a dressing using vanilla pudding and extracts.
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Picnic Desserts & Drinks
Golden Oreo Dream Salad
Layers of Delicious Crushed Oreos and Light Fluffy Pudding! Make it in a Mason Jar or Trifle Bowl! Perfect for Picnics!
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Arnold Palmer Drink
A combination of homemade unsweetened tea and lightly sweetened lemonade, this mocktail sips easy on a hot day.
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Banana Split Trifles
This Banana Split Dessert Trifle is layered with vanilla cake and homemade pudding, then loaded up with all of your favorite banana split toppings. Make them in Mason Jars for a portable picnic treat or in a trifle bowl to serve a crowd!
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Strawberry Lemonade Margaritas
Strawberry Lemonade Margarita is an easy and crowd pleasing drink! It’s ready in minutes when you use frozen lemonade even frozen strawberries if you desire. Make this Lemonade Margarita for your summertime parties!
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Snickers Salad Recipe
Quick, Delicious, Fluffy Salad Recipe! Eat it for Dessert or a Side Dish! Loaded with Apples, Snickers and Drizzled with Caramel!
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Virgin Strawberry Margarita
This booze-free rendition of the beloved margarita has the same sweet-tart kick and packs in the flavor, only calling for five ingredients. Once blended together, serve up this up for friends and family members alike as a cool treat.
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Cookie Salad
This light, creamy dessert salad is made with Cool Whip, Buttermilk, Mandarin Oranges, Instant Vanilla Pudding and Fudge Striped Cookies.
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Oreo Fluff
Oreo Fluff Recipe is the perfect no-bake dessert or salad! Light, Fluffy Oreo Cookie Salad with Crushed Oreos, Cool Whip and Pudding Mix. It’s ready in ten minutes and always a hit where ever you bring it!
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Lauren says
We are heading to Ravinia Sunday and I found your recipes on Pinterest. Lots of good ones here! Ravinia has gotten so expensive we usually only go once each summer so u like to make it special. Thanks for your recipes!
Julie Evink says
Enjoy Lauren!
Bonnie says
My problem is I often go to pitch-ins where the food has to sit around and wait until it’s time to eat. I have one of those coming up next week. Looking for easy, inexpensive side dishes that won’t spoil sitting around for a few hours, but will still wow a crowd. Any suggestions?
Julie Evink says
Couscous and Quinoa Salads are great at room temperature! My friend Danielle over at Krafted Koch has an amazing Mediterranean Couscous Salad! Here’s the link http://www.kraftedkoch.com/mediterranean-couscous-salad/ !
Bonnie says
Thank you, I will try this!
Julie Evink says
Enjoy Bonnie!
Barbara says
do you have a crock pot receipe for chicken breast?
Julie Evink says
Just to cook chicken breasts?
Vicki Clardy says
Love your recipes
Alli @ Cupcake Diaries says
This round up is making me all kinds of hungry! Awesome recipes!! And thank you so much for including my jello salad and tortellini salad. So fun!!
Taylor Kiser says
Love all these picnic ideas! I am the worst for planning picnic food, but my husband always is asking to go on picnic dates!! Thanks for including my Jalapeno Lime Hummus!
Julie Evink says
Of course Taylor! Get out and plan a picnic now 🙂