Image created by VRG Intern, Myrial Holbrook.

Picture it, the perfect picnic: a summer sun shines down on families and friends toting red checkered blankets and baskets laden with delicious food, and all around them, nature hums and buzzes in beautiful harmony. Burgers, hot dogs, cole slaw, salads, cookies, cakes, and pies galore…it’s a meat and dairy lover’s paradise, right? Or so you once thought. With the right recipes and tips, the comfort food at picnics can be 100% vegan and 100% delectable. Below you will find all the essential recipes to satisfy your savory side, your sweet tooth, and everything in between. You’ll find prepare-ahead recipes to bring to picnics as well as easy options to make on-site. If you’re not much of a picnicker, but you do like to camp or grill out, these recipes can still be great options for you. We’ve also included articles with specific tips, tricks, and recipes for picnicking, camping, and grilling alike. Bon appetit!

Menu Ideas

Main Courses:

Oat Nut Burger
Greens Quiche
Meatless Black Bean Burrito
Multi-Veggie Burger

Salads:

Cherry Tomato, Cucumber, and Sweet Onion Salad
Pineapple-Carrot Salad with Citrus Dressing
Corn Relish Salad
Herbed Potato Salad
Potato Salad with Thai Peanut Dressing
German Potato Salad
Mexican Cole Slaw
Asian Slaw
Easy Pasta Salad
Middle Eastern Macaroni Salad
Pecan and Red Pepper Pesto Macaroni Salad
Wild Rice Picnic Salad
Cold Quinoa Salad

Side Dishes:

Pinto Beans with Watercress or Arugla
Dried Tomato Tapenade
Couscous Taboulleh
Chunky Bean Spread
Better Baked Beans

Desserts:

Lemony Blueberry Muffins
Chocolate Chip-Raisin Blondies
Unbaked Oatmeal Peanut Butter Fudgies
Citrus Slices
Delicious Cherry Pie

Your A-Z of Picnic-Related Articles

Cold Salads for Warm Months
Cookies, Cookies, Cookies
Cool, Crisp Summer Salads
Deli Salads
Fast Sandwich Spreads
Flavorful Salad Dressings without the Oil!
Gourmet Grilling
Menu Construction Lecture-see Grill On!, Summer Sandwiches, Beyond Green, and Happy Ending sections
Picnic Pleasures
Spring is in the air and so is the smell of veggie dogs!
Traveling with Vegan Children-see Car Travel section
Vegan Backpacking
Vegan Dishes without the Added Oil, Salt, or Sugar
Vegetarian Journal’s Guide to Veggie Dogs

Thanks to Myrial Holbrook for compiling this piece while doing an internship with The Vegetarian Resource Group.