Next time you’re spending a day at the beach, ditch the mediocre boardwalk snacks for delicious and refreshing homemade meals. With just a little bit of preparation, you can turn an average outing into an outdoor feast.
Finding beach picnic ideas is also easier than you think. The most important factors to consider are whether the dish transports well and whether it is cool enough or stable enough to withstand the sun, Julie Pointer Adams, author of Al Fresco: inspired ideas for outdoor living, tells SELF. You’ll also want to rely on meals that contain hydrating ingredients (think crunchy celery and hearty grapes, both of which have a high water content) and that won’t leave you feeling sluggish afterward, she says. Imagine yourself on the shore and think about what attracts you to this warm, sandy environment. For Adams, it is crunchy salads with citrus vinaigrettes and vegetarian sandwiches with chilled cucumbers and juicy tomatoes.
Then, of course, there’s the legwork: To truly enjoy the relaxing vibe of a day at the beach, you’ll probably want to pack foods that don’t require cooking that day, says Adams. After all, you don’t want to spend your morning sweating in front of the stove. So try preparing meals in advance like refrigerated pasta salad or wraps with fresh add-ins like bean sprouts or hummus, she says.
And don’t let the details elaborate TikTok Videos make you believe that beach recipes must also be extravagant. Instead, choose dishes that you know will fill you up joy— it doesn’t have to be a full production, Adams says. Less is more in the case of your spread. In fact, Adams prefers options that don’t require a lot of time to complete or rely on a complex setup. While fancy charcuterie boards are cute, save them for an indoor gathering or one where you’re not trying to relax by the surf.
The best food for lounging is simple, but that doesn’t mean it has to be bland, she says. To prove it, we’ve rounded up 15 easy beach picnic ideas to try this summer, ranging from classic dishes like salads, sandwiches, desserts and drinks to more creative takes on the OGs. The best part? Most of these tasty and refreshing dishes come together in less than 30 minutes and can be made in advance. So you only have to worry about packing them in your cooler.
