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Pack a Picnic

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Enjoy a Picnic

Picnics are the ultimate summer activity. We have put together our favourite picnic-worthy recipes as well as helpful tips on planning and packing a cooler so that you can enjoy a family fun day at the park, the beach or the trails. 

Easy
Orzo Salad

Better than traditional pasta salad, our Orzo Salad is perfect to pack into jars and take on the go. - Caitlyn

Orzo is a variety of pasta that resembles grains of rice and it’s great as a base for picnic salads. This portable salad — also full of peas, feta cheese and parsley — is perfect for summer potlucks.

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Easy
Tangy Potato Salad

Picnics and this flavourful potato salad go hand-in-hand in my mind. - Deb

Give your potato salad some extra tang with a generous helping of malt vinegar. This creamy picnic salad is great to bring to potlucks and barbecues.

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Easy
Marinated Bean and Vegetable Salad

This sturdy salad is filled with Mediterranean ingredients like olive oil, feta and fresh herbs. It makes for a great portable picnic salad.

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Easy
Mediterranean Wraps

Get all the flavour of a Greek salad in a wrap sandwich. These rolled tortillas are filled with cucumber, tomato and our tangy Feta Filling.

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Easy
Lunch Box Mini Bagelwiches

These tasty sandwiches are the perfect size for young kids on the go! Perfect for picnic lunches or quick snacks. - Janet

These little bagel sandwiches fit perfectly in both kids’ and adults’ lunch boxes. We fill them with a fruit and vegetable-studded cream cheese spread.

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Easy
Caribbean Burgers

Bring the taste of the islands to your next barbecue! These ground pork burgers are packed with Caribbean-inspired spices.

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Medium
Crunchy Honey Mustard Wings

I make a bunch of these up and have them in the freezer, ready for picnics anytime. - Janine

These chicken wings are baked rather than deep fried, but they still get nice and crunchy thanks to a breadcrumb coating.

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Easy
One Bowl Brownies

These brownies are great for when you want a quick dessert and don’t want to wash a bunch of dishes. - Claire

This fudgy indulgent brownie is super easy and comes together in a matter of minutes which makes it the perfect kid-friendly recipe or gift from the kitchen.

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Medium
Bumbleberry Turnovers

Bumbleberry, a mixture of berries, rhubarb and apple, comes from the Canadian East Coast. We’ve made ours into deliciously flaky turnovers. 

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Easy
Glacial Refresher

Flavoured water offers a great way to enjoy a refreshing non-alcoholic drink without turning to sugary juices or pop. This water is infused with cranberries, cucumber, citrus and ginger.

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Picnic Tips

Picnics can be elegant and formal, casual and impromptu and everything in between. Here are our top tips to go with our favourite picnic-friendly recipes.

  • Keep the menu simple with fewer choices, interesting recipes and some favourite foods.

  • Pack perishable food carefully. See our guide on How To Pack A Cooler.

  • Take lots of wipes or cloths to clean picnic tables, benches or faces and sticky fingers. Take hand sanitizer to use before eating.

  • Take dishes that will work with your food choices. Thin paper plates absorb moisture and can’t be used to easily cut food on. Disposable glasses and cutlery are often too flimsy and may result in accidents. 

  • Choose sturdy foods and fillings that won’t fall apart. Ready-filled bagels or buns and burgers that need few condiments are good choices. Cut-up vegetables, ready-to-eat chicken wings, hand pies and cookies are easy to eat without needing plates or cutlery.

  • Individually pack foods such as salads or dips in small jars, cut up sandwiches and desserts at home, and have fruit such as watermelon cut and ready to serve.

  • Take enough water to keep everyone well hydrated. Try flavoured waters rather than sugary drinks.