As the temperature outside cools down you should consider some easy picnic meal prep for a change of venue and to improve your weekly lunches. Picnics are a great way to change up the routine while eating healthy, saving money, and getting some fresh air. Plus you can incorporate many picnic meal prep ideas into your weekly work lunches.
Portable Meal Prep Foods
Portable foods are essential for easy picnic meal prep. Picnics should be easy and fun and you don’t want to deal with foods sloshing around and making a mess. There are some easy picnic meal prep tips, avoid soups, avoid foods that require too much assembly, and obviously avoid food that require being warmed up or kept cool.
Foods that do work well for easy picnic meal prep can be pre-assembled like wraps or eaten with a fork like pasta. You can also include snackable foods like fruits, nuts, and veggies. Foods that you can eat with your hands and keep well at room temp are perfect for easy picnic meal prep.
Serving Sizes
When prepping foods for picnics consider if you’re portioning out individual servings or providing a single bowl that will serve multiple people. Individual portions can be great for small groups or for controlling serving sizes. This can also be ideal for making sure there is enough for everyone. Pre-cutting pies and sandwiches or making individual fruit cups can be a great way to serve foods for easy picnic meal prep.
Cool & Room Temp Foods
Keep a reusable ice pack ready in the freezer for easy picnic meal prep or focus on foods that don’t require any temperature management. Consider the temperature as well. Even room temp foods may require some cooling if it’s hot enough. Regardless, keep foods out of the sun to avoid spoilage.
- Pasta & Greek salad
- Wraps & Sandwiches
- Salad
- Fresh fruit
- Fresh Vegetables
- Breaded chicken
- Tamales
- Quesadillas
- Falafel
- Empanadas
- Stuffed peppers
- Samosas
Dips
Dips are great for veggies or chips and can add an additional dimension to your meal.
- Hummus
- Peanut butter
- Salsa
- Pesto
Containers & Waste Reduction
Good food containers can make a big difference in how fun and easy picnic meal prep can be. Insulated containers, thermoses, and ice packs are necessary for keeping picnic foods safe to eat. Freezing water bottles can act as ice packs while doubling up as refreshing drinks later. Good containers can greatly reduce food waste as well as avoid the plastic containers that often get thrown away. Investing in containers can pay for itself. Read our container recommendations post for more information.
Don’t Forget Snacks & Dessert
Snacks are a quick way to build out easy picnic meal prep. Include snacks and desserts to round out a good meal but remember to choose foods that travel well. From simple fruits and veggies to trail mix and chips, snacks are easy. For desserts, cookies, cookie bars, brownies, baklava, these travel well and keep well at a range of temperatures.
Keep it simple
Easy picnic meal prep is best when you keep it simple. Consolidate into fewer containers, bring less variety, focus on foods that can be eaten without cutlery, overall minimize the cleaning and the necessary utensils. Pack nuts, seeds, crackers, popcorn, or dried fruits to satisfy hunger pangs between meals. These are simple to throw into bags and can be eaten at your pace.
Plan ahead for your picnic meal prep to save time, money, and stress. Easy picnic meal prep can be enjoyed in a park as well as weekday office lunches. Simple, portable dishes are a great addition to your meal prep routine and the flexibility in how and where you eat is a great way to mix things up.
