Key Highlights:
- Around 42.3% couples look up picnic food ideas for couples on Google – picnics are back!
- 47% of Gen Z daters chose a budget-friendly Valentine’s Day date over a fancy dining date.
- Tinder’s 2023 dating report says that a renaissance in dating has begun, driven by authenticity.
- Gen Zs from tier 1 as well as tier 2 cities have made a pact with their partners over exchanging meaningful gifts.
To cut a long story short, picnics are back, and so are picnic food ideas for couples! Thanks to TikTok and Instagram, our feeds are flooded with charcuterie boards, cozy blankets, and picnic dates.
But these picnics are not restricted to group outings anymore – picnic dates are also high on everyone’s lists – and of course, we understand why!
Keeping the general old-world charm and beauty aesthetics of a picnic aside, data says that more and more Gen Z daters are opting for budget-friendly dates like a picnic date over something lavish for this Valentine’s Day.
After all, the dating renaissance has begun, albeit driven by authenticity.
So, the truth is picnic dates are back officially – and we are loving it! But there is one problem – what do you eat on your date?
We asked 100 active Gen Z ‘daters’ about the biggest issue with planning a picnic date. While 30% talked about finding the perfect location, the rest were worried about the right picnic food ideas for couples.
We were honestly shocked – because location can truly be a tricky problem, though it appears to be a simple choice.
However, most Gen Zs don’t think so – they think the problem is in the food!
So, what is the perfect picnic date food? There are so many options that you will honestly get spoiled for choice – let’s get started, shall we?
7 EASY And Delish Picnic Food Ideas For Couples
Picnics do not just mean hummus, crackers, and cheese (sorry, TikTok reels). While there’s definitely a time as well as a place for dips and chips, there are multiple picnic food ideas for couples.
For instance, you can carry a selection of cheeses and wines for a fun, outdoor tasting. Or perhaps you can just host a cute little high tea for the two of you, complete with cream, jam, scones, and a thermos filled with English Breakfast.
If you aren’t sure about the menu for your picnic date, then stay tuned! From delish turkey club sliders to seasoned crackers with a side of cheese, we have got you covered.
1. Curry Chicken Salad:
Why We Love It?
It is an easy-to-pack picnic food ideas for couples.
Savory chicken and juicy grapes come together to create one of the best picnic salads of all time. Moreover, you can easily tuck this delish salad inside a flaky croissant.
Ingredients:
You will need the following ingredients to make Curry Chicken Salad.
- Chicken Breasts (2 pieces),
- Celery (a stalk),
- Green Onion (1 piece),
- Mayo,
- Curry, and
- Bread (your choice)/Lettuce Leaves.
How To Make Curry Chicken Salad?
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 15 minutes |
| Calories | 559 kcal |
| Servings | 4 |
Follow the steps mentioned below and make this easy salad for your picnic date!
- Take a medium-sized bowl and shred two cooked chicken breasts.
- Chop the green onion and celery into small chunks.
- Add curry powder, mayo, and veggies into a bowl. Now, blend these together.
- Spoon this salad mixture on top of a bun or a croissant.
- Top with lettuce or spinach, and serve.
2. Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad:
Why We Love It?
It is easy to make and very convenient for a picnic.
Caesar salad is perhaps one of the easiest recipes out there! You can make it a picnic favorite by adding some flavor. We added pasta to this classic salad and boom! It’s not just a convenient option, but it also tastes good on a warm day.
Ingredients:
You will need the following ingredients to make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad.
- Romaine Lettuce (2 stalks),
- Cubed/Shredded Cooked Chicken (1 cup),
- Shredded Parmesan (½ cup),
- Uncooked Rotini (1 cup),
- Croutons (1 cup),
- Caesar Dressing (1 cup), and
- Black Pepper.
How To Make Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad?
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 7 minutes |
| Calories | 512 kcal |
| Servings | 4 |
Follow the steps mentioned below and make this classic salad for your date out with bae!
- Cook the pasta as per the package instructions. Then drain the water and run cold water through the cooked pasta. Now, drain it again and set aside.
- Chop the lettuce into small pieces and discard its core.
- Add the cold pasta, chopped lettuce, parmesan cheese, cooked chicken, Caesar dressing, croutons, and black pepper in a big bowl.
- Now toss, coating the mix with Caesar dressing.
- Sprinkle some black pepper, and serve.
3. Crab Salad:
Why We Love It?
It tastes fantastic!
If you are a fan of crabs but are wondering how to come up with a convenient lunch option for crabs, then worry not!
Give crab salad a thought – it will be easy to prepare and will pack the right flavors. Moreover, you can serve this salad as a topping with bread and crackers or wrap it as a filling in leafy lettuce for a great meal that is worth sharing.
Ingredients:
You will need the following ingredients to make Crab Salad.
- Imitation Flaked Crab Meat (16 ounces),
- Mayo (½ cup),
- Diced Celery (½ cup),
- Dijon Mustard (1 tablespoon),
- Onion Powder (½ teaspoon),
- Garlic Powder (½ teaspoon),
- Salt (¼ teaspoon), and
- Black Pepper.
How To Make Crab Salad?
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 5 minutes |
| Calories | 247 kcal |
| Servings | 5 sandwiches |
Follow the steps mentioned below and make this delicious salad for your picnic date!
- Cut the crab meat into small portions.
- Take a large bowl and add the chopped crab meat into the bowl.
- Now, add the other ingredients to the bowl and toss before you serve.
4. Turkey Club Sliders:
Why We Love It?
It’s super convenient to prepare and commute with for a picnic date.
These turkey club sliders are so damn tasty – oh my god! Just pile these sandwiches high with cheese, bacon, and turkey for a great lunch that you can make easily. Additionally, ensure that you don’t face any issues carrying these in your basket.
Ingredients:
You will need the following ingredients to make Turkey Club Sliders.
- Bacon (1 pound),
- Hawaiian Rolls (2 packets),
- Sliced Deli Turkey (½ pound),
- Mayonnaise (½ cup),
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese (6 slices),
- Chopped Lettuce (3 cups),
- Butter (2 tablespoons), and
- Onion Powder (1 tablespoon).
How To Make Turkey Club Sliders?
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10 minutes |
| Calories | 300 kcal |
| Servings | 4 |
Follow the steps mentioned below and make this mouthwatering slider for your date out with bae!
- Bake the bacon at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Cut the bread rolls in half and spread some mayo on the bottom buns.
- Now, place the mayo-laden bottom buns and bake at 400 degrees for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Take a large bowl, add the rest of the ingredients, and mix well.
- Now, top the buns with bacon, turkey, and slices of cheese. Place the buns back in the oven for five to seven minutes after brushing them with butter and onion powder.
- Once you take the buns out of the oven, add the mixture on top of the bacon.
- Place the top bun on the sandwich and serve!
5. Pinwheels Sandwich:
Why We Love It?
These are perfect to nibble on while getting to know your date.
You can finish a pinwheel sandwich in only a few bites. However, these are so delicious that you will enjoy nibbling on a few of them when you are out at a picnic.
Ingredients:
You will need the following ingredients to make Pinwheels Sandwiches.
- Shredded Cheese (1 cup),
- Cream cheese (4 ounces),
- Mayonnaise (2 tablespoons),
- Black Pepper (¼ teaspoon),
- Paprika (¼ teaspoon),
- Salt (⅛ teaspoon),
- Burrito size tortillas (4 pieces),
- Bacon bits (2 tablespoons),
- Sliced Deli Meat (½ pound),
- Thinly Sliced Cheddar Cheese (8 slices),
- Tomato (1 large piece), and
- Lettuce Leaves (A stalk).
How To Make Pinwheels Sandwiches?
| Prep Time | 25 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10 minutes |
| Calories | 89 kcal |
| Servings | 28 pinwheels |
Follow the steps mentioned below and make these cute little sandwiches for your romantic picnic date with bae!
- Take a bowl and mix all the ingredients except the tortillas.
- Now, add mayonnaise, cream cheese, paprika, salt, and pepper into a bowl and blend it together until you get a smooth mixture.
- Cut the tomatoes into thin slices with a sharp knife or a mandolin slicer. Also, you can use paper towels to soak the excess moisture from the tomatoes.
- Spread cream cheese (2 tablespoons) on a tortilla – ensure the layer of cheese is even and thin.
- Sprinkle some bits of bacon on the tortilla before adding 2 slices of regular meat to the same tortilla.
- Then, add two cheese slices on top of the meat.
- After that, add the sliced tomatoes on top of the cheese slices.
- Finally, add only one layer of lettuce.
- Repeat the same process thrice, and you are good to go!
6. Strawberry Bruschetta:
Why We Love It?
We love strawberries, and we love Bruschettas as well – what’s there not to love about these strawberry Bruschettas?
We love gorging on Bruschettas – and this particular take on the same is even better. Trust us on this one – if you don’t believe us, then try it for real, and you will know. Also, these just don’t taste good – these look great on charcuterie boards as well.
Ingredients:
You will need the following ingredients to make Strawberry Bruschettas.
- French Bread (1 loaf),
- Cream Cheese (½ cup),
- Jalapeno Jelly (¼ cup), ad
- Fresh Mint.
How To Make Strawberry Bruschettas?
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 2 minutes |
| Calories | 140 kcal |
| Servings | 12 |
Follow the steps mentioned below and make these delicious sweet treats for your next date or just because you feel like it!
- Slice the bread into one-inch slices.
- Now, lay the slices on a normal cookie sheet and just broil the same for a minute until it is well-toasted.
- Spread cream cheese on the bread.
- Now, spread some jalapeno jelly right on top of the cheese.
- Before serving, garnish with some mint leaves.
7. Italian Sliders:
Why We Love It?
It’s really filling and, at the same time, very easy to make at home.
If you have been looking for something substantial that fits well under picnic food ideas for couples, then Italian sliders are your best option! The best part? You can stuff these sandwiches up with meat, cheese, and some seasoning for a filling alternative.
Ingredients:
You will need the following ingredients to make Italian Sliders.
- Hawaiian Rolls (12 count package),
- Provolone Slices (6-ounce package),
- Thinly Sliced Ham (9-ounce package),
- Salami Slices (3.5 ounces),
- Pepperoni (3.5 ounces),
- Sliced Banana Peppers (1 cup),
- Butter (4 tablespoons), and
- Italian Dressing Seasoning (1 tablespoon).
How To Make Italian Sliders?
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 30 minutes |
| Calories | 217 kcal |
| Servings | 12 sliders |
Follow the steps mentioned below and make these picnic-friendly, filling sandwiches for your picnic date with boo!
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Cut the bread rolls into two halves lengthwise.
- Place a parchment paper on your baking dish and place the bottom buns on top of the parchment paper.
- Add some provolone cheese to the bottom buns.
- Now, add pepperoni, salami, and ham on top of the cheesy buns.
- Then, add some banana peppers over the layers of meat and place the top bun.
- Melt some butter in a dish and add some Italian dressing seasoning – now stir together to combine the mixture.
- Brush this butter mixture on the top buns.
- Use aluminum foil to cover your baking dish and bake the bread for 20 to 25 minutes.
- After 20-25 minutes, you can remove the aluminum foil.
- Now, bake the bread again for five extra minutes until it turns golden brown.
- Remove the sandwiches from the oven.
- Finally, brush some more butter on top and serve!
Bon Appétit!
And that’s a wrap on our favorite picnic food ideas for couples! These are easy to make, perfect for commuting, and, most importantly, taste amazing! If you don’t believe us, then just make these at home and try them out for real.
Until then, happy cooking, guys! Let us know how your picnic date turns out to be in the comments below!
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