Picnic Basket Ideas

Whether you're dreaming of a full-blown family barbecue or simply lunch in the park, load up your basket with these great ideas for dining al fresco.

 

deli delights

 

If you'd rather let someone else do the prep, stop by your H-E-B Deli for fully prepared solutions like:

• Fried or Good-to-Go! Rotisserie chicken

• Baked beans

• Several varieties of potato salad or coleslaw

• Versatile party trays

 

kid-friendly

 

Keeping it fun and simple is what a picnic for kids is all about. Include things like:

• PB&J sandwiches

• Cream cheese sandwiches; mix in raisins, chopped celery, grated carrots, or pecans

• Fruit and cheese kabobs (sliced apples, bananas, strawberries, and pineapple with cheese cubes) or Vienna sausages with cheese kabob

• Baby carrots with ranch dressing for dipping

• Celery sticks filled with peanut butter

• For dessert serve H-E-Buddy Grahams

Flatout Peanut Butter & Jelly Fruit Wrap	Mango and Pineapple Quesadillas	Chippy Chewy Bars

 

picnic for two

 

This one's super easy and romantic. Create the mood with:

• Baguettes or bakery bagels (try one of the H-E-B Artisan Breads)

• Your favorite spread or European-style butter; for example, a flavored cream cheese spread like salmon or garlic herb

• Grapes and bite-sized cubes of cheese

• Wine or sparkling cider

• Cloth napkins, wine glasses, and a butter knife

Melon Prosciutto Salad	Spring Garden Tortellini Salad	Fizzy Hibiscus Cooler

See More Salad Recipes

 

elegant sandwich social

 

Special breads make it elegant, while the sandwich part means it's easy to make ahead of time, eat, and clean up. Pack your picnic with:

• Sandwiches made with distinctive breads - like baguettes or thick-sliced white, pumpernickel, or wheat (H-E-B Artisan breads) - and a variety of fillings

• Make 3 to 4 different kinds, then cut the sandwiches in half so guests can sample each

• Mix it up: chicken salad on cracked wheat; cream cheese and jam on white; ham and Swiss on rye; ripe tomato, avocado slices, cream cheese, and alfalfa sprouts on parmesan bread

• Fresh fruit and cheeses, like grapes, sliced apples, and cubes of cheddar

• Paper plates, cups, and napkins for a casual atmosphere that's pleasing to the eye

Prosciutto and Melon Grinder	Caprese Sandwich	New England Lobster Rolls