With the long days and sunshine this season brings, summer is the perfect time to change up your routine and prepare for a picnic outside. Having the endless fun of enjoying simple food in the great outdoors, and preparing a picnic is one of our favorite summer pastimes. But you may ask what to pack in your picnic basket? These vegan picnic ideas bridge the gap between a fun meal and a nutritious one, making them more up to the challenge.
Some of my favorite childhood memories stem from a special gift I inherited as a child: a picnic suit. The small wicker basket is filled with (what I’m guessing) crockery, silverware, and a hand-painted teapot that comes with matching cups and plates. When I have friends over, we’ll spread a duvet over the lawn, position each guest, and imagine we’re dining at the queen’s table. We gobbled up whatever yummy my mom put out for us and had the best time doing it.
Featured image of Ashleigh Amoroso.
There’s nothing more exciting than doing something that seems unfamiliar: going out to eat. Now, I find myself taking advantage of any opportunity I can to enjoy a meal on the field, on the lawn, or wherever the weather and friends are favorable.
But I know what you might be thinking. As magical as they can be, there are a few challenges that come with picnics. There’s the element of heat — there can be occasional dehydration, bugs, and the potential for everything to turn upside down with a single gust of wind. But with the right attitude and equipment, picnics are fun to gather together as well as enjoy.
They’re perfect for solving the “what to do when you’re bored” dilemma, are engaging and fun for kids, and just a simple, no-frills way, any way you can spend your money. a summer day. So, prepare a few of these vegan picnic ideas and enjoy a taste of fresh summer—picnic style.
Green Goddess Pasta Salad
Why we love it: A large serving of greens that doesn’t involve a simple green salad? Sign me up. This green macaroni salad uses all sorts of healthy ingredients to create a nutritious, delicious, and totally addictive side dish. It uses cucumbers, artichoke hearts, avocados, peas, and more to form a pasta salad that you’ll want to repeat all summer. Everyone on your blanket will be grateful you brought it.
Hero Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar provides just the right amount of tartness and acidity to balance out all the creamy goodness that coats each lovely noodle.
Green bean salad sandwich
Why we love it: What’s better than a sandwich for a picnic? Chances are, you have a can of chickpeas in your pantry ready and eager to transform into this chickpea salad. It’s packed with protein, sweetness and deliciousness, and is perfectly ready to go on top of your favorite vegan bread. Replace honey with agave in this recipe and you’re on your way to the easiest and tastiest sandwich ever.
Hero Ingredients: Dried cranberries bring a hint of sweetness to the mix that accentuates everything around it.
Grilled Corn, Chickpeas and Avocado Salad with Poblano Vinaigrette
Why we love it: Everyone loves salads but unlike salads, that’s exactly what you’re working on here. Grilled corn, grilled poblano peppers, fresh tomatoes and chickpeas combine to create a whole that is much larger than the sum of its parts. Top it with tons of fresh herbs and butter and you’re good to go.
Hero Ingredients: The roasted poblano sauce pulls each flavor of the salad together and ties them together with a bow. Just make sure to use agave instead of honey and you’re good to go! (You might want to earn a little extra, suffice it to say.)
Vegan Chorizo Tacos
Why we love it: While it’s technically a breakfast taco, this vegan taco offers just about any meal of the day. Let’s break it. Vegan lentil chorizo made with beans (chickpeas and lentils), apple cider vinegar, cayenne pepper and lots of herbs make up a rich homemade tapioca and chorizo oil that delivers all kinds of umami flavors. Plus, you can load these up with as many toppings as you can fit into a tortilla. I about it.
Hero Ingredients: Homemade tapioca pie takes a fresh approach to a classic, unexpected but appreciated dish. With tapioca, you get a product that’s rich in complex carbs and antioxidants and offers a delicious and nutty taste. Making your own tortillas may seem intimidating, but it’s totally worth it with these tacos. Try your hand here and you may never go back to the store you bought it from!
PHOTO: Kristen Kilpatrick Photography, Camille Styles, Seventh Generation Detergent, Austin Texas, Austin Texas Lifestyle, Camille Styles Blog, Kristen Kilpatrick
Mango Coconut Soba Noodle Salad
Why we love it: Bold with Thai flavors and lots of herbs, this soba noodle salad is both flavorful and filling. It’s basically thanks to those noodles, so it makes a great main course for lunch or dinner. Swap honey for agave in Thai marinades to keep things vegan-friendly. And don’t forget the mango and coconut – all those summer vibes. Yum.
Hero Ingredients: Salt-roasted peanuts bring out a certain crunch that is appreciated in this salad. Along with carrots and cabbage, you’ll get just the right texture in every delicious bite.
PHOTO: Processed with VSCO with s2 . preset
Summer pasta salad
Why we love it: One of the best things about this pasta salad is that it’s best enjoyed at room temperature — perfect for a picnic! It’s packed with veggies and nutrients with edamame, eggplant, summer squash, kalamata olives, broccolini, etc. To keep things vegan, add your favorite vegan mozzarella or nix altogether (you don’t lose it). a lot of money putting it out). When you’re ready, throw everything together, pack a large serving, and dig right in. You will be glad you did.
Hero Ingredients: Make sure you get a good health on those vegetables. Caramel edges and a hint of bitterness add the main flavor to this pasta salad.
Gluten Free Cauliflower Tabbouleh
Why we love it: This tabbouleh is an easy and delicious main or side dish for a picnic party. It uses a bag of cauliflower rice, cucumbers, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and more to create a delightful edible salad you’ll want to add to your weekly rotation. . Like the others on this list, it’s both good at room temperature and fresh. Pack this into several containers, toss in the cooler or basket, and you’re on your way to the perfect picnic.
Hero Ingredients: Lemon vinegar and mustard seeds are the toppings that make up this salad. Just make sure to love honey if you’re keeping everything vegan.
Vegan Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
Why we love it: If you’re having fun, add this vegan mac and cheese to your picnic party. It’s equally delicious at room temperature because it comes straight out of the pot and checks the boxes for nostalgia and flavor. Plus, it takes about 20 minutes to cook and you’ll probably end up with leftovers (hallelujah!). The next day mac and cheese anyone? I will take two.
Hero Ingredients: Cauliflower is the perfect vegan alternative to your average full cheese mac and cheese. It keeps things thick and creamy and even injects nutrition into one of life’s most addictive foods. Who would have thought that there could be such an all-star alternative?
Grilled cauliflower tacos with cilantro
Why we love it: More cauliflower! And rightly so… in these Tet cakes, you’ll have caramelized cauliflower, creamy butter, coriander that’s delicious enough to drink, and all the edible accompaniments your heart desires. We’re talking pickled shallots, cilantro, grilled poblanos and/or a squeeze of lime – the options are endless.
Since everything can go at room temperature until you’re ready to serve, these grilled cauliflower tacos are practically made for eating outdoors. Pack them in takeout containers and build at your picnic.
Hero Ingredients: I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again — the tape is so versatile that you won’t regret doubling the recipe. Use it to top a Mexican-inspired bowl, add a splash of olive oil to make a goby salad dressing or give fresh veggies a dip in the ocean of flavor with this cilantro.
Gluten-free + vegetarian chocolate chip cookies from Café Gratitude
Why we love it: It wouldn’t be a proper picnic without something sweet to enjoy at the end of the session. And let me tell you, these cookies are right for the job. Since they sit outside in the warm weather, the chocolates are perfectly melted and just delicious enough to feel like they just came out of the oven. Grab one when you lay back on the blankets, sink into a post-lunch coma, and maybe sneak in a snooze or two. I mean, this is what dreams are made of.
Hero Ingredients: Walnuts, almond butter, cinnamon, oh my! There are too many superstars to choose from here, but I would probably go with Himalayan sea salt if I chose just one. You can’t beat how it enhances every hidden gem of an ingredient while bringing just the right amount of anti-sweet to the party.
