Refreshing Summer Picnic Menu Ideas You’ll Want to Try

This easy summer picnic menu includes everything you need to treat yourself and your guests to a delightful meal whether you’re dining at home or outdoors.

Is there anything more summery than a picnic?

Even though days in North Carolina are hot, evenings are often perfect for dining outside.

This month we co-hosted a virtual progressive picnic with friends and put together a fresh, summery menu.

You won’t want to miss any of these tasty recipes.

Six small clear glass jars of Lemon Bar in a Jar sitting on a white wood and metal serving tray with spoons and a striped tea towel on a wicker table at an outdoor picnic.

This month we brought dessert: No Bake Lemon Bars in a Jar.

What better place for a picnic than AnnMarie’s charming outdoor pergola?

She shared her tips for creating a lovely picnic spot, and our friends contributed creative ideas, too.

Two women holding cups of lemon bars in a jar standing under a pergola strung with different sizes of string lights. The background is all kinds of shrubs. A tan outdoor sofa sits under the pergola with wicker tables, lanterns, and potted plants.

Isn’t AnnMarie’s pergola lovely with its mix of string lights?

If you’re visiting from Jen’s home in Nebraska or you’re new here, welcome — we’re glad you’re here.

Have a seat and we’ll pour a glass of our summer favorite, Sauvignon Blanc.

AnnMarie and I live across the street from each other and enjoy sharing simple ideas for home decorating, easy DIY projects, entertaining, healthy eating, and tips for raising teens and beyond.

In case you’re wondering, I’m wearing polka dots and AnnMarie is in white.

Summer Picnic Menu

I love picnic food, and our friends did not disappoint with these delicious recipes. We put together a five-course meal — yes, a cocktail counts as a course!

Cocktail: Citrus Rosemary Cocktail

Tall pedestal glass with a citrus cocktail garnished with a lemon wedge and a sprig of fresh parsley sitting on a table next to a juicer and half a lemon.

Lemon is so refreshing on warm days. We love the brightness it brings paired with fresh rosemary in this cocktail.

Appetizer: Cucumber Sandwiches with Cream Cheese

Wood cutting board with 5 cucumber sandwiches on white bread cut in triangles with the crusts removed. Fresh grapes and strawberries garnish the board

Cucumber tea sandwiches are light, simple, and perfect for a summer picnic. They bring back sweet memories of afternoon tea with family.

Main Course: Easy Rotisserie Chicken Salad

A croissant stuffed with chicken salad sits on a plate with a bunch of red grapes. A blue cloth napkin is arranged at the top of the plate and wine glasses sit on the table with small wooden baskets.

A good chicken salad is a picnic classic. Using rotisserie chicken keeps this version quick, flavorful, and easy to assemble. Fresh fruit pairs beautifully with sandwiches on a warm day.

Side Dish: The Best Creamy Broccoli Salad

Large wood serving bowl filled with a creamy broccoli salad

We loved this creamy broccoli salad as a side dish — especially with the satisfying crunch and a hint of bacon for flavor.

Dessert: No Bake Lemon Bars in a Jar

Five small clear glass jars of Lemon Bar in a Jar sitting on a white wood and metal serving tray with spoons and a striped tea towel. A cut lemon is the garnish.

This post includes some affiliate links which means we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Shop the Post

Click on any of the images below to shop items featured in this post.

We finished our summer meal with these no-bake lemon bar jars. I upcycled small yogurt jars to keep them picnic-ready, but small clear plastic cups work well if you prefer something disposable.

No matter how you serve them, they’re a bright, citrusy finish to the meal.

Be sure to explore our other entertaining menus for more ideas. Here are a few favorites:

Galentine’s Brunch
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner
Spring Brunch
Mexican Fiesta
Summer Dinner Party
Patriotic Cookout

If you have questions or suggestions, contact me or leave a comment.

Don’t miss any of our tips, tricks, or stories — follow us on social media where we share more ideas and inspiration.