32 Easy Vegan Recipes Perfect for a Picnic

There is nothing I love more than incorporating two of my favourite things – food and nature. So pack up a blanket and find your favourite outdoor spot to enjoy one of the most wholesome activities – a picnic! This could be your local park, the beach or even your garden. These easy vegan picnic recipes are so simple and are leaps and bounds above the standard pre-prepared foods you’ll find at your local supermarket. With just a little bit of extra effort you can create a memorable way to share some scrumptious vegan food outside with your loved ones.

The best vegan picnic foods are those that are easy to eat and don’t deteriorate quickly out of the fridge. Wraps, sandwiches, soups, snacks and portable sweet treats are particularly perfect for a vegan picnic. Now all we can do is pray that the sun keeps his hat on!

Vegan picnic tips

• Use a cooler to keep food cool.
• Find a spot with shade so that your food can stay out of the sun. You don’t need to make everything for your picnic. Why not bring some olives, antipasti, nuts and fruits, store-bought dips, mixed raw veggies, crackers, crisps or breads for the dip, lots of water, juice or wine.
• Use jars to store your salads, dips and pastas. I mean the kind you might find holding pasta sauce or pickles in the supermarket. Don’t recycle them, keep them! You can also use them as glasses – the ultimate multipurpose kitchenware!
• If you want to take something to clean dirty hands but would rather skip the baby wipes. Grab a jar, fill with soapy water and bring some cotton cloths.
• Use wax paper rather than clingfilm/plastic wrap for sandwiches and wraps. I use Vegan Food Wraps.
• Take your utensils from home rather than using disposable sets. Alternatively get yourself a reusable travel cutlery set like this one I own from Saastainable.
• For bowls I have some cute Coconut Bowls that I use at home. But they are perfect to use for a low waste picnic as they won’t break like glass and are reusable.

Vegan picnic recipes

Simple salads

The best salads for picnics are those that incorporate grains and veg as they tend to stay fresh for longer and don’t have a tendency to wilt after spending time out of the fridge. There is nothing more delightful than sitting in the sun with a fresh and healthy salad – and I’ve got 5 vegan picnic recipes ready to pack and go.

Tabbouleh Salad

Mason Jar Salad

Chickpea Couscous Salad

Portobello Mushroom Salad

Vegan Caesar Salad

5 Ingredient Buddha Bowl

Flask o’ soups

Soups are excellent option for picnics when the sun isn’t cooperating. They can be transported in a flask (my favourite is from Contigo – they do an extra large thermal mug perfect for transporting hot soups) and kept nice and hot – great for cooler springtime picnics. Don’t forget some crusty bread to dip and mop. Here are some of my favourites for your vegan picnic:

Vegan Curry Soup

Leek and Potato Soup

Vegan Cream of Broccoli Soup

Spicy Pumpkin Soup

Spiced Sweet Potato Soup

Pea and Watercress Soup

This is a bonus one from my latest digital cookbook. You can check out the full recipe in my Vegan Meal Prep Video as a sneaky preview of my lockdown project, Plant Kitchen Comforts, a downloadable cookbook with 50 + simple but delicious vegan picnic recipes.

Sandwiches & wraps

A picnic wouldn’t be a picnic without some great sarnies. Feel free to swap out the bread for wraps (and vice versa) depending on your preference.

Curried Chickpea Wrap

Chickpea Tuna Sandwich

Vegan TLT Sandwich

BBQ jackfruit lettuce cups

So strictly speaking these BBQ Jackfruit Cups aren’t wraps, but replace the lettuce for your favourite bread, tortilla wrap or pitta and they make the most delicious vegan picnic option.

Pasta for picnics

Pasta and picnics are a match made in heaven. Most pasta dishes can be eaten hold or cold – and are just as tasty either way. Plus they are super easy to make and can be stored and transported easily.

Sundried Tomato Pasta Salad

Super Green Pasta

Vegan One Pot Pasta

Easy Hummus Pasta

Easy Vegan Pesto Pasta

Super snacks, dips & sides

For those that prefer a selection of lots of different snacks to pick at for you picnic I’ve pulled together some breads, dips and sides. Lots of these can be eaten together (Garlic Herb & Almond Cheese or Cashew Cheese on my Loaded Bread Rolls for instance – swoon!)

Loaded Bread Rolls

BBQ Veggie Kebabs

Vegan Potato Salad

Gaucammus

Garlic Herb & Almond Cheese

Cashew Cheese

Portable sweet treats

These are some of my favourite vegan desserts and sweet treats that are easy to make and easy to take… with you on a picnic. Ideally served with a flask of tea post-sandwich.

Orange Coffee Energy Bars

Vegan Jaffa Cakes

Vegan Choc Chip Cookies

Pumpkin Spices Cookies

Vegan Passion Brownies

That’s it! I hope you enjoyed this collection of my favourite vegan recipes perfect for a picnic. Tag me on Instagram if you make any of the recipes – I love seeing your creations!

Madeleine Olivia <3

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