The Freshest Spring Recipes For Your Next Picnic

Spring has finally arrived, and with it, a plethora of delicious recipe options that are easy to make —all tasty and aesthetically pleasing. There are so many different ways to commemorate the flowers beginning to grow and the weather becoming more favorable, but the best way is to have a picnic with loved ones. These five recipes are sure to be a crowd-pleaser (even the pickiest eater will be satisfied with their plate). Being that these are all made from fresh ingredients, each of these recipes can be modified for allergy and or dietary concerns as well:

MEXICAN STREET CORN SALAD

To kick it off, we have a Mexican Street Corn Salad. Native to Mexico and Latin America, street corn is typically any blend of grilled and/or roasted corn paired with condiments like hot sauce, cheese, and mayonnaise. This recipe is authentic to the way street corn is made in most parts of Mexico, so enjoy the journey this tasty recipe has to offer you—no passport needed. 

Ingredients:

4 cups Corn

2 tbsp Mayo

½ cup Cotija Cheese

1 Jalapeno, diced

½ tsp Smoked Paprika

4 tbsp Lime Juice & Zest

¼ tsp Sea Salt

¼ tsp Pepper

¼ cup Cilantro (to garnish!)

Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl, then garnish with cilantro! This dish is simple and can be put together quickly. 

CAPRESE SANDWICH

Next up, we have a classic post-WWI snack with a twist. The Caprese salad, consisting of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and zesty basil, has been around for quite some time in Italy, specifically Campania. This tri-colored Italian staple is made even more delicious with the addition of focaccia bread and arugula, giving it that extra crunch. This dish is also perfect for any vegetarian companion that may tag along on your picnic endeavors. 

Ingredients:

2 Red Tomatoes, sliced 

1 (8-ounce) Mozzarella ball, sliced

Fresh Basil Leaves

4 Focaccia Bread slices, cut in half

Handful of Arugula

1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

¼ tsp Sea Salt

¼ tsp Pepper

Assemble these ingredients on the focaccia bread with arugula, basil leaves, tomato, and mozzarella. Add virgin olive oil, sea salt, and pepper to each person’s taste.

WATERMELON SALAD WITH FETA

This recipe has many variations and is an iconic summer dish in Greece. Usually, the recipe contains red onions with olive oil vinaigrette, but as previously mentioned, there are countless modifications available for this recipe. You can add anything from strawberries to oranges, to goat cheese, etc. Not to mention, this delicious dish can be eaten as a snack or made larger to be a meal if desired. 

Ingredients:

1 cup Feta, crumbled

3 cups of Watermelon, cut into cubes

1 cup Avocado, diced

1 tbsp Lime Juice

Chopped Mint (to garnish!)

This is another easy recipe that only takes some chopping and quick assembly. After cutting up all of the ingredients, gather them together, then garnish with mint if you’d like for a little something extra.

STRAWBERRY SORBET

Gelato and sorbet can be traced back to 3000 B.C. It is said that many cultures have some form of shaved ice with flavoring. This treat is especially prominent during hot months, like the spring and summer, and is even more popular since it can be made with minimal ingredients and still maintain maximum flavor. 

Ingredients:

5 cups Strawberries, diced and then frozen overnight

2 tbsp Honey

3 cups Water

Rinse fruit thoroughly, then dice. Next, put cut-up strawberries in a Ziploc bag and place them in the freezer overnight. Once frozen, move ingredients into a blender, with water and honey, then blend until smooth. Transfer into a container and store in the freezer for up to 3 days!

CHARCUTERIE BOARD

Even though these have made a prominent re-emergence in popular culture and many social media feeds, charcuterie boards got their start in 15th century France. This recipe does not have exact ingredients, but that’s because you can pretty much do whatever you want when it comes to this plate. You can add grapes, strawberries, different types of cheese, crackers, and meat to the board. Other additions could be olives, chocolate bark, pretzels, honeycomb, various dips, and more! Get creative with it; make it your masterpiece. 

We hope these recipes inspire you to spice up your picnic outings this spring. There are so many different ways to alter these recipes so that they are tailored to you. So what are you waiting for? Get your picnic baskets ready.

Written by Jewel Day & Design by Anna Keller