Picnic Perfect Recipes For Summer Family Fun

Are you looking for some picnic perfect recipe inspiration going into the holiday weekend?

I’ve pulled together some of our favorite Picnic and Patriotic Recipes for your viewing pleasure!

~ Sweet & Patriotic Desserts ~

Let’s start with some of our favorite crowd-pleasing and eye-catching desserts!

A simple yet festive dessert that’s always a hit is Red Velvet, White and Blueberry Dessert Trifles.

S’mores Brownies are a summer thyme favorite. Rich chocolatey brownies are topped with jumbo toasty marshmallows!!

Cookies? Brownies? Can’t decide which to make? This decadent dessert combines chocolate chip cookies, Oreos, caramel sauce and brownies. I know!! These Chocolate Chip & Oreo Caramel Brownies are a game changer.

Banana Upside Down Cake will be ready, start to finish, in one hour.  Therefore it will be the most celebrated hour you’ve spent when your family takes their first bite.  Sweet and amazing.

Ice cream will always be a summer favorite and these Dusty Miller Sundaes are heavenly!

Who knew that cobbler outranked cake? It’s true and this Blackberry Buttermilk Cobbler is quick and easy to make and your family will love you for it!

This Red, White & Blue Holiday Dessert Trifle is a crowd pleaser. It’s bursting with bright fresh flavors from the berries, with sweet pudding and whip cream, and some secret ingredients too.

~ Picnic Salads & Side Dishes ~

Stuck on which picnic perfect sides to bring to the next neighborhood gathering? Here are a dozen or so no-fail recipes that everyone will love so that you can enjoy the party too!

The farmers markets are beginning to burst with local produce. And that means we need to make this Zucchini, Summer Squash & Tomato Gratin. This beautiful dish sings of summer.

Never underestimate the power of potato salad. Your friends and family will thank you over and over again for making a big batch of Homestyle Potato Salad!! Guaranteed!

When corn on the cob is the abundant ingredient, make a batch of Fresh Cream-Style Corn. You’ll be serving up a spoonful of comfort that everyone will love.

I’m a deviled egg fan! Big fan of the classic preparation too. But sometimes you just want to change it up a bit and Guacamole Deviled Eggs {with Crispy Bacon} are just the ticket!

Chopped Mediterranean Salad is bursting with color and crunch and beautiful flavors! This salad travels well and is happy on any bbq buffet!

These Zephyr Squash Refrigerator Pickles are so simple to make and delicious to eat!

Tomatoes, tomatoes everywhere! Your guests will beg for this Tomato, Cheddar & Basil Pie recipe.

Every good summer thyme party needs a Picnic Perfect Macaroni Salad.

Something special happens when the warm orange vinaigrette meets the sliced peaches and berries.  Something really special.  This wonderful Peach, Berry & Basil Fruit Salad is sweet and sexy enough to be served as dessert.

It might be time to change up your coleslaw game?! This Apple Fennel Slaw {with Orange Cumin Dressing} has so many wonderful fresh flavors.

The ingredients in this refreshing Asparagus & Melon Salad {with Crispy Prosciutto} are so summery and bright.

This Caribbean Couscous Salad is inspired by the refreshed bright feeling a vacation or long holiday weekend brings to your soul.

Warm German Potato Salad is the perfect picnic side dish. The bacon dressing is out of this world!

Chopped Italian Submarine Salad has all those familiar Italian sub flavors that the whole family will love!

~ Perfect Burgers, Dogs & Sandwiches ~

Here are a few of our favorite grilling & chilling main dish recipes.

Elevate your backyard BBQ with a pot of Hot Dog Chili! Hot Diggity Dog!

Thinking of changing up your go-to burger? This super juicy Salmon Burger may be just what you’re looking for.

Growing up in New England, the classic Lobster Roll was always welcome at summer gatherings.

Feeding a crowd? Make up a batch of these Cheeseburger Sliders and watch them disappear!

Slather your juicy burger with Homemade Pimento Cheese, Bacon and Caramelized Onions and you’ve got an Isle of Palms Burger that everyone will want to sink their teeth into!

Even your dogs deserve an upgrade. Have you tried Spiral Cut Hot Dogs? They’re perfect for pairing with fun toppings like Mac ‘n Cheese, Bourbon Peaches, Chili & Cheese, or Southern Chow Chow.

Greek Chicken Burgers are packed with Mediterranean flavors like feta, lemon, and garlic. Your be the talk of the neighborhood when you serve this kicked up burger.

Make sure your Burger & Hot Dog Bar has all the fixings to make Chicago Style Hot Dogs!

You’ll be surprised how a great big sandwich can satisfy a crowd. The classic Muffuletta Sandwich is great for picnics and be made a day ahead.

~ Summer Thyme Sippers ~

These cocktails and refreshments will quench your thirst and please your tastebuds.

These chilled Lemony Thyme Sweet Tea Cocktails are so smooth, remember summer thyme ‘Sipper’….nice and easy.

This refreshing Rum Runner Cocktail will transport you to the islands or your favorite pool-side lounger!

Nothing says summer like fresh Georgia peaches and lemonade. Lemony Thyme Peach Lemonade is full of fresh bright flavors.

Piña Colada anyone? Oooo, don’t mind if I do!

The Azalea Cocktail is as beautiful as the 13th green at Augusta National. Gin, lemon, pineapple and a splash of grenadine swirl together for a thirst quenching sipper.

Wow on so many levels.  Have you had grilled pineapple?  Turned your nose up at gin?  Questioned fresh herbs in a cocktail?  If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions…. meet Gin & Tonic {with Grilled Pineapple and Lemony Thyme}…she’ll change your mind.

We can’t get enough peach recipes as we move into summer. This Malted Peach Frappe is a winner!

Happy Holiday from our family to yours!! May your weekend be filled with good food, good company, and good times! xo Libby