Springtime Picnic Recipes: 10 Fresh and Flavorful Dishes for Outdoor Dining

Take advantage of perfect Spring weather and eat outdoors. Whether you are in your backyard or on a picnic, check out these family favorites for outdoor dining.

Fall-Off-The-Bone Slow Cooker Baby Back Pork Ribs

 

Baby back pork ribs cooked in the crock pot are fall-off-the-bone delicious. The dry rub and caramelized barbecue sauce make these the BEST baby back ribs around. Flavorful and tender, a true Southern specialty.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs

Grilled Tequila Marinated Chicken Thighs

Marinating, and then grilling boneless chicken thighs results in the most tender and juicy chicken you can imagine. A simple marinade absorbs into the chicken giving it a scrumptious flavor and making it so tender that you’ll be creating this dish every week.

Get the Recipe: Tequila Chicken

Chicken Drumsticks on the Grill with a Peach Glaze

Grilled chicken drumsticks are cooked over indirect heat for the most tender and juicy drumsticks or thighs.  Start with a dry rub and add mustard then end with a peach glaze for the most delectable grilled chicken.

Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Drumsticks with a Peach Glaze

Baked Macaroni Pie with Just 5 Ingredients

Baked macaroni and cheese has a rich, creamy texture and is so easy to make. Just pop it in the oven and forget about it and you’ll have a perfect balance of creamy sauce and savory noodles, making it a true comfort food classic. Prep in under 30 minutes, with only 5 ingredients.

Get the Recipe: Baked Macaroni Pie

Loaded Ranch Potato Salad with Bacon

This Ranch potato salad with bacon, cheese and a sour cream ranch dressing is just what you need for a potluck or cook out. All the flavors of a loaded baked potato plus a flavorful dressing to coat tender new potatoes.

Get the Recipe: Loaded Ranch Potato Salad

Creamy Southern Macaroni Salad with Cheese

A combination of both sour cream and mayonnaise create the creamiest Southern macaroni salad around. A hint of sweet and sour along with grated cheese makes this the star of any potluck or cook out. A fantastic make ahead summer salad that gets even better after a day in the fridge. No mushy bland salad here!

Get the Recipe: Macaroni Salad

Cold Antipasto Pasta Salad with Pepperoncini Peppers

Kick start your next picnic or potluck with this Italian-inspired pasta salad. It’s like a cheese board but in salad form with tangy pepperoncini peppers, salty and savory cured meats, and sweet roasted peppers that all come together with chewy pasta and a seriously flavorful dressing for a truly show-stopping pasta salad. 

Get the Recipe: Cold Antipasto Pasta Salad

Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies With Pecans

These chocolate cookies with pecans are nothing short of heavenly. With their gooey texture that somehow remains perfect even at room temperature, they offer a decadent treat that’s hard to resist. The subtle touch of espresso enhances the rich chocolate flavor without overwhelming it, creating a sophisticated depth that chocolate lovers will appreciate.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate Cookies with Pecans

St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake

This rich, delicious dessert is a St. Louis classic , but is it as good as a Kentucky butter cake? With the texture of a lemon bar and the base of a cinnamon roll, this gooey butter cake is made with pantry staples like flour, sugar, baking powder, and butter. Finish it off with a sprinkling of confectioners’ sugar and you’re all set to enjoy this signature St. Louis delight!

Get the Recipe: St. Louis Butter Cake

Banana Pudding Recipe with Cream Cheese

A Southern banana pudding is a good old-fashioned classic dessert, and for good reason! The combination of sweet bananas, creamy pudding, and sweet and crispy vanilla wafer cookies is comfort food at it’s best. However, make this Southern staple even better by adding cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk for an over-the-top dessert.

Get the Recipe: Banana Pudding with Cream Cheese