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    Home » MSN Slideshows

    I Don’t Cook When It’s Hot—These 16 Picnic Recipes Save Me

    Published: Jun 18, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    Once it gets hot out, I’m absolutely not turning on the oven—no way. These picnic recipes save me every time because they’re easy, no-fuss, and perfect for packing up and heading outside. Whether it’s a park hang, a backyard thing, or just avoiding a sweaty kitchen, they’ve got my back. Trust me, you’ll want these on repeat all summer.

    Ham And Cheese Sliders On Hawaiian Rolls With Aioli

    A Hawaiian roll slider being lifted from a platter.
    Ham And Cheese Sliders On Hawaiian Rolls With Aioli. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    Great for picnics, this juicy ham, melted Swiss cheese and aioli on soft Hawaiian rolls is baked to perfection and topped with a flavorful butter mixture.
    Get the Recipe: Ham And Cheese Sliders On Hawaiian Rolls With Aioli

    Corn And Cucumber Salad Recipe

    A creamy cucumber salad with corn in a glass bowl with a serving spoon
    Corn And Cucumber Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    My All-American Summer Menu 🇺🇸

    FREE EMAIL BONUS: Delicious summer recipes just in time for the season

    Jazz up your Summer salad menu with a Corn and Cucumber Salad. The light and healthy mixture of veggies along with a creamy yogurt, mayo and dill dressing will satisfy any palate when the warm weather hits.
    Get the Recipe: Corn And Cucumber Salad Recipe

    Antipasto Skewers Appetizer

    Antipasto Skewers Appetizer. Photo credit: Pip and Ebby.

    This Antipasto Skewers Appetizer is a delicious treat that is easy to prepare and packed with pieces of Italian meat, cheese, and veggies!
    Get the Recipe: Antipasto Skewers Appetizer

    Light and Fresh Spinach Salad with Strawberries

    A fresh spring salad with leafy greens, sliced strawberries, red onion rings, and almond slivers, sprinkled with black pepper, served in a dark bowl on a light tiled surface.
    Light and Fresh Spinach Salad with Strawberries. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This strawberry spinach salad with poppy seed dressing has strawberries, fresh spinach and romaine along with pickled onions.
    Get the Recipe: Light and Fresh Spinach Salad with Strawberries

    Kentucky Benedictine Sandwiches With Cream Cheese And Cucumbers

    A tray of cucumber sandwiches.
    Kentucky Benedictine Sandwiches With Cream Cheese And Cucumbers. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Elegant and charming, these Benedictine Tea Sandwiches are a delightful blend of cream cheese and cucumber on soft white bread.
    Get the Recipe: Kentucky Benedictine Sandwiches With Cream Cheese And Cucumbers

    Southern 7 Layer Salad with Peas and Mayo

    A bowl of seven layer salad next to individual servings.
    Southern 7 Layer Salad with Peas and Mayo. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This classic Southern salad layers crisp lettuce, sweet peas, savory bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese, all topped with a creamy mayo dressing. It’s a make-ahead dish that becomes even more flavorful after chilling overnight.
    Get the Recipe: Southern 7 Layer Salad with Peas and Mayo

    Creamy Crab Pinwheels Recipe

    Creamy Crab Pinwheels Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    This delicious crab pinwheels recipe is stuffed with a creamy filling of cream cheese, crab, cheddar cheese, and a spicy creole seasoning.
    Get the Recipe: Creamy Crab Pinwheels Recipe

    Zucchini Pasta Salad With Balsamic Vinegar

    Zucchini noodles with cherry tomatoes on a white platter with a wooden spoon
    Zucchini Pasta Salad With Balsamic Vinegar. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Pull out the spiralizer and make a refreshing Zucchini Salad with Balsamic Vinegar with cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and zoodles.
    Get the Recipe: Zucchini Pasta Salad With Balsamic Vinegar

    Greek Cucumber Salad With Lemon Dressing

    Mouthwatering Greek salad featuring crisp cucumbers and a tangy lemon dressing.
    Greek Cucumber Salad With Lemon Dressing. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Looking for a quick and flavorful salad recipe? Try our Greek Salad with refreshing cucumbers and zesty lemon dressing. Perfect for a light and satisfying meal.
    Get the Recipe: Greek Cucumber Salad With Lemon Dressing

    Ham And Turkey Pinwheels With Cheese

    Ham And Turkey Pinwheels With Cheese. Photo credit: Savor the Best.

    Deliciously simple ham and turkey pinwheels are a delightful appetizer that are easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
    Get the Recipe: Ham And Turkey Pinwheels With Cheese

    Caprese Skewers

    Caprese Skewers. Photo credit: Southern Food and Fun.

    These elegant Caprese skewers are the perfect balance of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Add balsamic glaze for a finger-food twist on a classic salad!
    Get the Recipe: Caprese Skewers

    Classic Pea Salad

    A pea salad with cheddar cheese in a serving bowl.
    Classic Pea Salad. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This creamy Southern pea salad bursts with flavors of the South, blending tender fresh or frozen peas with sharp cheddar cheese, smooth mayonnaise, and tangy sour cream.
    Get the Recipe: Classic Pea Salad

    Caprese White Bean Salad

    A bowl filled with a colorful salad of cherry tomatoes, white beans, mozzarella balls, and fresh basil, all mixed together.
    Caprese White Bean Salad. Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    This hearty salad combines creamy white beans with fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil, drizzled with a balsamic glaze. It’s a nutritious, no-cook dinner option that tastes like summer on a plate.
    Get the Recipe: Caprese White Bean Salad

    Italian Pinwheel Sandwiches

    Italian Pinwheel Sandwiches. Photo credit: Savor the Best.

    Italian pinwheel sandwiches: easy, versatile, and perfect for picnics, bento box lunches, or party appetizers. Fun-to-eat bites everyone will love, including kids.
    Get the Recipe: Italian Pinwheel Sandwiches

    Caprese Salad Recipe With Balsamic Dressing

    Caprese Salad Recipe With Balsamic Dressing. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

    This Caprese Salad recipe is fresh, flavorful and delicious made with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and garlic balsamic dressing
    Get the Recipe: Caprese Salad Recipe With Balsamic Dressing

    Famous Masters Pimento Cheese Sandwich Recipe

    A classic pimento cheese sandwich on white bread, cut in half and placed on green wax paper, sits next to a Masters logo cooler, water bottle, and part of an event map—perfect national picnic day finger foods on a yellow surface.
    Famous Masters Pimento Cheese Sandwich Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    Make the Masters Pimento Cheese Recipe. This creamy, tangy pimento cheese sandwich is perfect for any golf fan or Southern food lover.
    Get the Recipe: Famous Masters Pimento Cheese Sandwich Recipe

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    Barbara holds a tote bag filled with flowers, baguettes, and fresh produce at an indoor market.

    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

    More about me →

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