15 Make-Ahead Recipes for Summer Picnics, Potlucks and Parties

By Lindsay @ The Café Sucre Farine | Updated on May 18, 2023

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15 easy, delicious recipes perfect for summer picnics, potlucks and parties! These recipes can be made ahead and packed to enjoy with family and friends.

 


It's the perfect time of year for picnics, potlucks and parties! Everything is blooming and green and the weather is warm but not yet too hot. We love to pack lunch or appetizers and take it to a beautiful park or mountain overlook. It's a wonderful way to spend a day outside.


White serving platter filled with green beans, tomato, fresh mozzarella and sliced potatoes topped with fresh basil


We're hoping these recipes will inspire you to do the same! We've included our favorite focaccia and potato rolls that are great for chicken salad or sandwiches. There are also lots of sides and salads that travel well. And of course, no picnic, potluck or party is complete without desserts, so there are a few of those as well. Hello summer!

a load of Ridiculously Easy Focaccia Bread being sliced

Ridiculously Easy Focaccia Bread

With less than 10-minutes of hands-on time and no-kneading, the name Ridiculously Easy Focaccia Bread says it all! Almost. It's also ridiculously delicious!

a round board laden with easy no knead potato rolls and condiments on the side

Easy No-Knead Potato Rolls

These No-Knead Potato Rolls are soft, slightly sweet and have a super tender texture. Made with potato flakes, the easy recipes comes together with minimal effort!

a white bowl full of Mexican Corn and Bean Salad

Mexican Corn and Bean Salad

This Mexican Corn and Bean Salad is wonderful for potlucks, with chips and makes a fabulous side for sandwiches and grilled entreés.

a white bowl on a wooden surface filled with Mediterranean Black Lentil Salad and topped with fresh herbs

Mediterranean Black Lentil Salad

This Mediterranean Black Lentil Salad with a garlicky lemon dressing is the ONE you need to take to every potluck, picnic and/or party that you're invited to! It's loaded with healthy ingredients, can be made ahead and is irresistibly delicious (even to kale and lentil naysayers!)

a white serving bowl full of Lemon Rosemary Potato salad sitting on a red and white cloth

Lemon Rosemary Potato Salad

Simple and delicious, this Lemon Rosemary Potato Salad is always popular! Is great for picnics, potlucks and parties because you don't have to worry about mayonnaise going bad!

a white platter with a Green Bean Caprese Salad topped with fresh basil leaves

Green Bean Caprese Salad

This flavorful Green Bean Caprese Salad combines slender green beans and baby potatoes with classic Caprese ingredients. The salad is finished off with a drizzle of delicious Lemon Basil Oil.

 fresh corn salad in a teal bowl sitting on a table with a jar of dressing beside

Fresh Corn Salad

Delicious, healthy and make-ahead, this Fresh Corn Salad is perfect for picnics, parties and potlucks. Leftovers are wonderful for lunch and dinner salads.

bright Green beans and peas topped with a sesame seed dressing on a white plate

Sesame Ginger Green Bean Salad

This Sesame Ginger Green Bean Salad is easy and almost completely make-ahead. Throw it together at the last minute - and then, expect rave reviews!

a marble bowl holding slow roasted tomato ancient grain salad sitting on a wooden surface

Slow Roasted Tomato Ancient Grain Salad

Think you need to avoid Italian food if you're trying to eat healthier? Nope! This fabulous ancient grain salad is loaded with all the delicious flavors of Italy minus the refined carbs and high-calorie counts!

a batch Brown Sugar Balsamic pork in a white bowl ready to be served with homemade rolls in the background

Brown Sugar Balsamic Pulled Pork

This easy slow cooker (or instant pot) Brown Sugar Balsamic Pulled Pork is healthier than most, takes minutes to put together and is a delicious crowd pleaser!

a bowl of salad topped with juicy tender chicken breasts, avocado, tomatoes and red onions with a bowl of pistachios on the side

Juicy Tender Chicken Breasts (on the stovetop)

Tired of dry, tough boneless chicken breasts? These Juicy, Tender Chicken Breasts are so delicious and (like rotisserie chicken) can be used for a zillion different things as well as for an entreé!

a blue and white platter displaying Copycat Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookies

Copycat Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookies

Everyone who tries these Copycat Crumbl Chocolate Chip Cookies flips with the first bite! They're sweet and chewy inside with a crisp outer shell and lots of melt-in-your-mouth milk chocolate chips

a wooden cutting board with a batch of peanut butter and jelly blondies on it

Peanut Butter and Jelly Blondies

These Peanut Butter and Jelly Blondies will be a hit with kids of all ages! And you can mix them up in less than 10 minutes, with just one bowl and no mixer!

Honey Caramel Almond Shortbread Bars being cut on a round wooden cutting board

Honey Caramel Almond Shortbread Bars

With a buttery shortbread base and a chewy caramel topping loaded with crisp almonds, these Honey Caramel Almond Shortbread Bars are always a HUGE hit!

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3 Comments

  1. Can you send me the link posted maybe 2 months ago to bowl and plate bee dishes. I think it was before Easter advertising spring tablescapes?
    Thank you.
    Sue Ready

    1. Hi Susan, I'm happy to leave a link but I'm not sure which post you're referring to when you say "bowl and plate bee dishes".

  2. Hi Chris and Scott!
    While I love all of your delicious recipes, I want to specifically thank you for including Bible verses in your postings. I was raised in a Baptist church and love the Lord, but I'm sure for many people, your verses are the only exposure they have to the Bible. You might have changed many lives by sharing His word. Great work, faithful servant!