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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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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!)
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!
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
Delicious, healthy and make-ahead, this Fresh Corn Salad is perfect for picnics, parties and potlucks. Leftovers are wonderful for lunch and dinner salads.
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!
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!
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!
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!
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
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
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!
Thought for the day:
He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
His understanding has no limit.
What we're listening to for inspiration:
If you enjoy any of these recipes, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It’s so helpful to other readers to hear your results, adaptations and ideas for variations.
Susan Ready says
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
Chris Scheuer says
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".
JONI HILL says
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!