15 Beach-Friendly Recipes to Pack for a Picnic (Paleo, Vegan)

From drinks to dessert, with fresh wraps and hearty salads in between, these paleo and vegan picnic recipes are easy to pack up and bring to the beach.

So last time we talked about some essential picnic supplies to bring to the beach, but now that we’ve got the basics covered, let’s get to the good part – the food.

If you’re wondering what to pack in that cooler for your trip to the beach then I’ve pulled together some recipes that are perfect for enjoying outdoors. While it’s always nice to pack up some staples like trail mix, fruit and chips, you’ll probably want something more filling as well at some point. Ideally picnic food should be: something you can easily assemble or prepare in advance, it should also be able to withstand being transported, taste great at room temperature (no iffy ingredients that could spoil in the heat) and be easy to eat.  From wraps and hearty salads to dips and desserts here are 15 recipes to bring along to the beach.

Drinks

Watermelon Hibiscus Agua Fresca

Refreshing and simple to make, this agua fresca is an easy pick for a thirst-quenching drink you can make ahead of time.

Raspberry Rooibos Grapefruit Iced Tea

This raspberry, rooibos, grapefruit iced tea is fruity with a refreshing sweet/tart taste.

Lemon Goji Switchel

The original electrolyte drink, without all the artificial color and high fructose corn syrup of course.

Appetizers, Salads and Mains

Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip

Serve it with some homemade pita chips or store bought grain-free chips and you have a simple make-ahead appetizer for any picnic.

Spicy Green Almond Hummus

This green hummus is a spicy little number, loaded with fresh flavors and goes with everything from cut up vegetables, to salads, sandwiches and wraps.

Sesame Nori Roasted Cashews

These salty, sweet cashews with a hit of umami make a great portable snack.

Carrot Cabbage Slaw with Orange Sesame Dressing

If you’re looking for a summer salad or side that’s easy to throw together and bring along, then a slaw is the answer.

Daikon Noodles with Red Cabbage Spinach Slaw

This noodle salad is all about the crisp and crunch of the shredded slaw, the cool slipperiness of the daikon noodles and the punch of heat from the sesame mustard dressing.

Spring Lettuce Cups

These portable bite-sized lettuce wraps are bursting with an assortment of crisp and crunchy vegetables and herbs.

Cucumber Kelp Noodle Lettuce Wraps

Carrots, cucumber, kelp noodles and a creamy sesame sunflower sauce fill these summer roll inspired lettuce wraps.

Zucchini Noodle Kale and Sun-Dried Tomato Salad

While most lettuce based salads can’t be dressed ahead of time and wilt in the heat, this hearty salad comes to the rescue with its staying power.

Sesame Snap Pea and Broccoli Stalk Salad

This crunch-filled salad holds up well at room temperature for hours, making it a natural for outdoor entertaining.

Dessert

Mini Brownie Bites

These mini two-bite paleo, vegan and gluten-free brownies are puffed around the edges, chewy in the middle and loaded with fudgey chocolate flavor.

Crispy Coconut Cookies

These gluten-free, paleo and vegan coconut cookies are crisp and buttery, light as air and melt-in-your-mouth good.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Brittle

This paleo and vegan chocolate chip cookie brittle is a crisp and crunchy take on an old favorite.

Happy Picnicking!

P.S. Also check out these 25 healthy gluten-free and grain-free recipes that are picnic proof.

Sylvie

Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she’s been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.