Food Comfort Foods These Easy, Crowd-Pleasing Picnic Menus Are Perfect for a Day in the Sun Fill a cooler (or heck, go for that cute basket with a gingham lining), toss a game in the car, and spend the afternoon at a lakeside park. Each of our picnic menus features simple recipes that transport well, plus easy add-ons you can buy. By Hannah Agran Hannah Agran Hannah Agran is executive editor at Midwest Living, where she oversees travel, food, home, garden and culture content. Born in Wisconsin, raised in Ohio, and now living in Iowa, she's a proud lifelong Midwesterner (aside from that stint in Massachusetts for a B.A. in American Studies from Brandeis University). On her off time, she loves to travel, here and abroad. (A perfect trip involves hiking, art museums and pastries, in equal measure.) At home, she's either puttering in the kitchen or garden--or on the couch with her cat, Clementine, bingeing a good show when she should be reading her book club book. Midwest Living's Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 7, 2022 Photo: Brie Passano The Theme: All American Picnic Steak. Sweet corn. And all the potato chips you can handle. See our recipes for Grilled Flank Steak with Pepper Relish, Corn Off the Cob and Jumbo Chocolate-Cherry-Oat Cookies. Buy the extras: Cheese straws, peaches, blue cheese, potato chips, and beer + iced tea. Tips: Grilled steak tastes just as good cold (as anyone who has sneaked a piece from the fridge knows). Sprinkle blue cheese on steak or peaches––or neither. That's why it's on the side.Our chip pick: Kettle-style, salt and pepper flavor. They're perfect with the steak. Brie Passano The Theme: South of France Picnic Donning a headscarf and shades a la Grace Kelly is a totally acceptable plan for this Parisian picnic idea. See our recipes for Chilled Pea Soup with Mint, Two-Bean Salad with Tarragon and Pan Bagnat. Buy the extras: Macarons, charcuterie, cornichons, olive tapenade, cantaloupe + proscuitto, radishes with salt and pepper, and rose + fruit sodas. Tips: Tote chilled soup in a thermos, then pour into glasses to sip–pinkies up!Wrap prosciutto around ripe melon for a sweet and savory bite.Not sure about tuna? Baguette with ham and Brie is another classically French choice. Brie Passano The Theme: Meatless Middle East Picnic Like a sunny walk through Tel Aviv—minus the expensive airfare. See our recipes for Baba Ganoush, Penne with Lentils and Feta, Beet and Orange Salad with Walnuts and Limonana. Buy the extras: hard-cooked eggs, fresh mint, watermelon + honey, and olives. Tips: Top chilled watermelon with honey and mint. (Or just eat it plain.)Garnish your limonana with fresh mint, too. Get the Look Ready to refresh your picnic gear? See where we bought our toys, blankets and more. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit