Summertime is the perfect opportunity to get outside and enjoy a picnic with friends and family. If you are following a paleo diet, however, it can be difficult to know what foods to bring with you. That’s why put together a list of the 10 best paleo friendly foods to take on a picnic! From fruits and veggies, to meat and cheese, our menu has you covered for your next family picnic.
So pack your basket full of goodies and head outdoors for a fun day at the park with some healthy food.
Why Paleo Picnic Foods?
If you’re following the paleo diet, you might think that your days of summer picnics are behind you. After all, most picnic staples like bread, crackers, and fruit are off-limits. But never fear! There are plenty of delicious paleo-friendly foods that you can enjoy at a picnic. Since dieting is about enjoying the foods you love in moderation, a picnic is the perfect opportunity to indulge in some of your favorite paleo snacks and dishes.
Watermelon Radish and Avocado Salad
This refreshing salad is perfect for a hot summer day. It’s also packed with nutrients like vitamins A and C, potassium, and healthy fats. Watermelon is good because it’s mostly water, so it will help keep you hydrated on a hot day and Avocado is always popular because of the healthy fats.
Recipe and Ingredients:
- ½ a watermelon, cut into cubes
- ½ a radish, thinly sliced
- ½ an avocado, diced
- ¼ of a red onion, diced
- Juice of ½ a lime
- Salt and pepper to taste
Grilled Chicken Skewers
Grilled chicken is always a healthy main course. It’s a lean protein that’s sure to satisfy. Plus, it’s easy to eat on the go! Chicken skewers are good to cook ahead of time (or on the grill) because the skewers easy to grab and go – plus everyone can add their favorite foods and cook on the grill!
Recipe and Ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into cubes
- Salt, pepper, and your favorite spices or seasoning (we like garlic powder)
- Vegetables for grilling
- Wooden skewers (soak in water for 30 minutes before using)
Zucchini noodles with pesto
Swap out traditional pasta for zucchini noodles for a healthier option. The pesto adds a delicious flavor that will have your taste buds singing. We like Zucchini noodles on Paleo because they’re a good source of vitamins and minerals, plus they’re low in calories.
Recipe and Ingredients:
- Zucchini noodles
- Pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- Cherry tomatoes
- Fresh basil leaves (optional)
Cauliflower Rice with Stuffed Peppers
These peppers are a fun and flavorful way to get your veggies in. The cauliflower rice makes them extra filling, so you won’t be hungry an hour after eating them. Cauliflower rice is popular with people on the Paleo diet because of the numerous health benefits like being low in calories and fat without sacrificing taste thanks to the red peppers!
Recipe and Ingredients:
- Cauliflower, grated
- Red pepper, diced
- Yellow onion, diced
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Tomato paste
- Stuffed peppers (any color)
Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Almond Butter Sauce
Dates are a delicious and nutritious snack that can be enjoyed on the paleo diet. They’re a good source of fiber, potassium, and magnesium. Plus, they taste even better when wrapped in bacon! This dish is perfect for a picnic because it can be served cold or at room temperature as long as it does not sit in direct sunlight.
Recipe and Ingredients:
- Dates
- Bacon
- Almond butter
- Coconut milk
Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins
End your meal on a sweet note with these chocolate chip banana muffins. These muffins are grain-free and Paleo-friendly, but they taste just as good as their non-Paleo counterparts. Chocolate chip banana muffins are a popular dessert for kids because they love the taste of bananas and chocolate in one easy-to-eat item that they can eat with their hands.
Recipe and Ingredients:
- ¾ cup almond flour
- ½ cup arrowroot flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅓ cup melted coconut oil
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Ripe bananas, mashed
Paleo Grilled Chicken Breast with Herb Sauce
This recipe is simple, but it packs a flavor punch that will have everyone asking for seconds. The chicken breast is rubbed with a blend of dried herbs, then grilled to perfection. The herb sauce takes just minutes to whip up and adds a zesty kick. Serve this dish with a side of grilled vegetables for a complete meal.
This dish is good because the chicken is cooked ahead of time and can be served cold. Chicken breast is always a healthy option and is a good source of protein. The herb sauce is also a good way to get your vegetables in.
Recipe and Ingredients:
- Dried herbs (we like thyme, basil, and oregano)
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Chicken breast
- Herb sauce: mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, honey
Zucchini Fritters with Avocado Mayo Dipping Sauce
These fritters are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside – the perfect finger food for a picnic! They’re made with grated zucchini, eggs, almond flour, and spices, then pan-fried until golden brown. Serve them with a healthy dipping sauce made from avocado, lime juice, and coconut milk.
Zucchini Fritters are a good snack while on the go at places like a picnic – plus Fritters are easy to eat with your hands. They’re also a good source of protein and the healthy kind of fat. The avocado mayo dipping sauce is a delicious and nutritious way to enjoy them even more!
Recipe and Ingredients:
- Grated Zucchini
- Eggs
- Almond flour
- Spices (we like garlic powder and onion)
Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Chicken Sausage & Apples
These sweet potatoes are hearty enough to be a meal on their own. They’re filled with chicken sausage, apples, and kale, then baked in the oven until tender. If you want to lighten things up a bit that is also more kid-friendly you can substitute turkey sausage for chicken sausage.
Stuffed sweet potatoes are a good for Fall picnics once the weather starts to cool down. They’re warm, filling, and packed with protein and healthy vegetables. The chicken sausage and apples give them a sweet and savory flavor that everyone will love.
Recipe and Ingredients:
- Sweet potatoes
- Chicken sausage
- Apples, diced
- Kale, chopped
- Onion, diced
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Maple syrup
- Dijon mustard
Fresh Fruits
Fresh fruits like Bananas, Apples, Oranges, Grapes, Watermelon and Strawberries are all great options to take on a picnic. Fruit is easy to eat since it just needs a quick washing, healthy, and satisfying. Plus, they come in their own natural packaging and many don’t need to be kept in a cooler!
Fresh fruits are always a good side dish for Spring and Summer picnics because they are easy eat and transport. They’re also healthy and packed with vitamins and minerals. Choose a variety of fruits to please everyone’s taste buds – and don’t forget a cooler to keep things extra fresh until mealtime!
Hard Boiled Eggs
Hard boiled eggs are a good choice for a picnic because Eggs easy to eat (all you have to do is peel the shell) and cook (all you have to do is boil eggs). They’re also a good source of protein and healthy fats. You can make them ahead of time and they’ll keep in your cooler for several hours.
Hard boiled eggs are a great protein for picnicking because they don’t need to be refrigerated if you keep them in a cooler and they can be seasoned with a variety of different ways like with Salt, Pepper and Garlic Salts or even Mustard for a food like Deviled Eggs.
Caprese Salad with Tomatoes, Mozzarella, and Basil
A Caprese salad is a healthy way to enjoy all the best flavors of summer. It’s made with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, then drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. You can make this salad ahead of time and it will keep in your cooler for several hours.
Caprese salad is a great paleo friendly food to eat on the go because it doesn’t require utensils to eat. It’s also a good source of healthy fats, protein, and vitamins. The tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil give it a fresh and flavorful taste that everyone will love.
Recipe and Ingredients:
- Tomatoes, diced
- Mozzarella, diced
- Basil leaves
- Olive
Cucumber and Avocado Sushi Rolls
Sushi is a popular Japanese food that is a great addition to any picnic. It’s made with rice, vegetables, and seafood, then rolled up in seaweed paper. Cucumber and avocado sushi rolls are a a popular option for ‘adult’ paleo friendly picnic because Sushi rolls are easy to eat and transport. Plus, they’re a good source of healthy fats and protein.
Cucumber is popular because it’s easy to eat and transport. Plus, they’re a good source of healthy fats and protein. The seaweed paper gives them a fresh and flavorful taste that everyone will love.
Recipe and Ingredients:
- Rice
- Cucumber, diced
- Avocado, diced
- Seaweed paper
- Wasabi (optional)
- Soy sauce (optional)
- Pickled Ginger (optional)
Roasted Vegetables
Roasted vegetables like sweet potatoes, carrots, and Brussels sprouts are a great addition to any picnic. Vegetables easy to eat, healthy, and can be combined with other main dishes. Plus, they come in their own natural packaging!
Roasted vegetables are always a good side dish for picnics because they’re easy to eat and transport. They’re also healthy and packed with vitamins and minerals. Choose a variety of vegetables to please everyone’s taste buds – and don’t forget a cooler to keep things extra fresh until mealtime!
Recipe and Ingredients:
- Sweet potatoes
- Carrots
- Brussels sprouts
- Olive oil
- Salt, pepper, and other spices (optional)
Chicken Nuggets
Chicken nuggets are a kid favorite because nuggets easy to eat and transport. Plus, they’re a good source of protein, just keep in mind nuggets need to be warmed up so you will need a grill or other heat source.
If you are in a pinch and short on time you can always pick up Chicken Nuggets from a local restaurant so your food is already cooked and you can enjoy your picnic.
Coleslaw
Coleslaw is always a favorite at picnics because it’s a cool, refreshing side dish. This coleslaw is made with shredded cabbage, carrots, and green onions, and it’s tossed in a light dressing made from olive oil, vinegar, and spices. It’s the perfect accompaniment to grilled chicken, fish, or hamburgers.
We like Coleslaw for Summer picnics because it doesn’t require any utensils to eat, it’s cool and refreshing, and it’s a good source of vitamins and minerals. Plus, it goes great with grilled chicken, fish, or hamburgers on the grill!
Recipe and Ingredients:
- Cabbage, shredded
- Carrots, shredded
- Green onions, chopped
- Olive oil
Fruit Salad
Fruit salad made with ingredients like strawberries, blueberries, grapes, and apples is a great way to get your fruit fix at a picnic. This salad is tossed in a light dressing made from honey, lemon juice, and mint. It’s the perfect refreshing side dish or dessert to go with hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill.
Fruit salad is always a good choice for picnics because it doesn’t require any utensils to eat. Plus, it’s a good source of vitamins and minerals. This particular fruit salad is also tossed in a light dressing made from honey, lemon juice, and mint. which gives it a refreshing taste that everyone will love.
Recipe and Ingredients:
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Grapes
- Apples
- Honey
- Lemon juice
- Mint leaves
Deviled Eggs
Deviled Eggs are a popular choice around the holidays, but they make a great addition to any picnic. They’re easy to eat, packed with protein, and can be made ahead of time. Plus, they’re a good source of healthy fats and vitamins.
Deviled eggs are always a good choice for picnics because they’re easy to eat and transport in a small cooler!
Veggie Wraps
Vegetable wraps come in many different varieties, but they all have one thing in common – they’re a great way to eat vegetables on the go! Whether you use a wheat tortilla or a lettuce leaf, wraps are easy to eat and transport. Plus, they’re a good source of vitamins and minerals.
We like veggie wraps because they’re easy to customize to your liking. You can add any type of vegetables, condiments, and dressings that you like. They’re a great way to get your daily dose of veggies – and they’re tasty too!
Recipe and Ingredients:
- Tortilla or lettuce leaf
- Vegetables of your choice like Lettuce and carrots
- Condiments like ketchup or mustard
- Dressing of your choice like ranch or Italian dressing
Beef Jerky and Trail Mix
Beef Jerky and Trail Mix made of foods like dried fruit, nuts, and seeds are a great way to have a healthy and filling snack on the go. This combination provides your body with protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates to help you feel satisfied and energized.
Beef jerky is a good source of protein while trail mix provides complex carbohydrates and healthy fats. This combination is a great way to have a healthy and filling snack on the go. Plus, it’s easy to eat and transport – perfect for picnics!
Recipe and Ingredients:
- Beef jerky
- Dried fruit
- Nuts
- Seeds
Watermelon
Watermelon is the perfect picnic food because it’s refreshing, hydrating, and easy to eat. Plus, it’s a good source of vitamins A and C. Watermelon is the perfect addition to any picnic because it’s healthy, delicious, and portable – and all you need to serve it is a big knife and cutting board!
Lemonade and Ice Tea
Lemonade and Ice Tea are two popular beverage choices for picnics. They’re both refreshing and easy to make ahead of time. If you’re looking for something a little fancier, try adding some fresh fruit to your lemonade or iced tea – this will dress it up and make it even more refreshing – or a splash of alcohol for the adults!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you eat Paleo while on a Picnic?
The best foods to stay on the Paleo diet while on a family picnic are foods that do not require cooking or much preparation like Fruit, Veggies and dips, Hard boiled eggs, Chicken nuggets, Beef jerky, and Trail mix.
What should I pack for a Paleo lunch on a Picnic?
We recommend bringing Beef Jerky, Nuts, Fruit Salad, Watermelon and Lemonade to drink!