Travel-Friendly Picnic Foods for Hot Weather

Summer is almost here and that means warm temperatures and traveling. Between day trips to the beach, picnics at the park, and backyard barbecues with friends, it can be challenging to think of travel-friendly picnic foods that won’t spoil if left out for a few hours. Foods that aren’t properly stored, after all, could end up making a mess during transit or worse… lead to food poisoning. Fortunately, there are plenty of picnic foods that travel well and can be left unrefrigerated through the afternoon. Consider any one of these picnic recipes, all of which can be made with simple ingredients found at your local Foodtown grocery store!

Refrigerator-Free Picnic Foods

Mayonnaise-Free Pasta Salads
When dressed with oil and vinegar, pasta salad can sit out safely for a few hours. Plus, it can be stored in a basic airtight plastic storage container, which makes for mess-free traveling! Try this easy Italian Vegetable Pasta Salad from Yellow Bliss Road or this zesty Lemon Basil Pasta Salad with Grilled Vegetables from Inspired Taste.

Chips and Salsa
Store-bought tortilla chips are made a bit more special with homemade salsa, both of which travel well and don’t require refrigeration. Simply pick up a bag of your favorite chips and store your homemade salsa in an airtight storage container. For a classic take on this picnic-friendly pair, try this Fresh Tomato Salsa from Forks Over Knives. Or, try something new, like this refreshing Cantaloupe Lime Salsa from Tide and Thyme.

Mayo-less Potato Salad
Potato salad is a staple for picnics, but unfortunately, the typical mayonnaise-based varieties don’t last long outside of the refrigerator. Fortunately, there are many mayonnaise-free recipes that are just as tasty and travel just as easily. This Herbed Red Potato Salad from Cookie and Kate and this Green Bean and Asparagus Potato Salad from Green Valley Kitchen are made warm weather-friendly with mustard, oil, and vinegar-based dressings that won’t spoil quickly.

Refreshing Fruit Desserts
While many desserts don’t necessarily require refrigeration, things like cupcakes, cookies, and brownies can be heavy on the stomach in high summer temperatures. Instead, opt for lighter fruit-based desserts! This Rustic Three-Berry Tart from Fine Cooking sits well in warm weather and can be transported with simply a plate and tinfoil. Or, try this sweet and refreshing Honey-Lime Fruit Salad from Kate Moving Forward, packed securely in a travel-friendly container.

Non-Perishable Sandwiches
Sandwiches are a great picnic entrée. Simply wrap them in parchment paper and you’re good to go! Plus, they can be made with a variety of non-perishable ingredients. These Hummus and Veggie Sandwiches from Bless This Mess Please are packed with protein, making them great for action-packed afternoons. Or, try these hearty Portobello Sliders from Veggie Inspired, which are just as satisfying as beef burgers.

Rely on Foodtown for Simple Summer Meal Prep

As you plan summer barbecues, picnics, tailgates, and day trips, incorporate these tasty recipes into your plans—they’re easy to make, travel well, and won’t spoil if left out of the fridge for a while. The best part? Everything needed to make these tasty recipes can be purchased at your local Foodtown! Backed by daily savings on top of low prices, you’ll find that there are so many reasons It’s Smart! to shop with Foodtown.

Locate the Foodtown grocery store nearest to you to stock up on everything you’ll need for tasty summer eating. Be sure to download our digital coupons to have savings downloaded right to your club card.