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The warm weather is here and it’s time to bring your meals outside. Yes, this is when you need ideas for the best Picnic Food recipes for an afternoon at the park, a backyard barbecue, and more. Here is everything you need for a lovely lunch or delicious dinner in the fresh air, and they are all gluten free!
Gluten Free Picnic Food
Picnics can mean so many things. Maybe you are going to pack sandwiches in a picnic basket. Or you’ve got a cooler full of salads and will use a grill or chafing dish to keep your main dishes hot. You might also have the grill fired up, but don’t want to worry about making dishes on the stove or in the oven. And let’s not forget about dishes that taste good at room temperature.
No matter the plan, there are plenty of picnic foods that you can easily transport and serve outdoors!
But, if you are gluten free, the word “picnic” might make you think of traditional sandwiches and macaroni salad and other items you might not be able to eat. So make it a gluten free picnic with these easy and tasty spring and summer dishes!
The Best Gluten Free Picnic Recipes
Let’s get planning that summer picnic menu with all of these ideas to make lunch and dinner that you can safely enjoy outside!
Summer Appetizers
Buffalo Deviled Eggs
Make a big batch of hard boiled eggs because this spicy twist on the classic deviled egg recipe is the kicked-up appetizer your picnic needs. And they are made with Greek yogurt, so they are still super creamy, but still lighter, plus protein-packed and low carb.
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Chef Salad on a Stick
Served with your favorite salad dressing or dip like Easy Honey Mustard, this easy finger food makes it more fun to eat a salad. Just roll up your favorite deli meats and cheese and skewer on a toothpick with lettuce, tomatoes, or any other salad toppings you love.
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Mango Avocado Salsa
Sweet and tangy, with just a bit of spice, this easy fruit salsa is totally family-friendly because it's made without raw onions or jalapenos. Scoop it up with chips, or spoon it into a gluten free wrap.
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Spinach Feta Pinwheels
This low carb appetizer is perfect picnic food because they are great warm, but also delicious at room temperature. So you can make them ahead and pack them for your outing.
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Healthy Deviled Eggs
Enjoy a lighter version of the classic. Greek yogurt keeps them creamy with the mustard flavor you love from the original recipe.
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BBQ Turkey Meatballs
Sassy and saucy and slathered in your favorite barbecue sauce (try Bourbon BBQ Sauce), these easy meatballs are perfect for snacking. And they have a simple substitute for bread crumbs to make them gluten free.
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Ants on a Log Snacks and Veggie Platter
The classic snack makes a fun appetizer platter for your picnic lunch. And you can think outside the usual celery, peanut butter, and raisins combo and add other nut butters, spreads, dried fruit, and more.
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Homemade Humus
Simple ingredients come together in everyone's favorite dip for veggies, gluten free crackers, or chips. It's always a welcome addition to a picnic spread.
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More Picnic Appetizers and Snacks:
- Homemade Baked Doritos from Fork and Beans
- Bacon Jalapeno Mustard Deviled Eggs from Eazy Peazy Mealz
- Greek Hummus Plate from The Lean Green Bean
- Cold Marinated Vegetables from Tasting Page
- Individual Salad Cups with Rhubarb Vinaigrette from The View From Great Island
Party Sides and Salads
Mexican Pasta Salad
Creamy and so full of colors, flavors, and textures, everyone will be begging for the recipe at your next picnic or potluck. It's perfect with gluten free pasta too.
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Maple Dijon Apple Coleslaw
A healthy, sweet and savory twist on the classic picnic salad made with Greek yogurt. So crisp and tasty, even those that say they don't like coleslaw will love this recipe.
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Instant Pot Potato Salad
Make this classic food entirely in your pressure cooker. Cook the potatoes and eggs together, then toss with crisp veggie in a simple and creamy Greek yogurt Dijon dressing.
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Healthy Apple Broccoli Salad
A creamy, crunchy summertime favorite with crisp apples and sweet dried cranberries that pair so well with the savory cheddar cheese and crunchy walnuts. So good with sandwiches or barbecue.
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Bacon Ranch Potato Salad
Family-favorite flavors come together in a creamy potato salad. Simple to make but it doesn't use bottled dressing or a powdered mix, just spices in your pantry.
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Easy Baked Beans
This recipe was kept top secret for years, and it's a simple hack that makes them taste like you let them soak and simmer for hours and days. You'll never make baked beans another way once you try it.
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Gluten Free Cornbread
So tender and flavorful, you'll want to slather a slice with butter or honey or both. Great with that air fryer fried chicken, ribs, or even a grilled steak.
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Tomato Cucumber Salad with Feta
Simple and fresh, but made with simple ingredients that give it bright Mediterranean flavors. It's a true taste of summer.
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Three Bean Salad
This classic salad is so fresh and tangy that it's the perfect side in the summertime. And all those beans make it healthy and satisfying too.
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More Picnic Salads and Sides:
- Kale Potato Salad from With Food and Love
- Mason Jar Taco Salad from Food Faith Fitness
- Mediterranean Quinoa Salad from The Roasted Root
- Blueberry Corn Salad from A Healthy Life for Me
- Apple Potato Salad from Cook the Story
- Perfect Picnic Pasta Salad from Spabettie
- Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Cashews from One Creative Mommy
- Guacamole Potato Salad from Foxes Love Lemons
- Sweet Grape Salad from Nutmeg Nanny
Picnic Main Dishes
Air Fryer Fried Chicken
All the crispy, juicy goodness you love, but made without oil, and it's gluten free! And fried chicken is so perfect for a picnic because you can wrap it in foil and keep it warm or enjoy it at room temperature.
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Turkey, Ham and Cheddar Apple Sandwiches
Sure, you can make sandwiches on gluten free bread or even Gluten Free Biscuits, but you can also change it up and use apple sliced. It even works for PB&J or try sweetened cream cheese and gluten free granola.
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Balsamic Marinated Flank Steak
If you are picnicking in the backyard, throw a deliciously-marinated steak on the grill. Or make it in advance and bring it chilled to put on a sandwich or salad, or just snack on the slices.
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Chef Salad Lettuce Wraps
Turn a classic salad into food you can pick up and eat with your hands. Stuff lettuce leaves with veggies and deli meats, then dip or drizzle with your favorite dressing. Creamy Southwestern Dressing or Greek Yogurt Ranch are great options.
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Smoky BBQ Grilled Sausage Salad
Or turn your picnic into a big salad bar. Grill the sausage, corn, and pineapple in advance, cook bacon, and package up all of your toppings, then let everyone make their own.
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Tzatziki Chicken Salad
Grab your lettuce wraps, or gluten free bread, wraps, or crackers for this Greek-inspired chicken salad. Make sure you grab a rotisserie chicken at Costco to make it even easier to prepare.
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Asian Grilled Chicken
This simple marinade packs a flavor punch. Toss the chicken in the marinade in advance, and you can either cook it ahead of time or use a grill at your picnic site.
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BBQ Ranch Quinoa Chicken Salad
Hearty and healthy, but filled with those summertime indulgent flavors everyone loves. Spoon it onto a plate or into lettuce wraps for a whole grain and satisfying cool meal.
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More summer main dishes:
- Coconut Lime Grilled Shrimp from A Healthy Life for Me
- Twisted Tuna Salad from Everyday Maven
- Curried Tuna Salad with Apples from The Lean Green Bean
- Grilled Marinated Lamb from Nutmeg Nanny
- Copycat Trader Joe’s Curried Chicken Salad from The Roasted Root
- Southwestern Chipotle Chicken Wrap from Tried and Tasty
And if you need desserts, try some of these:
- 90+ Picnic Desserts (with lots of gluten free options)
- 65+ of the Best Flourless Desserts
- 40+ Gluten Free No-Bake Desserts for Summer
Wow! So many great choices! Pinned and sharing to my Facebook page!
Thanks so much for including my Guacamole Potato Salad! This is a great roundup that will certainly come in handy for many this summer.
Definitely! And potato salad + guac – PERFECT!
Thanks for including my tuna salad! Happy weekend 🙂
so many amazing ideas! thanks for including me!