Best 4 Spectacular Picnic Salad Recipes

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Venturing out for a delightful picnic calls for a remarkable array of culinary creations to enhance the experience. Among these, a spectacular picnic salad stands out as a centerpiece, captivating taste buds with a symphony of flavors and textures. This article seeks to guide you on a journey to discover the ultimate picnic salad recipe, one that harmonizes contrasting ingredients to deliver a feast for the senses. Whether you prefer a vibrant medley of fresh greens, succulent grilled vegetables, or a harmonious blend of sweet and savory fruits, you will uncover a recipe that resonates with your taste preferences and transforms your picnic into an unforgettable culinary adventure.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

PRETTY PICNIC SALAD



Pretty Picnic Salad image

A homemade vinaigrette seasoned with thyme and garlic oats this colorful salad that you'll make again and again. I like to garnish it with paprika. It's ideal for warm-weather picnics and patio parties.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

5 medium red potatoes (about 1-3/4 pounds)
1/2 pound fresh green beans, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 medium sweet red pepper, cut into strips
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
1 celery rib, thinly sliced
1 medium carrot, shredded
3 green onions, thinly sliced
1-1/2 cups cubed part-skim mozzarella cheese
VINAIGRETTE:
2/3 cup olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme
1 to 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Cut potatoes into 1/2-in. slices; cut each slice into four pieces. Place in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile, place beans in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 8-10 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain potatoes and beans., In a large bowl, combine the red pepper, corn, celery, carrot, onions and cheese. Add potatoes and beans. In a small bowl, whisk the vinaigrette ingredients. Pour over vegetables; toss to coat. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 221 calories, Fat 15g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 11mg cholesterol, Sodium 260mg sodium, Carbohydrate 17g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 5g protein.

CONTEST-WINNING PICNIC PASTA SALAD



Contest-Winning Picnic Pasta Salad image

My family's not big on traditional pasta salads made with mayonnaise, so when I served this colorful version that uses Italian dressing, it was a big hit. This crowd-pleaser is loaded with vegetables, beans and tricolor pasta. It's one of the best picnic salad ideas! -Felicia Fiocchi, Vineland, New Jersey

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 25m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 package (12 ounces) tricolor spiral pasta
1 package (10 ounces) refrigerated tricolor tortellini
1 jar (7-1/2 ounces) marinated artichoke hearts, undrained
1/2 pound fresh broccoli florets (about 1-3/4 cups)
12 ounces provolone cheese, cubed
12 ounces hard salami, cubed
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 cans (2-1/4 ounces each) sliced ripe olives, drained
1 medium red onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 envelopes Italian salad dressing mix

Steps:

  • Cook spiral pasta and tortellini according to package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water. Place in a large bowl; add the artichokes, broccoli, provolone cheese, salami, peppers, beans, olives, onion and garlic. , Prepare salad dressing according to package directions; pour over salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 411 calories, Fat 23g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 43mg cholesterol, Sodium 1156mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 18g protein.

FAMILY PICNIC SALAD



Family Picnic Salad image

The bountiful potluck at our annual family reunion includes favorites such as this salad. You can substitute Italian dressing or another type to give this dish a twist.-Barb Hausey, Independence, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 cans (7 ounces each) white or shoepeg corn, drained
1 large zucchini, chopped
1 medium cucumber, chopped
1 large tomato, chopped
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 medium red onion, chopped
6 green onions, chopped
1 can (3.8 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
1 cup Catalina salad dressing
1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1-1/2 cups corn chips

Steps:

  • In a large salad bowl, combine the first nine ingredients. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat. Stir in cheese and corn chips. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts :

CABBAGE PICNIC SALAD



Cabbage Picnic Salad image

THE nice sweet and sour blend enhances all the ingredients in this salad. Slightly different than cole slaw, it's a good dish to bring to pot-lucks and picnics. It keeps well and the taste is refreshing.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/4 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped cabbage
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon minced fennel fronds, optional

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, bring the vinegar, honey and salt to a boil. Stir in the cabbage, carrot, green pepper and onion. Return to a boil. , Remove from the heat; stir in fennel if desired. Cool. Transfer to a small bowl; cover and refrigerate until chilled.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 111 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 317mg sodium, Carbohydrate 29g carbohydrate (24g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 2g protein.

Tips:

  • Choose recipes that are easy to transport and won't wilt or spoil in the heat. Salads, sandwiches, and fruit salads are all good options.
  • Pack your food in airtight containers to keep it fresh. Glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids are best.
  • Use ice packs or frozen gel packs to keep your food cold. Place them in the bottom of your cooler or picnic basket.
  • Bring a cooler or picnic basket that is large enough to hold all of your food and drinks. You don't want to be cramped for space.
  • Don't forget the utensils, napkins, and plates. You'll also need a corkscrew or bottle opener if you're bringing wine or beer.
  • If you're serving hot food, pack it in a thermos. This will keep it warm until you're ready to eat.

Conclusion:

Picnic salads are a delicious and refreshing way to enjoy a meal outdoors. With a little planning, you can easily create a picnic salad that everyone will love. Just be sure to choose recipes that are easy to transport and won't spoil in the heat. And don't forget to pack a cooler or picnic basket, ice packs, and utensils. With a little preparation, you can enjoy a delicious picnic salad anywhere you go.

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