Making plans for your next summer get-together with family or friends?

One of the best things about summer is stepping out into the great outdoors with a picnic basket full of tasty treats. 

And one study by Warburtons found that the average adult enjoys three picnics every year!

But before you set up your blanket in the perfect picnic venue, you’ll need to decide what to pack in your hamper.

 If you’re feeding a crowd, choosing foods everyone will love is essential. Read on for inspiration on the yummiest vegan and vegetarian dishes to pack for your next summer picnic. 

Vegan and vegetarian picnic ideas

Sandwiches and Wraps

Sandwiches are a picnic staple, but the classic vegan sandwich fillings can be bland. Why not try one of these flavour-packed options instead?

• Smokey Tofu “BLT” Wrap: Marinate tofu in Smokey BBQ sauce, then pan-fry it until crispy. Layer it with lettuce, tomato, and vegan sugar-free mayo in a high-protein wrap or between two slices of high-protein white bread. 

• Rainbow Wrap: Spread avocado on a tortilla wrap, then add shredded carrots, red cabbage, peppers, and lettuce for a colourful crunch-fest. 

• Mediterranean Wrap: Grab two slices of high-protein brown bread and add hummus, roasted red peppers, cucumber, and salad leaves. Drizzle with garlic and herb vinaigrette for extra flavour. 

• Sweet Chilli Quorn Wrap: Pour 15 ml of Skinny Food Co Sweet Chilli sauce onto a tortilla wrap. Add lettuce leaves, cooked Quorn chicken-style pieces, chopped onions, and tomatoes on one side of the wrap. Then sprinkle on some sliced chillies and a squeeze of lime juice. Add another drizzle of sweet chilli sauce, wrap it up, and enjoy. 

Dips and Sauces

Carrot sticks, sliced peppers and cucumber are a must-have for any picnic, and they’re easy to spice up with dips and sauces. Try serving them with Virtually Zero-Calorie Ranch Sauce or roasted red pepper hummus. 

Picnic-Friendly Side Dishes

To complete your vegan picnic spread, choose one (or two!) of these crowd-pleasing side dishes. 

• Potato Salad: Chop two small potatoes, one red onion and one spring onion. Boil the potatoes for 5-6 minutes. Mix everything up, add a generous handful of parsley, then stir in 3 tbsp of vegan mayonnaise and 2 tbsp of lemon and garlic sauce. Add a splash of lemon juice for extra zestiness! 

• Caprese Skewers: Thread cherry tomatoes, vegan mozzarella balls, and fresh basil leaves onto small skewers. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. To finish, add a splash of reduced balsamic vinegar. 

• Coleslaw. Grab a mixing bowl and add 100g of low-fat natural yoghurt, 1 tbsp sugar-free honey mustard sauce and 3 tbsp of chives. Whisk the mixture until smooth. Add a few handfuls of shredded cabbage and carrots and stir. 

Don’t Forget the Drinks!

Whether you’re looking for alcohol-free mocktails or refreshing cocktails to add the finishing touch to your picnic spread, our low-sugar and fat-free syrups, flavour drops, and cocktail mixers will tickle your taste buds. 

• Strawberry Mint and Elderflower Iced Tea - Add 25 ml of raspberry mint and elderflower syrup to 225 ml of iced water and mix. Or stir the syrup into lemonade or soda water if you fancy a fizzy drink. 

• Apple Martini: Mix three parts of apple martini mixer with one part vodka or gin and blend with ice.

• Raspberry Gin Fizz: Mix 25 ml raspberry ripple syrup with 50 ml gin and 150 ml diet lemonade. Remember to pack some raspberries in your picnic basket so you can add a raspberry garnish!

So, what are you waiting for? Check the weather forecast, call your friends and plan the ultimate summer picnic.