43 Beach Picnic Recipes You Need This Summer

Read Time: 19 mins

43 Beach Picnic Recipes You Need This Summer2/43 Turkey and Pasta Ranch Salad Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This easy pasta salad is loaded with fresh veggies, and the classic ranch dressing makes it appealing to kids. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland Nutrition Facts: 1-2/3 cups: 256 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 383mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable. 3/43 Spicy Asian Ham Sandwiches Test Kitchen Approved Spicy Asian Ham Sandwiches Recipe

photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 4 sandwiches Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We love these sandwiches with ham, but you can use leftover cooked pork instead of the ham if desired. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 271 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 962mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 11g protein. 4/43 Mustard Pretzel Nuggets 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 6 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This quick and fun snack is similar to the mustard pretzels

you can buy at the store, but you can make it for a fraction of the price

you can buy at the store, but you can make it for a fraction of the price. It’s a killer recipe for all kinds of parties and football gatherings. —Sarah Mathews, Ava Missouri Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 204 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 411mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein. 5/43 Chocolate Chip, PB & Banana Sandwiches 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Chocolate Chip, PB & Banana Sandwiches Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 10 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I love finding new ways to

combine peanut butter, chocolate and bananas

combine peanut butter, chocolate and bananas. I was shocked when my nephews (who are very picky eaters) loved these sammies. —Charlotte Gehle, Brownstown, Michigan Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 502 calories, 22g fat (6g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 394mg sodium, 69g carbohydrate (36g sugars, 7g fiber), 15g protein. 6/43 Homemade Honey Grahams 1 Review Test Kitchen Approved Homemade Honey Grahams Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 32 crackers Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: The way my boys eat them, I would spend a fortune on honey graham crackers at the grocery store. So I

decided to make a homemade version that is less processed—and less expensive

decided to make a homemade version that is less processed—and less expensive. These are wonderful, although they still don’t last long. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1 cracker: 60 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 89mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat. 7/43 Beach Picnic Fruit and Cheese Kabobs 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Fruit and Cheese Kabobs Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 12 kabobs (1-1/2 cups dip) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: We came up with this fresh

and fruity summer snack idea

and fruity summer snack idea. It’s easy to make ahead and carry to the ballpark, beach or playground, and the cinnamon-spiced yogurt dip adds a fun touch kids love. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 kabob with 2 tablespoons dip: 147 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 143mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein. We can’t get enough of these picnic side dishes, either. 8/43 Parmesan-Ranch Snack Mix 11 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Parmesan-Ranch Snack Mix Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 3 quarts Go to

Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a quick, easy and delicious snack, especially for kids. No one I’ve made it for can have just one handful—they always come back for more, and more! So if you’re thinking about cutting the recipe in half to make less, I wouldn’t recommend it. —Tammy Landry, Saucier, Mississippi Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 365 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 826mg sodium, 67g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 6g fiber), 7g protein. 9/43 Chicken Avocado Wrap Test Kitchen Approved Chicken Avocado Wraps Recipe photo by Emily Davis for Taste of Home Total Time 50

The recipe is now a favorite at my house

min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I came up with this chicken avocado wrap while trying to figure out what to make for lunch one day. The recipe is now a favorite at my house. —Shiva Houshidari, Plano, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 wrap: 329 calories, 14g fat (2g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 416mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 5g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 2 fat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable. 10/43 Lemon Sugar Cookies 33 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 40 min Servings 14 cookies Go to Recipe From the Recipe

The sanding sugar on top adds sparkle and a bit of crunch

Creator: These wonderfully chewy cookies have a light lemon flavor from both the juice and zest. The sanding sugar on top adds sparkle and a bit of crunch. —Michael Vyskocil, Glen Rock, Pennsylvania Nutrition Facts: 1 cookie: 340 calories, 14g fat (8g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 147mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (31g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. 11/43 Avocado Salsa 26 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Avocado Salsa Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings about 7 cups Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I was planning a party and thought it might be fun

to try a different kind of avocado salsa

to try a different kind of avocado salsa. This recipe was an absolute success. Scoop it up with chips, spoon it over chicken or steak, or eat it on its own! —Susan Vandermeer, Ogden, Utah Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup: 82 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 85mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat. 12/43 Layered Picnic Loaves 12 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 2 loaves (12 servings each) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This big sandwich, inspired by one I tried at

a New York deli, is a favorite with our football-watching crowd

a New York deli, is a favorite with our football-watching crowd. Made ahead, it’s easily carted to any gathering. Kids and adults alike say it’s super. —Marion Lowery, Medford, Oregon Nutrition Facts: 1 slice: 341 calories, 18g fat (7g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 991mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein. 13/43 Peanut Butter Popcorn Bars 2 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Peanut Butter Popcorn Bars Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: If you’re looking for a fun snack for kids, try this

chewy peanut butter popcorn recipe that have a mild peanut butter taste

chewy peanut butter popcorn recipe that have a mild peanut butter taste. They’re easy to mix and can be pressed into a pan to form bars, or shaped into balls. —Kathy Oswald, Wauzeka, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 bar: 90 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 74mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. 14/43 Tri-Color Pasta Salad 33 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Tri-Color Pasta Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 14 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Tackle gatherings with a bright side dish. This tri-color pasta salad

This blondie recipe can be mixed up

with broccoli, tomatoes, olives and a hardworking dressing is one of the easiest cold pasta salad recipes you could take. —Amanda Cable, Boxford, Massachusetts Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 149 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 513mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 4g protein. 15/43 Chocolate Chip Blondies 140 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved SARAH TRAMONTE FOR TASTE OF HOME Total Time 30 min Servings 3 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Folks who adore the classic cookies will enjoy that same beloved flavor in these chocolate chip bars. This blondie recipe can be mixed up

My husband invented this twist on a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich

in a jiffy, tastes wonderful, and is perfect for occasions when company drops by unexpectedly or you need a treat in a hurry. —Rhonda Knight, Hecker, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1 blondie: 102 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 72mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein. 16/43 Loaded Avocado BLT 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Loaded Avocado BLT Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 15 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My husband invented this twist on a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich. I like to make it with

—Jeff King,

extra slices of bacon; if you want, you can leave the Gorgonzola cheese out of the avocado spread. —Lori Grant, Kingsport, Tennessee Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 420 calories, 29g fat (7g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 921mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 5g fiber), 15g protein. 17/43 So-Easy Snack Mix Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 5 min Servings 4 quarts Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I eat this tasty treat just as much as (if not more than) the kids! Have fun with it by adding other goodies into the mix, like nuts, cereal, pretzels and more. —Jeff King,

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✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

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