Pack your hamper with our tasty picnic side recipes. A picnic feast is not complete without a selection of super sides, from creamy potato salads to tasty dip recipes. See more Picnic food.
Jamies says: "Celebrating a bunch of delicious Greek-inspired flavours, this fresh, vibrant no-cook salad is just the ticket for a sunshine lunch or colourful barbecue side. Humble cucumber gives double bang for your buck: it stars in the salad and adds texture to a tangy feta dressing. This is sure to become an easy summer favourite."
Gorgeously golden on top and wonderfully spicy with a mix of beef, sun-dried tomato paste, chilli flakes and red onion, these party bites are a real crowd-pleaser
Jamie says: "Love perfectly crispy chicken wings, but not a fan of deep-frying? Look no further! With three tasty flavour combos to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Plus, this versatile recipe is easy to batch up if you’ve got a crowd to feed. Win-win!"
Jamie says: "Fantastic for picnics and parties, and of course for serving alongside curries, these fragrant nibbles made with humble ingredients are incredibly simple to make, and are a guaranteed winner if you’re feeding a crowd. They’re easy to make gluten-free or vegan, too – simply swap in gram flour or vegan yogurt."
A rich and wonderful lamb's liver pâté that goes best with lightly toasted (and slightly sweet) brioche, this recipe isn't for the faint of heart. It is, however, perfect for those who want to indulge themselves and delve into the world of classic French gastronomy.
Master this simple yet tasty gluten-free snack and you won't look back. Don't despair if you don't have all of the seeds, it still works with just one or two of the three. These make a great canapé, too – try them with dips or a cheeseboard.
Make your own bread with this delicious Turkish bread recipe, which has the added bonus of a gorgeous feta filling. The sesame seeds add a moreish light crunch. Perfect for a picnic or as part of a lunch.
Wheaten bread is a traditional Northern Irish bread, which is made without yeast. This recipe uses baking soda, with the buttermilk providing acidity, enabling it to rise. Serve with butter for a teatime treat on a rainy day.
Buttery new potatoes, zingy lemon and sweet succulent salmon are paired together in this hearty salad for a real taste of summer. With only five minutes needed to prep, throw in some sundried tomatoes and olives for a sunny Mediterranean flavour.
These veggie samosa puffs make a delicious addition to a picnic. They’re based on the flavours of traditional Bangladeshi samosas – but easier to make!
Four pitta breads go a long way with this thrifty party canapé recipe.
There's something about fried cheese that makes it - well - pretty darn good. Salty feta is rolled in breadcrumbs and fried for a decadent snack, party dish or, when served with a green salad and tzatziki, great with a summer barbecue buffet.
This spinach mushroom and Brie tart makes a perfect lunch or first course at a supper party. Start by blind baking the pastry, then, make the cheesy mushroom filling before popping back in the oven to finish.
Bacon and avocado are one of the best double acts in food and they're combined beautifully in this salad. Parmesan croutons add crunch (an excellent way of using up ciabatta bread, too) and are so much easier to make than you might think.
A twist on the traditional Spanish omelette, this easy recipe uses 6 eggs and is beefed up with the addition of crunchy green peppers and onions. A great meal served hot or cold, why not try making and portioning out as the perfect lunchbox main?
While it might seem like a culinary dark art, pickling can be painfully easy if you know what you're doing. This quick pickled cucumber recipe is about as simple as it gets: it takes 10 minutes to prep, 10 minutes to cook, and even less time to eat an entire jar.
There is something immensely comforting about a homemade loaf, fresh from the oven, cooling on the kitchen counter. To make this simple traditional loaf made using fast action yeast, you won't need a bread maker: a hot oven and some elbow grease will suffice.
Roast cherry tomato, basil and goat's cheese tart that is perfect for picnics
Decadent spring tarts that are so simple to prepare. The camembert and parm ham flavours complement each other perfectly, with fresh asparagus adding an earthy undertone.
There are few foods on Earth that contain as much joy within them as a simple samosa. This vegetarian versions – stuffed with a traditional mix of carrots, potatoes, onions, and peas – are best served piping hot alongside a generous spoon of mango chutney.
A lovely savoury twist on the traditional scone, these pesto-laden scones would make a fine addition to any staid afternoon tea. We'd recommended eating them when they're warm and fresh out the oven. No cream or jam necessary.
Salads aren't just for summer. This dish is bursting with flavour and is a lovely option for an autumnal lunch. Roasted butternut squash's sweet, nutty taste is great when matched with lightly spicy chorizo. The mustardy, vinegary dressing is a treat, too.
This Italian-inspired crostini has the sweet flavour of ripe tomatoes and the crunch of toasted ciabatta. Added lemon zest and juice give it a punchy sharpness. Serve it up for an al fresco light lunch or anytime snack
DIY sushi is easier than you think and nothing beats a homemade California roll: delicious sesame, creamy avocado and super fresh salmon. Arm yourself with a rolling mat, sushi rice, nori and you're in business.
These wholemeal breadrolls with a muesli twist make a delicious snack or lunch accompaniment. Raisins are kneaded into enriched bread dough, then, after baking, the rolls are topped with crunchy sesame seeds and rolled oats.
This easy, vegetarian crostini makes a brilliant starter when entertaining friends – or enjoying date night at home. Fresh, summer flavours of tomato, basil and goat's cheese top the wholemeal toasts, for a dish that looks as good as it tastes.
A classic British pie to get into the street-party spirit
Making homemade chutney is a brilliant Christmas present idea and so much easier than you might think. This butternut squash chutney is enhanced by strong flavours such as raisins, ras el hanout, chilli flakes and orange.
This satay sauce is so versatile you can pair it with chicken or fish, but here, it accompanies tender beef skewers, marinaded with chilli, ginger, lime, soy sauce and sugar. A fake-away packed with fragrant aromatics, serve with rice and prawn crackers to complete the picture.
A simple salad can be simply astounding when you're in the right mood, and this Greek salad recipe is one that we've found ourselves coming back to time and time again. Dressed with extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and pepper, it really couldn't be easier.
One forkful of this grilled halloumi and roasted pepper salad is all you'll need to be transported to the idyllic Greek isles. Olive oil, good balsamic vinegar, and lemon juice cuts excellently through the salty cheese while toasted pine nuts add a moreish textural contrast.
Tomato salsa is one of those side dishes that goes with everything. Learn to make it yourself at home and then use it in a multitude of dishes. It's easy too: tomatoes are simply roasted with garlic and chilli then blended with onion and lime, then seasoned.
A glorious potato and filo pastry pie, stuffed with creamy ricotta cheese, spinach, pinenuts and garlic. The potatoes are finely sliced but go into the filling raw, so you'll need to cook this pie for a time. But good things come to those who wait.