Best Picnic Food Ideas For Couples
A picnic is the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion or just enjoy a beautiful day. If you're trying to stick to a paleo diet, though, it can be tough to come up with ideas for picnic food.
Don't fret – this blog post will help you create the perfect paleo picnic date menu for two! We'll discuss some delicious and easy-to-prepare picnic recipes that both you and your partner will love.
So pack your picnic basket, blanket, and appetite – it's time to enjoy a relaxing day outdoors with delicious food and company!
Appetizers
Homemade Tortilla Chips
These tortilla chips are a healthier alternative to store-bought chips. They're crispy and full of delicious flavor, making them the perfect snack for your Paleo picnic.
Ingredients:
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1 cup almond flour
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1 egg white
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1/2 tsp salt
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1/2 tsp chili powder
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1/2 tsp garlic powder
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1/2 tsp cumin
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1/4 tsp onion powder
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1/4 tsp paprika
Directions:
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Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients until they are completely combined.
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Place the dough between two pieces of parchment paper and roll it out as thinly as possible. Remove the top layer of parchment paper.
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Cut the dough into chips shapes using a knife, cookie-cutter, or pizza cutter.
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Move the dough, with the parchment paper, onto a baking sheet.
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Bake for 11-13 minutes, until golden brown.
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Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes.
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Use a spatula to remove the chips from the paper.
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Serve with guacamole or salsa, do not use feta cheese as it isn't paleo friendly.
These tortilla chips are Paleo, gluten-free, and full of flavor. They make a great snack or appetizer for your picnic.
Paleo Chicken Salad
This refreshing salad is a perfect outdoor meal . It's packed with protein and healthy fats, making it a satisfying and filling dish.
Ingredients:
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12 oz cooked chicken, shredded
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¼ cup Paleo mayo
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¼ cup grapes, halved
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¼ cup celery, diced
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½ tsp dried thyme
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Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
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In a large bowl, combine the chicken, mayo, grapes, celery, and thyme—season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Mix until everything is evenly combined.
This picnic salad is a great main dish for your picnic. It's easy to prepare and can be served cold or at room temperature.
Baked Plantain Chips
Baked plantain chips are a great Paleo-friendly alternative to traditional chips. They're crispy, salty, and full of flavor. Plus, they're easy to make ahead of time and can be stored in an airtight container for later.
Ingredients:
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½ teaspoon coconut oil
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½ teaspoon sea salt
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¼ teaspoon chili powder
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⅛ teaspoon cumin
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⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
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Plantain chips
Directions:
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Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, sea salt, chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder.
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Place the plantain chips on the prepared baking sheet and brush them with the spice mixture.
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Bake for 15 minutes or until the chips are golden brown and crispy. Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container for later.
Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 100; Fat: 0g; Carbs: 24g; Protein: 3g
Baked plantain chips are a great alternative to regular potato chips. They are just as crispy and delicious, but much healthier for you. Plantains are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins A and C, and potassium. Baked plantain chips are also low in calories and fat.
Cherry Tomato Salad
This simple salad is a great side dish for your Paleo picnic. It's fresh and flavorful and can be made ahead of time.
Ingredients
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20 oz. cherry tomatoes halved
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6 garlic cloves, minced
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2 tbsp. olive oil
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1 tbsp. fresh basil, minced, + some for serving
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Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 375°F.
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In a mixing dish, combine the tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, basil, and salt and pepper to taste
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Bake for 20 minutes in a single layer on a baking dish.
This cherry tomato salad is a delicious and easy-to-prepare side dish for your Paleo picnic. It's full of flavor and can be served cold or at room temperature.
Cucumber Noodles
If you're looking for something a little lighter, these cucumber noodles are the perfect option. They're refreshing and satisfying, making them ideal for a summer picnic.
Ingredients:
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½ English cucumber, spiralized into noodles
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¼ cup Paleo mayonnaise
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¼ cup diced celery
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¼ cup diced red grapes
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Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
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In a large bowl, mix together the cucumber noodles, Paleo mayonnaise, celery, red grapes, salt, and pepper.
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Serve immediately or store in the fridge for later.
Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 155; Fat: 11g; Carbs: 12g; Protein: 0g
This dish is perfect for hot summer days – the cucumber noodles will help you stay cool and refreshed. Plus, it's a great option if you're looking for something Paleo-friendly and gluten-free.
Main Dishes
Spicy Paleo Chicken Wings
These chicken wings are coated in a homemade paleo-friendly BBQ sauce that is both sweet and spicy. They're perfect for sharing!
Ingredients:
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12 chicken wings
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½ cup Paleo BBQ sauce
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¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
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Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
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Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
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In a small bowl, mix together the Paleo BBQ sauce, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
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Place the chicken wings in a large baking dish and coat them with the sauce.
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Bake for 30 minutes or until the chicken wings are cooked through.
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Serve immediately.
Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 443; Fat: 28g; Carbs: 11g; Protein: 33g
This recipe is perfect for picnics because it can be easily transported and doesn't require any special equipment to prepare. You can also eat it with fresh veggies or fresh herbs. Plus, who doesn't love chicken wings? They're sure to be a hit with your partner!
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad & Lime dressing
Roasted sweet potato salad is a delicious, easy-to-prepare side dish that pairs well with almost any main course. They're full of flavor and nutrients, making them a healthy addition to your picnic menu.
Ingredients:
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2 to 3 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
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1/2 squash, peeled, and diced (butternut, amber cup, etc.)
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2 celery stalks, sliced
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3 to 4 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled (optional)
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tsp. smoked paprika
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1 tsp. chili powder
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1/2 tsp. dried oregano
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1/4 cup olive oil
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Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Lime Dressing Ingredients:
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1/4 cup olive oil
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1/4 cup homemade mayonnaise
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1/4 cup fresh lime juice
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1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
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1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
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1/2 tsp. ground cumin
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Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
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Preheat the oven to 400 F.
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In a mixing dish, combine the sweet potatoes, squash, olive oil, garlic, paprika, chili powder, and oregano; then season to taste.
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Place the asparagus on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 30 to 35 minutes, turning halfway through.
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Let cool while preparing the dressing.
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In a mixing dish, combine all the ingredients for the lime dressing and season to taste. In a salad bowl, combine the roasted vegetables, celery, and bacon.
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Toss the salad with the extra dressing to coat it well.
Nutritional information (per serving): Calories: 540; Fat: 43g; Carbs: 38g; Protein: 7g
This roasted sweet potato salad is full of flavor and nutrients, making it a healthy addition to your picnic menu. The lime dressing adds a zesty kick, while the bacon provides a smoky flavor.
Paleo Chicken Wraps
These Paleo chicken salad wraps are a great way to use up leftover chicken. They're healthy, flavorful, and easy to eat on the go. Plus, they can be made ahead of time, making them perfect for picnics.
Ingredients:
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½ pound cooked chicken, shredded
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¼ cup Paleo mayonnaise
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¼ cup diced celery
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¼ cup diced green apples
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½ teaspoon curry powder
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Salt and pepper to taste
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Lettuce leaves or Paleo tortillas, for wrapping
Directions:
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In a large bowl, mix together the chicken, Paleo mayonnaise, celery, green apples, curry powder, salt, and pepper.
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Taste and adjust the seasonings as necessary.
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To assemble the wraps, place a few spoonfuls of chicken salad on a lettuce leaf or Paleo tortilla.
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Roll up and enjoy immediately or store in the fridge for later.
Nutritional Information (per wrap): Calories: 210; Fat: 11g; Carbs: 15g; Protein: 13g
These Paleo chicken salad wraps are perfect for picnics because they're healthy, flavorful, and easy to eat on the go. Plus, they can be made ahead of time, making them perfect for picnics.
Desserts & Picnic Drinks
Paleo Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies
No picnic is complete without a few sweet treats! These Paleo chocolate chip cookies are the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth.
They're soft, chewy, and full of chocolatey goodness – your partner is sure to love them!
Ingredients:
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½ cup almond butter
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¼ cup honey
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½ teaspoon vanilla extract
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½ cup tapioca flour
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¼ teaspoon baking soda
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Pinch of salt
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½ cup Paleo chocolate chips
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
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In a large bowl, mix together the almond butter, honey, and vanilla extract until they're well combined.
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Whisk together the tapioca flour, baking soda, and salt in another bowl.
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Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until everything is well combined.
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Fold in the dark chocolate chips.
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Use a spoon or your hands to form the dough into small balls.
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Place the dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and press them down slightly. Bake for 12 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown.
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Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutritional Information (per cookie): Calories: 120; Fat: 11g; Carbs: 20g; Protein: 1g
These Paleo chocolate chip cookies are perfect for picnics because they're easy to transport and won't melt in the heat. Plus, they're sure to be a hit with your partner!
Watermelon Mint Lemonade
For a refreshing and healthy Paleo-friendly drink, try this watermelon mint lemonade. It's perfect for hot summer days and can be easily made ahead of time.
This doesn't contain ingredients like red wine vinegar, so it's completely paleo-friendly.
Ingredients:
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½ small seedless watermelon, cubed
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¼ cup fresh mint leaves
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½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
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½ cup sparkling water
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Ice cubes (optional)
Directions:
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In a blender, combine the watermelon, mint leaves, lemon juice, and sparkling water.
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Blend until the mixture is smooth.
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Pour into glasses and enjoy immediately or store in the fridge for later. Add ice cubes if desired.
Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 90; Fat: 0g; Carbs: 23g; Protein: 0g
This watermelon mint lemonade is the perfect drink to bring to a picnic. It's refreshing, healthy, and easy to make ahead of time. Plus, it has a sweet-tart flavor sure to be a hit with your partner!
Snacks
If you're looking for something to snack on while at the picnic, try PREVAIL beef jerky. Our jerky is made with 100% grass-fed beef and is Paleo, gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free. It's the perfect snack to bring to a Paleo picnic!
Directions: Simply open up a bag of PREVAIL beef jerky and enjoy!
Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 80; Fat: 1.5g; Carbs: 6g; Protein: 12g
Conclusion
A healthy and delicious romantic picnic is the perfect way to spend a date with your loved one. With these easy picnic food ideas for couples, you can both enjoy a delicious meal outdoors without having to worry about non-paleo ingredients.