Nothing beats a sunny May day spent outside with good food, great company, and maybe a cozy picnic blanket. If you’re craving something delicious to take to the park, beach, or even just your backyard, this list has you covered. From creamy salads and fresh sides to easy mains and sweet treats, these picnic-perfect recipes are all about keeping things simple, tasty, and fun. This roundup is packed with crowd-pleasing classics like Amish potato salad, creamy chicken salad, tangy deviled eggs, and even sweet and crunchy apple slaw. Whether you’re planning a casual lunch or a full-on potluck, you’ll find something here to wow your guests and make prep a breeze. Take a peek—you’ll definitely want to try them all!

Classic Amish Potato Salad Recipe

A bowl of creamy potato salad with diced potatoes, topped with a sprinkle of paprika. A wooden spoon is partially visible next to the bowl.
Classic Amish Potato Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

Sweet, tangy, and creamy — this is your go-to classic potato salad. If you need a side dish that’s guaranteed to shine at your next picnic or potluck, Amish potato salad is the one to try. With tender potatoes coated in a creamy, sweet-and-tangy dressing made from mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and mustard, every bite is a delicious balance of comfort and zing.
Get the Recipe: Classic Amish Potato Salad Recipe

Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe With Grapes

Four triangular slices of wheat bread sandwiches filled with chicken salad, grapes, and green leafy vegetables on a white plate. The plate rests on a yellow and white striped cloth.
Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe With Grapes. Image credit: Intentional Hospitality

A light and fruity option perfect on croissants or crackers. This chicken salad with grapes is a perfect blend of sweet and savory! Tender chicken pairs with juicy grapes, crisp celery, and a creamy dressing for a dish that’s both flavorful and easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Salad Recipe With Grapes

Macaroni Salad Recipe With Cheese For A Crowd

A bowl of creamy macaroni and cheese with green peas, topped with shredded cheddar cheese, served in a white dish on a yellow surface.
Macaroni Salad Recipe With Cheese For A Crowd. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

One of my fondest summer time salads growing up in Indiana was my grandma’s Classic Macaroni Salad With Cheese For A Crowd. It’s summer time comfort food, which is great for dinners, picnics or to take to pot lucks.
Get the Recipe: Macaroni Salad Recipe With Cheese For A Crowd

Vibrant Fresh Corn Salad Recipe

A vibrant bowl of colorful corn salad sits on a red plate. The salad includes yellow corn kernels mixed with diced red peppers, onions, and fresh herbs. A sprig of basil and parsley garnish the dish. A yellow and white striped napkin is beside the plate.
Vibrant Fresh Corn Salad Recipe. Image credit: Intentional Hospitality

This simple-to-make fresh corn salad recipe is a delicious and colorful side dish or salad. The combination of fresh corn, multicolored diced sweet peppers, and onions, all tossed in a slightly sweet tangy dressing, will be a hit at your next dinner.
Get the Recipe: Vibrant Fresh Corn Salad Recipe

Creamy & Tangy Deviled Eggs Recipe

A plate of deviled eggs garnished with paprika. The eggs are neatly arranged in two concentric circles on a speckled grey plate. A small bowl with paprika is partially visible in the foreground, and stacked plates are in the background.
Creamy & Tangy Deviled Eggs Recipe. Image credit: Intentional Hospitality

A timeless finger food favorite at any picnic or potluck. These creamy, tangy little bites of goodness combine hard-boiled eggs with a few basic ingredients like mayonnaise and yellow mustard. Depending on your mood, you can dress them up for holiday celebrations or keep them simple for everyday occasions.
Get the Recipe: Creamy & Tangy Deviled Eggs Recipe

Sweet and Saucy BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

Pork sliders on Hawaiian buns with extra barbecue sauce and melted cheese
Sweet and Saucy BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

This sweet and saucy BBQ pulled pork sliders recipe is an absolute winner for any gathering or casual meal. With tender and juicy pulled pork, sweet and tangy barbecue sandwich sauce, melted cheese, and sweet Hawaiian slider buns, these sliders are a crowd pleaser.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Saucy BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders

Perfect Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe

Baked potatoes that have been made in air fryer with butter on top
Perfect Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

This air fryer baked potatoes recipe creates the perfect baked potato with salty crispy skin and light fluffy insides every time.
Get the Recipe: Perfect Air Fryer Baked Potato Recipe

Easy & Delicious Slow Cooker Hot Dogs For A Crowd

Hot dogs in a bun smothered with chili and cheese on top
Easy & Delicious Slow Cooker Hot Dogs For A Crowd. Image credit: Intentional Hospitality

An easy way to serve hot dogs warm and juicy for a crowd. This easy recipe will give you all the tips and tricks to create great-tasting hot dogs for a crowd. Quick, easy, and saves you time.
Get the Recipe: Delicious Slow Cooker Hot Dogs For A Crowd

Sweet & Crunchy Apple Slaw With Zesty Dressing

A person pours a bowl of yellow dressing over a colorful salad in a glass bowl. The salad contains kale, red cabbage, carrots, and apple slices. A striped cloth is visible beside the bowl on the white surface.
Sweet & Crunchy Apple Slaw With Zesty Dressing. Image credit: Intentional Hospitality

Sweet and crunchy with a refreshing dressing. Fresh, vibrant, and ready in minutes, this apple slaw combines crisp apples, crunchy cabbage, and a zesty homemade dressing for the perfect side dish. Whether for a busy weeknight or a family gathering, this easy recipe will brighten up any meal!
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Crunchy Apple Slaw With Zesty Dressing

Creamy Classic Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Crock-Pot macaroni and cheese being scooped up with a wooden spoon
Creamy Classic Macaroni and Cheese Recipe. Image credit: Intentional Hospitality

Classic comfort food that’s always a hit, and it stays warm in the slow cooker. This slow cooker mac and cheese recipe will become a family favorite, I promise! There’s nothing like the creamy, cheesy goodness of digging into a hearty helping of homemade mac and cheese.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Classic Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

Delicious & Creamy Tortilla Crab Pinwheels Recipe

Pinwheel tortilla rolls filled with vegetables and cheese are arranged on a tray. Garnished with chopped green onions and red peppers, lemon wedges are placed at the edges.
Delicious & Creamy Tortilla Crab Pinwheels Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Tortilla pinwheels filled with a creamy crab mixture make a flavorful and easy appetizer. Prepare them ahead, slice before serving, and enjoy their fresh taste.
Get the Recipe: Delicious & Creamy Tortilla Crab Pinwheels Recipe

Quick & Easy Candied Cashews Recipe

A bowl filled with roasted and seasoned cashews, surrounded by two other bowls containing plain cashews on a textured gray surface. A black and white checkered cloth is partially visible on the right.
Quick & Easy Candied Cashews Recipe. Image Credit: Intentional Hospitality

These irresistible candied cashews with a rich, buttery flavor are made with just a few simple ingredients. With 10 minutes of prep time, you can transform plain cashews into a delectable treat that’s both salty and sweet.
Get the Recipe: Quick & Easy Candied Cashews Recipe

Smooth Southern Sweet Tea

Two glasses of iced tea with large ice cubes, one garnished with a lemon wedge and the other with a sprig of mint, are placed on a white cloth alongside lemon slices, mint leaves, and a hint of sweetness inspired by a canned cowboy candy recipe.
Smooth Southern Sweet Tea. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

This Southern sweet tea recipe is a smooth, refreshing drink that’s easy to prepare. Made with black tea, sugar, and a touch of baking soda, this iced tea recipe is perfect for summer gatherings or casual get-togethers.
Get the Recipe: Smooth Southern Sweet Tea

The Easiest Creamy Chicken Salad (With Mayo)

extra creamy chicken salad on rye bread
The Easiest Creamy Chicken Salad (With Mayo). Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

This delicious chicken salad recipe is quick and easy to make, with creamy mayonnaise dressing, crunchy celery, and tender chicken perfectly seasoned for a quick lunch or picnic spread! Ready in 15 minutes!
Get the Recipe: The Easiest Creamy Chicken Salad (With Mayo)

Quick Cucumber Tuna Salad Recipe

A bowl of tuna salad topped with cucumber slices. The salad contains chopped celery and is garnished with lettuce leaves. The dish is served in a white bowl on a red and white striped cloth.
Quick Cucumber Tuna Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

This refreshing and light cucumber tuna salad with dill is perfect for a quick lunch, potluck, or even a healthy snack. It combines crunchy cucumber, tender tuna, and the fresh flavor of dill, creating a low-carb, protein-packed meal ready in just 10 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Quick Cucumber Tuna Salad Recipe

Easy Bacon and Bourbon Baked Beans Recipe

Bourbon bacon and baked beans with a bottle of bourbon next to them
Easy Bacon and Bourbon Baked Beans Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

Here is the perfect side dish for your next potluck, BBQ, or summer party – slow-cooked sweet and savory bourbon baked beans. This yummy recipe features a medley of flavors, including sweet barbecue sauce, crispy bacon, brown sugar, and a touch of your favorite bourbon. Best part, it’s super easy to make with minimal cleanup. This baked beans recipe will add a fun twist to any gathering.
Get the Recipe: Easy Bacon and Bourbon Baked Beans Recipe

Fiesta Macaroni Salad (Mexican Recipe)

A large bowl filled with creamy macaroni salad, featuring corn, red kidney beans, chopped peppers, and herbs. A lime wedge and wooden spice bowls are in the background, with another bowl of salad slightly out of focus.
Fiesta Macaroni Salad (Mexican Recipe). Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

A flavorful spin on macaroni salad with a kick. Mexican Macaroni Salad is just the recipe to add a little fiesta to your table. This isn’t your average macaroni salad, my friend. It’s a vibrant twist on the classic, combining a creamy, tangy dressing with crisp, fresh vegetables and just the right kick of spice.
Get the Recipe: Fiesta Macaroni Salad (Mexican Recipe)

Favorite Moist Cake Brownies Recipe

cake brownies
Favorite Moist Cake Brownies Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

If you are a chocolate lover, you will want to make these moist cake brownies. Every time you make them, you will have a perfectly moist cake-like brownie loaded with dark chocolate flavor.
Get the Recipe: Favorite Moist Cake Brownies Recipe

Classic Deviled Eggs Recipe With Cream Cheese

A white plate with seven deviled eggs, each topped with a smooth yellow filling and garnished with small green parsley leaves. The plate sits on a soft yellow cloth.
Classic Deviled Eggs Recipe With Cream Cheese. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

A richer twist on the classic with added creaminess. Make the creamiest and most flavorful deviled eggs with cream cheese using this easy recipe. The rich filling combines cream cheese, mayonnaise, and mustard for a tangy and smooth result that everyone will enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Classic Deviled Eggs Recipe With Cream Cheese

Easy Corn Salsa (Chipotle-Style Recipe)

A close-up of a bowl filled with vibrant corn salad, featuring yellow corn kernels, chopped red onions, green herbs, and diced peppers. Next to the bowl, there are a few tortilla chips on a wooden surface.
Easy Corn Salsa (Chipotle-Style Recipe). Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

I want to teach you how to make this slightly spicy corn salsa Chipotle style with roasted poblano peppers, jalapeños, and sweet corn.
Get the Recipe: Easy Corn Salsa (Chipotle-Style Recipe)

Must-Try Pretzel Cheese Dip Recipe

A close-up of soft pretzels sprinkled with salt next to a white bowl filled with creamy pretzel cheese dip. The smooth dip, with visible specks of seasoning, sits invitingly on a wooden surface.
Must-Try Pretzel Cheese Dip Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Perfectly creamy and cheesy, this easy-to-make pretzel dip is a must-try for your next snack, party, or cozy movie night on the couch.
Get the Recipe: Must-Try Pretzel Cheese Dip Recipe

Creamy Pimento Cheese Sandwich Recipe

masters pimento cheese
Creamy Pimento Cheese Sandwich Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Make the Masters Pimento Cheese Recipe. This creamy, tangy pimento cheese sandwich is perfect for any golf fan or Southern food lover.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Pimento Cheese Sandwich Recipe

Boston Baked Beans Recipe

Baked beans with bacon on top
Boston Baked Beans Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

The best homemade slow cooker Boston baked beans are made with molasses, brown sugar, and plenty of chunks of bacon for an unforgettable flavor and perfect texture. Easily cooked in the Crock Pot, this easy recipe takes just 15 minutes to prepare and bubbles away all afternoon. Sweet, savory beans are easier than you thought, and come together perfectly every time.
Get the Recipe: Boston Baked Beans Recipe

Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe For A Crowd (Easy Slow Cooker)

Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe For A Crowd (Easy Slow Cooker). Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

This homemade sloppy joes recipe has a sweet and tangy sauce that is incredibly easy to prepare and simmer in your slow cooker. It’s a great main dish recipe for busy weeknights, church potlucks, or a casual party with friends.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Sloppy Joe Recipe For A Crowd (Easy Slow Cooker)

Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce

Spring rolls with translucent rice paper wrap, revealing colorful vegetables like radish and mango, are arranged on a black plate. A small bowl of peanut sauce is beside them. Fresh basil and cilantro leaves garnish the arrangement.
Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

Vegetable spring rolls with peanut sauce are a delicious and easy way to get a rainbow of veggies all wrapped up into one eye-popping meal.
Get the Recipe: Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce

Cowboy Caviar

Texas caviar with beans, cilantro, onions and seasonings
Cowboy Caviar. Photo credit: Intentional Hopitality

This quick and easy Mexican Caviar Recipe, also called Texas Caviar or Cowboy Salsa, doubles as a delicious salad or dip and is perfect for a party dip or your weeknight Mexican dinner menu. It is a snap to make, with a variety of beans, tomatoes, chilies, fresh onions, cilantro, and garlic, all tossed in a light cumin and lime dressing.
Get the Recipe: Cowboy Caviar

Fall-of-the-Bone BBQ Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Pulled pork on a plate with two forks
Fall-of-the-Bone BBQ Slow Cooker Pulled Pork. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

Do you want to make your BBQ pork fall-off-the-bone tender? I’m going to teach you how to make super tender BBQ slow cooker pulled pork in under 10 minutes of prep to cooking time.
Get the Recipe: Fall-of-the-Bone BBQ Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Sweet And Sour Meatballs on a Stick (Slow Cooker)

hawaiian meatballs
Sweet And Sour Meatballs on a Stick (Slow Cooker). Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Saucy Sweet and Sour Meatballs Recipe: Slow cooker meatballs, juicy pineapple, & colorful bell peppers simmered in sweet BBQ & teriyaki sauce
Get the Recipe: Sweet And Sour Meatballs on a Stick (Slow Cooker)

Creamy Egg Salad Recipe from Masters

egg salad masters recipe
Creamy Egg Salad Recipe from Masters. Image credit: Intentional Hospitality

Creamy, simple, and ideal for making sandwiches or sliders. The Masters Egg Salad Sandwich is a cherished tradition at the Augusta National Golf Club, known for its simplicity and delightful flavor.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Egg Salad Recipe from Masters

Fresh Fruit Salad With Honey Lemon Dressing

A bowl of fruit salad containing strawberries, apples, grapes, kiwi, and pear, garnished with pomegranate seeds. A lemon half, a bowl of honey, and a spoon are placed around the bowl on a white surface.
Fresh Fruit Salad With Honey Lemon Dressing. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

This vibrant fruit salad with a zesty honey-lemon dressing is a refreshing mix of apples, kiwis, strawberries, and more! Ready in under 15 minutes, it’s a healthy, flavorful dish perfect for brunch, dinner parties, or a simple dessert for dinner.
Get the Recipe: Fresh Fruit Salad With Honey Lemon Dressing

Classic French Onion Dip

french onion dip
Classic French Onion Dip. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

This homemade French onion dip recipe is a classic party dip that’s always a hit! It takes less than 5 minutes to whip up a bowl of this rich and creamy dip using everyday pantry staples and fresh sour cream.
Get the Recipe: Classic French Onion Dip

Candied Pecans Recipe

A bowl filled with glazed or candied pecans rests on a white surface. Some pecans are scattered nearby, showcasing their glossy coating and appeal as a sweet snack or dessert topping.
Candied Pecans Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

Discover how to make candied pecans in 15 minutes. Simple ingredients transform pecans into caramel-coated treats for your party snacks, desserts or salads.
Get the Recipe: Candied Pecans Recipe

Easy Summer Farro Salad Recipe

Some are farro with fresh peas and herbs
Easy Summer Farro Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

Summer Farro Salad is an easy salad made with hearty farro, olive oil, lemon juice, zucchini, peas, pesto, and freshly chopped parsley.
Get the Recipe: Easy Summer Farro Salad Recipe

Gouda Mac n Cheese

A slice of creamy white lasagna is served on a white plate, garnished with chopped parsley on top. The layers of pasta and cheese are visible, with a rich, melted cheese topping.
Gouda Mac n Cheese. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

Nothing says comfort food better than homemade mac n cheese however, if you are looking to jazz it up a bit for a special dinner you need to serve this wildly scrumptious Gouda Mac n Cheese recipe.
Get the Recipe: Gouda Mac n Cheese

Masters Tomato Pie

Two empanadas on a napkin, placed on a checkered tablecloth with Masters logos. A plastic cup labeled "Masters 2025" filled with an iced beverage is in the background.
Masters Tomato Pie. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

This Masters Tomato Pie Copycat Recipe brings the iconic Augusta flavor home in a fun and easy way. Inspired by the new tomato pie served at the 2025 Masters Tournament, these mini hand pies are filled with creamy pimento cheese and rich tomato basil marinara, then baked in buttery puff pastery dough until golden and crisp.
Get the Recipe: Masters Tomato Pie

Super Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies scattered on a white surface with a few chocolate chips in between. The cookies are golden brown with visible chocolate pieces.
Super Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

These vegan oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are proof that you can enjoy all the chewy, chocolatey goodness of a classic cookie—without any dairy or eggs. They’re packed with hearty oats, rich vegan chocolate chips, and just the right amount of sweetness to satisfy any craving.
Get the Recipe: Super Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Easy Roasted Cashews (Sweet & Spicy Recipe)

A brown ceramic bowl filled with roasted cashews is garnished with sprigs of fresh rosemary, placed on a white surface.
Easy Roasted Cashews (Sweet & Spicy Recipe). Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality

Sweet & Spicy Roasted Cashews are a delightful appetizer, snack or gift to give that is quick and easy to make.
Get the Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Roasted Cashews

Southern Tomato Pie

A baked tomato tart in a white dish on a wooden surface. The tart is topped with sliced red and yellow tomatoes, chopped herbs, and small cheese pieces. A bunch of fresh basil and a white cloth are in the background.
Southern Tomato Pie. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest

Southern Tomato Pie is simply layers of fresh garden tomatoes, shallots, basil and a delicious cheese mixture in a pie crust and baked until golden and bubbly. This savory side dish or appetizer is one of the best ways to use up some of your fresh garden tomatoes.
Get the Recipe: Southern Tomato Pie

Ranch Potato Salad with Bacon Loaded Recipe

A glass bowl filled with creamy potato salad, garnished with crispy bacon pieces and chopped green onions. The salad features chunks of potatoes mixed in a white dressing, with visible black pepper for seasoning.
Ranch Potato Salad with Bacon Loaded Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage

This Ranch potato salad with bacon, cheese and a sour cream ranch dressing is just what you need for a potluck or cook out. All the flavors of a loaded baked potato plus a flavorful dressing to coat tender new potatoes.
Get the Recipe: Ranch Potato Salad with Bacon Loaded Recipe

The 25 Easiest Fruit Desserts That Feel Fancy (But Aren’t!)

A plate with a slice of pink strawberry dessert topped with whipped cream, a strawberry slice, and a mint leaf sits in the foreground. In the background, a glass dish filled with more of the same dessert shows additional strawberries and whipped cream on top. Fresh strawberries and a pink striped cloth are also visible.
The 25 Easiest Fruit Desserts That Feel Fancy (But Aren’t!). Image credit: Intentional Hospitality

Fruit desserts are the perfect way to enjoy something sweet while keeping things light and refreshing. With their natural sweetness, bright flavors, and vibrant colors, they make any occasion feel special—without requiring complicated techniques. From no-bake banana split cake to creamy sorbets and luscious berry pies, these easy desserts prove that simple can still be stunning. You’ll find everything from citrusy lemon poke cake to rich cherry delight and tropical pineapple bread, all bursting with fresh, fruity goodness. If you love desserts that feel fancy but are actually a breeze to make, you won’t want to miss a single one! Get All The Recipes: The 25 Easiest Fruit Desserts That Feel Fancy (But Aren’t!)