There’s nothing better than a vegan picnic on a warm, sunny afternoon. Here’s how to picnic in harmony with the environment and with your appetite.

Vegan picnics are colorful, full of flavor and textures, and can highlight your culinary skills to your friends and family. With something for everyone, our 21 vegan picnic recipe ideas are bursting with goodness.

As more and more of us are trying to lower our environmental impact, we can also look to ways to minimize pressure on our planet. It also works out cheaper in the long run.

Make It Zero Waste

It can be easy to rustle up a zero-waste picnic. Try a few of these tips:

Take your own cups and glasses wrapped in a tea towel (or keep a hamper filled with everything you need).
Take your own plates and dishes. Paper plates create a lot of waste, and you often have to worry about them blowing away.
Bring your own cutlery, too — no need for single-use plastic.
Flasks and stainless steel bottles are good for transporting drinks and keeping things cool or hot.
Ditch the straws. If this is not viable, you can opt for bamboo straws, a good alternative to plastic.
Cloth napkins are reusable and bring a touch of sophistication to your picnic.
Bring your own bags for removing waste — mind you, with these delicious recipe ideas, there may not be much left.

7 Vegan Picnic Drinks

Make sure to stay hydrated in high temperatures.
(Foto: CC0 / Pixabay / PhotoMIX-Company)

You definitely don’t want to get dehydrated on a hot day so make sure you pack enough drinks for everyone. From green juice to a cheeky elderflower gin, here are some ideas to cool you down and enjoy your hazy day.

Watermelon punch: You can make this refreshing beverage with or without alcohol.
Celery juice: For a health-conscious picnic, green juice is a great choice.
Rose water drink: This drink has great summery flavors, perfect for the outdoors.
Homemade electrolyte drink: If you’ve got some sports planned for your picnic day, rehydrate with this Gatorade swap.
Homeade ginger beer: This is a great alternative for anyone not drinking alcohol.
Elderflower gin cocktail: Elderflower adds a sweet undertone to cocktails.
Limoncello spritz: This even boozier twist on the classic Italian liqueur is perfect for a picnic brunch.

Homemade Pedialyte: A Low-Sugar Recipe

Homemade Pedialyte is a quick and effective solution to dehydration. But, store-bought Pedialyte is often packed with sugar. So, here’s…

Hummus is one of the most versatile vegan picnic ideas — top it with fried mushrooms, crispy chickpeas, or a spoonful of sriracaha.
(Foto: CC0 / Pixabay / Ajale)

Whether you’re having a picnic potluck or prepping the whole thing yourself, these picnic ideas are a great way to kick things off.

Vegan deviled eggs: Try a vegan twist on the party staple
Veggie sausages: Got a grill? These sausages are a crowd-pleaser.
Vegan corn dog recipes: Make your vegan hot dogs fancy by turning them into corn dogs.
Looking for a creative slant on your picnic sausages? Make them into corn dogs with our .
Wild garlic pizza: Who doesn’t like cold pizza? Pizza is great served cold. Pre-slice it, so you have individual portions ready.
Vegan pâté: Mushrooms give this an umami flavor.
Homemade hummus: Top your hummus with your favorite add-ons: crispy chickpeas, fried mushrooms, sriracha, or olive oil and seeds.
Falafel: Make extra-small falafel balls as an easy starter.
Vegan piccalilli: Piccalilli adds a crunchy, sour element to your picnic.

6 Vegan Picnic Salads and Sandwiches

Dress up your vegan picnic salads.
(Foto: CC0 / Pixabay / Lebemaja)

Easy-to-make and fresh, a good salad is a must for any picnic. Salads don’t have to be bland — there are plenty of alternatives to lettuce and tomatoes. Get playful with your fruits and veggies.

Vegan chickpea salad: Chickpeas make a filling main.
Mediterranean cucumber salad: A simple and refreshing salad with minimal ingredients.
Avocado mango salad: Make use of seasonal ingredients for summer picnics.
Vegan caesar salad: Creamy and cold, this salad is a fan favorite.
Avocado sandwich substitutes: If you are already using avocado elsewhere, try swaps like butternut squash for a hearty main.
Fruit salad: Use any fruit you have on hand and top with a squeeze of lemon.

6 Baked Goods and Desserts

A slice of pie or a peanut butter cup make a great vegan picnic dessert.
(Foto: CC0 / Pixabay / Einladung_zum_Essen)

After all that, you may not have room for dessert, but if you crave a sweet treat, here are some game-changing finales.

Coconut oatmeal cookies: Oatmeal is a nice, filling base for a cookie.
Peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies: Make sure there are no peanut allergies in your group — you can also swap in sunflower seed butter.
Vegan apple pie: Apple pie isn’t just for the holidays. Add some vegan whipped cream on the side.
Vegan peanut butter cups: Try making this store-bought treat from scratch.
Vegan tiramisu: Bring your tiramisu in individual jars for easy eating.
Vegan pumpkin cheesecake: For a fall picnic, a pumpkin dessert is a must.

Enjoy your picnic!

Read more:

** Links to retailers marked with ** or underlined orange are partially partner links: If you buy here, you actively support Utopia.org, because we will receive a small part of the sales proceeds. More info.

Do you like this post?

Thank you very much for voting!

Tags: Food Guide Recipes Vegan