11 Make-Ahead Recipes That Are Perfect For Your Picnic

Save some time by working ahead so the mad rush doesn't sneak up on you. Instead of living through the shame of showing up empty-handed, try one of these make-ahead recipes that will help you manage your time and your expectations.  

Dips make for perfect picnic fare. This Mediterranean-inspired version features hummus, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and pecans. Just serve with pita chips and enjoy!

Making salads ahead of time can be tricky. Lettuce wilts and nobody likes soggy ingredients, but salads with hearty grains and vegetable bases instead of greens mean you can mix them up the day before without worrying about droopy greens.

This quinoa salad has all the fluffy texture and nutty flavor that we've come to love about this superfood seed. Plus, if this salad is made ahead, the flavors have time to meld together into a delightful picnic side dish.

What is the best way to get your picnic guests to eat their vegetables? Just add bacon. The fatty bacon adds rich flavor to the bitter sprouts, and you can serve this dish hot or cold with equal success.

What is a picnic without coleslaw? Try this Asian twist on an American favorite, which includes crunchy snow peas and the refreshing flavor of grated ginger. Just combine the ingredients and watch the flavors come alive.

Cold soups make excellent additions to summertime picnic menus. This soup combines silky butternut squash with tropical-flavored coconut for a distinctly summertime soup experience.

Ripe stone fruit in flakey pie crust is the ultimate summertime dessert. Pick up fragrant peaches at your local market and bake the night before to remove the hassle of day of preparation. 

Sauces tend to improve with age, so make this bright, sweet sauce ahead of your picnic to serve alongside grilled chicken or to liven up vegetables.

This spicy, bacon-y mac and cheese adds decadent goodness to any picnic basket. Make the night before to really let the flavors fuse.

This potato salad is at its best when made a day ahead, giving the potatoes plenty of time to absorb all the flavor of the Dijon and red wine vinegar. 

End your feast with a crowd pleasing dessert bar.  These lemon bars add a refreshing burst of citrus to cleanse the palate.