10 Easy, Make-Ahead Dishes for Outdoor Eating
There’s something about summer that calls for food you can enjoy outdoors — simple, flavorful dishes that travel well and taste just as good on a picnic table as they do at home. For me, seafood is always the answer. It’s light, satisfying, and incredibly versatile.
This collection brings together some of my go-to picnic recipes featuring salmon, tuna, and shrimp in all kinds of easy, make-ahead formats. From crisp salads and savory hand pies to bright ceviche and sushi-inspired snacks, these dishes are designed to be prepped in advance and shared with friends.
Whether you're heading to the beach, the park, or just your own backyard, these recipes will make it easy to pack a cooler full of something delicious.
1. Tuscan Tuna and Bean Salad
This rustic Italian favorite is hearty, herbaceous, and built for a picnic. Think creamy cannellini beans, flaky tuna (I love our Albacore!), shallots, and hot chiles all tossed in a lemony vinaigrette. It only gets better as it sits, so make it ahead and let the flavors mingle. Just don’t forget a crusty baguette to scoop it all up.
2. Vietnamese Summer Rolls
Refreshing, portable, and pretty as a picture. I layer cooked shrimp, vermicelli noodles, herbs, and crisp veggies in rice paper wrappers, then roll them up tight. Tuck them into a container with a nuoc cham dipping sauce on the side. Bonus: they're gluten-free and a total crowd-pleaser.
3. Tuna Ceviche
A bright, zingy burst of flavor, tuna ceviche is one of those things that feels fancy but is deceptively simple. Dice up fresh, sushi-grade tuna, marinate it in lime juice with chopped chiles, onion, avocado, tomato, and cilantro, and pack it up with tortilla chips or endive leaves for scooping. It’s sunshine in a bowl.
4. Wine-Poached Salmon Salad
Poaching salmon in white wine with herbs and aromatics makes it luxuriously tender and subtle. I flake it into a salad with bitter greens, butterbeans, and a horseradish-y vinaigrette. Elegant and make-ahead friendly.
5. Sushi Rolls (or Easy Folded Sushi Sandwiches)
If you love sushi but don’t love the rolling part, try my shortcut: folded sushi sandwiches (aka onigirazu). Layer your fillings — salmon, cucumber, avocado, spicy mayo — on a nori sheet with rice, then fold it into a neat little package. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, slice, and voilà: sushi without the stress.
But if you’re feeling ambitious (or have little hands helping), classic sushi rolls are always a win. Just keep it simple and keep ‘em chilled.
6. Seared Tuna with Orange-Fennel Salad
This one is picnic-luxe. Quickly sear tuna and pair it with a crisp salad of shaved fennel, orange segments, and herbs. Pack the salad and tuna separately, then plate them together picnic-side. A drizzle of olive oil, lemon juice, and a sprinkle of sea salt pulls it all together.
7. Grab-and-Go Mini Salmon Frittatas
These cute, protein-packed bites are essentially salmon quiches without the crust. Baked in muffin tins with herbs, cheese, and flaked salmon, they’re sturdy enough to travel and tasty hot or cold. Think brunch meets beach snack. Sandwich them in soft brioche rolls for something even more portable.
8. Game Day Salmon Puffs
These flaky, golden puffs filled with a creamy salmon mixture were originally made for tailgating on game day, but they’re perfect picnic fare all year round. Made small enough to hold in your hands, there’s no fork required. They’re addicting, so bring extra.
9. Greek Orzo with Salmon, Feta, and Spinach
A chilled pasta salad with Mediterranean flair. I toss cooked orzo with flakes of cooked salmon, cooked spinach, crumbled feta, olives, and a lemon-dill dressing. It's bright, filling, and holds up like a champ in the cooler.
10. Crispy Salmon Skin BLTs
If you’re the kind of person who sneaks the crispy salmon skin off your partner’s plate (guilty), this one’s for you. Swap bacon for crisped-up salmon skin, glazed with peppery-brown sugar, and sandwich it between soft bread with lettuce, tomato, and a swipe of garlic aioli. A pescatarian twist on a classic that feels picnic-perfect.
Tips for a Dreamy Seafood Picnic
- Keep it cool: Invest in a good cooler and plenty of ice packs.
- Don’t overdress: For salads, dress lightly ahead of time and pack extra vinaigrette separately to refresh at the picnic.
- Think handheld: The less you need cutlery, the better.
- Bring a bottle: A chilled white, rosé, or sparkling wine pairs beautifully with this spread.
So pack a blanket, call some friends, and let the sea inspire your summer spread — even if you're miles from the coast.
Happy picnicking!
— Grace
