The Feathered Nester

Sourdough + Family Recipes

a collage of PICNIC AND OUTDOOR entertaining ideas.
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Picnic and Outdoor Entertaining Recipes

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The weather is warming up and we have collected the best picnic food ideas and outdoor entertaining recipes. Our collection is full of handheld foods like hamburgers and pinwheels. We also have dips, sides and sweets that make for easy outdoor eating. Try something tasty today or save this for later in the summer, you won’t regret it!

a collage of PICNIC AND OUTDOOR entertaining ideas.

Grab and Go Options

Hand held options make the perfect picnic or outdoor entertaining foods! Grab a hamburger or a pinwheel and keep the conversation going without skipping a beat.

Quick and Easy Hamburger Buns
Make the best homemade hamburger with this quick burger bun recipe – soft, fluffy buns are ready in 30 minutes + you can freeze them for later.
Quick and Easy Hamburger Buns
Homemade burger buns on a baking sheet.
Turkey Burgers on the Grill
Everyone raves about these juicy turkey burgers! Our secret ingredient elevates plain ground turkey into an unforgettable grilled treat.
Grilled Turkey Burgers
grilled turkey burgers with buns and potato fried at the side.
Ham Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels
Make easy and delicious ham cheese puff pastry pinwheels with flaky pastry, melty cheese, and savory ham. Perfect for parties or holiday gatherings!
Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels
Ham and cheese pinwheels on a serving platter.

Dips and Snacks

Spinach dip is such a classic entertaining dip- it literally goes with everything! We also have fun and easy hand held snacks that are sure to disappear fast.

Knorr Spinach Dip Recipe
This Knorr spinach dip recipe is creamy, savory, and perfect for parties! Try this easy Knorr veggie dip spinach with your favorite dippers.
Knorr Spinach Dip
Knorr spinach dip on a serving rectangular bowl. Served on top of a round wooden board with crackers and vegetables.
Jalapeno Salsa
This easy jalapeno salsa is bold, fresh, and full of heat! Try this quick jalapenos salsa recipe made with fresh salsa with jalapeno peppers.
Jalapeno Salsa
Small white dish of jalapeno salsa.
Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers
Stuffed jalapeno poppers are a game day snack worth craving! Our stuffed jalapeno recipe uses cream cheese and cheddar to mellow the heat.
Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers
Jalapeno peppers stuffed with cream cheese and cheddar cheese.
Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers
Cream cheese stuffed mini peppers are a simple yet flavorful appetizer, filled with a creamy cheese mixture and baked until perfectly tender.
Cream Cheese Stuffed Mini Peppers
White plate topped with mini stuffed peppers on a white background.
Spicy Deviled Eggs
Craving a flavor explosion? Spicy Deviled Eggs are the answer. Creamy, spicy, and ready in minutes, they're the perfect party starter.
Spicy Deviled Eggs
Spicy deviled eggs with garnish.

Salads and Sides

What is a good BBQ, picnic or outdoor event without a refreshing and tasty salad? We have options from pasta salads to cucumber salads- something to fit everyone’s taste.

Tortellini Pasta Salad with Pesto
Make tortellini pasta salad with pesto in just 20 minutes! This light and refreshing Italian dish is perfect for summer meals, picnics, and potlucks.
Tortellini Pasta Salad with Pesto
Bowl of cold pesto tortellini salad with a fork placed on top.
Broccoli Raisin Salad
This broccoli raisin salad is crunchy, creamy, and packed with flavor! Make this easy broccoli salad with bacon and raisins for any occasion.
Broccoli Raisin Salad
Broccoli salad in a white plate.
Cucumber Slaw
This refreshing cucumber slaw is light, creamy, and perfect for tacos or BBQ! Try this easy shredded cucumber salad recipe today.
Cucumber Slaw
Overhead: taco slaw in a large white bowl.

Sweets

The two options we chose for this collection are easy to transport, serve and sit well outside.

Red White Blue Cheesecake Salad
This creamy red white blue cheesecake salad is the ultimate no-bake red white and blue cheesecake salad for summer parties and holidays
Red White Blue Cheesecake Salad
4th of July salad in a trifle bowl.
Sourdough Banana Bread
Sweet, moist, and tender sourdough discard banana bread has a kick of tangy flavor. Use our recipe for the best sourdough quick bread ever!
Sourdough Banana Bread
a loaf of sliced banana bread on a wooden cutting board.
Q: What are the best foods to bring to a picnic?

The best picnic foods are easy to transport, taste great at room temperature, and don’t require a lot of last-minute prep. Think finger foods, cold salads, dips, and handheld bites — exactly what you’ll find in this roundup.

How far ahead can I make picnic food?

Most of these recipes can be made the day before, which makes picnic day so much easier. Pasta salads, dips, deviled eggs, and pinwheels all store well in the fridge overnight. Just keep everything covered and cold until you’re ready to head out.

What should I bring to a backyard BBQ party or cookout?

Any of the appetizers in this roundup are perfect for a backyard party — the jalapeño poppers, cream cheese stuffed peppers, and spinach dip are always the first things to disappear. The hamburger buns and grilled turkey burgers make a great main dish pairing too.

Can I make these recipes if I’m feeding a large group?

Yes! Most of these recipes scale up easily. The pasta salad, broccoli raisin salad, and cucumber slaw are especially great for feeding a crowd since they can be made in big batches ahead of time.

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