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The best food to bring on a South African picnic is entirely subjective. It depends on what your group prefers, where your tastes lie, and even where you’re picnicking. If you’re preparing for a picnic adventure and trying to plan your food and drink, we’re offering several ideas to get your wheels turning and help you pack your picnic basket with goodies everyone will love.
Essential Foods To Bring to Your South African Picnic
To determine the essential foods to bring to your South African picnic, consider what you love to eat in everyday life, then find a way to make it picnic-friendly.
Below are some of our favourite recipe ideas that will excite your group.
Variety Sub Platter
Sandwiches are a go-to picnic food because they don’t require utensils, can be eaten by hand, and aren’t very messy. They can also be pre-portioned, making it easy to serve all picnicgoers.
Offering a few different sandwich options will appeal to all different tastes, allowing everyone to pick their favourite to munch on.
Some sub sandwich ideas we love include:
- Caprese – fresh mozzarella, pesto, tomatoes, arugula, and balsamic drizzle
- Italian – salami, pepperoni, ham, provolone, lettuce, and Italian dressing
- Chicken cutlet – fresh fried chicken cutlets, bacon, cheese, and honey mustard
- Ham and brie – thick sliced ham and brie with fig jam
Pinwheel Wraps
Pinwheel wraps are another type of sandwich variation that works well for groups, especially when minimising cutlery and plates. Pinwheels are made of tortillas or flatbread layered with meat, cheese, vegetables, and sauces, then rolled up and sliced into rounds to make swirly pinwheels.
They’re a bit lighter than sandwiches, and their small size makes it easy to grab one or two at a time and snack throughout your picnic.
Meat Pies
Meat pies are a classic South African dish perfect for picnic days. Follow this simple recipe for mini, smiley-faced pies perfect for kids, or use your favourite one:
Cut small circles in thawed puff pastry and place each circle into a muffin mould. Then, fry some mince in oil and add vegetables and spices. Spoon some mince mixture into each muffin spot on top of the dough. Add cheese if desired.
Then, top each with a frozen smiley potato and gently press into the filling. Bake in the oven until golden brown and cooked through.
Easy Veg Salad
Salads are refreshing, adding a much-needed crisp to any picnic spread. You can get creative here, featuring whatever raw vegetables you prefer, plus lettuces and dressing.
Some popular versions include a Greek salad with cucumber, tomato, onion, feta, and a yoghurt dill dressing; a pasta salad with crunchy carrots, tomato, broccoli, and a dressing of mayonnaise and vinegar; or a garden salad with leafy greens, whatever veggies you have on hand, and a vinaigrette.
Try scooping some of the salad into several plastic sandwich bags for easy portioning and minimised mess. When ready to serve, pair each salad bag with a plastic fork and use the bags as individual “salad bowls.”
Chicken Drumsticks
Consider adding chicken drumsticks to your picnic basket if you’re craving something warm and hearty. Some picnic spots (including backyard glamping) have grills available. If that’s the case, pack your seasoned drumsticks, a large pair of tongs, and a serving platter and sauce. You’ll enjoy fresh drumsticks made to order.
If you need to prepare the drumsticks beforehand, do so just before heading out for the picnic. Grill them up your preferred way, then add them to an aluminium foil buffet serving tray to hold the warmth in. Your guests will love the crispy outside and warm, juicy meat inside.
Fruit Platter
Fresh fruit on a warm picnic day is divine. Wash and pre-cut fruit and arrange it on a platter so it’s easy to pick at throughout the day. Kids love strawberries and apples, while adults may enjoy mango, pears, or figs. It’s up to you.
Meat and Cheese
Meat and cheese charcuterie boards go hand in hand with picnics. They’re a snacky option when you don’t want something as filling as a complete meal. Pair 2-3 meats like salami, ham, or prosciutto with 3-4 cheeses (something hard, soft, and funky) and a few extras, such as nuts, olives, or dried fruit. Don’t forget the cheese knives and serving spoons for any spreads.
Skewers
Skewers are another picnic food you can prep in advance for easy serving. Make your charcuterie more portable by stacking meats and cheese on a stick, or keep it vegetarian with a Caprese skewer.
If you’re picnicking with grills nearby, you can skewer raw vegetables and meat and cook them right there.
Must-Have Picnic Essentials
Food is just one critical part of a great picnic. Remember to pack these other essentials to ensure you have the best experience possible.
Cooling Solution
If you’re bringing cold food while camping or picnicking, you need a way to keep it fresh and prevent spoiling. A standard cooler may do for a few hours, but if you don’t want to cut your picnic short because your food hasn’t had power for too long, consider a more sustainable option like the EcoFlow Glacier Portable Refrigerator.
It keeps food cold for up to 40 hours, features a freezer compartment, and can make ice for picnic drinks.
Planning a picnic while camping in the spring? Keep the EcoFlow Glacier Portable Refrigerator charged with an EcoFlow Portable Power Station, like the EcoFlow RIVER 2, to maximise its use.
Utensils and Serveware
You’ll need items to serve your food and eat it. Bring any necessary bowls, platters, serving spoons, spatulas, or tongs to get your food ready to be eaten. Don’t forget the cutlery and plates.
If using reusable plates while camping, bring dish soap and a few gallons of clean water to wash them. Disposables may be a better option for a larger group or one-time use, but don’t forget trash bags to hold them once you’re done.
Sun Protection
Long picnics in South Africa’s high UV index can cause sneaky sun damage if you’re not careful. Pack a large umbrella, sun hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen so you can stay in the shade and protected.
Picnic Blanket
A picnic blanket is the foundation of any good picnic! Ensure it’s large enough for everyone to sit on and thick enough to prevent any grass, sticks, or rocks from poking through. For extra comfort, bring cushions or pillows to layer on top.
Entertainment and Power
If you want to listen to music, hang lights, or keep your devices powered while you picnic, bring a power source such as EcoFlow Solar Generators. You can use the EcoFlow RIVER 2 + 110W Solar Panel to keep your portable refrigerator running, power a small fan, charge your Bluetooth speaker, or prevent a dead phone battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
The number one picnic food is a sandwich, as they’re portable and easy to pack and store. They’re also easy to customise as needed and don’t require any cutlery or plates to eat. Get creative with sandwich types to mix up your picnic.
Nonperishable food, such as dried meats, fruits, and granola bars, won’t spoil on a picnic. You can also prevent fresh food from spoiling by storing it in a portable refrigerator or ice-packed cooler and checking to ensure it stays cold.
Final Thoughts
Food is central to any good picnic, so be thoughtful in your preparation so you always have something delicious to munch on while you lounge on the picnic blanket. Sandwiches, pinwheels, and skewers are excellent picnic food options that are easily portable and don’t require utensils.
To keep your fresh food cold and prevent spoiling, remember to pack it securely in your EcoFlow Glacier Portable Refrigerator for all-day freshness.