7 Picnic Cookbooks That’ll Help You Achieve the Ultimate Park Spread

A Perfect Day for a Picnic, by Tori Finch
The gorgeous photographs in this cookbook transport the reader to a grassy knoll beneath a shady tree on a sunny day. As for the recipes, well, those are equally transporting. With picnics organized by theme (Bohemian, Luxe, Teddy Bears, etc.), the cookbook includes over 80 recipes based off seasonal produce. So before lounging in the park on a picnic blanket, stop by your local farmer’s market for prime pickings.

The Picnic, by Marnie Hanel, Andrea Slonecker, Jen Stevenson
This book’s illustrated cover and soft-toned hues recalls Seurat’s famous painting A Sunday on La Grande Jatte. With its imagery of a glorious afternoon spent idling in the great outdoors, Seurat’s masterpiece captures the picnic’s breezy allure. The pages within this book share that essence—it’s not just a book of recipes, but offers detailed advice on glasses and blankets to execute a truly picturesque picnic.

The Picnic Cookbook, by Laura Mason
For the more seasoned cook, look no further than The Picnic Cookbook: Outdoor Feasts for All Occasions. With recipes that allow for cooking onsite (like barbecued eggplant) or accommodate picnics at the seaside (campfire-cooked mussels!), this cookbook is great for those who want to up their picnic ante. It also includes details on the history of each recipe, providing context for your meal.

Picnic, by DeeDee Stovel
This cookbook includes 125 recipes to choose from, organized into 29 menus created with each of the four seasons in mind. Even the pickiest of eaters will find something to pique their palate! Full menus include Champagne Tea Picnic, Moonlight on a Mountaintop Picnic, Cross-Country Ski Picnic, and a whole bunch more.

A Moveable Feast, by Katy Holder
Taking its name from Hemingway’s memoir A Moveable Feast, this cookbook literally offers a feast on the move. Written by food stylist Katy Holder, it features idyllic bite-sized delights like Pumpkin and Cheddar Muffins, Summer Vegetable Tartlets, Prawn Cakes, and many more. Main course to dessert ideas included!

The Ultimate Guide to Picnic Foods, by Martha Stephenson
Life might not always be a picnic, but the simple and delicious recipes in The Ultimate Guide to Picnic Foods make life a little bit easier. The book includes easy-to-transport recipes for classics like egg salad or spiced nuts, as well as some less obvious choices like Macadamia Nut Pesto or Chia Seed Pudding.

The Outdoor Table, by April McKinney
As the old saying goes, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” When it comes to cooking outside, don’t put all your outdoor cooking skills just in the picnic basket! With all the knowledge included here about meals to enjoy in nature, use this book to bring those skills to BBQs, porches, and even tailgates. Each recipe comes with cute little symbols that mark where the recipe can best be presented.