Perfect picnic recipes from Gousto

Make the most of the sunshine with these picnic recipes to share with friends

With the relaxation of lockdown restrictions, the arrival of British Summer time feels like a breath of fresh air. It might be a while yet before we can enjoy outdoor dining at the UK’s restaurants, but you can still enjoy picnicking in the sunshine with a group of (five!) friends.

Recipe box Gousto has pulled together the ultimate collection of summer picnic recipes that are ideal to throw together, pack in some tupperware and enjoy with friends on your closest green space. With top tips from Gousto’s Senior Recipe Developer Jordan Moore, everyone can create a picnic worthy of this glorious weather.

Super Salads

Don’t settle for soggy sandwiches in a heatwave. Whip up a fresh salad full of flavour and texture. Chunky croutons, flavour-filled fresh vegetables and zingy dressing makes for a levelled up picnic salad, all topped with protein, like chicken, fish, tofu or hard boiled eggs. Try Gousto’s easy Pesto Chicken Caprese Salad With Croutons or Mozzarella, Avocado and Sesame Salad for a vegetarian option.

Jordan’s top tip; “Store your dressing separately, in a smaller tupperware pot, to stop your salad going soggy before you chow down.”

Plant-based, Veg-packed Rice Salad

Rice salads are a perfect, low effort way to enjoy lunch al fresco. Cook up rice of your choice (use microwave rice to make this even speedier) and combine with fresh herbs, crunchy cashew nuts, fresh vegetables and a flavour packed dressing. Try this Chilli Lime Sweet Potato Rice Salad from Gousto. It’s simply superb!

Jordan’s top tip; “Don’t be shy when seasoning the dressing as cold dishes need an extra flavour boost.”

Use-it-up Leftover Pasta

The next time you cook pasta, chuck in the rest of the bag, because cold pasta is (probably) the most versatile picnic lunch option out there. Use whole wheat pasta to keep you full all day in the sun.

Jordan’s favourite easy pasta sauce;

“One of my favourite easy pasta sauces is Spinach Basil Pesto because it’s fresh and so easy to whip up.

Just blend up;

• 50g fresh spinach leaves

• 30g fresh basil leaves

• 70g toasted pine nuts

• 40g grated hard Italian cheese

• 4 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped

• 3/4 teaspoon coarse salt

• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

And add in some extra olive all while blending, until a smooth sauce forms. You can even freeze your pesto sauce in ice cube trays, perfect for speedy packed lunches.”

The Ultimate Guacamole 

Perfect with crackers, pitta or wholemeal toast this guac is everything you’ll avo want in a snack. Just mash together two ripe avocados, chopped red onion and tomato, fresh coriander and chopped chilli. Season with salt, pepper, olive oil and plenty of fresh lime.

Jordan’s top tip; “The fresh lime in this guacamole helps to stop the avocado browning en route to your picnic destination, so don’t miss it out! Lemon is a good alternative.”

Crunchy Little Gem Coleslaw

Swap wintry cabbage for the cool, sweet, crunchy tang of this picnic-perfect slaw. If you have any leftover tender herbs in the fridge, they’d be great in this too. Simply chop up a carrot, some little gem lettuce and a handful of fresh soft herbs such as coriander, parsley or chives. Mix it all up with mayonnaise, fresh lime juice, zest and a glug of olive oil and enjoy with your favourite picnic snacks.

Coriander & Mint Mojito

For a new mojito moment, give your minty drink a citrus hum with coriander. It’s so good, even the haters will love it. Muddle mint and coriander then combine with agave syrup, a shot of rum and fresh lime then top with soda water.

Jordan’s top tip; “If you’re heading to the park, store your cocktail in an insulated water bottle to keep it ice cold for hours!”

Gousto offers over 50 recipes a week, delivering precise ingredients and easy-to-follow recipe cards directly to doors across the UK. Prices start from £2.98 per meal including free delivery 7 days a week. For more information, visit gousto.co.uk.