Warmer weather means long days at the park, sunset boating on the lake, lazy Sundays relaxing poolside, and beautiful hilltop hikes with family and friends. And of course, delicious food. No matter how you and your loved ones care to celebrate the sunshine, eating outdoors comes with the summertime territory.

So before you stop at your local convenience store for chips and mini donuts, consider making your day outside all the more memorable by packing a homemade picnic for your party. It’s easier than you think to prepare delicious, summertime dishes for all of your friends and family, no matter the size.

So grab a big blanket, a cute wicker basket, and a crowd of your favorite people. Because things are about to get tasty.

While there are many delicious picnic food options, it’s great to find dishes that can be scaled up for a more sizable gathering. We’ve all seen it happen. Maybe mom invites a grandparent or two to a small backyard picnic. Then Grandma invites some aunts and uncles. Uncle Dave brings along his kids. Add on a school friend or two post soccer practice, and before you know it, you’re hosting a full-scale backyard blowout! It’s best to be prepared.

Apart from the obvious hot dogs and hamburgers, people love to snack on things like chips and dip, deviled eggs, and potato salad when entertaining outdoors. Grabbing a quick pizza to go or sub sandwich on the run are popular options, too. But there really is something to be said for taking the time to pack your own homemade food and enjoying the efforts that went into making a special meal, no matter how casual the ambiance.

There’s a reason behind the charm of vintage picnic baskets and gingham blankets. Picnics are popular because they are a pleasure, a special time to slow down, enjoy the people we love, and share some delicious food, made all the better by being outside.

If you think about traditional picnic foods, things like fried chicken will undoubtedly come to mind. And for good reason. The Colonel was onto something when he put those deliciously greasy, crispy pieces into a bucket and called it a day. Finger-lickin’ good is right. But fried chicken can be a challenge to make for a large group, and hard to transport successfully. When you have to consider things like food staying warm, or not getting soggy, it can be a real killjoy to the picnic fun.

Things that can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature work best for outdoor soirees. Salads, dips, baked goods, and sandwiches are all great options. So while we’ve maintained a lot of traditional picnic dishes on our list, there are some fun recipes to surprise your guests with as well. Furthermore, everything here is deliciously low-maintenance and easy to transport, hence the best picnic food ideas for large groups.

There are no hard and fast rules to enjoying the sunshine, good company, and tasty cuisine outdoors on a beautiful day. But for those who like to be prepared, here are a few items that help to make a good time even more enjoyable:

A picnic just wouldn’t be complete without some version of a cold pasta salad, and this one is certainly a crowd-pleaser. Bright, zesty, and fresh, this recipe combines all of the classic macaroni salad flavors we love, making it a perfect addition to your picnic spread.

Don’t fret if your picnic site doesn’t have a grill. These can be made ahead of time and enjoyed cold. Deliciously tender, loaded with flavor, and a breeze to eat on the go, these chicken skewers are a perfect picnic choice. Just watch out for those discarded skewers when sitting down on your blanket! Ouch!

(From House of Nash Eats)

This salad just tastes like a picnic. There’s something about the combination of the watermelon and cucumber that makes you want to throw on some sunscreen and toss a frisbee around. Balanced beautifully with creamy feta and peppery basil, this salad will be one of the first things to disappear from your spread.

Briny, zippy, earthy tapenade is one of those mouth-watering spreads quite unlike anything else. Use it as a dip for crackers or bread. Smear it on a sandwich. Jazz up your crudite platter with something a little different. It’s even amazing on pizza! Use your imagination. Just make sure you have a batch on hand at your next outdoor get-together.

So much more than just your average ham n’ cheese sandwich, these little cuties are packed with flavor, easy to make, and picnic perfect. Make them ahead of time, and serve either warm or cold for your party in the park.

A summertime favorite, classic bruschetta pleases just about every palette. Fresh and bright, this tomato topping is the perfect thing to make for a crowd, pack up to go, and enjoy on a picnic blanket with a glass of wine.

(From Sally’s Baking Addiction)

What would a picnic be without dessert? These sunshiny lemon bars are the perfect balance of sweet and tart, with a lusciously crumbly and buttery shortbread crust. Our advice? Whip up a few batches of this sweet treat, because they’re sure to vanish before the picnic basket is even unloaded.

No matter how you’ll be spending your time outdoors this summer, it really is worth taking the time to make your meal extra special with any of these dishes. Kite flying and suntans are all well and good, but without great food, was it even a party at all? So get the big blanket out from the linen closet, pack your basket with care, and take pride in your tasty accomplishments. Your family and friends will appreciate your extra effort, and they needn’t know how easy it actually was to prepare such beautiful picnic foods for large groups.

The Essential Guide for MenThe Manual is simple — we show men how to live a life that is more engaged. As our name implies, we offer a suite of expert guides on a wide range of topics, including fashion, food, drink, travel, and grooming. We don’t boss you around; we’re simply here to bring authenticity and understanding to all that enriches our lives as men on a daily basis.