10 Make-Ahead Lunches for Picnics, Pool Days, and Lazy Summer Afternoons
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Summer lunches are not the time for anything fussy. I want food I can make ahead, pack in a cooler, and eat outside without thinking too hard about it. These are the recipes I lean on for picnics, beach days, and the kind of lazy afternoons where nobody wants to be stuck in the kitchen. Most can be made a day in advance, so all the work happens before anyone gets hungry.
Chicken Salad Wrap
Tender shredded chicken tossed in a creamy, lightly seasoned dressing and rolled up in a soft tortilla. Make the filling ahead and these come together in under five minutes when it is time to eat. Full Recipe: Chicken Salad Wrap
Balsamic Pasta Salad
Grilled zucchini and bell peppers, crumbled feta, and a zippy homemade balsamic dressing tossed through pasta. A perfect make-ahead dish for picnics or cookouts since it just gets better as it sits. Full Recipe: Balsamic Pasta Salad
Chicken and Wild Rice Salad
Tender chicken, nutty wild rice, crisp apples, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans tossed in a creamy lemony dressing. Hearty enough to be lunch on its own, and the flavor only improves as it chills in the fridge. Full Recipe: Chicken and Wild Rice Salad
Chicken Fajita Wraps
Marinated chicken and colorful bell peppers rolled up with sour cream and cheese in a warm tortilla. Cook the filling the night before, and lunch the next day takes ten minutes to put together. Full Recipe: Chicken Fajita Wraps
Mediterranean Israeli Couscous Salad
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Cherry tomatoes, briny olives, pomegranate, and creamy feta tossed through couscous for a vibrant, cool dish. A refreshing change from pasta salad that holds up well for a few days in the fridge. Full Recipe: Mediterranean Israeli Couscous Salad
Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad
Tender chicken breast tossed with crunchy walnuts and tangy dried cranberries in a creamy dressing. This is my go-to for picnics and road trips because it actually keeps well and tastes even better the next day. Full Recipe: Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad
BLT Salad with Chicken
All the best parts of a BLT in salad form, with crispy bacon, juicy chicken, romaine, and a creamy maple mustard dressing. A hit every time I bring it to a summer gathering. Full Recipe: BLT Salad with Chicken
Mandarin Chicken Salad
Crunchy romaine, juicy mandarin oranges, and crispy chow mein noodles tossed with chicken in a bright orange ginger dressing. A fun change of pace from the usual mayo-based salads, and it travels well in a sealed container. Full Recipe: Mandarin Chicken Salad
Tofu Summer Rolls
Crisp veggies, seasoned rice noodles, fresh herbs, and crispy tofu all wrapped up in rice paper. Cool, light, and the kind of thing that actually feels refreshing on a hot day, especially with peanut sauce for dipping. Full Recipe: Tofu Summer Rolls
Creamy Taco Macaroni Salad
A fun, creamy twist on classic macaroni salad with all the flavors of taco night mixed in. Easy to make a day ahead, and it always disappears fast at a picnic or potluck. Full Recipe: Creamy Taco Macaroni Salad
