5 Picnic Essentials for Summer

This 5 Picnic Essentials post is sponsored by Juicy Juice. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

There’s nothing like laying out a blanket and enjoying some good food under a shady tree. It is one of the quintessential joys of summer. I try to eat as many meals as I can outside, even if it’s just sitting on my back steps with a piece of toast on a paper towel. I don’t know why, but food just tastes better in the fresh air.

What Food Should I Bring On a Picnic?

Venturing further than your backyard however, requires a little planning. We need foods that travel well, don’t need to be super cold, and can be luxuriously eaten while laying outside in the sun, that is to say, dishes that require little to no utensils.

Less is more when packing a picnic, so a few flavorful options are all you really need. A hefty sandwich, some juicy watermelon, fresh, ripe tomatoes, a lovely dessert bar, and Juicy Juice’s Fruitfuls Organic Juice.

Keep reading for my 5 picnic essentials and I’d love to hear in the comments below what you love to pack!

1. Juicy Juice Fruitfuls Organic Juices

Juicy Juice has a new, all-organic juice has 45% less sugar with the same great taste that they are known for! We all know how important it is to stay hydrated during the hot summer months and the Fruitfuls Organic juices come in new multi-serve bottles in fruity flavors like Apple, Grape, and Fruit Punch–perfect for serving a crowd and also nice not to have the extra waste of single-serve containers when you are on a picnic.

2. Cold Mexican Turkey Torta

A solid sandwich is a picnic must and it doesn’t get more delicious than a tall Mexican torta piled high with thinly sliced turkey, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes mixed with oregano and garlic, avocado, and black bean spread all on a pillowy bolillo bun.

3. Watermelon and Cucumber Salad

Cold, juicy watermelon is super refreshing on a warm summer’s day. This easy-going salad tosses crisp cucumber and watermelon with fresh mint, sliced jalapeños, and lime juice.

4. Fresh Tomatoes and Basil

When tomato season is here, there’s nothing else we’d rather eat. A spread of heirloom tomatoes needs little more than a sprinkling of salt, fresh basil leaves, and some good olive oil. Drizzle with some Saba or grind some black pepper over the top if you’d like.

5. Homemade Fig Bars

Sharable desserts like these buttery fig bars are a sweet ending to a leisurely picnic. Dried Mission fig puree gets baked between two soft butter cookie layers flavored with orange zest.

Pack everything into a traditional basket, or better yet one of these genius Picnic Backpacks that come complete with silverware, a picnic blanket, a cooler bag, plates, glasses, even a corkscrew!

One last thing…

What do you think? I want to know! Leave me a comment and snap a photo for Instagram! Tag @holajalapeno so I can see your beautiful creation! Your feedback is super important to me.

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