Picnic recipes for the start of summer

As we move into summer, it’s time to bask in the sun and enjoy outdoor activities – and what better way to do so than with a picnic? 

Whether you’re planning a family outing, a get-together with friends or some quality time with your partner, a picnic is a great opportunity to indulge in some delicious food while also soaking up the sun. 

With this in mind, we’ve gathered a few of our favourite picnic recipes that you can use and enjoy on your next day out.

Five wonderful picnic recipes

From sandwiches to sweet treats, this list has all your picnic needs covered. Each recipe is enhanced with pure Canadian maple syrup, adding a splash of sweetness to your summer picnic.

Summer vegetable pilaf with maple

If you’ve got a few mouths to feed at your picnic, this vegetable pilaf is well worth considering for your main dish. 

Packed with seasonal vegetables and fragrant basmati rice, this vegetarian-friendly dish is full of flavour and rich in nutrition. 

Not only that, but it’s also bursting with colour, which will help you get into the spirit of summer! 

All you need to do is cook the vegetables together in a pan, leaving them to simmer in vegetable stock for around 25 minutes, and then boil the rice in a separate pan. 

The rice is then added to the vegetables, and once cool, you can wrap the pilaf up and sort into portions ahead of your picnic. 

Maple-glazed smoked salmon and pickled cucumber sandwiches

Looking to add a classy touch to your picnic? This salmon and cucumber sandwich is delicious and deceptively simple. 

A true British classic, the sandwich is made by pickling the cucumber in a mixture of maple syrup, maple vinegar and several spices. 

The smoked salmon is glazed with maple syrup and then sprinkled with fresh coriander, adding a hint of citrus. 

To complete the dish, a subtly sweet and mildly spiced mayonnaise is spread over slices of sourdough before assembly. 

Our recipe yields four sandwiches, though you can easily use more ingredients if you’re planning a bigger picnic.

Vegetarian ‘sausage’ rolls with a maple glaze

It wouldn’t be a picnic without some sausage rolls, and with this recipe, vegetarians can also enjoy the ultimate finger food! 

Our vegetarian sausage rolls boast a delightfully cheesy filling, made with onion, cream, mustard, parsley, cayenne pepper and your choice of grated cheese. 

The mix of spicy, salty and umami flavours mimics the taste of the finest sausagemeat, and the melt-in-your-mouth texture is even more satisfying! 

Once prepared, the filling is encased in puff pastry and then brushed with a maple-infused egg wash before being baked in the oven. 

After 25 minutes in the oven, leave the sausage rolls to cool on a wire rack and then wrap in cling film ready for your picnic.

Maple syrup and pecan flapjack

All good picnics feature something sweet, and there are few treats better for an afternoon outing than flapjacks. 

Made with the sweetness of maple syrup and nutty crunch of pecans, these flapjacks are bursting with flavour and energy. 

The mixture is made by heating butter, cinnamon and maple syrup in a pan before adding nuts and oats. 

Melted white chocolate is added to the maple syrup drizzle topping for added indulgence. 

These maple syrup flapjacks can be made in under an hour and are sure to be enjoyed by all – especially the little ones!

Iced maple lemon cake

Fancy something a little more substantial than flapjacks for your dessert dish? This iced lemon cake is a real treat and can be enjoyed at any time of the day. 

Maple syrup and maple sugar are both used in the batter, alongside ginger and lemon zest. 

While the cake is baking, you can prepare the luscious icing, which is made with lemon juice, icing sugar and pure maple syrup. 

The zesty tang of the lemon strikes the perfect balance with the maple syrup, forming a flavoursome and refreshing loaf cake. 

The cake be safely stored in the fridge for up to four days, which makes it a great option for baking in advance of your picnic.

Sweeten your summer with maple

 Whether you’re planning a picnic, BBQ or summer dinner party, pure Canadian maple syrup can be used to enhance everything from drinks and desserts to snacks, starters and showstopping mains! 

If you like the look of these picnic recipes, make sure to check out the rest of our maple syrup recipes for more summer cooking inspiration.