Make the most of al fresco dining with tasty, low carb recipes.
There’s nothing quite like enjoying a meal outdoors. Eating al fresco offers the perfect opportunity to savor fresh air and delicious food. Here are some tips and recipe ideas to make your low carb picnic both enjoyable and delicious.
12 Tips for a Perfect Low Carb Picnic
- An insulated tote or bag works great and cools and cushions your food.
- Bring a blanket. Make sure it’s comfortable and machine washable.
- Pack some throw pillows to elevate your post-picnic lounging.
- Stay hydrated. Bring plenty of water or low-carb beverages like iced tea, sugar-free lemonade or sparkling water.
- Bring salads in Mason jars. They also work great for transporting other sides or desserts. You can also use Mason jars to store your utensils.
- Pack a cutting board. You can use it for last-minute slicing and dicing or as a flat surface for food.
- Freeze three-quarters full bottles of water and use them as ice packs.
- Pack plates and cutlery. You can go the eco-friendly route by using melamine plates that are light, portable and re-useable or compostable bamboo plates.
- Bring bags for trash, plus napkins and paper towels.
- Use a tray or two to serve food or to carry essentials from your car to the picnic spot.
- Don’t forget a corkscrew and knife.
- Be prepared for the elements and critters with sunscreen and bug spray.
Perfect Low Carb Picnic Recipes
The key to perfect low carb picnic fare is easy and delicious finger food that can be made in advance and transports well. The focus here is on tasty snacks to kick off your picnic, rounded out with some delicious hand-held options for your main course, a Mason jar salad and the sweet treat of fruit as your grand finale.
Deviled Eggs
Pop one of these delish deviled eggs in your mouth for a pre-picnic snack. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one day, covered in plastic.
Parmesan Crisps
Top these cheesy, crunchy bites with a salami slice and more cheese.
Avocado Salsa
Serve this salsa with sliced jicama, carrots, celery or other veggies.
Mason Jar Salad
You have plenty of options for making a perfectly portable Mason jar salad:
How to Make the Best Mason Jar Salad
To avoid a soggy salad, put the heaviest ingredients in the bottom of the jar with the dressing, add the lighter ingredients, and top with salad greens.
To start, select a mason jar. Wide-mouthed jars are best because it’s easier to layer the salad, shake it out again, and eat it.
- Pint-sized mason jars: These are great for individual side salads
- Quart-sized mason jars: Use these for larger lunch and dinner salads with a lot of extra veggies and salad toppings.
- Two-quart mason jars: These are perfect for shlepping your salad to a potluck or barbecue or picnic.
Once you’ve picked your mason jar, it’s time to start layering your salad in the jar:
Layer one: Add the salad dressing first.
Layer two: Add chopped veggies like cucumbers, bell peppers, radishes, corn, broccoli and edamame.
Layer three: Add diced, crumbled or shredded cheese and protein like tuna; diced, cooked chicken; cooked shrimp; diced, cooked steak; hardboiled eggs or tofu. You can add any beans or grains to this layer as well.
Layer four: Add soft veggies and fruits like avocadoes, tomatoes and berries.
Chicken Salad Wraps
You can whip up and refrigerate this chicken salad the day before and then serve in lettuce wraps or low carb tortillas at picnic time.
Keto Club Sandwich Skewers
You get a club sandwich’s flavors on a skewer, served with a sauce combining mayo, mustard, and dill pickle juice.
Fresh Fruit Kebabs with Almond Crème
These fruity kebabs are drizzled with or dipped in sweet almond crème.
By incorporating low carb snacks and meal ideas into your picnic, you can enjoy a delicious and healthy al fresco dining experience.