Plan a Frugal Picnic Menu

Nothing beats a picnic for getting together with family, friends and good food.  Everybody contributes to the picnic menu by bringing a dish to pass and clean up should be minimal if everyone chips in.  Whether you choose to have your picnic in your own backyard or at the park or beach a picnic can bring a day of frugal fun!

The picnic menu has grown from a few cold items to almost anything you can think to eat. With the addition of barbecue grills at public parks, menu ideas expanded. Picnics can even turn into three or four course meals depending on your crowd.

When planning your picnic menu, make sure to include something for everyone. While the main course is being prepared on the grill, kids can play while the adults gather.  This is a great time to put out some appetizers.

One frugal idea is deviled eggs.  They are cheap and easy to make and usually a hit.  Just be sure to keep them cold and don’t let them sit out long.  We don’t want to mess with food spoiling. It has a way of ruining a picnic and rightfully so. For non-egg eaters, set out some cheese and crackers.

Unless you have a sufficiently sealed cooler or kitchen facilities all cold foods, such as anything with mayonnaise or a dairy base should be properly stored.   If any of these dishes sit too long in the heat, they can be dangerous to eat. To solve the problem keep raw meat  in the cooler until right before cooking.   Place each bowl of pasta salad, macaroni salad and the like on top of a separate bowl of ice for serving.  You could even be creative and set bowls and salads in a clean baby pool filled with ice.  Be sure to put any leftovers away promptly.

For the main course keep it simple with burgers and hotdogs.  Chicken is also a great economical choice for your picnic menu especially if you go with the bone in thighs and legs.  Either marinade first of brush barbecue sauce over them during the last few minutes of cooking.

Cut up fruit and vegetables is always popular.  It also adds some healthy choices to the menu.
Adding fruit and vegetable dips are a nice touch.  For dessert keep it simple with a jello salad and maybe some cookies or brownies.

A cooler full of soda is one option for beverages, but bringing in some lemonade or fresh brewed ice tea would hit the spot better and be much more economical. Keep the pitchers on ice. There are tea dispensers on the market that have a place for ice underneath to keep it cold.  Also bring plenty of water.

You can put one or two in charge of paper products (plates, cups, plastic dinnerware) and extra ice.  This is a great job for that person who just hates cooking.  Remind everyone who brings a dish to pass to bring a serving utensil for dishing it out.

When it’s time for the next picnic, give the picnic menu some thought. Let all of the intended guests help put it together to come up with a meal that suits everyone.  Then bring some fun activities and enjoy a full day of frugal fun!

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