Vegetarian Picnic Recipes — Indian Favorites & Beyond

Picnics are a wonderful treat in warmer weather and often include a mixture of salads, sandwiches, and charcuterie in Western culture. However, the sky is the limit when it comes to picnics and Indian food is particularly delicious to consider for whenever you are looking for vegetarian picnic recipes or vegan picnic ideas. Vegetarian and vegan Indian food is usually quite shelf-stable since it doesn’t include dairy or meat that can easily spoil. It is also incredibly easy to travel with, and often, you don’t need any utensils to eat it.

Growing up, I went to the same school from KG to 12th grade and our school had many annual traditions including school annual sports day, grade play, and talent shows. The one tradition I aways looked forward to was the annual grade picnic. It was always on the last day of school, before the summer break. In younger grades, we went to the school playground and would bring our tiffin boxes and sit in a circle and eat and play games. As we moved up in grades, and especially in high school, we were bussed to a local lake or a local park and the meals and preparations became more elaborate. However, one thing stayed the same – sitting on a blanket in a circle, enjoying a meal together, and chatting away.

When I moved to NYC, on a warm summer evening, I often packed a blanket along with some takeout vegetable sushi, a baguette, and a bottle each of water and wine, and then we headed to Central Park for a picnic lunch. Sometimes, we listened to the NY Philharmonic in Central Park while we enjoyed our packed picnic.

So, when I tell you that our daughter loves picnics, you can tell where it comes from. Often, when she was young, we had picnics in Central Park or Riverside Park. However, we have also transformed our home into a picnic spot. In the winter, we often had picnic dinners by moving the coffee table and rolling out a couple of picnic mats and some pillows. I always packed a picnic basket and then we sat in a circle and enjoyed the meal while chatting.

These days, as empty nesters, I often pack a picnic lunch when my husband and I head out for a long hike or a long bike ride. Here are some staples that I always pack:

• A travel first aid kit, just in case.
• Vegetable crudities with some hummus.
• Cut and whole fruits – oranges, cherries, and grapes are our family favorites.
• A good trail mix. We love this Trail Mix recipe as it has come chocolate chips.
• Water, electrolytes, and seltzer.
• A good quality vegan chocolate bar.
• A trash bag so we do not litter.
• Napkins and wipes are a must.

I always pack an Indian main course – something light and something that does not need refrigeration. When I was young, my mom packed us aloo parathas which you can easily roll up so that you do not need any silverware to eat them. As an adult, I really enjoy having poha when I head out to picnic. It is light and easy, and the nuts and lemon add a much needed crunch to it. It is also super easy to make. Meanwhile, my husband loves sabudana khichdi for a quick boost of energy. The following list includes a series of my favorite vegetarian and vegan picnic that food tastes delicious and travels well.

Table of Contents

• Indian Picnic Classics
  • Peas Pulao
  • Easy Sabudana Khichdi
  • Easy Curried Poha Flattened Rice
  • Easy Upma – Indian Savory Cream of Wheat
• Wraps, Rolls & Sandwiches
  • Easy Vegan Spring Rolls
  • Vegan Almond Flour Biscuits
• Salads & Sides
  • Easy Greek Chickpea Salad
  • Lentil & Couscous Stuffed Peppers
• Sweet Treats for the Blanket
  • Carrot Halwa Trifle
  • Vegan Rice Kheer Pudding
• Picnic Breakfast & Brunch
  • Dairy Free and Eggless Banana Pancakes
  • Curried Tofu Scramble With Spinach
  • Greek Yogurt With Chia Seeds
  • Fluffy Savory Vegan Keto Pancakes
• Tips for Packing a Vegetarian Picnic
• FAQ

Indian Picnic Classics

While traditional picnic fare typically includes an array of sandwiches, salads, and sweets, Indian food is an excellent choice as well. The following Indian vegetarian picnic food ideas are great as they are flavorful and satisfying to eat while also being somewhat shelf stable. Each of the following dishes are easy to eat and taste great served at room temperature.

Peas Pulao

This peas pulao recipe is a classic Indian dish that is a mixture of spiced basmati rice and peas. The addition of spices like cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon add a warming spicy fragrance to the rice, making it extra delicious. While this rice pilaf is usually served hot off the stove, it works well at room temperature, making it perfect to have for a picnic. Simply place it in a sealed container in a cooler bag and you will be good to go!

Easy Sabudana Khichdi

With a pilaf consistency, spiced flavor, and the freshness of lemon and cilantro, this sabudana khichdi recipe is wonderful to eat at room temperature on a picnic. Made correctly, it should have a fluffy texture that is so satisfying to eat. The crunchy peanuts, cubes of potatoes, and fresh cilantro almost give it the feel of a salad with a mixture of different textures and flavors.

Easy Curried Poha Flattened Rice

This easy curried poha flattened rice recipe is delicious as a snack or for breakfast, so why not have it for a picnic as well? It is made with flattened rice, cilantro, chilis, peanuts, peas, and spices, for a dish that is as colorful as it is flavorful. A bonus is that it travels well in an airtight container as well.

Easy Upma – Indian Savory Cream of Wheat

Upma or Indian savory cream of wheat is often served as a savory breakfast but it makes a perfect picnic dish as well. It is a creamy blend of cream of wheat, cashews, lentils, mustard seeds, ginger, and garam masala that is so comforting to eat. Make sure you pack dishware and utensils so it is easy to dish out and serve.

Wraps, Rolls & Sandwiches

Sandwiches are a common option for picnics as they are easy to pick up and eat. If you are searching for vegetarian picnic sandwiches, here you will find a few handheld options that you can take with you on your next picnic.

Easy Vegan Spring Rolls

Fresh and light, these easy vegan spring rolls hold up well in a cooler and are easy to pick up and enjoy. With rice paper wrappers, they are full of fresh veggies like carrots, cucumbers, cabbage, and fresh greens. Served with a sweet and sour or tamari dipping sauce, they have delicious savory flavor that will pair beautifully with your other picnic dishes.

Vegan Almond Flour Biscuits

Flaky and nutty tasting, these vegan almond flour biscuits are dairy-free and gluten-free. You can serve them alongside any other dishes you choose to bring with you or use them for almond flour biscuits sandwiches with your favorite fillings. They hold their shape well and will be unlikely to become soggy when paired with wet fillings.

Salads & Sides

Fresh tasting and full of color, salads and other side dishes are a classic choice for picnics. They make a delicious main dish when full of quality protein or they can be served as a side dish as well. Here are some side dish vegan and vegetarian picnic food ideas for your next outdoor dining event.

Easy Greek Chickpea Salad

This easy Greek chickpea salad is a high protein version of classic Greek salad which is usually a blend of tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, feta cheese, olives, and a lemony dressing. This version is a vegan Greek salad as it doesn’t include any feta and is filled with cooked chickpeas for protein and fiber. Since it doesn’t contain any cheese, it will travel well and hold up well in a cooler and can be enjoyed at room temperature.

Lentil & Couscous Stuffed Peppers

These lentil & couscous stuffed peppers are a hearty choice for a picnic lunch full of a mixture of lentils and couscous, along with Mediterranean flavors like tomatoes, basil, and lemon. These stuffed peppers are protein-rich and filling, making them perfect to serve next to fresh salads and your other favorite dishes on a blanket under the sun. While these would typically be served warm from the oven, they are wonderful served at room temperature as well.

Sweet Treats for the Blanket

Indian-inspired desserts are surprisingly good to take on a picnic as they are often shelf stable and easy to pick up with your hands, such as in the case of vegan besan ladoo. Several types of Indian desserts, like rice kheer pudding, can also be assembled in small containers or jars for individual servings. Here are some delicious sweet treats that you can take with you on your next picnic.

Carrot Halwa Trifle

This carrot halwa trifle recipe is an Indian-inspired layered dessert full of a spiced carrot mixture and coconut whipped cream. It can be divided between jars so you can easily pack them into your cooler for your picnic. The cool layers of coconut cream and carrot mixture with crunchy nuts are so delicious on a hot summery day.

Vegan Rice Kheer Pudding

Vegan rice kheer pudding is a perfect dessert at anytime, but is particularly good to take on a picnic as it will hold up well in a cooler. Comprising fluffy rice, plant milk, raisins, chopped nuts, cardamom, and saffron, it has a wonderfully creamy texture and spiced taste that is perfect for ending any meal.

Picnic Breakfast & Brunch

Who says that picnics are only meant for lunchtime? For a unique take on the traditional picnic, you can try turning it into breakfast or brunch to enjoy in the morning by the water or in a park filled with trees. The following list will meet all of your vegan breakfast needs whether you enjoy sweet fluffy pancakes or curried scrambled tofu. Plus, if you are looking to make picnic breakfast ideas Indian, the delicious Indian-style Greek yogurt in this list will offer you some inspiration.

Dairy Free and Eggless Banana Pancakes

These banana pancakes are dairy free and egg free, making them a perfect vegan pancake recipe. While they are typically served hot from the pan, they taste great at room temperature as well. Just make sure that you store them in a cooler bag with ice packs to ensure they remain food safe until you reach your picnic destination.

Curried Tofu Scramble With Spinach

Full of curry spices, this tofu scramble with spinach is high in protein while being fluffy like eggs. Simply store it in a sealed container in a cooler until you are ready to relax by the water and enjoy your picnic. It can also be served in wraps or on English muffins so you can easily pick it up to eat.

Greek Yogurt With Chia Seeds

If you are a yogurt person for breakfast, then this Greek yogurt with chia seeds will fit the bill perfectly! It can easily be divided between individual containers so that everyone can have their own portion on your picnic. It has Indian spices like cumin, mustard seeds, chilis, ginger, and curry leaves, which make it so savory and warming.

Fluffy Savory Vegan Keto Pancakes

These fluffy savory vegan keto pancakes use almond flour rather than wheat-based flour, making them suitable for a vegan keto diet. Full of vegetables like bell peppers and cauliflower, these pancakes are healthy and nutrient-rich. They pair beautifully with a fresh green salad or any other salad you would like to bring on your picnic breakfast or brunch.

Tips for Packing a Vegetarian Picnic

You shouldn’t have to think too hard about packing up your easy vegan picnic food, but there are some things to consider. Here are some tips for packing a vegetarian picnic:

• Pack the Food in Plastic or Light Steel Containers: What I love about picnic meals is how easy they are to pack. I pack all my picnic meals in plastic or light steel containers so they are easy to carry and don’t add much weight.
• Use Container Lids for Plates: Using sealed containers to pack your picnic food is great as you can use the lids as plates. This will save you from adding weight and having to carry additional plates.
• Don’t Pack Soups: Oh yes! I have had some disasters along the way and have learned over time not to add soups to my picnic baskets. One time, on a hot summer day, I packed avocado cucumber gazpacho, which is a chilled soup. It just required too much extra space in the cooler and it needed a super tight lidded container so that the soup did not spill. We drank the gazpacho in disposable paper cups, and while serving the gazpacho, I spilled some on the picnic blanket. The overall lesson that I learned was to never pack anything liquid other than water or seltzer. It adds weight, you need cups to serve it, and if there is a spill, the clean up is really hard, especially if it’s not water.

FAQ