Summer Picnic Dinners Meal Plan (July 28)

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

When summer evenings stretch long and golden, dinner doesn't need to stay at the table. This week's menu is filled with easy, portable meals perfect for picnics-whether that's at the park, the beach, or simply your own backyard.

Three images show: leafy lettuce wraps with ground meat and radishes; pita pockets filled with colorful veggies and chickpeas, wrapped in paper-perfect for picnic dinners; and a vibrant pasta salad with tri-color rotini and mixed vegetables.

About This Week’s Meal Plan

Think picnic recipes like wraps, salads, and sandwiches that travel well and taste even better chilled or at room temperature. And of course, there's a sweet seasonal treat to end the week on a happy note.

Whether you’re eating outdoors or simply keeping things light and breezy inside, these meals make weeknight dinner feel like summer should.

This Week's Menu

Monday:
Easy Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps
Savory ground beef seasoned with garlic, soy sauce, and sesame oil, served in crisp lettuce leaves with cucumber, green onion, and a splash of chili sauce.

Tuesday:
Summer Italian Pasta Salad with Salami
A vibrant pasta salad packed with cherry tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, and salami-ideal for hot evenings and made-ahead dinners.

Wednesday:
Shawarma Wraps
Spiced chicken (or chickpeas!) tucked into flatbread with cucumber, tomato, and a creamy tahini or yogurt sauce-quick to prep and picnic-ready.

Thursday:
Pan Bagnat (French Tuna Sandwich)
Pan bagnat is the ultimate make-ahead picnic sandwich with crusty bread, good quality canned tuna, a few choice toppings, and you're on your way.

Friday:
Picnic Chicken Taco Salad
A hearty, flavor-packed salad with seasoned chicken, black beans, corn, tomatoes, and crushed tortilla chips. Great chilled or room temp.

Treat of the Week:
Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft, chewy cookies with a hint of spice, sweet chocolate chips, and garden zucchini-summer baking at its best.

Picnic Tip: Keeping It Cool

Planning to pack these dinners for the park or beach? Most of the recipes hold up well at room temp or chilled. Still, if you’re traveling with perishable items, here are a few quick tips from the FDA:

Keep cold food cold: Use a cooler with ice packs and keep food under 40°F.
Keep it closed: Open the cooler as little as possible to maintain temperature.
Avoid cross-contamination: Wrap raw proteins separately.
Rinse produce: Wash fruits and vegetables before packing.

For casual backyard dining, you likely won't need to worry-but if you're heading out, these simple steps help keep summer meals safe and stress-free.

Have a great week everyone!

RELATED: More 31Daily Dinner Ideas >>

Deliver to Your Email!

Deliver these weekly dinner menus to your email inbox Sunday mornings. Tap the box below!

Summer Picnic Dinner Recipes

A plate of lettuce wraps filled with ground meat, radish slices, cucumber, mint leaves, and a side of rice. A bowl of red dipping sauce and more rice are nearby, with chopsticks on the side.

Monday: Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps

These Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps are a quick and flavorful meal perfect for warm weather. Made with seasoned ground beef, fresh pear, garlic, and sesame, they're tucked into butter lettuce cups and topped with crunchy vegetables and gochujang. Light, fresh, and ready in 20 minutes-ideal for easy summer dinners or entertaining.

See the Recipe

Pasta Salad in a White Bowl with salami and vegetables.

Tuesday: Summer Italian Pasta Salad with Salami

This Mediterranean-inspired Pasta Salad is a favorite with salami, peppers, broccoli, zesty Italian dressing, and Feta cheese.

See the Recipe

Wednesday: Shawarma Wraps

I'm going to improvise this recipe slightly as it has more ingredients than I usually use during the week. However– it would be amazingly delicious. Modify to your family's tastes. It's a fun summer picnic inspiration for Shawarma spiced chickpeas, creamy hummus, spicy zhoug, and fresh veggies packed into a warm pita bread in this vegetarian wrap recipe.

See the Recipe

Thursday: Pan Bagnat (Fancy French Sandwich)

Pan bagnat is the ultimate make-ahead picnic sandwich! Find some crusty bread, good quality canned tuna, a few choice toppings, and you're on your way. It seems fancy, but this French tuna sandwich couldn't be easier.

See the Recipe

Horizontal view of Chicken Taco Salad on a white serving platter

Friday: Picnic Chicken Taco Salad

This Chicken Taco Salad recipe is quick, hearty, and delicious! Packed with taco flavors, chicken, juicy tomatoes, beans, corn, cheese, and an easy, easy Taco Dressing. It's healthy, protein-rich, and so wonderfully yummy– in 15 minutes!

See the Recipe

Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cookies in a lined basket

Treat: Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies

A summer chocolate chip cookie recipe like no other. If you love zucchini and chocolate, these will be a favorite!

See the Recipe

More Weekly Dinner Plans

Check out all our weekly dinner meal plans here……

Save This and Pin for Later

Make sure you don't lose track of this article by pinning it for later! If you are not already, you can follow me on Pinterest, as well as keep up with me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.