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31 Picnic Salads

Looking for Picnic Salads for your next backyard party? Check out our collection of 31 delicious recipes that are perfect for summer celebrations. Whether you prefer fruity salads or the classic potato salad, we've got you covered. These ideas will definitely be a hit at your potluck.

A collage of salad pictures with a white text box.
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When it comes to potlucks and BBQs, my favorite thing is choosing what to eat. I absolutely love picnic salads. Whether they're creamy, crunchy, or sweet, I can never pick just one. Just pile it all onto my plate because tasting everything is absolutely necessary!

What are Picnic Salads

Picnic salads are a variety of salads that are enjoyed outdoors during summer picnics, barbecues, or other gatherings. They often combine vegetables, fruits, proteins, and grains, creating a balanced and flavorful dish.

These salads are convenient for travel, easy to serve, and can be doubled or tripled for a crowd. Whether heading to the park or the beach or having a backyard BBQ, a delicious cold salad is a great addition to the activity.

Different Kinds of Picnic Salads

There are various styles of picnic salads available to cater to everyone's taste. Some have fresh veggies, while others have cold fruit. You could have a salad with pasta or potatoes. Top them with a creamy dressing or season them with olive oil. As you can see, the options for easy picnic salad ideas are endless.

  • Pasta and Macaroni Salad - These use pasta as the primary ingredient. Add other toppings, such as cheese, vegetables, and some creamy or vinegar dressings for additional flavor.
  • Potato Salad - Made with boiled potatoes, this salad is mixed with mayonnaise or a vinaigrette, along with ingredients like chopped celery, onions, hard-boiled eggs, and herbs.
  • Tuna or Chicken Salad - These salads incorporate canned tuna or cooked chicken mixed with mayonnaise or yogurt, vegetables, and sometimes fruits or nuts.
  • Vegetable Salad - Different vegetables make great salads. Broccoli salad, cucumber salad, or caprese salad are popular choices.
  • Fluff Salad - These delicious salads are more like a dessert. They have a cream cheese or whipped cream base with fruit, cookies, or chocolate.
  • Fruit Salad - A refreshing option, fruit salads feature a mix of fresh fruits like berries, melons, citrus, and more in citrus-based syrup or yogurt.

When preparing salads for picnics, it's important to consider food safety. Use fresh ingredients, keep perishable items cold, and try to serve them within a reasonable time frame so they are safe to eat.

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Ice Cream Tacos

Ice Cream Tacos are the perfect way to up your dessert game! Delicious and irresistible, these tortillas are filled with ice cream and topped with melted chocolate and nuts or sprinkles. You won't find a more delicious and fun treat anywhere else!

Cinnamon sugar tortillas filled with ice cream on a white tray.
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Taco Tuesday is hands down the best day of the week. It's the day tacos steal the spotlight and turn an ordinary weeknight into a fiesta.

But did you know that tacos aren't just for dinner? Dessert tacos are a cool food trend that combines the best of both worlds. Rainbow sprinkles and vanilla ice cream stuffed in savory tortillas with cinnamon sugar will elevate your taco night.

Why You Will Love Tacos and Ice Cream

Ice cream tacos are a fun and delicious way to enjoy ice cream. Get creative and add choose toppings that fit your style and taste buds!

  • No special equipment is needed. You can bake the taco shells on the bottom of a muffin tin.
  • Saves money. Specialty ice cream treats can be pretty pricey because they range from $4-5 apiece. You can make ten homemade tacos for around $15, making them $1.50 each.
  • Hand-held snack. Each taco is individually wrapped, so it's easy to take on the go or share with friends for a sweet treat!
  • Sweet nostalgic treat! One bite of the homemade dessert taco will bring back memories of running after the ice cream truck as a child.
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Campbell's Green Bean Casserole

The classic Campbell's Green Bean Casserole recipe is a beloved holiday side dish with creamy and crunchy textures. It can be prepared ahead of time and baked in the oven when ready.

A spoon lifting green beans and french fried onions out of a dish.
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When you think about side dishes for a holiday meal, Campbell's green bean casserole is a tried and true favorite. This classic recipe and sweet potatoes, corn pudding, and pumpkin pie are always on our holiday table.

There is something about this easy recipe with green beans, creamy sauce, and crispy onions that adds a comforting touch to dinners.

We have made this side dish for every holiday for as long as I can remember. It's one that both our families grew up eating, and we continued that tradition after getting married. 

Why You Will Love Green Bean Bake

Thanksgiving dinner isn't complete without a pan of green bean casserole! Am I right? This is one of our favorite side dishes for many reasons. 

  • Easy to Make - The recipe is simple, inexpensive, and requires little prep time. You can make it with six ingredients, which is excellent when short on time or money.
  • Holiday Tradition - It's a classic dish, especially for Thanksgiving. People look forward to having it every year for family get-togethers and holidays.
  • Eat It Anytime - Even though it's famous for holidays, you can enjoy it any day as a side dish with different meals.
  • Add a Creative Touch - You can change the recipe by adding cheese, bacon, or different flavors to make it the perfect side dish.
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Salted Caramel Mocha

Enjoy a Salted Caramel Mocha at home with this Starbucks copycat recipe. It's made with coffee and milk, topped with whipped cream, and finished with a drizzle of caramel sauce. Trust me, you'll want to make this delicious drink all year round.

A clear mug with a latte topped with whipped cream in it.

This post was first published in October 2013. The photos were updated in August 2021, and it was republished in August 2023.

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A salted caramel latte and pumpkin cream cold brew are my two favorite fall drinks. I can't get enough of either of them!

Unfortunately, the salted caramel mocha was discontinued in 2021. It makes me sad that the popular seasonal drink and these double chocolate brownies are no longer on the Starbucks menu.

I am going to show you just how easy it is to make one at home. In just minutes, you'll be sipping on a delicious latte and thinking about how much money you've saved. You can even make my version of their marble loaf to complete the experience!

Why You Will Love This Caramel Latte

Mixing chocolate, caramel, hot coffee, and steamed milk creates a delicious homemade version even better than at a coffee shop.

  • Saves money. Buying drinks at coffee shops can be expensive over time. Making homemade allows you to enjoy the same flavors without the high price tag.
  • Convenient and easy. Making the drink at home eliminates the need to travel to a coffee shop and wait in line. It's a great option, especially for those who want to enjoy their favorite Starbucks drink without having to leave the house.
  • Available all year. Enjoy seasonal drinks year-round by making your favorite copycat recipes at home.
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Banana Nutella Quesadillas

These Banana Nutella Quesadillas are filled with a delicious combination of creamy chocolate and banana slices. A buttery cinnamon sugar crust adds a satisfying crunch to the sweet tortilla.

A stack of tortillas filled with chocolate and banana slices.
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Years ago, my husband and I took a trip to St. Maarten, where I ate Nutella crepes for breakfast every morning. It was a fabulous way to start out each day.

That simple breakfast inspired me to create these easy pan-fried Nutella tortillas. Crepes are delicious, but sometimes you don't want to spend the time making batter and cooking each one. That's when leftover tortillas are your best friend!

A bit of butter, cinnamon sugar, and a ripe banana inside a tortilla becomes an ooey, gooey treat that the whole family will love.

Why You Will Love this Banana Nutella Recipe

Dessert quesadillas are a fun and easy twist on Nutella crepes. A layer of fresh fruit gives it a delicious flavor.

This easy treat will bring a smile to your face. We start with sweet cinnamon sugar tortillas, fill them up with the popular hazelnut spread and ripe bananas, and then pan fry them until they're perfectly golden brown.

  • Quick and easy. Using store-bought tortillas makes it so simple to have a Nutella banana quesadilla ready in under 10 minutes.
  • Delicious and gooey. The combination of chocolate, banana, and a crunchy cinnamon sugar crust makes these sweet tortillas a delightful treat. The melted chocolate spread will have everyone licking their fingers.
  • Great snack. This gooey tortilla is perfect for breakfast, brunch, after-school snacks, a quick dessert, or a late-night chocolate craving. Trust me. No one will complain when you serve them.
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41 Canned Chicken Recipes

These easy Canned Chicken Recipes are a convenient way to quickly get dinner on the table. Chicken in a can is quick, affordable, and you can use it in different recipes. For busy families, that's a huge win!

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Why Make Chicken Recipes

There are so many easy meals that you can make with chicken. Combine simple ingredients with chicken, and you can have a quick meal that even picky eaters will love. It works for elegant meals or busy weeknight schedules.

Chicken from a container is an excellent protein option. It tastes just as good as fresh chicken and is so versatile! It is a great item to keep in your pantry because it saves time and money.

This chunk chicken breast is an excellent substitute for cooked shredded chicken and can be used in almost any quick and easy dinner recipe. We love using it to make this cheesy chicken soup and this chicken ravioli in minutes. 

  • Great Protein Source. You can use this meat in sandwiches, wraps, buffalo chicken dip, or top salads and pasta recipes. It's a great way to add protein to your dinner recipes when you don't have time to cook something from scratch.
  • Saves Time. Pull it out of the pantry and make an easy dinner in 20 minutes. This is much quicker than cooking from scratch or taking the time to thaw and cook a whole bird.
  • Short Prep Time. All you have to do is open and drain the meat before using it. Rotisserie meat from the grocery store may already be cooked, but pulling everything off the bones takes time. And sometimes you don't want to deal with that mess when making an easy meal.
  • Saves You Money. It is a cheap pantry item to keep stocked. One of the best ways to save money is by making dinner at home using ingredients from your pantry instead of going out to eat.
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Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Our Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins are a delightful way to welcome fall. This Starbucks copycat recipe has a creamy cheesecake filling inside a pumpkin spice muffin, making it the perfect fall breakfast!

Two muffins with a cheesecake filling stacked on top of each other.
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I love the fall season because I can bake pumpkin scones or bread without judgment. Our kids give me funny looks when I bake pumpkin recipes in the summer. But that's ok. Sometimes you need treats like pumpkin dessert hummus or these pumpkin muffins.

Recently I shared a recipe for Starbucks pumpkin cream cold brew, so making the Starbucks pumpkin cream cheese muffins was next on my list. A cream cheese filling is a delicious way to enjoy cheesecake for breakfast.

If you love that filling, you will love these carrot cake muffins and zucchini cream cheese muffins.

Why Make This Pumpkin Muffin Recipe

The combination of soft, fluffy pumpkin spice muffins filled with a creamy cream cheese center will have everyone asking for more. Not only are our pumpkin cream cheese muffins delicious, but they'll also prepare everyone for fall.

  • Save time and money. Skip the long lines and over-priced food at the coffee shop by recreating these treats in your kitchen.
  • Soft and delicious. Get ready to indulge in the most heavenly muffins you've ever tasted! These muffins come out of the oven unbelievably light and fluffy with a sweet, creamy center.
  • Great fall breakfast. This simple recipe contains spices and real pumpkin, making a delicious breakfast or brunch treat.

The best part is that you don't have to wait for these seasonal pumpkin muffins to appear in stores. You can bake them in your kitchen all year long.

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Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

The creamy, spiced cold foam on this Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew tastes like the coffee shop version. If this is your favorite fall drink, save money by making this Starbucks copycat recipe in your own home.

Two cups of iced coffee with cold foam being poured on top.

This post was first shared in September 2020. It was updated and then republished in August 2023.

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Raise your hand if you love pumpkin spice season. I love getting a Starbucks pumpkin cream cold brew and pumpkin scones when they're available. I usually take multiple trips in the fall to enjoy that fantastic pumpkin spice drink and these pumpkin cream cheese muffins. 

The problem with visiting coffee shops all the time is that it can become expensive. So, I wanted to find a way to make and enjoy a pumpkin cold brew at home.

When you find the perfect copycat recipe, there is no reason not to enjoy it all year. This Starbucks matcha green tea recipe and this frozen caramel coffee have been on repeat all summer.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Our easy copycat recipe will show you how to recreate the pumpkin cream cold foam in the comfort of your own home. Say goodbye to long lines and hello to saving money!

  • Made with Pumpkin: Our cold coffee drink is made with real pumpkin puree, giving it the best pumpkin flavor.
  • Easy to Make: This popular fall drink can be ready in minutes. You can prepare both the cold brew recipe and sweet cream in advance, making it easy to enjoy whenever the craving strikes.
  • Sugar-Free and Dairy-Free: The best part about making this drink at home is that you can enjoy it without all the added sugar. Oh, yeah! This pumpkin cream cold brew will save you time, money, and calories!
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Bisquick Blueberry Pancakes

Golden, fluffy, and bursting with juicy berries, these Bisquick Blueberry Pancakes are the perfect way to start your day! Not only are they incredibly delicious hot off the griddle, but they also taste amazing with butter and maple syrup.

A stack of pancakes on a plate with a drizzle of syrup.
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Nothing beats a big stack of hot pancakes drizzled with lots of maple syrup for breakfast. These light and fluffy pancakes are not too sweet and loaded with lots of juicy blueberries.

We usually keep a few jars of this homemade Bisquick in our fridge, so we can make biscuits, cornbread, or fluffy pancakes. Our kids love when we make a batch of pancakes with blueberries!

Why You Will Love these Bisquick Pancakes 

With the help of Bisquick, you can make a batch of incredibly soft and fluffy homemade pancakes in no time. Get ready to have your family begging for them every weekend!

  • Easy recipe to make. Just mix all the ingredients in a bowl and then spoon it onto a hot skillet in minutes. Get ready to feed those hungry kiddos in a hurry.
  • 5 simple ingredients. Using a baking mix reduces the number of ingredients you need for this recipe.
  • Awesome texture. These golden pancakes bake up light and fluffy with pockets of juicy berries.
  • Freezer-friendly. Make a double batch and store them in the freezer for busy mornings. Just pop them in the microwave and enjoy a hassle free breakfast.
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Monster Energy Balls

These easy Monster Energy Balls are a quick and delicious snack! Packed with the amazing flavor of monster cookies, these bite-sized treats are perfect for a quick pick-me-up. Best of all, they're no-bake and packed with protein to keep you fueled all day long.

A bowl filled with peanut butter energy bites.
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I was craving monster cookie bars the other day, but this week has been extremely hot here in Florida. When it's over 100° outside I don't want to turn the oven on for anything.

While it may be too hot for traditional baking, that doesn't mean we have to miss out on sweet treats. I decided to jazz up these peanut butter oatmeal balls and turn them into monster cookie dough bites.

Why You Will Love These No Bake Monster Cookies

Enjoy the taste of monster cookies without turning on the oven. These sweet little energy bites are so easy to make.

  • Ready in 10 minutes. The mixture comes together in a matter of minutes. Just stir everything in one bowl.
  • No oven needed. It's as simple as mixing the ingredients together and chilling it in the fridge.
  • Healthy protein bite. This easy treat is made with wholesome ingredients and packed with nutrients to keep you full.
  • Very versatile. Get creative with your oatmeal balls and change up the mix-ins. A few ingredients we love are shredded coconut, dried cranberries, and cocoa nibs.
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