Must-Pack Items for Your Vegan Summer Picnic

From slip and slides to lightning bugs, there are lots of reasons to love summer — but eating al fresco is one of our favorites. Nothing says vacation season like a picnic; let’s face it: everything tastes better when it’s eaten outside.

Not to mention, eating outside means your furkids can come, too, and doesn’t the whole family deserve a day out?

So here are five must-pack items for your vegan summer picnic. 

Bread and cheese.
Complete your picnic with fresh French bread and sliceable gourmet vegan cheese. Grab a baguette from your local grocer and try Daiya’s blocks in Smoked Gouda, Jalapeno Havarti, or Cheddar. If you’re feeling particularly fancy, pair it with some fig jam or sliced apples. 

Hummus and veggies.
Hummus is yummus, and it’s the perfect snack food for an afternoon excursion. Snag some from Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, or your local supermarket and pair it with carrots, celery, and cucumbers. Or, make your own and pack it to go.

Egg salad.
Savory, flavorful egg salad makes the perfect starter. But no need to use cholesterol-laden chicken’s eggs. We recommend trying our tasty Egg-Free Salad Sandwich, or The Blooming Platter’s tofu-based egg salad recipe, complete with eggy flavor and all. Eat it straight from the bowl or make some tea-style mini-sandwiches to snack on.

Chicken fried tofu.
Fried chicken is a picnic tradition, and you can have all of the deliciousness with none of the cruelty: Try these delicious chicken-free recipes. Lots of Whole Foods locations offer chicken fried tofu nuggets; they’re completely craveable and taste just like your old-school food favorite. If your local Whole Foods doesn’t carry it, you can make your own. Bake ‘em in the oven for an even healthier option.

Cheesecake.
To many of us, dessert isn’t optional — it’s a picnic necessity. To add a little sweetness to the tail end of your meal, pack Daiya’s delightfully creamy Cheesecake in New York, Key Lime, Strawberry, or Chocolate. Just be sure to defrost it, first.