table of salad vegetables and fruit
/

How to pack foods fit for a vegan picnic

This is for our Spreewald paddling trip (and for any random Internet person looking for recipes that could satisfy a mixed group). Trying to find good recipes that keep well in the heat and satisfy all of us — vegans, vegetarians, and meat eaters — isn’t as difficult as one might think.

Since everybody is okay with eating veggies, the vegan recipes are the lowest common denominator. If we all pitch in a vegan dish to share, no one should leave feeling unsatisfied. (Fellow meat-eaters, just pack your preferred dried meats and nibble furtively at the edge of the picnic blanket, okay? ;-))

I gathered up some vegan recipes for us to choose from. Many thanks to all the vegan food bloggers and chefs for providing excellent tips. My choices for us were for for recipes that are (1) easy to make, (2) visually exciting, and (3) likely to be fine when served at Spreewald-in-June picnic temperatures. The vegan bratwurst was a must-bookmark exception though. And although no American would consider PB&J worthy of a recipe, you Germans might welcome some tips.

Spicy Beet Salad with Horseradish

vegan spicy beet salad with spring onion slices
Spicy beet salad

In a pinch, use refrigerated pre-cooked beets.
Via BigSisLittleDish.com

No-Cook Tabbouleh

tabbouli
Dish of tabbouleh

The grains “cook” overnight in the acid of tomato and lemon.
One of my personal favorites for summer eating!
Recipe via GINews.Blogspot.de

Picnic Caviar

vegan corn, kidney bean, and paprika salad
Picnic caviar

Rustic with corn, beans, paprika, and the kick of chilies!
Recipe via VegetarianTimes.com

Soba Noodle Salad with Ginger Peanut Dressing

vegan soba noodle salad
Soba noodle salad from VegetarianTimes.com

Pasta salad with the flair of East Asian spicing
Recipe via VegetarianTimes.com

Tofu Salad Sandwich

vegan tofu salad sandwich
Vegan tofu salad sandwich

A tahini-based alternative to chicken salad.
Recipe via HellYeahItsVegan.com [Web archive link]

Tomato Zucchini Pasta Salad

vegan tomato zucchini pasta
Vegan tomato zucchini pasta

A sherry-and-shallot vinaigrette sounds yummy!
Recipe from TheCookingPhotographer.com

Crudité

crudité, vegan appetizer
Raw vegetable appetizer

Simply cut, raw vegetables don’t need a recipe,
but the pictures will stimulate your appetite.
Serving ideas via HuffingtonPost.com

Best Ever Broccoli Slaw

vegan broccoli slaw

This popped up just today in my Facebook feed. Looks great!
Recipe via QueenLatifah.com

Raw Pad Thai

Raw pad thai
Raw pad thai

Even as a meat-eater, I love this woman’s vegan food blog!
See her vegan taco salad video on YouTube.
Recipe via Vegangela.com

Curried Quinoa Mango Salad

quinoa mango salad vegan
Curried Quinoa Mango Salad

A sweet treat if you can find ripe mangoes
Recipe via TheFigTreeBlog.com

Asparagus and Avocado Spring Rolls
with Citrus Dipping Sauce

vegan asparagus avocado rice paper roll
Asparagus and Avocado Spring Rolls with Citrus Dipping Sauce

Use green asparagus with the avocado for the visual affect!
Recipe via OhMyVeggies.com

Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich (PB&J)

peanut butter and jelly on white
Peanut butter & jelly sandwich

The staple item of so many American packed lunches, who really needs a recipe?
See BuzzFeed.com for hacks on the PB&J.

Vegan Bratwurst

vegan bratwurst mergez
Vegan Bratwurst, Seitanwurst

Leave it to you Germans to figure out a way to do this!
Recipe in German via ChefKoch.de.

Kale Slaw with Curried Almond Dressing

vegan kale salad
Kale slaw with curried almond dressing

A cabbage-less twist on coleslaw.
Try it with the Brats!
Recipe via DreenaBurton.com [formerly PlantPoweredKitchen.com]

Tell me what you’re packing!

Previous Story

Consent makes all the difference. All of it.

Next Story

Douchetastic Uber exec says smear campaigns against journalists would be a-okay

Latest from Blog

More than our demons

Watching the last episode of #TheExpanse was bittersweet. But watching it with U. was fantastic. There