25 of Our Favorite Foods to Pack for the Beach
Packing food for a picnic in the park is pretty easy. But when your picnic happens to be on the beach, there’s a new set of rules and a few more factors to consider before filling your basket or cooler. For starters, there’s the sand. It’s totally obvious, but no matter how hard you plan and how many precautions you take, it inevitably ends up everywhere. There’s also the wind — the beach can be breezy, which means that sand and salt swirl around, attaching themselves to anything that’s remotely sticky, wet, or, let’s face it, edible.
Keep that in mind the next time you’re packing up for a (safe, socially distant!) day at the beach. And remember that even when you have a cooler, some beach food holds up better than others. Of course you can always pack the basics, like crackers, chips, nuts, and dried fruit, but it’s always good to have something a little more substantial.
Sandwiches and Wraps
It doesn’t get much better than a cold sandwich on the beach, in my opinion. Although wraps are great, too, as the fillings are tucked away on the inside, nice and protected.
Pasta and Grain Salads
Both pasta and grain salads are easy to pack and hold up well at the beach. Just don’t forget forks to eat them!
No-Wilt Slaws and Salads
If you’re looking for a salad that’s more about the veggies, opt for one that won’t wilt after being dressed. That means slaws and salads made with hearty greens are your best bet.
Beach Treats
Don’t forget dessert! Cookies and bars are simple finger foods that curb your post-lunch sweet tooth. If they involve chocolate, just be sure to keep them in the cooler to avoid a melty mess.