Summer is the perfect time for picnics, BBQs, and enjoying the warm weather with friends and family. Sticking to a keto diet doesn't mean you have to miss out on the fun. With a little planning, you can create a delicious and satisfying keto-friendly picnic that everyone will enjoy. This article explores a variety of keto picnic food ideas, from appetizers and snacks to main courses and desserts, ensuring a delightful and guilt-free outdoor dining experience.
Appetizers and Snacks
Keto Antipasto Salad
Keto antipasto salad is the perfect keto side for a picnic or a quick low carb lunch! Food events come up all the time. This keto antipasto salad recipe is a great option for just those occasions. This salad is easy to throw together, fresh, flavorful, and feels healthy. The hardest part is just getting the ingredients together.
Recipe:
- Steam or boil asparagus spears for 3-4 minutes until as tender as you like. Chop into one-inch pieces, and put them aside to cool.
- Combine all the salad ingredients in a large bowl and toss to mix.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and use tongs or a big spoon to toss it and coat all the ingredients with dressing.
- Serve and enjoy this fabulous keto antipasto salad!
Chips and Dips
Traditional chips and dips are a staple item for outdoor gatherings of all kinds, but crackers and chips are forbidden on low-carb diets like the keto diet. If convenience is the name of the game when it comes to planning your picnic, then you may want to consider purchasing store-bought snacks. Going keto doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t find healthy, low-carb options available at the store. The key is to get items that aren’t heavily processed.
Cheeses
Many cheeses are great for keto picnics, such as cheddar and parmesan. Hard cheeses like these are great sources of protein, while processed cheeses like American tend to be have starches and other carby fillers.
Nuts and Olives
Nuts are another rich source of protein that will leave you feeling satisfied with minimal carbs. Some of the best nuts for keto include pecans (4 grams net carbs), Brazil nuts (4 grams net carbs), and Macadamia nuts (5 grams net carbs). You can also opt for almonds (like these chocolate-covered almonds if you want something sweet). Olives are another quick picnic-friendly snack that you can pick up in easy-to-pack resealable jars and containers. Some of the best options for olives that pack a nutritional punch without loading you down with carbs include kalamata, manzanilla, and mission olives. You can even pack this antipasto and pepperoncini salad for sophisticated picnic treat.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Fresh Berries
If you have a little more room in your macros for the day, fresh berries are a great sweet treat for a summer picnic. They are fresh and bursting with flavor in the warmer weather; try packing a pint of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries.
Main Courses
Chicken Salad
Chicken Salad in a Jar is a simple and refreshing option for a keto picnic. It is easy to prepare and transport, making it ideal for outdoor gatherings.
Keto Deviled Eggs
Something tells me that Silly Season will be starting a little early this year as we’re all extra excited to catch up with our favourite people and enjoy spending time together, I mean let’s face it… IT HAS BEEN A YEAR, right? Keto Deviled Eggs are a classic picnic food that can easily be made keto-friendly by using mayonnaise and avoiding sugary additives.
Recipe:
- Bring a pot of water to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and carefully place the eggs in the water.
- Remove the yolk and place into a hand blender container.
- Use a spoon or piping bag to add a portion of the deviled egg mixture back into the hole of each egg white.
Stuffed Red Bell Peppers
Stuffed Red Bell Peppers are a colorful and flavorful option for a keto picnic. They can be stuffed with ground meat, vegetables, and cheese for a satisfying and low-carb meal.
Easy and Quick Pork Belly
Easy and Quick Pork Belly is a delicious and savory option for a keto picnic. It is easy to prepare and can be cooked in advance, making it ideal for outdoor gatherings.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Sweet Treats
Low Carb Carrot Cake Loaf
Low Carb Carrot Cake loaf is PACKED-FULL of healthy ingredients no one would ever believe it has no added sugar! Relive those nostalgic feelings and enjoy our Low Carb Banana Cake with cream cheese frosting. Trust me, you won't regret it! These travel well, require minimal work (except for slicing) and taste delicious. These are also super low in carbs and we have included sweet and savoury options so there is bound to be something for everyone.
Raspberry Coconut Slice
Raspberry Coconut Slice! A childhood favourite of many. Super flavourful and satisfying.
Low Carb Savoury Treats
These low carb savoury treats are super low carb! 1.5g! You had me at cheesy? With 8g of protein, these mini rolls are super satisfying. Tip: Combining a combo of cheeses will take these up a notch! These chocolate muffins tick A LOT of boxes.
Sugar-Free Lemon Tart
This sugar-free carb lemon tart is a light and tangy refreshing dessert. Traditionally based on a German cake 'Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte' which means black forest cherry torte. Classic Butter cake with passionfruit cream cheese frosting is just soo good! The buttery, sweet and tart combo just make this dessert a simple yet indulgent slice of happiness! Cheesecake is so delicious! This will wow any group of people because its decadent, delicious and with no added sugar.
Additional Tips and Ideas
Keto-Friendly Vegetables
Many people have the wrong idea and think if you're on a Keto diet you don't eat veggies. They couldn't be more wrong! Some of the best green veggies for a keto diet include:
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto
- Steamed Broccoli: It's often on my menu 3-4 times a week because it's my trusty go-to easy prep veggie.
- Asparagus: Asparagus is great steamed as a side, rolled in bacon, or in a brown butter sauce. It also works well in salads, like the keto antipasto salad. I really like the idea of asparagus in this salad, and it's a great vegetable for a keto diet. It's a family favorite vegetable, and there are so many ways to prepare it.
- Romaine Lettuce: I wrap burgers or deli meat and cheese in it, we also like it as a conduit for dips. In addition, it makes a fabulous taco salad!
- Cucumber: Cucumber is also great for slicing up to use with dip, put in lunch boxes, and throw together for a salad.
- Spinach: It's fabulous in soups, casseroles, stuffed in chicken, even in smoothies for my son we call "dinosaur juice". It's super-easy to use and grows well in my garden.
Ordering Ingredients Online
I've gotten completely spoiled with ordering online and doing the pickup behind the store. Therefore, now I just type in everything I need for the recipes I've planned for the week. This is all accomplished in the comfort of my pajamas under a blanket, with a cup of tea. Also important is it's after the kids have gone to bed (it's been cold here lately!).
The Importance of Food and Connection
People connect with food, there is no doubt about that. Take a plate to meet your mates! Side plates that everyone would love to try - There are so many fantastic recipes for salads and veggie side dishes online that you can find.
Pizza
The ultimate sharing food - Pizza! Perfect for your next picnic or BBQ. Definitely a crowd-pleaser…I mean who doesn't love pizza? Get. This. Into. Your.