The 30 Best Foods To Bring To The Beach That Will Last All Day In Your Cooler
Food eaten at the beach just tastes so much better.
It’s a fact: food eaten by the ocean always tastes so much better. Don’t ask for our sources. We’ll admit that we don't know exactly why this is true, but it’s easy to see how the salt, sand, and sun from a day at the beach can make you work up quite the appetite. But, you shouldn't have to compromise on what you bring along in the cooler to picnic on the shore, or lose your prime spot to head to the snack bar. No need to sweat, though; these 30 packable recipes for your beach cooler will keep you well-fed all day long (and go perfectly well with a cheeky beach cocktail, too!).
Packing food for the beach can be a little tricky, though. After all, you’ve got a bunch of different factors to consider with beach foods like the heat, cooler space, whether you actually feel like packing utensils, and sand, which has the amazing ability to end up, well, everywhere. Wraps, like our turkey lavash wraps or our buffalo chicken nugget burritos, are our go-to sandwiches for packing for the beach since they are so easy to eat, without getting sand where you don't want it. We also love freezing Prosecco grapes for a sparkling afternoon treat, mixing up a pasta salad, and packing plenty of snacks, like our sushi popcorn. Storing them securely in your favorite sturdy food containers (rather than plastic bags) will help keep your snacks safe and sound, too.
We are never too far from anything sweet, and your beach day should be no different. Brownies and blondies (especially our brown sugar Pop-Tart blondies) are great packable desserts, since there's no risk of melting and they don't need to be chilled. Whatever you choose, we have tons of easy cooler hacks to help you keep you (and your beach foods) cool all day long.
Club Sandwich
The club sandwich isn’t shy when it comes to ingredients: 3 types of meat (ham, turkey, and bacon), lettuce, tomato, and cheddar, all layered between 3 slices of toasted bread. It may seem like a feat, but this perfect beach sandwich is all too easy to make at home once you get your hands on all the ingredients.
Get the Club Sandwich recipe.
Blackberry-Peach Salad
With the summertime sweetness of the fruit, savory notes are welcomed in this salad. Enter: juicy Castelvetrano olives, which lend a mild brininess, along with shavings of blue Stilton scattered on top before serving. The combination of juicy peaches, tart blackberries, fresh herbs, and toasted walnuts piled over zesty honeyed ricotta packs an incredible punch.
Get the Blackberry-Peach Salad recipe.
Carrot Coin Salad
Whether they’re roasted, grilled, air fried, candied, or tucked in a hot dog bun (you heard me right), carrots shine. This meal prep-friendly carrot coin salad, tossed with a sweet-tangy sesame miso dressing, is perfect for make-ahead lunches or a cool, crunchy side.
Get the Carrot Coin Salad recipe.
Best Chocolate Brownies
If you have a sweet tooth, brownies are one of the best ways to satisfy it at the beach. Since they're baked through, they won't melt like other chocolatey treats, and they don't need to stay in the cooler if you're short on space.
Get the Best Chocolate Brownies recipe.
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
Pasta and corn are tossed in a creamy dressing inspired by the mayo and crema mixture that makes elote so irresistible. Make this when you just can’t decide what side to put on the menu, or when you need an upgrade to the classic summer dish.
Watermelon Strawberry Caprese Salad
We took inspo from two summer salad staples—caprese salad and watermelon feta salad—to create this best-of-both-worlds creation. Add fresh strawberries to juicy watermelon, tangy feta, and fresh basil for an extra-sweet summer treat. Pair with the simple olive oil dressing that ties everything together, and you've got the easiest, freshest side dish.
Hummus
Middle Eastern hummus is one of our favorite dips, made even better by how simple it is to make. Made from blending chickpeas, tahini, and a few other simple ingredients in a food processor, it’s the easiest last-minute appetizer or satisfying snack to throw together anytime you hit the beach.
Get the Hummus recipe.
Caprese Sandwich
Is there anything more summer-perfect than Caprese salad? We think not, so we decided that a Caprese sandwich should be the official sandwich of summer (or any time you get your hands on some perfect tomatoes).
Get the Caprese Sandwich recipe.
Antipasto Skewers
We can't get get enough of the varied flavors and textures of an antipasto spread (see our antipasto squares and antipasto salad). But, this bite-size appetizer just might be our favorite way to enjoy all of the fresh, sharp flavors all in one bite. Serve as a satisfying midday snack on any summer beach day.
Get the Antipasto Skewers recipe.
Homemade Cake Pops
Tiny, adorable, and all the rage a few years ago, cake pops are the bite-sized treat we'll never get tired of. While they can take some practice, this recipe has all the steps, tips, and tricks you need to master these portable pick-me-ups. Snack on one or three while cracking open your favorite beach read.
Get the Homemade Cake Pops recipe.
Melon Prosciutto Skewers
If you haven't experienced the flavor combo of prosciutto + melon, get on it STAT. It's the ultimate in sweet and salty.
Get the Melon Prosciutto Skewers recipe.
Turkey Lavash Wraps
This wrap is hearty enough to keep you full until dinner, but not so heavy you require a post-lunch nap. Filled with a zingy arugula-dill salad, sliced turkey, roasted red peppers, and crunchy cucumbers, and sealed with a creamy goat cheese spread, it's exactly the kind of colorful lunch that'll brighten up your beach day.
Get the Turkey Lavash Wraps recipe.
Pinwheel Sandwiches
These pinwheels are easy to assemble, look great on a platter, and are ideal for an Easter party. To make them, you'll layer flour tortillas with ranch-flavored mayonnaise, sliced cheese, deli meats, and lettuce. All that's left to do is roll them up tightly and slice. See, simple!
Get the Pinwheel Sandwiches recipe.
Prosecco Grapes
Cold, sweet grapes are one of our favorite beach day snacks. So why not give them a festive upgrade? Soaking the grapes in vodka and Prosecco infuses them for just enough of a cheeky buzz, and we love freezing them on skewers to turn them into Prosecco grapesicles too.
Get the Prosecco Grapes recipe.
Antipasto Potato Salad
Potato salad is about as classic a summer side as it gets, and we love experimenting with different flavor combinations. If you’re looking to lighten up your usual potato salad, look no further—this version is bursting with all the flavors of your favorite antipasto.
Get the Antipasto Potato Salad recipe.
Chopped Sandwich
Imagine not having to unhinge your jaw like a snake to enjoy your favorite Italian deli hero. This chopped sandwich is here to turn that dream into a reality. Turns out, running a knife through your sandwich ingredients before piling them into a roll makes the whole ordeal of crushing a big hoagie a lot easier to manage!
Get the Chopped Sandwich recipe.
Chickpea "Tuna" Salad
A little wary of tuna fish salad? Bring this chickpea salad to your beach day instead! It hits all the same flavor notes, without any fishy smell or taste.
Get the Chickpea "Tuna" Salad recipe.
Thai Watermelon Salad
The combination of peak-summer watermelon and juicy peaches is coated in a Thai-inspired dressing that hits all the right flavor notes. Finished with basil, scallions, and peanuts, the salad is perfect served alongside easy grilled main dishes, like shrimp, steak, or salmon.
Get the Thai Watermelon Salad recipe.
Vegetarian Italian Sub
The king of sandwiches is the Italian Hero, a sandwich filled to the brim with all manner of cured meat, cheese, and refreshingly crisp vegetables. We set out to make a veggie version of this classic sandwich. Sub the meat for planks of zucchini and eggplant to offer some heartiness.
Get the Vegetarian Italian Sub recipe.
Extra-Crispy Buffalo Chicken Nugget Burrito
With chicken nuggets and a crispy shell, this burrito gives Buffalo chicken wraps a run for their money. If you love Buffalo chicken but need an easy chicken dinner or packable lunch fast, using chicken nuggets speeds up the process, soaking up all of the delicious sauce in every bite.
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