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60 Awesome 4th of July Vegan Picnic Recipes

4th of July Vegan Picnic Recipe banner with pineapple in shade on American flag.


Nothing says summer like a picnic and as my American friends will be celebrating the 4th of July soon, I thought it might be nice to pull together some tasty picnic recipes. From sandwiches, wraps and pies, to salads, sweet treats and drinks.

We've had some beautiful weather here in Scotland this month, so I'm quietly optimistic that we will have some picnic weather in June too. Even though most of us don't celebrate the 4th of July hear in Scotland, we will be celebrating the sunshine and getting out and about as much as we can.

Our diets have changed with the sunshine and are much lighter with lots of salads, mezze, wraps and toasties, rather than the heavier food of the winter months. 

I hope you will find plenty of inspiration for your 4th of July picnic or just some new ideas for lighter summer meals. Thanks to all the wonderful bloggers who contributed recipes.


Sandwiches

Sandwiches are a staple for a quick lunch at work or on the go. They are easy to make, tasty and filling. Try changing your bread to a pitta pocket or flatbread to keep things fresh.

Photos of Chickpea Salad Sandwich, Chickpea Mayonnaise Salad Sandwiches and Roasted Vegetable and Tofu Sandwiches

Chickpea Salad Sandwich - Feenin for Greens







Photos of Spiced Chickpea and Carrot Sandwiches, Falafel & Apple Salad Sandwiches and Vegan BBQ 'Shroom Buns




Vegan BBQ 'Shroom Buns - Tinned Tomatoes




Wraps

I love a wrap. There is just something rather special about them. 

Eat them fresh or toasted, but do buy good quality wraps as cheap wraps can be a bit claggy. 

To wrap them successfully place your filling in the middle of the tortilla, fold the sides over the filling and firmly roll the top of the tortilla over the filling and towards you, tucking in the sides as you go. 


Photos of Beet Salad Lunch Wrap, Chickpea Quinoa Vegetable Wraps and Spicy Bean Lunchtime Wrap

Beet Salad Lunch Wrap - Tinned Tomatoes


Onion Bhaji Lunch Wrap - The Vegan Lunch Box

Spicy Bean Lunchtime Wrap (copycat recipe) - Tinned Tomatoes



Pies and Tarts

Ready rolled puff pastry or a block of shortcrust pastry is the starting point for making so many different types of pies and tarts. Individual pies that can be eaten without cutlery are the best option for picnics.

photos of three vegan picnic pies

Easy Mediterranean Tarts - Tinned Tomatoes







Photo of Vegan Quiche Lorraine and Vegan Mini Spinach & Cream Cheese Parcels

Vegan Quiche Lorraine - Seven Roses




Pasta Salads

We love eating pasta salad for dinner in the summer, but it is a great addition to a picnic spread. You can toss them in so many sauces and dressings, then pile on the vegetables, pulses, salad or herbs. Just remember to drain the pasta while it is al dente and refresh it under cold water for glossy pasta.

three vegan pasta salads

Best Summer Pasta Salad - Tinned Tomatoes

Two Bean Pasta Salad - Healthy Happy Life




three vegan picnic pasta salads

Summer Greek Pasta Salad - Tinned Tomatoes

Summer Veggie Pasta Salad - Strength and Sunshine

Healthy Vegan Macaroni Salad - Veggies Don't Bite





Grain Salads

There are so many grains to use as a base for salads. Rice, couscous, faro, bulgur wheat and quinoa to name a few. Cook them in vegetable stock instead of water to boost the flavour.

photo of three vegan grain salads


Quinoa Taco Salad - Contendedness Cooking

Asparagus and Arugula Farro Salad -Dianne's Vegan Kitchen

Curried Rice Salad with Orange - The Garden Grazer






photo of Lemon Garlic Mint Quinoa Salad and Mediterranean Couscous Salad



Mediterranean Couscous Salad - Tinned Tomatoes





Potato Salad

I had you at potatoes, didn't I? We all love potato salad, but we don't all like potato salad laden with thick vegan mayo, so try dressing your potato salad with lighter dressings, such as salad dressings and pesto.

Photo of three vegan picnic potato salads in bowls



Harissa Potato Salad - Strength and Sunshine

Vegan German Potato Salad -Dianne's Vegan Kitchen





photo of two different creamy potato salads, one with a thick mayo dressing, the other with a light cream dressing and fresh herbs


Classic Potato Salad - Beautiful Ingredient

Creamy Vegan Potato Salad - Tinned Tomatoes





Vegetable Salad

These salads are the perfect way to reach your five-a-day. They are super healthy and packed with flavour and texture.

3 colourful vegetable salads




Vegan Apple Broccoli Salad - Vegan in the Freezer

Super Spring Salad - Gathering Dreams 






three picnic salads in jewel colours with lots of red and yellow

Watermelon Tomato Basil Salad - Veggies Save the Day

Ultimate Greek Chopped Salad - The Garden Grazer






Photo of Roasted Pepper Salad with Tofu and Rainbow Thai Spiralized Salad


Rainbow Thai Spiralized Salad - The Belly Rules the Mind






Photo of Easy Vegan Broccoli Slaw and Summer Grilled Corn Salad



Easy Vegan Broccoli Slaw - Glue & Glitter






Bean & Lentil Salad

Adding beans and lentils to a salad is a good way of adding protein to your salad as well as adding a different texture. A bean or lentil salad will also keep you fuller for longer.


Photo of White Bean Cherry Tomato Salad and Pineapple Fiesta Salad

White Bean Cherry Tomato Salad - Veggies Save the Day

Pineapple Fiesta Salad - Where You Get Your Protein




Photo of Kidney Bean Salad with Lemon & Parsley and Herbed White Bean Picnic Salad








Sweet Treats


Of course you need something sweet to end with. Be it a cake, cookie, pie or pop. Go on tuck in!

Photo of Flourless Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Cookies and Vegan Pie Pops


Vegan Pie Pops - Desserts with Benefits




Photo of Strawberry Pie with Walnut Oat Crust, Grain-Free Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies and Vegan Smores Pie

Strawberry Pie with Walnut Oat Crust - Where you Get Your Protein


Vegan Smores Pie - Bear Plate




Photo of Dark Treacle Banana Gingrebread, Orange Upside Down Semolina Cake and  Oaty Vegan Apple Pie



Oaty Vegan Apple Pie - The Veg Space




Photo of Guilt-Free Apple Pie in an Apple and Almond Cherry Muffins

Guilt-Free Apple Pie in an Apple - Desserts with Benefits

Almond Cherry Muffins - A Virtual Vegan

Red Apple & Treacle Fruitcake - Tinned Tomatoes





Picnic Drinks


It's important to drink lots of water on a hot day. My tip is to pop bottles of water in the freezer the night before, then pack your picnic treats with them, to keep everything cool until you are ready to serve. You will have cool food and lovely cold water to drink. Of course it's nice to have something a little more celebratory, so smoothies and lemonade are good choices as soft drinks.

Photo of Mixed Berry Smoothie,  Lavender Lemonade and Pink Pineapple Smoothie

Mixed Berry Smoothie - Tinned Tomatoes

Lavender Lemonade - Champagne Tastes

Pink Pineapple Smoothie - Tinned Tomatoes




Photo of Strawberry Lemonade with Lavender,  Vegan Tropical Butternut Squash Smoothie and Green Mango Smoothie


Vegan Tropical Butternut Squash Smoothie - The Belly Rules the Mind

Green Mango Smoothie - Tinned Tomatoes





4th of July Vegan BBQ Guide banner with American flag

If you are looking for more 4th of July inspiration, check out my 4th of July Vegan BBQ Guide and have a great 4th!

10 comments

  1. What a lot of gorgeously colourful food, who says that vegan food is beige and bland?! Yum - I want a picnic now! Thanks for including my recipes x

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  2. Wow! So many amazing recipes Jac! Thanks for sharing.
    The weather has been lovely this weekend in London! I really hope it will hold for a bit longer so I can try some of these well before the 4th of July! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No problem and yes it's been gorgeous up here in Scotland too, we are set for even higher temperatures this weekend, so picnic food is spot on.

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  3. Lovely post. Thanks for including my recipe. I have pinned it for others to see.

    ReplyDelete
  4. There are so many yummy recipes here! Thank you for including my salad!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was my pleasure Dianne. I was really pleased with all the recipes. Such a fabulous choice.

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  5. You have certainly simplified summer entertaining with this well curated post. I am tempted to have a "Here Comes the Sun" Party before the fourth to try out some of these recipes. Thank you for including my Orange Upside Down cake.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Haha yes you should and my pleasure :)

    ReplyDelete

I love reading comments, so thank you for taking the time to leave one. Unfortunately, I'm bombarded with spam, so I've turned on comment moderation. I'll publish your comments as soon as I can and respond to them. Don't panic, they will disappear when you hit publish. Jac x