Americans have plenty to celebrate on National Eat Outside Day on Aug. 31. From restaurant patios to dinners on the campfire, eating outside is an unbeatable way to enjoy a summer meal. Elevate your own al fresco dining with these tips and recipes.
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Summertime means outdoor dining
From field lunches to Victorian graveyard picnics, eating outdoors has shifted over time, changing from a necessity into a relaxing pastime. Especially in summer, warm weather draws families to parks, beaches, and campsites.
Eat Outside Day honors the tradition of enjoying food in the fresh air. Whether you eat alone or with friends, cook over an open fire or bring prepared food, meals taste different when eaten outdoors.
This year, people are getting into the spirit of eating outside. Google searches for camping food increased by 120% since the beginning of May. Picnic food searches jumped approximately 34% in that same time. Beach foods, backyard BBQ and grilling recipes have seen similar increases.
Campfire recipes, meal ideas, tips for packing and important food safety considerations can inspire your next outdoor menu. Eat on a hike or by the fire under a canopy of stars. Either way, the right meal can make food and fresh air a memorable summer moment.
Packable picnic foods for outdoor adventures
Picnic foods should be easy to transport and delicious even after a few hours in the picnic basket or cooler. Sandwiches, wraps, pasta salads, potato salads and charcuterie are popular choices that travel well and taste great cold. Packing sandwich components separately avoids soggy bread and allows diners to customize their meals.
Seasonal fruits and vegetables complement the outdoor setting. Berries, grapes, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers hold up well. Chips, crackers and cookies are ideal sides, especially with your favorite dips. For dessert, pies, brownies or blondies, lemon bars or snack cakes are a sweet treat at the end of a picnic.
Camping meals that go beyond the basics
Hot dogs and marshmallows always taste better around a campfire, but there are a variety of camping meals for your next adventure. The key is choosing recipes that are filling and flavorful without complicated preparation.
Foil packet meals are simple and tasty. Wrap a protein, veggies and seasonings in heavy-duty foil and cook them on hot coals. For a breakfast option, try a French toast foil packet. Cast iron is another hack for cooking at camp. Suitable for hotplates, camp stoves and over the fire, a cast iron pan or pot can perfectly cook chili, beans, steaks, flatbreads and more.
Don’t forget dessert either. Camping desserts like skillet cobblers, baked apples and fruit salads can end a busy day in the wilderness. You can also bake up a batch of s’mores brownies or peanut butter cookies at home and bring them with you.
Backyard barbeques for any occasion
Getting friends together for an evening of grilling can be a highlight of summer. Hamburgers, hot dogs and bratwursts are beloved staples and simple to make for large parties.
You can take your grilling to the next level with a variety of other options. Try chicken and vegetable kebabs, grilled salmon on a cedar plank or pizza on a pizza stone. A plant-based cookout with veggie burgers, portobello mushrooms, cauliflower steaks and grilled tempeh can be a tasty option for vegetarians and omnivores.
There’s also no need for a special event to enjoy backyard dining. Outdoor dining at home can be as simple or elaborate as you like. Take your dinner out to the patio one evening with a book or make yourself a charcuterie board with a glass of wine.
Tips and food safety for outdoor dining
Whether you are at a picnic, campsite, beach or in your own backyard, a bit of planning will make eating outdoors easy. Stick to foods that require minimal prep work. If you prepare each part of the meal at home, simply reheating each portion will go quickly, even on a portable stove. Alternatively, pack any sauces and dressings separately, adding them to sandwiches and salads just before you eat.
For storage, reusable containers are eco-friendly and durable, while disposable containers are generally lighter. To avoid leakage, use containers with sealing lids or wrap containers in plastic bags. If bringing store-bought food, it may be better to leave food in its packaging if space permits to keep it secure.
Because temperatures are likely still warm at the end of August, you’ll want to take extra precautions with perishables. According to the Washington State Department of Health, you should keep items in a cooler at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below and take them out only when ready to eat. Hand sanitizer and wipes can also help promote food safety if you don’t have soap and water available.
Celebrate Eat Outside Day with late summer flavors
Eat Outside Day is the perfect reminder to step out and slow down while you savor both food and fresh air. Whether you gather with friends and family or enjoy the solitude of dining alone, outdoor meals can be as relaxing as they are delicious. With the right recipes, a little planning and a spirit for adventure, any outdoor meal can be a celebration of summer’s simple joys.
Kristen Wood is a photographer, recipe developer, writer and creator of Schisandra and Bergamot, a botanical blog. She is also the author of “Vegetarian Family Cookbook,” “Fermented Hot Sauce Cookbook” and “Hot Sauce Cookbook for Beginners.” Her work has been featured in various online and print publications, including Healthline, Martha Stewart, CBS, ABC, Willow and Sage Magazine, Forbes, Chicago Sun-Times, NBC and more.