Top 10 Foods for Your Picnic and Barbecue

With spring officially here and summer right around the corner, many people are already tempted to fire up their grill and enjoy some of their favorite picnic and barbecue foods. This list of top 10 foods for picnics includes the all time classics for a great family or friends get together. A picnic just simply could not be a picnic without these foods!

1. Hamburgers: Many people love that charbroiled taste of a great hamburger made on the grill. Served up with great toppings like cheese, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, and others, many outdoor grilling picnics must have hamburgers!

2. Hot Dogs: Whether you go for the regular kind of hot dogs that most little kids like to eat, or decide to go for some more grown up fare of fresh sausage, hot dogs are another summer barbecue classic.

3. Baby Back Ribs: It's called a barbecue for a reason, and many simply can't resist the temptation of some delicious fall-off-the-bone baby back BBQ ribs. Grilling baby back ribs takes some patience, but it's well worth it!

4. Corn on the Cob: Corn on the cob is another favorite summer staple for picnics and barbecues. It's delicious plain or smothered in butter and salt and pepper for the less healthier but mighty tasty version.

5. Baked Beans: Baked beans might not seem like that exciting of a "must-have" picnic dish, but again, it is one of those classic foods you see at just about any picnic. Really good baked beans are hard to come by, but if you're lucky enough to be at a picnic with some be sure to try them!

6. Potato Salad: Potato Salad goes great with any of the top foods listed above. To keep potato salad from spoiling at a picnic, place the bowl of potato salad inside of a larger bowl filled with ice. That will help keep it chilled. You may also want to check it every 30 minutes or so with a food thermometer to make sure it has not gone over 40 degrees.

7. Watermelon: What is a picnic without watermelon? You can get the seedless varieties, but then you'd miss out on having a watermelon seed spitting contest!

8. Fried Chicken: For those who don't love the hamburgers, hot dogs or ribs, fried chicken is a good alternative and for many a must have picnic staple.

9. Chocolate Chip Cookies: What picnic is complete without chocolate chip cookies? They are the perfect portable sweet treat for kids and adults alike.

10. Apple Pie: Apple pie is another great staple for a picnic and a classic dessert. If you're lucky and have a freezer available near your picnic spot

There are plenty of other great picnic foods to enjoy when grilling outside or having family and friends over. Many people also enjoy pasta salad, macaroni salad, and even grilling fresh vegetables like asparagus. While these picnic foods may not be the healthiest things to eat, indulging every once in awhile during the spring and summer most likely won't be a diet buster!