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Best Supermarket Picnic Food for Summer 2026
After testing a basket full of picnic food, here is what to buy.
By Alice Reynolds | Monday 01 June 2026 10:59 BST
I looked for taste, texture and value for money.
Our Top Picks
- Best overall: Asda the deli pil pil king prawns – £3
- Best budget: Aldi spinach and pepper egg bites – £2
- Best salad: Waitrose summer harissa couscous salad – £4
- Best seafood: M&S chargrilled calamari rings – £4
- Best houmous: Aldi red pepper topped houmous – £2
- Best flavour: Waitrose Thai green chicken meatballs – £4
- Best for hot honey lovers: Asda the deli hot honey feta – £3
- Best potato salad: Tesco finest four cheese potato salad – £4
- Best olives: Sainsbury's mixed olives and Greek feta – £3
- Best slaw: Sainsbury's Taste the Difference pecorino and pesto slaw – £3
- Best dip: M&S green goddess dip – £3
- Best crisp: M&S baked sour cream and chive pretzels – £2
- Best sausage rolls: Sainsbury's Taste the Difference 'nduja and parmesan sausage rolls – £5
- Best sausages: M&S dinky and mighty shareable pork sausages – £4
- Best vegan sausage rolls: Tesco plant chef 2 meat-free sausage rolls – £1
Sandwiches, sausage rolls, Scotch eggs, crisps and strawberries laid out on a blanket – a picnic is a staple of the British summer. For the truly devoted, the moment the weather starts to warm up, dinner becomes an endless rotation of picky bits.
Far from a modern pleasure, picnics can be traced back to medieval times, when nobility and royalty enjoyed open-air feasts during extravagant hunting expeditions. It was the French Revolution, however, that helped bring the picnic to Britain. As French aristocrats fled to London, they brought their pique-nique custom with them, and the trend exploded in popularity during the Victorian era.
Nowadays, our alfresco dining habits look rather different, with supermarkets catering to increasingly adventurous tastes. This year in particular, picnic aisles are pushing the boat out – think Thai-inspired meats, loaded dips and reinventions of the humble potato salad. Spoiler alert: there is a lot of pesto.
To find out what deserves a place in your willow basket this summer, I set out to find the very best supermarket picnic food.
1. Asda the deli pil pil king prawns – Best overall
Price per 100g: £3.20
Why we love it: Delicious marinade, juicy prawns
Take note: A little pricey
If you buy one thing for your picnic or barbecue this summer, make it Asda's pil pil king prawns. Marinated in a punchy mix of parsley, smoked paprika, garlic and lemon, they are packed with flavour, with the paprika lending a subtle smokiness that is balanced by the brightness of the citrus. The prawns themselves are plump, juicy and incredibly moreish, making them the sort of item that is likely to disappear long before the rest of the spread. They work just as well as a snack straight from the pack as they do piled onto a picnic plate alongside salads and bread. Simple but expertly done, these were among the standout products I tried.
2. Aldi spinach and pepper egg bites – Best budget
Price per 100g: £1.55
Why we love it: High in protein, great taste and texture
Take note: Protein claim on front is a little misleading
Available in three different flavours (spinach and red pepper, cheese and bacon, and chicken and leek), the egg bites are a new addition to Aldi's picnic aisle for 2026, and they are not to be missed. The supermarket is targeting those seeking to add more protein into their diet with a big label advertising the amount of protein per serving on the packaging but, as picnics can often lack substance, I am not complaining. I tested the spinach and pepper egg bites which are really delicious: light, airy and a nice cheese taste and texture from the pepper. Protein hunters, it is worth noting that you will need to eat the whole box to get the 19g of protein on the front though.
3. Waitrose summer harissa couscous salad – Best salad
Price per 100g: £1.40
Why we love it: High quality tasting, nourishing, good value
Take note: Could do with a citrus hit
Salad pots from supermarkets can be a let down, but not this one from Waitrose, which nails both taste and texture for me. On top of a generous layer of harissa spiced red pepper yogurt dressing, there is giant couscous and chickpeas which add a nice variation to each bite, while the feta adds a full bodied tang. This is a great nourishing addition to a picnic.
4. M&S chargrilled calamari rings – Best seafood
Price per 100g: £4
Why we love it: Summery taste, would suit a BBQ or picnic
Take note: Expensive
Simple but delicious, the M&S chargrilled calamari rings make a worthy Mediterranean addition to a picnic or BBQ. They have a divine chargrilled flavour and kick from the cracked red and black pepper, and the texture of the squid rings is on point (aka no slime). You can fry them off but equally they taste lovely on their own. Plus, with 20g of protein in a tub, what is not to like?
5. Aldi red pepper topped houmous – Best houmous
Price per 100g: £0.90
Why we love it: Great value, taste and texture on point
The dip underdog, Aldi has some adventurous creations in the sauce aisle, but if you were to only try one, I would recommend its red pepper topped houmous. This is a smooth, orangey-red hued houmous which has good flavour while not veering too far from the classic taste. Plus, I liked the texture the cherry tomatoes on top gave the dip.
6. Waitrose Thai green chicken meatballs – Best flavour
Price per 100g: £2
Why we love it: Aromatic taste, high in protein
Take note: Texture is a little dry
These bitesize chicken meatballs from Waitrose mix up the flavours of a picnic. The chicken thigh meat is paired with brown rice and edamame beans, flavoured with a green Thai inspired seasoning with coriander and lemongrass. The tastes come together well with a zap of citrus from the lemongrass and an aromatic spice that is brimming with summer feeling. They are also high in protein with 2.7g per meatball and come in a carton that is easy to pass around the blanket.
7. Asda the deli hot honey feta – Best for hot honey lovers
Price per 100g: £1.60
Why we love it: Great flavour from the sauce, hot honey is balanced
Take note: Feta is a little dry
Hot honey was bound to make it to the picnic aisle, and this incorporation from Asda works really well. The pot has generous hunks of feta cheese sitting on top of a vibrant red pepper and tomato marinade. The tang of the cheese is complimented by the subtle heat and sweetness from the sauce, making for a delicious little pot. At just under £3, it is middling price wise, while my only complaint is that the feta runs a little dry.
8. Tesco finest four cheese potato salad – Best potato salad
Price per 100g: £1.20
Why we love it: Mix of cheeses adds deep flavour, pesto brightens the taste
Take note: Potatoes are a little undercooked
Potato salad has been reimagined by Tesco, which has transformed the classic picnic dish into something far more elevated. The clue is in the name, as the Tesco finest four cheese potato salad sees baby spuds engulfed in a creamy sauce made from hard cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Provolone cheese and Pecorino Romano, all topped with slow roasted cherry tomatoes and a basil pesto. The sauce is rich but well balanced with hints of tang, while the pesto and tomatoes help to lift the overall flavour. It was a little too saucy for me but my friend could not get enough.
9. Sainsbury's mixed olives and Greek feta – Best olives
Price per 100g: £2
Why we love it: Tasty olives and tangy feta, good size
Take note: A little pricey
We are spoiled for choice when it comes to olive pots, but Sainsbury's mixed olives and Greek feta is a great option for those attending a larger picnic. The olives are juicy, with the black ones tasting particularly supple and delicious. Meanwhile, the feta blocks are small yet hold their own with a sharp, tangy taste. The carton is well-sized too, so there will be more than enough to go around.
10. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference pecorino and pesto slaw – Best slaw
Price per 100g: £1.30
Why we love it: Crunchy veg, pecorino and basil mayonnaise complement each other
Take note: Pesto is a little intense
Do not let the word slaw fool you – Sainsbury's pecorino and pesto offering is far removed from the bland coleslaws that usually come to mind. New for this year, it is a more elevated take on the classic, with pecorino adding a savoury richness and pesto bringing plenty of bold flavour – though, for me, the pesto borders on overpowering. Thick ribbons of carrot, cabbage and courgette give it a satisfying crunch, and overall, it is a genuinely delicious side.
11. M&S green goddess dip – Best dip
Price per 100g: £1.40
Why we love it: Creamy and herby
Take note: Runny consistency
Combining mayonnaise, avocado, soured cream, parsley and dill, the iconic green goddess dip packs a punch, so I would recommend pairing with subtle vessels. Plain crisps, crudites or simple crackers allow its herby, tangy flavour to take centre stage without competing for attention. The consistency is closer to a dressing or sauce than a traditional dip, with a looser texture that makes it noticeably runnier than expected. While it is still thick enough to scoop up with a crisp, its versatility is arguably its biggest strength. As well as serving it alongside snacks, I can see it working drizzled over salads, spooned into sandwiches or wraps, or even used as a sauce for grilled chicken and vegetables.
12. M&S baked sour cream and chive pretzels – Best crisp
Price per 100g: £1.20
Why we love it: Coated in delicious flavouring, good crunch
This sour cream and chive twist on the classic pretzel brings a welcome burst of flavour to any picnic spread. For fans of the combination (myself included), the seasoning is punchy and moreish without being overpowering, while the baked pretzels stay satisfyingly crisp. Each pretzel is generously coated, so there is plenty of flavour in every handful rather than a light dusting that disappears after a few bites. Lighter than traditional crisps but no less snackable, they are the sort of picnic staple you will find yourself absent-mindedly reaching for throughout the afternoon. They would work particularly well alongside sandwiches and dips, adding plenty of texture without feeling too heavy.
13. Sainsbury's Taste the Difference 'nduja and parmesan sausage rolls – Best sausage rolls
Price per 100g: £1.60
Why we love it: Smokey and aromatic taste
Take note: Pricey for two, but they are chunky
Sausage rolls can be hit or miss but these ones from Sainsbury's add something a little different to the category. The pork is seasoned with 'nduja paste, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and smoked paprika, which is then encased in a buttery pastry and finished with a smoked paprika and parsley crumb. While the pastry is a little claggy if eaten cold, the flavour from the pork is aromatic and bodied with just the right amount of spice from the 'nduja paste. At £4.50 for two rolls, it is on the expensive side but they are impressively artisan-like for a supermarket.
14. M&S dinky and mighty shareable pork sausages – Best sausages
Price per 100g: £1.10
Why we love it: Well priced and high quality, good flavour
Take note: Sweetness might not be for all
The mini sausage is a picnic staple for many, and these ones from M&S hit the mark. The flavour is on the sweeter side, thanks to the addition of honey in the recipe, but it works to compliment the pork taste. The sausage meat has been spiced with a mix of coriander seeds, white pepper, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, which adds a subtle depth that is enhanced by the roasted pork stock. I was pleased to see an ingredient list without as many nasties as other brands, plus there are extra marks for the gluten free crumb, too.
15. Tesco plant chef 2 meat-free sausage rolls – Best vegan sausage rolls
Price per 100g: £1
Why we love it: Good value, nice spice flavour
Take note: Contains palm oil
These meat-free sausage rolls from Tesco are a solid option for vegetarians who do not want to miss out on a classic picnic staple. While they may not quite rival the best meat-free bakery versions, they capture the familiar appeal of a sausage roll: a savoury filling wrapped in flaky pastry that is easy to pack, share and eat on the go. Made with seasoned pea and wheat protein, the filling is well flavoured, with sage and thyme giving it a traditional sausage-roll taste rather than something overtly plant-based. The pastry is a little pale in appearance and lacks the deep golden colour you would hope for, but it still delivers that nostalgic picnic-table feel. My main reservation is the inclusion of palm oil, which may be a drawback for shoppers trying to make more environmentally conscious choices.
What is the best supermarket picnic food?
Supermarket picnic food has come a long way from limp sandwiches and bland sides, with this year's new launches leaning heavily into bold flavours and deli-inspired twists. There were plenty of standouts, from Waitrose's vibrant harissa couscous salad to M&S's addictive sour cream and chive pretzels and Aldi's surprisingly good protein-packed egg bites. But the undisputed winner for me was Asda's pil pil king prawns – smoky, juicy and packed with flavour. They tasted genuinely barbecue-worthy and were the one product I would immediately buy again for a summer spread.
How I tested supermarket picnic foods
I tested a range of picnic food from different supermarkets. As well as testing the classics, I looked out for dishes that caught my attention and would elevate a picnic. When testing I paid attention to:
- Taste and texture: Most importantly, each food on the list tastes good. No bland flavours made the cut. Texture was also paramount, with those who hit the mark making my shortlist. While I acknowledged adventurous flavours and pairings, the food still had to be delicious.
- Suitability for a picnic: As this is food to be taken outside and laid out on a blanket, I considered each dish's portability and how easy it was to eat with limited utensils. Those that needed heating up for example did not make the cut.
- Value for money: While they are a humble pleasure, picnic food can be expensive. So I looked for dishes that were worth their price tag.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Alice Reynolds is a writer and production journalist at IndyBest. A self-confessed foodie, she has covered food and drink launches and reviews, including the best supermarket pizza, best supermarket cheddar and best dark chocolate. From supplements and health foods to supermarket buys like olive oil and wine, the wider IndyBest team have hand-picked the best of the best. As we test everything in real-life settings, we will only recommend something truly worth your money.
