Best Beach Lunches Ever

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It’s true what they say—everything just tastes better on the beach. From easy, mess-free sandwiches to gourmet summer salads, we’ve rounded up a list of perfect, packable seaside meal ideas. Bon appetit!

Skewers
Also known as kebabs, skewers are a one-stop shop for all things delicious. Not only do they allow you to combine delightful assortments of foods (Cheese! Vegetables! Meat!) but they allow you to do away with pesky cutlery. Keep things simple and fresh by layering cherry tomatoes, bocconcini, and fresh basil or let your creative juices flow by mixing and matching whatever speaks to you in the moment.

Wraps
Like a sandwich, only better! Wraps are self-contained and done right, they’re a perfect way to avoid sandy, goopy messes. Use a large, soft tortilla and fill with hummus, arugula, thinly sliced cucumber, cheese…anything goes. Then roll and wrap in wax paper. You won’t have to worry about fillings leaking out the sides and the wax paper catches any errant crumbs. The possibilities are virtually endless when it comes to what you put inside the tortilla so don’t be afraid to get creative.

Grain Salads
The idea of tucking into a salad on the beach can be a bit daunting. Especially if you have to fuss with dressing. Instead of your classic garden variety, why not opt for a healthy, grain-based treat? Try couscous or quinoa, add some chopped vegetables, a little feta, and dress with a simple combination of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper and you’ve got yourself a top-notch beach lunch.

Charcuterie/Antipasto Board
If you’re looking to take your next beach picnic to the next level, it’s time to break out the antipasto board. Assemble various cured meats, pickled vegetables, olives, and a fresh baguette and you’re good to go. Simple, easy to eat, and leaves no mess. What more could you really ask for?

Pizza
While pizza may not be the first thing you think of when envisioning the perfect beach meal, it’s actually pretty darn perfect as far as seaside foods go. Pizza always tastes great the next day and is super easy to transport. The evening before, assemble a pie topped with your favourite vegetables. Cook and then refrigerate overnight. Slice into manageable pieces and pack in your cooler. Come lunchtime, you’ll have a tasty, nutritious treat that doesn’t require dishes or utensils.

Dessert
What’s a beach lunch without dessert? While you probably can’t bring a pint of ice cream with you (wouldn’t that be nice) you can still satisfy your sweet tooth while soaking in the sun and surf. Choose easy to eat treats like cookies but make sure you skip the chocolate to avoid a melty mess. Fresh fruit like watermelon never fails, especially if it’s pre-sliced or cubed. To really dazzle your tastebuds, try combining an assortment of berries and apples and drizzle with a bit of pure vanilla extract. By the time lunch rolls around, the vanilla and fruit juices will have combined to create an incredibly sweet and healthy ending to your lunch