Top bank holiday food ideas

Whether you’re planning a barbecue, some picky bits with friends or a family picnic, we’ve got some bank holiday food ideas to inspire you.

Food Editor

Malou Herkes

Looking for picnic ideas the kids will love or the best barbecue bits for a family gathering? From brand-new barbecue meats to crowd-pleasing recipes, we're here to help with these bank holiday food ideas.

Chef's guide to grilling

The family barbecue

If you've got a crowd coming round for a bank holiday bash, get our new grilling faves on the barbecue and serve up with our summery salad recipes – they won't fail to impress.

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New grilling greats

Fire up your barbecue this weekend with our brand-new grill range, like Our Best Ever Posh Dogs, made with cherry-wood-smoked pork shoulder and American-style smoky seasoning. Match them with our hot and smoky Italian ’Nduja King Prawn Skewers and British beef Smashed Burgers, which come off the grill deliciously caramelised with mouthwateringly crispy edges. Or try our Herby Halloumi Kebabs, made from PDO Cyprus halloumi, crafted from a blend of cow's, sheep's and goat's milk, and skewered with roasted red and mild jalapeño peppers.

Sunny salads

For your salad spread, this ultimate truffled potato salad recipe is a must – tossed through with truffle butter, it’s creamy, a little tangy and heady with truffle. Or combine sweet melon and salty feta in this grilled melon and feta salad recipe, and make the most of British asparagus season with this asparagus and warm grain salad.

Salad recipes over here

Your barbecue must-haves

Picky tea with your pals

Crack open a bottle of your favourite fizz while you throw together the ultimate grazing board for a picky tea in no time.

Make best-in-season Isle of Wight tomatoes the hero of your spread, with this whipped feta and Pink Oishi tomatoes on toast recipe, drizzled with garlic-infused olive oil and ready in 10. Whip up some smoother-than-smooth houmous, then for dunking, stuff our ready-to-roll sourdough pizza dough with a lemony cheesy filling for the ultimate homemade pizza crust dippers.

More picky dinners for you

Picnics the kids will love

Looking for delicious, kid-friendly picnic ideas that are easy to transport? Get these healthy frozen berry ice lollies in the freezer, then check out these ideas, from pasta salads to easy tarts.

Perfect pasta salad ideas

Whip up a ham and pineapple pasta salad with our recipe, using sweet Sugarloaf Pineapple, Parma ham and creamy mozzarella, then use the leftover ham to make a flavour-packed fig and parma ham salad for an adult-friendly side. Alternatively, our pea and pesto pasta salad is a winner for all ages.

Make this pasta salad

Picnic picky bits

Make a batch of spring onion and manchego scones and these kids’ snacking plate ideas for low-stress bites the little ones will enjoy, from frittata egg bites to ham and cheese pinwheels. Mash up avo, peas and feta into this vibrant dip, then serve with plenty of sliced red peppers, cucumbers and mangetouts. These cheesy egg muffins are easy to make and easy on the wallet.

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More bank holiday recipes

Whether you’re planning a barbecue or a lazy family breakfast (or you want to combine the two – hello ultimate barbecue brunch), we’ve got recipes to inspire you. Lounge in bed with an indulgent brunch of ricotta hotcakes with honey butter-roasted greengages and plums, get the kids making these moreish marshmallow kebabs or spend your Sunday baking an epic blueberry banana bread – go on, you're on holiday.

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Published 4.17.2025