24 Beach Food Ideas & Recipes for Your Next Vacation

Few things are better than a day at the beach or a beach vacation. It’s important to stay fueled out on the sand and choose suitable food for your beach adventure. Naturally, you want food that’s not too heavy and makes you feel uncomfortable, but you do need energy. The following ideas will satisfy all your beach needs: easy to make, pleasing to most palates, and simple to transport to the beach or cook at the beach with limited supplies. 

Beach food ideas for a picnic

For a day at the beach, a picnic is a perfect solution to the question of “where should we eat?” Try these food ideas along with your family’s favorites, and you can spend more time swimming and less time discussing what to have for your next meal.  

1. Fried chicken

Fried chicken is always a favorite. It can be served hot or cold and it’s easy to eat on the beach with no utensils required.

2. Chicken salad

This can either be eaten alone or put between sourdough bread to make a tasty sandwich. Use your favorite recipe or pick up a container from your grocer’s deli. 

3. Easy raspberry lemonade

No picnic is complete without a refreshing drink. Lemonade concentrate, fresh raspberries, and lemon-lime soda are used in this easy-to-make drink. 

4. Pudding and jello

These are great because you can have a variety of flavors so everyone can find one that they like. Freeze pudding snacks overnight, and they’ll turn into icy cold treats. 

5. Fresh fruit 

On a hot day, few things are more refreshing than fresh fruit. You’re on vacation, so don’t bother peeling, cutting, and chopping. Pick up some precut fruit on your way to the beach. 

Beach food ideas for a BBQ

Whether it’s a short holiday weekend or a week-long summer vacation, these food ideas are perfect to make in your beachside rental or on a barbecue grill. Not only does cooking in your vacation rental save money, but it also allows you more time for fun in the sun. 

1. Grilled corn on the cob

Corn on the cob is the perfect side dish to complete any meal at the beach. You can go simple with just butter or fancy it up by adding a mix of your favorite herbs and spices. 

2. Grilled kabobs 

Kabobs are a great idea for a BBQ at the beach. They are both easy to make and eat. Use ingredients like steak cubes, chicken pieces, pineapple, cherry tomatoes, and bell peppers, or save time by buying pre-made ones from your store’s deli. 

3. Fish tacos with avocado-lime crema

Tacos are always popular, and what’s better at the beach than fish? These cook up quickly, using frozen fish sticks and the veggies and cream can be prepared early in the day so you can put the tacos together easily after a day at the beach. 

4. Pasta salad

Pasta salad is great because it can be a whole meal in itself if you want. Most recipes include veggies, carbs, dairy, and protein. 

5. Skewered cantaloupe 

Most people wouldn’t think to grill fruit, but cantaloupe grills beautifully. Top it with a fresh mint sauce and you’ve got a great side dish or dessert. 

6. Chicken tenders

Tenders are kid-friendly, and adults can eat them as-is or wrapped in a tortilla with veggies and sauce for a chicken tender wrap. Order from the local grocery store so you can spend more time in the sun rather than the kitchen. 

7. Hotdogs

Hot dogs are a great beach food. They cook up easily and can be eaten without silverware. You can dress them up or down with your favorite toppings such as relish, fresh onion, mustard, matchup, and barbeque sauce. 

8. Fish-&-chips-style cod

Even if you’re not into fishing, you can enjoy your own fish fry without having to navigate the crowded restaurants. Serve with coleslaw and your choice of potato, and you’re set. 

Beach snack ideas

There’s something about the wind and waves that makes you hungry, no matter how recently you’ve just eaten. These snack ideas will help keep hunger at bay. 

1. Trail mix

You can throw a bag of trail mix into any beach bag, backpack, or purse. Just put together a combination of dried fruit, nuts, granola, or cereal. If you have a sweet tooth you can add chocolate candies.

2. Salsa and tortilla chips

If you want a snack that has a little spice then go for tortilla chips and salsa. Depending on your love of spice you can choose anything from a mild flavor right up to hot. 

3. Fresh fruit and yogurt dip

Nothing is more refreshing on a hot summer’s day than fresh fruit and cold yogurt to dip in. You choose any combination of fruit but melons and berries are juicy and great summer fare. Add some frozen grapes for an extra zing.

4. Cookies 

Homemade or store-bought, a good cookie is hard to resist. 

5. Frozen fruit juice

The night before your trip to the beach, freeze single-serving fruit juice boxes overnight. Keep them in a cooler, or at least a waterproof bag, and as they start to thaw, they become like slushies. 

Romantic beach food ideas

Sand, sea waves, and spectacular sunsets make beaches an ideal location for a romantic meal. Here are some food ideas that will add to the romantic atmosphere. 

1. Raw oysters

Oysters are known as one of the most romantic foods and are great for a special evening with a partner. They are perfect for the beach as they are cool and refreshing. Served raw with a sauce of rice wine vinegar, cucumber, ginger, and shallots.

2. Sushi Rolls

You get the elegance of a restaurant with simple finger food that’s easy to eat on the beach. 

3. Boiled Lobster

One of the best things about the beach is the shellfish, and there is nothing more decadent than a lobster dinner. It’s so simple, all you need is fresh lobster and melted butter for dipping.

4. Skewered Greek salad

Recipes don’t get much easier than this one! Feta cheese, olives, cucumbers, and grape tomatoes are put on toothpicks to make a tasty appetizer or side dish. 

5. Cheesecake

Does your sweetie have a sweet tooth? Pick up a small cheesecake in your favorite flavor, or if you’re feeling decadent, opt for an assortment of flavors on one tray so you can sample them all. 

6. Non-alcoholic sangria

This is a recipe for almost everyone. Sparkling white grape juice and plain seltzer water means this is not only alcohol-free but low in sugar too. Don’t worry about flavor, though—fruit juice and fresh fruit make it lightly sweet and oh-so-good!  

Get food delivered to the beach

When you’re planning your beach getaway, don’t forget that you can have groceries delivered to your beach rental. Not only will this save you the time of going to the grocery store, but you also won’t waste time trying to navigate a new-to-you grocery store. With Instacart it’s easy to place your order ahead of time so it’s ready to pick up when you arrive in town. 

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