25 Vegetarian Picnic Recipes
A traditional British recipe, this perfect Welsh rarebit is the ultimate quick and easy lunch – made with a gooey cheese sauce, and grilled to perfection on crispy bread.
If there was ever a recipe that wholly embodies the name of this website, ‘easy cheesy vegetarian’, it’s Welsh rarebit – and since I’m half Welsh, I thought it was fitting that I share this recipe. It’s such a simple one, but if you’re a fan of gooey cheese, it’s really rather spectacular, and makes a perfect easy lunch.
We Brits are known for our ‘does what it says on the tin’ kind of recipes, and cheese on toast is one of our best.
It’s cheese.
On toast.
You really don’t need a recipe for it.
But Welsh rarebit isn’t quite the same as a standard cheese on toast. It’s a little more interesting – and a lot more delicious – because it uses a gooey cheese sauce, rather than plain slices of cheese.
There are a million stories about how Welsh rarebit came about, where it got its bizarre name from (it’s also sometimes known as ‘Welsh rabbit’ – don’t worry, no rabbits were harmed in the making of this dish), and even whether it’s truly Welsh or not.
But wherever it came from, it’s an incredible dish that deserves to be shared.
Welsh rarebit begins with a super thick cheese sauce, smeared over a crispy piece of toast, and grilled until it’s golden brown on top.
It only takes a few minutes more than regular cheese on toast, and it’s totally worth the extra effort.
There are all sorts of different recipes for Welsh rarebit.
Some use beer, some don’t.
Some use real mustard, and others use mustard powder, or even no mustard at all.
Some recipes use Welsh cheese and others just use cheddar…
Nobody can really agree on just one Welsh rarebit recipe.
So this is just my version!
I begin with a really simple béchamel sauce (white sauce). You can find step-by-step instructions for how to make a white sauce here, but it’s essentially just flour cooked in butter, with some milk added.
You can swap a little of the milk out for some beer, if you want some real indulgence.
You need to make the sauce quite a bit thicker than you would if you were making, say, macaroni cheese – otherwise, it will all drip straight off the bread and you’ll end up with a big mess. A tasty mess, but a mess nonetheless.
Instead, the sauce should be thick and spreadable – more of a paste, really.
Of course, you can’t have Welsh rarebit without plenty of cheese.
Choose a good quality cheese with plenty of flavour. I went for an extra mature cheddar, but a Welsh cheese like Caerphilly would be fitting too!
I also added a dollop of mustard and plenty of black pepper.
Stir it well until the cheese has melted into the sauce and it’s all thick and gooey.
You can use any type of bread for Welsh rarebit, but I like to use something a bit more special than a mass-produced white loaf. This time I used some slices from a nice crusty bloomer loaf.
I like to pre-toast the bread, so it gets crispy on the underside. Then, spread the thick cheese sauce on top.
Pop the tray under the grill (broiler) for a few minutes until the cheese sauce is bubbly and hot, with crispy golden brown patches on top.
All that’s left to do is eat!
In my eyes, Welsh rarebit is definitely a lunch dish, so I don’t tend to do anything fancy with it.
Just a bit of salad on the side is perfect – perhaps some lettuce, tomatoes, or cucumber.
A lot of people splash their Welsh rarebit with a few drips of Worcestershire sauce just before serving. The issue is that Worcestershire sauce isn’t actually vegetarian – but Henderson’s relish is a good vegan substitute. It’s a pretty specialist ingredient, but you can find it online if needed (Amazon US* / Amazon UK*).
Note: Nutritional information is approximate, and will depend on exactly what ingredients you choose. Information above is for 2 slices of Welsh rarebit.
* Note: This post contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I will receive a small payment.
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Summer is here! Hurrah! At this time of year, my tastes definitely change. No more hearty, cheesy casseroles – now, it’s all about summer recipes. I’m thinking fresh salads, picnic food, and easy cold lunches.
And of course, summer is the perfect excuse to eat outside whenever you can. Whether it’s a proper picnic in the park or just a few nibbles in the garden, everything tastes better in the sunshine. I always have a few easy vegetarian recipes up my sleeve that are easy to pack up and take out – things like pasta salads, picnic nibbles, and quiches.
I love how summer food often feels super relaxed and thrown together (in the best possible way). A bit of this, a handful of that, whatever fresh ingredients you’ve got in the fridge… somehow it all just works, even without a lot of forethought. Sometimes our meals are as simple as a slice of crusty bread with some hummus and grilled veggies, or a colourful salad topped with crumbled cheese and a zingy dressing – it’s the kind of food that feels light but still totally satisfying.
Without further ado, onto the recipes!
These vegetarian sausage rolls are stuffed with a seriously tasty lentil and mushroom filling, wrapped up in flaky puff pastry. They’re perfect to batch cook, and can be served cold as part of a picnic. We also love them packed up in lunch boxes!
Get the recipe here!
These crispy fava bean chips make a great crunchy snack, as an alternative to nuts or potato chips. Flavour them however you like – I made cheesy ones!
Get the recipe here!
Tortilla roll-ups make such a fun alternative to a sandwich for picnics and lunch boxes, or just to eat at home for a quick lunch.
Get the recipe here!
Juicy peaches work so well in this tasty vegetarian salad, along with creamy mozzarella, crunchy homemade croutons, and a simple balsamic dressing. This one is a real favourite of mine.
Get the recipe here!
One of my favourite summery dinners – a tasty mixture of vegetables and soft goat cheese, wrapped up in a flatbread. These are so adaptable, so they make great fridge clearers!
Get the recipe here!
A big slice of this self-crusting quiche is great packed up for a picnic or lunch on the go. The fluffy egg mixture forms its own crust as it cooks – you won’t miss the pastry!
Get the recipe here!
This creamy chickpea salad can be served on its own, scooped up on tortilla chips, or inside some crusty bread to make the perfect high protein vegetarian sandwich!
Get the recipe here!
These homemade flatbreads require only 3 ingredients (and no yeast!). Pack them up in your picnic basket with a variety of fillings, and let everyone construct their own lunch.
Get the recipe here!
These cheesy vegetable fritters are great served warm or cold, and they’re such a tasty way to clear out any veggies from the fridge! Serve them with some tzatziki for dipping, if you’re feeling fancy.
Get the recipe here!
These cheesy bites are one of my all-time favourites for packing up into a picnic. They’re super easy to make, and far more tasty than they sound!
Get the recipe here!
A slice of this tasty, cheesy slice is beautiful served cold – plus, it’s packed with protein and fresh vegetables!
Get the recipe here!
Pasta salad is a versatile meal that can be packed up for picnics, or kept in the fridge so you can dig into it throughout the week. I love to add chickpeas, feta cheese, and heaps of fresh veggies.
Get the recipe here!
Pizza is one of our favourite summer dinners, sliced up for everyone to share, and served with a green salad, coleslaw, and crunchy veggie sticks. This Indian-inspired pizza is topped with paneer cheese and a curry-infused pizza sauce.
Get the recipe here!
This roasted vegetable crustless quiche is packed with tasty ingredients, and since there’s no pastry, it’s a light and healthy meal that’s perfect for warmer weather.
Get the recipe here!
I make quesadillas at least once a week, as they’re such an easy meal! For these roasted veggie quesadillas, try cooking up a big batch of roasted vegetables at the start of the week, which you can dig into throughout the week for salads, pasta dishes, etc.
Get the recipe here!
Tabbouleh is another vegetarian salad that’s great to have on hand in the fridge all summer long! This version is extra special, with all sorts of bonus tasty ingredients. I love to serve it as part of a light lunch, with pitta bread and hummus.
Get the recipe here!
Coronation chickpeas are a vegetarian version of a traditional British recipe, with a lightly curried creamy sauce. There’s so much flavour, and they are wonderful served with toast or salad, or packed up into a picnic.
Get the recipe here!
This cold spinach dip can be whipped up in minutes, and is so tasty served with crackers for dipping. This one’s great for lunch boxes too!
Get the recipe here!
One of my all-time favourite lunches! These juicy roasted mushrooms have so much flavour, in a tasty tikka coating. I love them served with naan bread, salad, and a yogurt dip.
Get the recipe here!
Homemade hummus is so easy to make, and makes a wonderful addition to picnics or summery meals. This version uses white beans, lemon juice and feta cheese for maximum flavour.
Get the recipe here!
I love making pitta bread pizzas in the air fryer for a quick and easy lunch that doesn’t heat up the whole house. These ones have two layers of toppings and cheese!
Get the recipe here!
Homemade hummus is so quick and easy to make, and I love adding my own flavourings. This one is made seriously tasty with sun-dried tomatoes, basil and toasted pine nuts.
Get the recipe here!
Cowboy caviar is a simple vegan bean salad that’s absolutely packed with fresh, crunchy vegetables. My version is coated in a creamy avocado dressing for extra deliciousness! I love this scooped up on tortilla chips.
Get the recipe here!
What could be more summery than a veggie burger?! These chickpea burgers are easy to make, and great stacked up with fresh toppings.
Get the recipe here!
Fattoush is a tasty salad made with crispy pitta bread croutons. My version also has roasted vegetables and plenty of other tasty mix-ins!
Get the recipe here!
The post 25 Vegetarian Picnic Recipes appeared first on Easy Cheesy Vegetarian.
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