10 Best Recipes for Bringing to the Beach

No beach day is complete with plenty of sustenance.

By
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud

Devan Grimsrud is a Berlin-based writer, editor, and recipe developer originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. After working in television production with James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern, she relocated to Berlin and became the managing editor at Kitchen Stories, an international digital cooking platform with millions of active users. 

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Updated June 04, 2025
Devan Grimsrud
Veggie Sandwich

Simply Recipes / Laurel Randolph

I can think of nothing worse than planning an entire day by the ocean, only to realize you forgot to pack something delicious to eat. When you want to hit the waves or enjoy the sand and sun, you need to have proper sustenance.

Here are 10 of our very best sandwiches, snacks, salads, and dips to easily pack up and enjoy at the beach, plus tips from our readers and Simply Recipes Contributors and Editors.

  • Italian Sub Sandwich

    Side view of an italian sandwich on a platter that is cut into slices. Meat, cheese and toppings are layered on the sandwich.
    Nick Evans

    "If you're packing this up for on the go, I’d recommend wrapping the sandwich whole and chopping it when you get to where you're going. That will prevent the sandwich from falling apart." —Nick Evans, Simply Recipes Contributor

  • Pesto Pasta Salad

    A bowl of pesto pasta salad on a napkin ready to eat.
    Elise Bauer

    "Cherry tomatoes, nuts, peas, and olive tapenade are what I had on hand for this particular version, but you could also add goat cheese, slivered almonds, sun-dried tomatoes, or snow peas." —Elise Bauer, Simply Recipes Founder

  • Cucumber Lime Mint Agua Fresca

    Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca
    Elise Bauer

    "I've been making this stuff for years. If you want to make it without sugar without sacrificing sweetness or taste, add honeydew melon. The melon is sweet enough to get the job done, and pairs so well with the other veggies/fruit that you don't really get a "melon" taste." —Bekah, Simply Recipes Reader

  • Plantain Chips

    Hand Dipping a Plantain Chip in a Bowl of Guacamole, and in the Background, a Large Bowl Filled With Plantain Chips

    Simply Recipes / Shilpa Iyer

    "This recipe works best with firm, green plantains which are lower in sugar and moisture and higher in starch. When shopping, look for plantains that are a vibrant green all over. Some brown spots are okay, but they shouldn’t be turning yellow." —Kayla Hoang, Simply Recipes Contributor

    Continue to 5 of 10 below

  • Loaded Veggie Sandwich

    Loaded Veggie Sandwiches Stacked on a Cutting Board

    Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel

    "Since this sandwich is fully loaded, it’s important to build your ingredients in the right order. I’ve engineered the layers to prevent soggy bread and help keep the sandwich together as it travels from the plate to your mouth." —Laurel Randolph, Simply Recipes Editor

  • Classic Muffuletta

    A Plate with Quarters of a Classic Muffuletta Sandwich Made with Cold Cuts, Cheese, and Olives

    Simply Recipes / Lori Rice

    "Rather than fresh carrots, celery, and cauliflower, I recommend using pickled Italian giardiniare." —Lance, Simply Recipes Reader

  • Pasta and Bean Picnic Salad

    Pasta Bean Picnic Salad
    Sheryl Julian

    "Prep work for this salad is minimal. You just need to cook pasta, make a vinaigrette, chop up some herbs and vegetables, and open a few cans of beans." —Sheryl

  • Peanut Butter Cookies

    A glass of milk with Peanut Butter Cookies on a white background.
    Michelle Becker

    "If you want chewy cookies, bake a little longer at a lower temperature." —Elise

    Continue to 9 of 10 below

  • Green Goddess Pasta Salad

    Bowl of Green Goddess Pasta Salad

    Simply Recipes / Lori Rice

    "The dressing is what makes this pasta salad special. It’s not your traditional green goddess dressing, which typically has mayo and sour cream. Instead, it’s a more vibrant—both in color and flavor—vegan dressing that has loads of greens." —Devan Grimsrud, Simply Recipes Contributor

  • Pea Pesto

    Table Knife With a Bit of Pea Pesto Rested on Top of a Bowl of Pea Pesto Surrounded by Slices of Toasted Bread on the Counter (Some Pieces of Bread Is Smeared With Pea Pesto) and a Blue and White Stripped Kitchen Towel

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    "While I love the buttery sweetness pistachios lend this pesto, just about any toasted nuts or seeds can be used in their place—try walnuts, almonds, cashews, or pepitas (pumpkin seeds)." —Sheela Prakash, Simply Recipes Contributor

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