I’m of the opinion that there’s no sense in having a picnic, a cookout, or a day at the beach if I can’t bring my favorite snacks and beverages too. I thought you might feel similarly, so I set out to gather some tips to guarantee everything gets where you’re going in one piece. I’d heard that my fellow food editor Brooke Caison’s dad, Barry, was a “self-proclaimed king of coolers”, so I grabbed my trusty Hydro Flask bag and got him on the phone. “My dad is an engineer, so he applies a lot of that logistical thinking to how he packs his cooler,” said Brooke. Read on for his advice on how to make your outings a little bit better.
Cooler Backpack
You’ve got to start with a cooler, of course, and the Hydro Flask backpack cooler has been a game changer for me. Sure, it might not be ideal for catering a large family summer BBQ, but it will make a small family picnic or a date on the beach extra easy. The bag is narrow and its sides are great for steadying anything you stack inside. Plus, the straps are comfortable!
How To Keep Things Cool
Don’t have any ice packs? Don’t worry, you’ve still got options.
First, you could put ice straight into the bottom of your cooler bag, but don’t stop there. Barry recommends sprinkling the ice with 1 to 2 tablespoons of salt, which helps lower the freezing point and makes the melted water colder.
Brooke and I both love drinking out of deli containers, so freezing water or our favorite drink in a pint container makes for an obvious DIY ice pack. Freeze 2 to 3 pint-sized containers overnight, then place in the bottom of the freezer bag surrounded by ice. As the containers of liquid slowly melt, you can either drink the water or beverage or get rid of it.
You can also take a tip from my dad, and use whatever you’ve got around as an ice pack. I once found a frozen ball of mozzarella in the bottom of one of his cooler bags, and now I see opportunity in everything. Get creative!
How To Pack Your Bag
Don’t just hope for the best when packing your cooler. Instead, Barry recommends building sturdy “shelves” that other containers can balance on in the bag or cooler. Stackable to-go containers are great, as are utilizing the cans you’re already bringing, but you don’t have to limit yourself to obvious choices—bringing just a few extra jars or bottles can help add stability, AND help upgrade your basics. Here’s one of my favorite ideas as inspiration: Bring a jar of maraschino cherries alongside your Coke or Sprite cans or bottles. Once you arrive, sip a little off the top, pour in the cherry syrup and you’ll have a portable Shirley Temple or Roy Rogers.
What To Pack In Your Cooler
Charcuterie & Cheese Board
Every picnic and camp site deserves the luxury of a cheeseboard, and it’s easy to make it work. Pack everything tightly onto your board and wrap the entire thing in plastic wrap. The board should be the last item in the bag, sitting atop your stacked containers.
Dessert
A dessert that can stand a little chill and won’t be affected by heat is the way to go. I prefer something chewy, handheld, and that makes minimal mess, like a brownie or blondie. In the video above I packed food editor Makinze Gore’s raspberry cheesecake blondies, and WOW. They’re simple but a little bit special, which is the perfect combo.
Sandwiches
I’ve been seeing this trend on social media, and can’t get over how clever it is. Make your desired sandwiches (my favorite is a Caprese) then place the sandwiches back in the bread bag to store them.
Paper Plates & Utensils
Speaking of your bread bag—if it comes with a zip tie, use it to secure the stack of disposable or compostable forks so they don’t fly around the bag. And, always pack a stack of plates. Make sure there is at least 2 per person because you never know how many times you’ll be hungry (or what adventures await you at the beach or park).
