20 Packable Foods Perfect for a Day at the Beach

Packing snacks, sandwiches and salads for the beach requires a bit of planning, but pays off once you’re settled on the beach and don’t want to spend your entire day standing in line on the boardwalk waiting for mediocre pizza and nachos. When plotting what to bring, think of where it’s going to be stored, how hardy a food is and packing material—even the best coolers can leave your sandwiches soggy if you don't pack them the right way. Something that always works? These colorful Roasted Turkey and Basil Cream Cheese Pinwheel Sandwiches, which can be made in the morning and kept chilled for an easy lunch or afternoon snack on the beach.

These muffins get better after a stay in the freezer, so pop them in the cooler straight from the freezer to use as ice packs for the rest of your snacks. Once they thaw, you can dig in!

Add some leftover grilled chicken to this noodle salad and you have an all-in-one beach lunch. Skip the protein and serve this as a side to sandwiches or burgers if your beach has a grill.

A Muffuletta is a pressed sandwich -- filled with cold cuts, cheese and an olive spread -- that only gets better as it sits. Food Network Kitchen designed this pressed sandwich for camping in the great outdoors, but it’s perfect for a day at the beach, too. Prep it in the morning and pack it at the bottom of your cooler to let the weight of your other goodies flatten it.