The Perfect Summer Pie: How to Serve Pies at a BBQ or Picnic

Summer in Britain is a glorious, unpredictable thing. One minute you’re reaching for a jumper, the next you’re dragging the garden chairs out and pretending the clouds are “definitely clearing”.

Whatever the weather decides to do, one thing is certain... a proper pie makes any BBQ, picnic or garden gathering better.

At Bowen Pies, we’ve been making pies in Chorley, Lancashire since 1994. Over the years, we’ve learned that pies are not just for cold evenings, Sunday teas and winter comfort food. They are brilliant for summer too.

Served warm, sliced cold, packed in a picnic box, shared at a garden table or brought out alongside the BBQ, proper British pies are one of the easiest ways to feed people well without making a performance of it.

And because our pies are baked fresh to order, sent chilled, never frozen, and packed in temperature controlled packaging, you can order online, choose your delivery date and plan your summer food properly.

Why pies work so well for BBQs and picnics

A good pie is practical. That is half the beauty of it.

It travels well, slices easily, holds its shape and does not need much doing to it once it is ready. No balancing three different sauces on your knee. No sad paper plate collapsing under a mountain of salad. No wondering why you volunteered to make something complicated.

Pies are ideal for outdoor eating because they are:

• Easy to transport

• Simple to serve

• Good hot or cold, depending on the pie

• Filling without needing lots of extras

• Great for sharing

• Easy to pair with salads, pickles, potatoes and chutneys

• Suitable for BBQs, picnics, garden parties, lunches and family gatherings

They also suit proper mixed crowds. Some people want meat pies. Some want vegetarian pies. Someone will always hover near the pork pies. Someone else will say they are “only having a small bit” and then mysteriously appear again five minutes later.

That is where a mixed pie box comes in very handy.

Best Bowen Pies for a summer BBQ

Pies and BBQs might not sound like the obvious pairing at first, but they work surprisingly well.

The BBQ brings the smoke, char and salads. The pies bring the comfort, pastry and proper filling. Together, very strong indeed.

Here are a few Bowen Pies that work well as part of a BBQ spread.

Chunky Steak Pie

A classic choice for anyone who wants something hearty alongside grilled food, potatoes and salad.

Serve Chunky Steak Pie warm with sharp coleslaw, pickled onions, potato salad or buttered new potatoes. It is the sort of pie that holds its own on a BBQ table without needing much fuss.

Good with:

• Coleslaw

• Mustard

• Pickled red cabbage

• New potatoes

• Green salad

• Brown sauce, if your household is that way inclined

Meat & Potato Pie

Meat & Potato Pie is a proper Northern favourite and a very good option if you want something filling, familiar and crowd pleasing.

It works well as part of a relaxed garden tea, especially if you are feeding people who want something more substantial than crisps and dips.

Serve with:

• Garden peas

• Pickles

• Salad leaves

• Potato salad

• Beetroot

• Gravy, if you are still committed to comfort food even in July

Respectable behaviour.

Lancashire Butter Pie

Butter Pie is a traditional Lancashire vegetarian pie made with simple, comforting ingredients. It is a brilliant choice for summer gatherings because it gives vegetarian guests something proper to eat.

No afterthoughts. No lonely supermarket falafel. Just a proper Lancashire pie.

Serve Butter Pie with:

• Crisp salad

• Pickled onions

• Lancashire cheese

• Beetroot

• Chutney

• New potatoes

It is especially good as part of a cold picnic style spread.

Cheese and Onion Pie

Cheese and Onion Pie is another strong vegetarian option for BBQs and picnics. It is rich, savoury and easy to serve in slices with salads, pickles and crusty bread.

For a garden party or picky tea, slice it into smaller portions and serve it as part of a grazing table.

Good with:

• Tomato salad

• Chutney

• Pickles

• Crisps

• Potato wedges

• A proper brew, if the BBQ weather turns suspicious

Pork Pies

Pork pies are made for summer eating. Picnics, buffet tables, cricket teas, packed lunches, garden parties, long weekends, picky teas... they know exactly what they are doing.

Serve them cold with mustard, chutney, pickles, cheese, salad and something crisp on the side.

Pork pies are especially useful because they do not need reheating, making them ideal for picnics and days out.

Sausage Rolls and Pasties

Sausage rolls and pasties are the quiet heroes of outdoor food.

They are easy to pack, easy to hand round and always seem to disappear faster than expected. Add them to a picnic box, take them on a day trip, or serve them as part of a BBQ spread while everything else is still on the grill.

Good for:

• Picnics

• Lunch boxes

• Car journeys

• Beach days

• Garden parties

• Casual summer buffets

Basically, anywhere people are hungry and standing around.

How to build a summer pie spread

The best summer pie spread is simple, generous and easy for people to help themselves.

You do not need to overcomplicate it. Start with a few pies, add a mix of cold sides, and let people build their own plate.

For a BBQ

Serve warm pies alongside:

• Coleslaw

• Potato salad

• Green salad

• Pickled onions

• Beetroot

• Corn on the cob

• Mustard

• Chutney

• New potatoes

This works especially well with steak pies, meat and potato pies, cheese and onion pie, and butter pie.

For a picnic

Pack a mix of:

• Pork pies

• Sausage rolls

• Pasties

• Sliced vegetarian pies

• Chutney

• Cheese

• Grapes

• Cherry tomatoes

• Crisps

• Salad pots

• Napkins and a decent knife

Keep chilled food in a cool bag or cool box with ice packs until you are ready to eat, and try to keep it out of direct sunlight.

For a garden party

Create a pie grazing board with:

• Sliced pies

• Pork pies

• Sausage rolls

• Pickles

• Salad leaves

• Chutney

• Mustard

• Cheese

• Crusty bread

• Crisps

It looks like you have made a real effort, while still being very manageable. The dream.

For a family lunch outside

Warm the pies at home, wrap them well, and serve with simple sides when everyone is ready.

Good family lunch combinations include:

• Chunky Steak Pie with new potatoes and peas

• Butter Pie with salad and pickled beetroot

• Cheese & Onion Pie with coleslaw and crisps

• Meat & Potato Pie with veg and gravy

• Pork pies, sausage rolls and pasties with picnic sides

Build a Pie Box for summer

If you are feeding a group, ordering for a long weekend, or trying to please a household with wildly different pie opinions, Build a Pie Box is the easiest way to do it.

You can choose a mix of Bowen Pies favourites, order online and have them delivered chilled to your door across mainland UK.

It is especially useful for:

• BBQs

• Picnics

• Bank holiday weekends

• Family gatherings

• Easy summer teas

• Stocking the freezer

• Sending pies as a gift

• Keeping everyone happy without conducting a pastry-based survey

Because our pies are baked fresh to order and delivered chilled, you can keep them in the fridge ready for your chosen day, or freeze them for later.

That means you can order ahead, plan properly and avoid the last-minute supermarket dash where everyone else has already taken the decent potato salad.

Build Your Pie Box →

Pie delivery across mainland UK

Bowen Pies makes it simple to order pies online for your summer plans.

Our retail pies are baked fresh to order in Chorley, Lancashire. They are then chilled, packed in temperature controlled packaging and sent chilled across mainland UK. They are never sent frozen.

When your order arrives, you can keep your pies chilled, heat them when you are ready, or freeze them for another day.

That makes pie delivery a good option if you are planning ahead for:

• BBQs

• Picnics

• Family visits

• Garden parties

• Weekend lunches

• Bank holidays

• Summer birthdays

• Trips away

• Easy meals during busy weeks

Choose your pies, pick your delivery date, and we will take care of the baking and chilled delivery.

Order Pies Online →

How to serve pies safely outdoors

If you are taking chilled pies, pork pies, sausage rolls or pasties to a picnic or outdoor gathering, keep them chilled until you are ready to serve.

A few practical tips:

• Keep chilled food in the fridge until you leave

• Use a cool box or cool bag with ice packs

• Keep the cool bag closed as much as possible

• Store food out of direct sunlight

• Serve smaller amounts at a time if it is a hot day

• Put leftovers back in the fridge as soon as you can

British summer might not always be tropical, but food still needs looking after properly. Especially if the sun does finally decide to show up.

What to serve with pies at a summer BBQ or picnic

The right sides make pies feel fresh, summery and easy to share.

Here are some simple serving ideas.

Simple is best. Pies already do most of the heavy lifting.

FAQs about serving pies at BBQs and picnics

Are pies good for a BBQ?

Yes. Pies work brilliantly as part of a BBQ spread because they are easy to serve, filling and pair well with salads, pickles, potatoes and grilled food. Warm pies are especially good alongside classic BBQ sides.

Can you take pies on a picnic?

Yes. Many pies, pork pies, sausage rolls and pasties are ideal for picnics. Keep chilled items in a cool bag or cool box with ice packs until you are ready to eat.

Are Bowen Pies delivered fresh or frozen?

Bowen Pies retail orders are baked fresh to order, sent chilled and packed in temperature-controlled packaging. They are never sent frozen.

Can I order pies online for a summer party?

Yes. You can order Bowen Pies online for BBQs, picnics, garden parties, family gatherings and summer weekends. Choose your pies, pick your delivery date and your order will be sent chilled across mainland UK.

Can I freeze Bowen Pies after delivery?

Yes. Bowen Pies can be frozen for up to 6 months, so you can order ahead, stock up and keep proper pies ready for another day.

What are the best pies for a picnic?

Pork pies, sausage rolls, pasties, Butter Pie and Cheese & Onion Pie are all good picnic choices. They are easy to serve, easy to share and work well with chutney, pickles, crisps, salad and cheese.

What are the best pies for a BBQ?

Chunky Steak Pie, Meat & Potato Pie, Butter Pie and Cheese & Onion Pie are all strong choices for BBQs. Serve them with coleslaw, new potatoes, salad, pickles and chutney.

Ready to plan your summer pie spread?

Whether you are feeding family in the garden, packing a picnic, planning a bank holiday BBQ or stocking up for an easy weekend, Bowen Pies makes it simple to order proper pies online.

Choose your favourites, build your own pie box, or put together a picnic ready selection. We will bake your pies fresh to order, send them chilled in temperature controlled packaging, and deliver them across mainland UK.

Proper summer food. Proper Lancashire pies. Much better than pretending a bag of salad is enough.

Build Your Pie Box →