40 Summer Dinner Ideas That Make The Most Of The Season
There's so much to love about cooking during the summer. There's an abundance of fresh veggies to choose from and it's the perfect season for outdoor grilling. Savor those long days with these easy summer dinners that the whole family will love. When it's too hot to think about turning that oven on, some of our favorite recipes for summer are no-cook or slow-cooker options that keep you out of the kitchen and in the sunshine. Enjoy every last bit of coastal flavor with summer dishes like crab cakes and fish tacos, and don't forget to use the grill while you can. With delicious steak kebabs, ribs, grilled pork chops, and grilled chicken and veggies, you have all the excuses you need to cook outside this season. Fresh produce and kid-friendly dishes shine in our favorite easy summer dinner recipes.
Tomato, Cheddar, And Bacon Pie
We try to use gorgeous, plump summer tomatoes in any way we can during the season, but a classic tomato pie sure is hard to beat. This one goes above and beyond, with a sour cream crust studded with bacon, layers of colorful tomatoes, and plenty of cheese and herbs to tie it all together. For best results, salt the tomatoes and drain them on a paper towel before assembling your pie.
This easy pasta made with a delicious white wine cream sauce will make any 'ole weeknight feel like a vacation. We recommend buying fresh jumbo lump crab meat for this one. Bonus: Enjoy the rest of the wine chilled with dinner.
Crab cakes feel like the type of dish you only order when you're out at a fancy dinner, but they're surprisingly easy to make at home. The Green Tomato Slaw is an unexpected topping that will allow your summer harvest to shine. This one is great for impressing guests or getting a fresh taste of the Gulf Coast on a weeknight.
While field peas are plentiful, keep a pot of them cooked in the fridge, and you can make any number of dinners. Our favorite? This marinated field pea relish, which can be used over grilled proteins like chicken or pork chops, or it can be stirred into pastas for a summery dish.
Sweet summer peaches pair beautifully with grilled pork and a tangy honey mustard dressing in this seasonal dish. Cooking peaches under intense heat crystallizes the sugars and also adds a smokiness to complement the pork.
This 20-minute dinner is amazingly quick and easy, but Cajun seasoning and fresh summer okra makes it incredibly flavorful, too. For the greatest success, use the smallest okra pods and sear them at high temperature.
The easiest "eat the rainbow" healthy dinner, this light, bright salad is on the table in less than 30 minutes. Bacon and fresh basil add a smoky sweetness to the dish.
This simple recipe only takes a handful of ingredients and 25 minutes, which makes it a busy night win with a summery spin. Sun Gold or Black Cherry tomatoes are especially good at bringing out the sweetness of the shrimp.
Smoky, salty bacon complements buttery sweet scallops and corn in this impressive yet simple dinner. The rice simmers in chicken broth, butter, and fresh thyme to achieve the creamy texture and develop a fuller flavor.
If you've got a bushel of green tomatoes and you've had your fill of frying them, turn those bright beauties into this cool summer soup. All you need is a blender and the vegetables to complement them, like cucumber, peppers, onion, and fresh herbs.
Wondering what to do with all that zucchini? Put this vegetarian lasagna next on your list to cook. Thinly sliced strips of zucchini make this usually heavy dish low-carb, but three kinds of cheese ensure you don't miss out on any comfort-food goodness.
This one-dish dinner starts and ends in your skillet for ultimate weeknight ease. Full of Mediterranean flavor from sun-dried tomato, lemon, and garlic, you can top this paella-like pasta with flaky white fish or salmon.
When it's too hot to even turn your oven on, let the slow cooker handle dinner and pair it with a fresh summer salsa. The pork shoulder cooks to fall-apart tenderness in a sweet and savory spice rub, and between the two, you've got all the taco fillings you need.
This recipe's name basically sums it up—use any and all of your fresh farmers' market haul to make a beautiful dinner that's great warm, at room temp, or cold. Throw in shredded smoked chicken or use cheese tortellini for a more filling version.
Instead of your usual Quiche Lorraine or springy asparagus-laden quiche, try a summery spin with this decadent crab version. Loaded up with spinach, leeks, and cream cheese, this indulgent pie will have you savoring every bite.
Your trusty sheet pan and a short ingredient list make this dinner the easiest one you'll put on the table all week. But there are no shortcuts on flavor, thanks to a healthy helping of lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs.
It's not summertime without some at-home barbecue action in the smoker. This dry-rub recipe is easy enough for even the most novice pitmaster. A vinegar wash and extra sprinkling of dry rub at the end of the cooking process adds another layer of flavor.
This easy dinner makes that store-bought ravioli that's been gathering dust in the freezer look much dressier than the effort the recipe calls for. Blister the tomatoes under the broiler, stir with butter and herbs, and pour over pasta and dollops of mascarpone cheese. Dinner is done.
No fryer necessary—all you need to enjoy classic fried green tomatoes at home is your trusty cast-iron skillet. Dip the tomatoes in buttermilk before breading to enhance their tartness.
Juicy, marinated tomatoes will brighten any summertime plate, whether you're having seafood, fish, or burgers from the grill. Use soft-leaf herbs like basil, parsley, or chives.
Chicken thighs, andouille sausage, and plentiful summer veggies taste amazing with Creole spices and a good char from the grill. You can also use Cajun spice and hot sauce, depending on how much heat you like.
Our sheet pan has come to the rescue countless nights at dinnertime, and this easy recipe will be a repeat, kid-friendly savior. You can make nachos any time of year, but it's the fresh seasonal produce that makes them so special in summer.
If you're a fan of Caprese salad, you're certain to like this dish. Other than boiling the spaghetti, no cooking is required here. Marinate the tomatoes ahead of time and throw this simple pasta together in a snap.
Slow-cooker pulled pork is a Southern staple. Serve it between buns, over grits, or savor this sweet and tangy masterpiece by itself. For a topping, try our Permanent Slaw recipe.
Store-bought rotisserie chicken saves the day again with this healthy no-cook chicken salad that can make enough for both lunch and dinner. You can serve the chicken and mango filling in lettuce wraps or whole wheat wraps, depending on your appetite.
Make the most of eggplant when it comes into season in July. If you're trying to keep it low carb during swimsuit season, this fresh eggplant recipe will satisfy those pasta cravings. If you're looking for a healthy, flavorful side, this dish will satisfy that too.
You can achieve crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside fried chicken without a giant vat of frying oil—trust us. We've provided instructions for both skillet frying and the air fryer. Add some lightly charred green beans and cherry tomatoes, and you've got a delicious summertime meal.
Fresh fish tacos, Asian slaw, and a quick chipotle cream sauce combine for a kid-friendly dinner that's worth inviting friends over for. For additional toppings, try chopped tomatoes, shredded iceberg lettuce, sliced avocado, chopped fresh cilantro, and lime wedges.
These peppers stuffed with a satisfying mixture of rice, sausage, and Parmesan and baked in a bed of marinara will be the center of attention at your next meal. Use multi-colored peppers if you want to add color to your table (red peppers are sweetest).
These flank steak skewers are marinated in a punchy mixture of garlic, chili, cilantro, and basil. The sauce includes the same flavors, but tempered with nutty coconut cream. Start the marinade 4-12 hours in advance, and then rest easy knowing these will cook in 10 minutes on the grill.
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