Summer dinners should be simple, tasty, and enjoyable for everyone. We’ve put together 23 great recipes that fit perfectly with the season. These meals are quick to make and use fresh ingredients that shine in the summer heat. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or having a quiet night in, these dishes will make dinner a highlight of your day.
25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger
This burger combines savory ground beef with crispy bacon and creamy avocado, creating a rich and satisfying flavor. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick summer dinner. The combination of beef and bacon provides a hearty base, while the avocado adds a smooth texture. It’s a deliciously balanced meal that will leave you wanting more.
Get the Recipe: 25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger
California Steak Salad
This steak salad features tender slices of steak, fresh greens, and a variety of colorful vegetables. It takes about 30 minutes to prepare and offers a refreshing and hearty meal. The steak provides a robust flavor, complemented by the crispness of the vegetables. It’s a light yet filling option for a summer dinner.
Get the Recipe: California Steak Salad
Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad
This salad combines shredded BBQ chicken with fresh greens and a tangy dressing. It takes around 25 minutes to make and offers a delightful mix of smoky and tangy flavors. The BBQ chicken adds a savory depth, while the fresh greens keep it light. It’s a perfect blend of flavors for a summer evening.
Get the Recipe: Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad
Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice
This dish features juicy chicken marinated in cilantro and lime, served over a bed of fluffy rice. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s a zesty and satisfying meal. The cilantro and lime provide a fresh and tangy taste, while the rice adds a comforting base. It’s a quick and flavorful dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice
Citrus Glazed Pork Chops
These pork chops are glazed with a citrusy sauce that adds a burst of flavor to the meat. Taking around 25 minutes to prepare, they offer a sweet and tangy taste. The citrus glaze enhances the natural flavors of the pork, making it a delightful summer dish. It’s a simple yet impressive meal.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Glazed Pork Chops
Creamy Balsamic Chicken Skillet
This chicken skillet features tender chicken breasts in a creamy balsamic sauce. It takes about 30 minutes to make and offers a rich and savory flavor. The balsamic sauce adds a tangy sweetness, while the creaminess makes it indulgent. It’s a comforting and delicious dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Balsamic Chicken Skillet
Garam Masala Cedar Plank Salmon
This salmon is seasoned with garam masala and cooked on a cedar plank, infusing it with a unique smoky flavor. Ready in about 35 minutes, it’s a flavorful and aromatic dish. The garam masala adds a warm spice, while the cedar plank enhances the overall taste. It’s a sophisticated yet simple summer meal.
Get the Recipe: Garam Masala Cedar Plank Salmon
Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken
This chicken is grilled with a maple mustard glaze, offering a sweet and tangy flavor. It takes around 30 minutes to prepare and is perfect for a summer barbecue. The maple syrup adds a subtle sweetness, while the mustard provides a tangy kick. It’s a delightful and easy-to-make dish.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken
Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf
This dish combines grilled pork chops with succulent seafood for a surf and turf experience. Ready in about 40 minutes, it offers a mix of savory and ocean flavors. The pork chops are juicy and flavorful, while the seafood adds a touch of elegance. It’s a hearty and impressive meal.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf
Grilled Rockfish Tacos
These tacos feature grilled rockfish with fresh toppings, making them a light and flavorful option. They take about 25 minutes to prepare and are perfect for a summer evening. The rockfish provides a mild and flaky base, while the toppings add a burst of freshness. It’s a fun and tasty dinner choice.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Rockfish Tacos
Grilled Shrimp Grain Bowl
This grain bowl includes grilled shrimp, fresh vegetables, and a variety of grains. It takes around 30 minutes to make and offers a balanced and nutritious meal. The shrimp adds a protein-rich element, while the grains and vegetables provide texture and flavor. It’s a wholesome and delicious summer dinner.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Grain Bowl
Lemon Dill Salmon and Asparagus
This dish features salmon and asparagus with a lemon dill seasoning, creating a fresh and vibrant flavor. Ready in about 25 minutes, it’s a quick and healthy option. The lemon and dill enhance the natural taste of the salmon, while the asparagus adds a crunchy texture. It’s a simple and elegant meal.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Dill Salmon and Asparagus
Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta
These stuffed shells are filled with a creamy spinach and ricotta mixture, offering a rich and comforting taste. They take around 35 minutes to prepare and are perfect for a cozy summer dinner. The ricotta adds a creamy texture, while the spinach provides a healthy twist. It’s a satisfying and delicious dish.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta
Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce
This pork shoulder is slow-cooked with a mustard BBQ sauce, resulting in tender and flavorful meat. It takes about 8 hours in the slow cooker, making it a set-it-and-forget-it meal. The mustard BBQ sauce adds a tangy and smoky flavor, while the slow cooking ensures the pork is melt-in-your-mouth tender. It’s a perfect dish for a relaxed summer evening.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce
Filet Mignon with Peach Mango Cilantro Sauce
This filet mignon is served with a peach mango cilantro sauce, offering a sweet and savory combination. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s a sophisticated and flavorful meal. The filet mignon is tender and juicy, while the sauce adds a fruity and fresh element. It’s an elegant dish perfect for a special summer dinner.
Get the Recipe: Filet Mignon with Peach Mango Cilantro Sauce
Summer Veggie Couscous with Sauteed Tilapia
This dish features couscous with a variety of summer vegetables and sauteed tilapia. It takes around 25 minutes to prepare and offers a light and nutritious meal. The couscous provides a fluffy base, while the vegetables add freshness and the tilapia adds a mild and flaky texture. It’s a wholesome and easy-to-make dinner.
Get the Recipe: Summer Veggie Couscous with Sauteed Tilapia
Tri-tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa
This tri-tip is paired with a pineapple mango red pepper salsa, creating a sweet and spicy flavor. Ready in about 40 minutes, it’s a vibrant and tasty dish. The tri-tip is juicy and flavorful, while the salsa adds a refreshing and tangy element. It’s a perfect summer dinner for a special occasion.
Get the Recipe: Tri-tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa
Chicken Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Recipe
This sheet pan recipe features chicken sausage and a variety of vegetables, making it a simple and balanced meal. It takes around 30 minutes to prepare and is perfect for a quick summer dinner. The chicken sausage adds a savory flavor, while the vegetables provide a mix of textures and tastes. It’s an easy and nutritious option.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Sausage and Veggies Sheet Pan Recipe
Dairy Free Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo
This chicken alfredo is made in a slow cooker and is dairy-free, offering a creamy and comforting taste. It takes about 4 hours in the slow cooker, making it a convenient meal. The chicken is tender and the sauce is rich and flavorful, despite being dairy-free. It’s a delicious and easy-to-make dish.
Get the Recipe: Dairy Free Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo
Beef Bulgogi Bowls
These bowls feature beef bulgogi with rice and fresh vegetables, creating a flavorful and balanced meal. Ready in about 25 minutes, they offer a mix of savory and sweet tastes. The beef bulgogi is tender and marinated, while the vegetables add a fresh and crunchy element. It’s a quick and satisfying dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Beef Bulgogi Bowls
Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab
These kebabs feature ground chicken mixed with spices, grilled to perfection for a flavorful taste. Ready in about 25 minutes, they offer a savory and aromatic meal. The spices add depth and warmth to the chicken, while grilling gives it a smoky flavor. It’s a delicious and easy summer dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Kofta Kebab
Ramen Chicken Noodles
This dish features chicken with ramen noodles, offering a quick and comforting meal. It takes around 20 minutes to prepare and is perfect for a speedy dinner. The chicken adds a protein-rich element, while the ramen noodles provide a satisfying base. It’s a simple and flavorful option for a busy summer night.
Get the Recipe: Ramen Chicken Noodles
Chicken Biryani
This chicken biryani is a fragrant and flavorful rice dish with tender chicken pieces. Ready in about 45 minutes, it offers a rich and aromatic meal. The spices and herbs create a complex and delightful taste, while the chicken and rice provide a hearty base. It’s a perfect dish for a special summer dinner.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Biryani