Summer is the perfect time to enjoy meals that are easy to make and full of flavor. We’ve gathered 17 recipes that are so simple, you can’t mess them up. These dishes are quick, fresh, and perfect for warm weather. You’ll find something for everyone, making summer cooking a breeze.
Grilled Rockfish Tacos
These tacos feature grilled rockfish, offering a light and fresh taste perfect for summer. The dish is ready in about 20 minutes and combines rockfish with cabbage slaw and a creamy sauce. Enjoy the balance of smoky fish and tangy slaw wrapped in warm tortillas. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Rockfish Tacos
Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce
This slow-cooked pork shoulder with mustard BBQ sauce is tender and flavorful. Taking about 8 hours in a slow cooker, the pork is cooked with a mix of mustard, honey, and spices. The result is a juicy and tangy dish that’s great for summer. Serve it on buns for an easy and delicious meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder with Mustard BBQ Sauce
Citrus Glazed Pork Chops
These pork chops are glazed with a citrus sauce that adds a zesty flavor. Ready in about 30 minutes, the dish features pork chops cooked with a blend of orange and lemon juices. The result is a juicy and tangy main course. Perfect for a quick and flavorful summer dinner.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Glazed Pork Chops
Garam Masala Cedar Plank Salmon
This dish features salmon seasoned with garam masala, cooked on a cedar plank. Ready in about 30 minutes, the salmon absorbs the smoky cedar flavor and the aromatic spices. The result is a flavorful and moist fish that’s perfect for summer. Serve it with your favorite sides for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Garam Masala Cedar Plank Salmon
Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad
This salad combines grilled chicken with a tangy Carolina BBQ sauce. Ready in about 30 minutes, the dish features chicken on a bed of greens with corn, tomatoes, and a zesty dressing. The flavors are fresh and vibrant, making it a great summer meal. Perfect for a light and healthy lunch or dinner.
Get the Recipe: Carolina BBQ Chicken Salad
Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken
This chicken dish features a blend of maple syrup and mustard for a sweet and tangy flavor. Ready in about 20 minutes, the grilled chicken is juicy and flavorful. It’s perfect for a quick summer meal. Serve it with your favorite sides for a complete dish.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Maple Mustard Chicken
Creamy Balsamic Chicken Skillet
This skillet dish features chicken cooked in a creamy balsamic sauce. Ready in about 30 minutes, the chicken is tender and flavorful with a rich sauce. It’s a perfect quick meal for summer evenings. Serve it with rice or pasta for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Balsamic Chicken Skillet
Lemon Dill Salmon and Asparagus
This dish features salmon and asparagus baked with lemon and dill. Ready in about 25 minutes, the flavors are light and refreshing. The salmon is flaky and the asparagus is tender. It’s a perfect healthy meal for summer.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Dill Salmon and Asparagus
Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice
This dish features chicken cooked with cilantro and lime, served over rice. Ready in about 30 minutes, the flavors are fresh and vibrant. The chicken is juicy and the rice is flavorful. It’s a great quick meal for summer.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Chicken & Rice
Tri-tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa
This dish features tri-tip steak topped with a pineapple, mango, and red pepper salsa. Ready in about 40 minutes, the steak is juicy and the salsa is fresh and tangy. It’s a perfect meal for summer. Serve it with your favorite sides for a complete dish.
Get the Recipe: Tri-tip with Pineapple Mango Red Pepper Salsa
Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf
This dish features grilled pork chops and shrimp for a surf and turf meal. Ready in about 30 minutes, the pork is juicy and the shrimp is flavorful. It’s a perfect combination for a summer dinner. Serve it with your favorite sides for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Chop Surf and Turf
25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger
This burger features ground beef topped with bacon and avocado. Ready in about 25 minutes, the burger is juicy and flavorful. The bacon adds a smoky taste and the avocado adds a creamy texture. It’s a perfect quick meal for summer.
Get the Recipe: 25-Minute Bacon-Avocado Ground Beef Burger
Filet Mignon with Peach Mango Cilantro Sauce
This dish features filet mignon topped with a peach, mango, and cilantro sauce. Ready in about 40 minutes, the steak is tender and the sauce is fresh and fruity. It’s a perfect combination for a summer meal. Serve it with your favorite sides for a complete dish.
Get the Recipe: Filet Mignon with Peach Mango Cilantro Sauce
Summer Veggie Couscous with Sauteed Tilapia
This dish features couscous mixed with summer vegetables and sautéed tilapia. Ready in about 30 minutes, the flavors are light and fresh. The tilapia is flaky and the couscous is flavorful. It’s a perfect healthy meal for summer.
Get the Recipe: Summer Veggie Couscous with Sauteed Tilapia
California Steak Salad
This salad features steak on a bed of greens with avocado, tomatoes, and a tangy dressing. Ready in about 30 minutes, the flavors are fresh and vibrant. The steak is juicy and the vegetables are crisp. It’s a perfect light meal for summer.
Get the Recipe: California Steak Salad
Grilled Shrimp Grain Bowl
This grain bowl features grilled shrimp with a mix of grains and vegetables. Ready in about 30 minutes, the flavors are fresh and light. The shrimp is juicy and the grains are hearty. It’s a perfect healthy meal for summer.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Grain Bowl
Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta
This dish features pasta shells stuffed with spinach and ricotta cheese. Ready in about 45 minutes, the flavors are creamy and rich. The pasta is tender and the filling is flavorful. It’s a perfect comforting meal for summer.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Shells with Spinach and Ricotta