I love to cook and bake, but in the summer, I use my oven sparingly, grill more, and focus on simple, lighter meals that are easy to make. As much as we try to slow down in the summer, my family is still pretty busy between work, swim meets, and other activities. So having a list of easy summer dinners to rely on makes life much easier!
Honestly, this post is as much for me as it is for you. Figuring out what to make for dinner can feel tiring day after day, especially when it’s hot out. Having all of the recipes your family loves in one spot will save you a ton of time! You can pin all of these summer meal ideas to one board or put them in your recipe book at home.
Why We Make the Switch to Summer Meals
Did you know that your appetite can change along with the seasons? Once we begin to gain more daylight and the weather warms up, we tend to feel less hungry and prefer lighter meals instead. This explains why we love soups and crockpot meals in the fall but crave fresh fruits and salads in the summer.
Here are a few more reasons to have a list of easy summer dinners on hand:
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Perfect for those hot summer days when you don’t want to use the oven — or want to use it a lot less
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You want to grill more but you don’t want to make the same meals over and over — sometimes we need more than hotdogs and hamburgers
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You can plan and prep ahead for busier days when you don’t have as much time — or if you’re trying to figure out summer meals on a budget
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Long, hot days can lead to everyone feeling hangry fast — a list of easy summer dinners reduces your mental load and helps you make quick decisions
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You can enjoy produce when it’s in season and not miss out on your favorites — plus it’s usually at a lower price
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Easy Summer Dinners You Can Make in 30(ish) Minutes or Less
Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta
Bruschetta is the best summer appetizer and side dish! It’s fresh, light, and flavorful — plus it’s so easy to make. It’s also a great way to use up any extra tomatoes you might have in your garden. My family loves this heirloom tomato bruschetta recipe from Martha Stewart.
Watermelon & Arugula Salad
Watermelon season can start as early as May, peaks in July and August, and ends in September. So this is the perfect time to enjoy watermelon as it is or add it to a salad. If you’re looking for healthy summer recipes for dinner, I love this watermelon arugula salad from Barefoot Contessa.
Tomato, Corn, and Avocado Salad
I love light and refreshing salads for summer that are easy to make. This tomato, corn, and avocado salad doesn’t require the corn to be cooked, and it’s a great side dish to add to any of your summer dinner recipes.
Greek Salad
If you’re searching for healthy summer recipes for dinner, this Greek salad is a great addition to your recipe book. It’s loaded with lots of fresh, seasonal veggies; combines a variety of flavors and textures; and is very light — perfect for those hot summer days. Pair this salad with grilled meat or fish, hummus and pita, or any main dish.
BLT Salad
Love BLTs? Try the salad version! This BLT salad makes a yummy side dish or could even be served as the main dish. While the recipe does mention using homemade croutons, which take additional time to make, you could always use store-bought croutons instead.
15-Minute Mezze Plate
When it comes to thinking of food for hot weather that your whole family will enjoy, a mezze plate is perfect! Plus it’s so easy to prepare since it mostly involves assembling ready-to-go appetizers and dips. This mezze plate includes warmed pita bread seasoned with za’atar, olives, veggies, hummus, and other savory finger foods.
Baked Burrata
Want more summer meal ideas to use up those tomatoes? Try this baked burrata recipe! This is a very flavorful and simple dish that uses lots of fresh ingredients. Serve it on top of crostini, crackers, or pita for a yummy appetizer. Or you can add it to other summer meals, like salads, pasta, or homemade pizza.
Fried Halloumi Cheese with Lime and Caper Vinaigrette
This recipe reminds me of my childhood. My Mom always used to make fried halloumi cheese in the summer, and now my kids love it just as much as I do. It is comforting without being heavy — a perfect addition to summer meals!
Caprese Salad Skewer Bites
This is so simple to make that you don’t even need a recipe link! Grab some mini skewers and assemble one cherry tomato and one mini mozzarella ball with a basil leaf between them. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze, and you have yourself a delicious appetizer!
Cherry Tomato Spaghetti
Take advantage of tomato season (May-October) with this easy pasta dish from Giada. Spaghetti is always a favorite — and the combination of ripe cherry tomatoes, basil, and shallots add a burst of fresh summer flavor that makes this dish extra delicious.
Giadas Classic Pesto (Pasta Alla Genovese)
Fresh basil feels like a summertime staple. If you haven’t made pesto before, it’s super easy (and very tasty)! This pesto recipe from Giada is a great addition to your favorite pasta — or you can use it for other dishes too, like grilled sandwiches, pizza, grilled chicken, and more. My youngest would tell you that pesto is it’s own food group she eats so much of it!
Easy Shrimp Tacos
Shrimp has a light flavor, making it a perfect addition to your list of summer meal ideas. With a cooking time of 10 minutes, these shrimp tacos are easy to make and seasoned with several spices for plenty of flavor. Make sure to check out the pico de gallo recipe below for a delicious topper!
Grilled Salmon and Polenta
Grilling salmon is so much faster than baking it in the oven! This grilled salmon and polenta dish is loaded with fresh herbs and juicy tomatoes. While it’s perfect on its own without any sides, you could always add a simple salad or grilled veggies.
Blue Cheese Burgers
Burgers on the barbecue are a must during summer! If you want to try something slightly fancier, but still very simple, add these blue cheese burgers to your list of easy summer dinners. For a complete meal, you can pair the burgers with grilled veggies, corn on the cob, potato salad, or any side salad.
Polpette di Vittorio: Vittorio's Meatballs
These meatballs are a family favorite! My kids ask for them all the time, and luckily they’re pretty easy to make as far as meatballs go. For starters, they use simple, fresh ingredients. And they’re more like a small patty, so you can grill them for just a few minutes on each side. No pan frying or baking required!
Easy Summer Dinners You Can Make in 1 Hour or Less
Parmesan Roasted Zucchini
This recipe makes for a savory appetizer or side dish — perfect for any main course. Plus it’s very easy to prepare! Most of the time spent on this parmesan roasted zucchini is in the oven, and the rest involves combining a few fresh herbs, cheese, and breadcrumbs for the tasty filling. If you have an abundance of zucchini in your garden, this is a great way to use them up.
Chicken Piccata
Another tasty and easy-to-make dish to add to your summer dinner recipes! Buttery, lemony, and topped with brined capers, this chicken piccata recipe from Giada is one of those recipes that feels fancy but is actually very simple to prepare. Add a simple salad, bread, or your favorite pasta.
Grilled Steak & Arugula
If you love easy summer dinners that don’t require any chopping, add this recipe to your list. You only need about 40 minutes to make this grilled steak and arugula dish — with only 10 minutes on the grill and then 10 minutes for the steak to sit. The rest is just prep!
Roasted Chickpea Taco Salad
Add this salad to your list of healthy summer recipes for dinner! This roasted chickpea taco salad takes a bit longer to make than a typical salad since you need to roast the chickpeas for 30-35 minutes and bake the corn tortillas for 10-15 minutes, but overall it’s very simple and so delicious! Serve it as a side dish or a main dish.
Greek Pita Sandwiches
Sandwiches make great summer meals! This Greek pita sandwich is packed with tons of fresh herbs, tangy whipped feta, and warm, earthy spices. Although the oven is at a low temperature and not on for long, you could also warm the pitas on a grill if you prefer to keep your oven off.
Summer Dinner Ideas You Can Make in 2 Hours or Less
Street-cart Chicken and Rice
Adapted from Smitten Kitten and compared to getting a meal from a street cart in NYC, this street-cart chicken and rice is a one-pot dish that’s worth all the effort! While the name of this recipe sounds simple, it combines aromatic spices with a creamy sauce and hot sauce for a very flavorful dish. Serve it with pita bread or flat bread.
Summer Squash and Ricotta Galette
I love summer meal ideas that use fresh, in-season veggies. This summer squash and ricotta galette is another dish that looks intricate but is actually easy to make (especially when you use prepared pie crust). Serve it hot, at room temp, or cold!
Sauces, Dips, and Marinades
Tzatziki
Tzatziki is a delicious sauce that can be used for a variety of dishes, and it’s actually very easy to make! You can use it as a dip for pita bread, or pair it with grilled chicken, lamb, or fish. Here’s my favorite homemade recipe for tzatziki.
Pico de Gallo
Making your own salsa is easy with this pico de gallo recipe. I especially love making it in the summer when tomatoes are in season. Grab some tortilla chips to go with it, or add it to tacos, quesadillas, rice, or grilled chicken or fish.
Restaurant-Style Salsa
If you prefer your salsa to be smooth — or you just want more options for your tortilla chips and tacos — make this restaurant-style salsa! With only 10 ingredients, this salsa is easy to prepare and much more delicious than a store-bought salsa.
Cooking Tools & Accessories for Easy Summer Dinners
There are certain pieces of equipment, tools, and accessories you probably use more in the summer, like your grill. But if you don’t have a grill, there are other options! Here’s what I personally use (or recommend) to make summer dinners a breeze.
Cast Iron Griddle: Ideal for all cooktops! This is a great option for anyone who doesn’t have a grill.
Grill: This is the grill I use and love. It is nothing fancy, but it gets the job done.
Cast Iron Grill Press: Evenly flatten food to distribute heat evenly and reduce your cooking time. Perfect for steaks, burgers, grilled sandwiches, and more.
Grill Mat: Reusable and dishwasher safe. Barbecue safely while keeping your grill clean!
Wireless Meat Thermometer: Enjoy perfectly cooked meat every single time! I love this wireless option because you can monitor the temperature from anywhere in your home.
Digital Meat Thermometer: A classic kitchen staple! Get an instant temperature check on chicken, fish, and more.
Knives: These are the knives I use to make all my meals.
Knife Sharpener: This handy kitchen tool can repair and straighten damaged blades, keep them sharp, and polish them.
BBQ Meat Branding Iron: Not necessary but very fun — especially for those who love to grill. This BBQ tool includes 55 letters so you can brand what you grill with your name or a custom message.
Barbecue Trays: Keep food from slipping through the grill grates! These trays are great for grilling a variety of foods at once, including meat, seafood, veggies, and stir frys.
Vegetable Grill Basket: Infuse smoky flavor while keeping food out of the grill. Perfect for veggies, chicken wings, kebabs, and more.
Outdoor BBQ Floor Mat: Protect your patio or deck with a grill mat that absorbs grease and other liquids.
Yeti Cooler: Going to an outdoor party or picnic? Make sure to bring a cooler along so you can store and transport food safely.
FAQs for Easy Summer Dinners
What qualifies as an easy summer meal?
For me, the less cooking and baking I have to do during the summer, the better. Anything that takes about 30 minutes or less to prepare is ideal!
Why are these recipes perfect for summer?
When you’re thinking about food for hot weather, you want it to 1) be light and refreshing, 2) use seasonal ingredients, 3) be easy to make, and 4) not heat up the kitchen. Most of the summer meal ideas I’ve included here hit all of these points!
Do I need to use my oven or stove for these dishes?
Many of the summer meals listed here either need very little cooking/baking time or none at all.
I don’t have a grill. How do I avoid using my oven or heating up the house?
If you don’t own a grill, you can always use a cast iron griddle that works on all cooktops. Another option is to meal prep and plan ahead so all of your cooking for the week happens on one day instead of turning the oven on multiple times a week. A crockpot or an instant pot or air fryer also generate less heat.
Will I need to buy anything special to make these recipes?
Nope! These recipes use common ingredients you can find at your local store. If you don’t have a grill, there are alternatives — just scroll back up to see my list of favorite products for these summer meal ideas!
Do these recipes work if I’m planning summer meals on a budget?
Absolutely! Buying produce in season is usually more cost-effective, so now is a great time to make meals with lots of fresh herbs, veggies, and fruits. You can also keep track of sales at your grocery store or check in with a local butcher or a farm share to see if you can get certain items cheaper.
Can I meal prep these summer dinners ahead of time?
Absolutely! Meal prep is my jam. I love using Sunday evenings to get ahead for the week. Try doubling up on things like grilled chicken, rice, or roasted veggies. That way, you can mix and match for quick dinners later — like grain bowls, tacos, or salads — without starting from scratch.
How do I keep dinner light but still filling in the summer?
The key is combining fresh, seasonal ingredients with satisfying add-ins! Think salads loaded with protein (like grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas), hearty grain bowls with rice or quinoa, or mezze-style plates with dips, veggies, and pita. I love using produce that’s in season — it’s lighter on your stomach and your grocery bill.
Dinner’s Done!
Figuring out what to make for dinner can feel extra challenging some days. But having a list of simple meals your family loves can make that part of parenting much easier. I also love to include my kids in mealtime as much as possible — whether it’s planning, prepping, or preparing meals. Even toddlers can help with meal prep!
If you need more ideas for keeping kids entertained over the summer, check out my summer bucket list for kids and outdoor play ideas for kids of all ages.
Have more summer meal ideas to share? Comment below with your favorites — or let me know if you try something from this list of easy summer dinners.
