31 Easy August Dinner Recipes to Make Every Night This Month
It’s August, which means you’re either sweating, working or wishing you were on vacation…or all three. No matter what you’re doing, you still have to eat dinner every night, and we’re guessing that you don’t want to spend a whole lot of time in a hot kitchen figuring out what to cook. Presenting our plan for 31 totally foolproof, seasonally appropriate and—most importantly—delicious August dinner recipes to whip up all month long, from tacos to skillet pasta.
August 2: Seared Scallops with Green Peas, Mint and Shallots
It’s time to debunk the myth that cooking seafood at home is time-consuming and difficult. This dish requires less than ten ingredients and is ready in 20 minutes. (Bonus: There’s bacon.)
August 3: Pearl Couscous with Chickpeas, Eggplant and Peaches
This 35-minute vegetarian gem has fancy dinner party written all over it. Sweet summer peaches and nutty tahini curb the acidity and sharpness of kalamata olives and red onion.
August 4: Easy 5-Ingredient Corn Soup
When corn on the cob is in season, it really doesn't take much to turn it into something delicious. This summer soup is proof, as it only calls for fresh corn, potatoes and a few pantry staples.
August 5: Slow-Cooker Pulled Chicken
PSA: You can—and should—use your slow cooker in the summer. The less time you spend in a hot kitchen, the more time you have to hang outside in the (OK, equally hot, but more fun) sun.
August 6: Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Sriracha and Lime
When you’re in the mood for light dinner, serve these sweeties with a yogurt sauce and roasted chickpeas.
August 8: Cheater’s Spicy Sausage Pizza with Burrata
Bless you, store-bought pizza crust. Bless you, burrata cheese. Bless you, 35-minute dinner.
August 9: Cold Lemon Zoodles
For the true dog days of summer, when it’s too hot to turn on any kitchen appliance. (Plus, it’s a great way to use up all the zucchini that you bought at the farmers market).
August 10: Crispy Baked Fish Tacos with Cabbage Slaw
All it takes to turn a few tilapia fillets into shatteringly crisp nuggets of bliss is a coating of flour, egg and easy store-bought taco seasoning. The recipe calls for baking the fish, but feel free to fry it instead if you're willing to brave a pot of hot oil.
August 11: Whole-Wheat Feta Tart with Caramelized Onions and Herbs
We’ll take any excuse to eat cheese—and pie—for dinner. The whole-wheat crust is made with olive oil instead of butter, but it's just as easy to mold and press.
August 12: Grilled Peach, Prosciutto and Mozzarella Sandwich
Behold, the fanciest lazy dinner (or lunch) of all time. Just toast the bread, layer the toppings and grill the sandwich for a few minutes per side until the cheese melts.
August 13: Seared Scallops with Citrus-Shallot Salad
This 20-minute meal will change your relationship with seafood forever. Despite its elegant appearance, the scallops require nothing but a thorough patting dry, an oiled skillet and a sprinkle of salt.
August 16: Low-Carb Zucchini Enchiladas
An abundance of in-season zucchini means finding creative ways to use it up, like substituting it for pasta. These guys have all the cheesy goodness of traditional enchiladas, minus the carbs.
August 17: Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa
Why wait for Tuesday? One bite of this tropical crowd-pleaser and you'll want to make every night taco night.
August 20: 30-Minute Creamy Chicken, Corn and Tomato Skillet
We're betting you have nearly all the ingredients in your kitchen right now. Four corn cobs should be enough, but feel free to substitute canned kernels in the off season (or if you're feeling lazy).
August 21: The Ultimate ‘Sweet Laurel’ Burger with Sweet Potato Fries
Don't let burger season pass you by without sinking your teeth into this L.A. bakery's signature handheld. It's crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside and served alongside homemade fries. Add sliced avocado to up the Cali-inspired ante.
August 22: Skillet Roast Chicken with Peaches, Tomatoes and Red Onion
Wanna know a secret? You can make a meal to eat alfresco in just one hour. Oh, and you'll only scrub one pan after dinner. Thank us later.
August 23: Greek Chicken with Feta and Kalamata Olives
With a little foil or parchment paper, all the cleanup is eliminated. Serve it with a big green salad, why don’t ya?
August 25: Cold Soba Noodle Salad with Strawberries
What’s the forecast? Oh, right, another scorcher. No worries: You’re not turning on the oven tonight.
August 26: Spanish Tapas Board
Heirloom pan con tomate + patatas bravas with saffron aioli + all the cured meats and Spanish cheeses = pure heaven. Cool if we have a plate of snacks for dinner every night?
August 27: Pork Milanese with Cucumber Yogurt
Expertly breaded pork chops and garlic-lemon yogurt spread that's loaded with fresh herbs? You must be a fancy restaurant chef or something.
August 29: The Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Grilled chicken sandwiches tend to be a bit, um…boring. But not this one. With tzatziki, fried onions and plenty of crunchy veggies, it’s a revelation.
August 31: Flank Steak Tacos with Cucumber Salsa
Any excuse to fire up the grill before Labor Day, right? Be sure to cut the steak against the grain to ensure its texture stays juicy and tender.
RELATED: 50 Low-Maintenance Summer Dinner Party Ideas
For even more great recipes, check out our first cookbook, Only the Good Stuff.