76 Easy Summer Dinner Ideas That Everyone Will Love
Fact: summer produce makes every cold, dark day in February worth it. Summer squash, tomatoes, cucumbers and corn practically whip themselves up into gorgeous, mouthwatering meals and when the weather's gorgeous, you belong outside in a breezy maxi dress, not sweating in a hot kitchen. These easy summer dinner ideas take just a few minutes to whip up and don’t use every single pan in the kitchen. So they're perfect for those balmy nights when it's 7 p.m., the sun’s still out and it’s 85 degrees and you don't really want to be spending the night in front of the stove. Here 76 recipes to get your creative juices flowing.
RELATED: 25 Five-Ingredient Dinners to Make All Summer
1. Spicy Corn Carbonara
Corn, bacon and just a touch of Parm = completely irresistible.
2. Grilled Peach and Halloumi Salad with Lemon-Pesto Dressing
Now this is what we call a dinner salad.
3. Summer Chipotle Chicken Cobb Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette
Is your mouth watering?
5. Zucchini Pad Thai
Ten minutes and you’re done. (And you have PureWow Coterie member Gaby Dalkin to thank.)
7. Cauliflower Sweet Potato Burgers
Smashed avocado and spicy mayo take these family-friendly sammies over the top.
8. Summer Skillet Gnocchi with Grilled Corn and Burrata
This one-pan wonder cooks for 30 minutes.
9. Zucchini Ricotta Galette
It tastes like you spent hours making it (hint: you didn’t).
10. Sweet-and-Sour Pork Skewers with Pineapple
It’s totally OK to use your grill pan.
RELATED: 8 Next-Level Skewer Recipes to Make on the Grill This Summer (Dessert Included)
11. Skillet Roast Chicken with Peaches, Tomatoes and Red Onion
Juicy fruit pairs magically with chicken thighs.
12. Poblano and Mushroom Tacos with Tomatoes and Goat Cheese
Way more interesting than ground beef.
13. Baked Caprese Chicken Skillet
If it were up to us, every recipe would be this darn easy.
15. One-Pot, 15-Minute Pasta Limone
Throw all of the ingredients in the pot and boil ’em.
16. Chickpea and Vegetable Coconut Curry
You only need 15 minutes to create this impressive and satisfying dinner.
17. Butter-Baked Cucumber Tostadas
Roasted cucumbers are so in right now.
RELATED: 6 Surprising Vegetarian Entrées That Are Better Than Filet Mignon
18. 15-Minute Mezze Plate with Toasted Za’atar Pita Bread
Finger food is the best food.
20. Lime Chicken with Corn and Poblano Salad
Best of all, you can make this dish for about ten bucks.
21. Summer Glow Bowls
PureWow Coterie member Jess Larson shares our love of hearty bowls.
RELATED: Salmon Bowl with Farro, Black Beans and Tahini Dressing
23. End of Summer Cobb Salad with Creamy Carrot-Kimchi Dressing
Coterie member Phoebe Lapine gives you permission to throw in any veggies you have on hand.
25. Shredded Thai Salad with Avocado
This might just be the prettiest salads you'll ever make (and definitely one of the tastiest).
27. Crock-Pot Corn Chowder
Yes, you can (and should) use your slow cooker in the summer.
28. Summer Caprese Salad
PureWow Coterie member Maria Lichty brings us the magic of no-cook.
29. Zoodles with Summer Vegetables
Thy farmers’ market market haul.
32. Mini Spanish Tortilla With Zucchini
Your quest for an interesting way to cook zucchini ends here.
33. Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki Sauce
The creamy dipping sauce is everything.
34. Stone Fruit Cucumber Salad With Ricotta Salata, Purslane and Golden Balsamic Miso Vinaigrette
It’s a midsummer night’s dream.
RELATED: 20 Summer Salads You Can Whip Up in 20 Minutes or Less
35. Steak Skewers with Chimichurri Sauce
Cooking steak intimidates us. There, we said it. But cutting it into neat pieces, skewering it and roasting it to juicy perfection is as easy as 1-2-3.
36. Quick Guacamole Quinoa Salad
This one’s fast, easy and protein-rich (thanks to black beans).
38. Sweet Potato And Black Bean Tacos with Blue Cheese Crema
Meatless doesn’t have to equal meager. Rich blue cheese sauce and diced avocado take these tacos over the top.
39. Shrimp Boil Skewers With Corn, Sausage and Potatoes
We just hacked the shrimp boil so it’s not only mess-free but also elegant.
40. Slow Roasted Citrus Salmon
It’s begging to be enjoyed alfresco.
RELATED: 50 Salmon Recipes to Make for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
41. Easy 5-Ingredient Corn Soup
The crunchy sesame-seed brown butter topping takes this one to a whole new level.
43. Moules-Frites (Steamed Mussels and Fries)
Cooked in a garlicky white-wine sauce, this dish is ready in just thirty minutes. Bon appétit.
44. ABUNDANCE KALE SALAD WITH SAVORY TAHINI DRESSING
And you thought that a salad wouldn't fill you up.
46. Zucchini Basil Soup with Crème Fraîche and Pickled Corn
Crème fraîche sounds fancy, but it lives right next to its humble cousin, sour cream, in the dairy aisle.
47. Marinated Salumi Sandwich
PureWow Coterie member Aida Mollenkamp knows how to make a dinner-worthy stack.
48. Cauliflower Lentil Grain Salad with Pesto and Pickled Radishes
Oh, mighty cauliflower. Is there anything you can’t do?
50. 15-Minute Lemony Broccolini Pasta
So much more interesting than jarred marinara.
52. One-Pan Roasted Salmon with Potatoes and Romaine
We love making our main course and sides all at once.
53. Zoodle Stir-Fry
Feel free to add some chicken or any additional veggies you’re craving that day.
54. Roasted Brussels Sprouts Quinoa
Easy, healthy and delicious? Guess dreams really do come true.
56. 5-Minute Veggie Coconut Wraps
These little guys have totally stolen our hearts.
RELATED: 30 Easy Summer Dinners You Can Make in 30 Minutes or Less
58. Parmesan-Ranch Chicken Thighs
Fun fact: These chicken thighs taste exactly like they’re fried. Lucky for you, they’re anything but.
59. Pork Scallopini With Lemon, Capers and Radicchio
Let go of boring chicken breast and broccoli.
60. Blackberry Peach Grilled Cheese
Juicy berries give this grilled cheese an elevated, seasonal twist. (We won't tell if you have seconds.)
61. Salmon Bowl With Farro, Black Beans and Tahini Dressing
Also known as a power bowl. Can you guess why?
62. Beer Bratwursts with Dijon Coleslaw
Microwaved hot dogs? Meh. These tangy brats give you an excuse to pile on the toppings.
63. Chicken and Snap Pea Stir-Fry
Soy sauce, vinegar and Sriracha pack flavor into this easy 20-minute dinner.
64. Grilled Corn and Zucchini Salad with Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette
It’s corn season, y’all.
75. Curry Noodles with Broccoli Rabe and Purple Cabbage
Spaghetti with marinara sauce? Yawn.
