31 July Dinner Ideas that Deserve to Be Eaten Alfresco
Summer is in full swing, and we are here for it. The days are long and we have a never-ending supply of chilled rosé on hand. But as much as we want to eat burgers and hot dogs for dinner every night, we also feel compelled to mix it up and take advantage of the rest of the season’s bounty. Presenting 31 July dinner ideas for an easy, seasonal meal every night, so you can get back to the important stuff (unicorn-shaped pool float, we’re looking at you).
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July 1: Caesar Pasta Salad
Crisp, cool lettuce salad or creamy pasta salad? Great news: You can have both.
July 2: Sheet-Pan Gnocchi with Sausage, Peppers and Onions
If you’ve never cooked pasta on a sheet pan, now’s your chance. The gnocchi gets crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and you only have to clean one dish.
July 3: Miso-Tahini-Glazed Roasted Eggplant with Farro
Here’s proof that eggplant doesn’t need to be fried or covered in cheese to be positively delightful. (Plus, it’s officially in season.)
July 4: Mini Lobster Rolls
Happy Fourth! Celebrate with an adorable mini lobster roll or two…or five.
July 5: Sweet-and-Sour Pork Skewers with Pineapple
Once you make homemade sweet-and-sour sauce, you’ll never go back to store-bought.
July 6: Greek Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce
These are lighter and more flavorful than traditional burgers, so they’re great for warm nights on the patio.
July 7: Tomato-Poached Cod with Fresh Herbs
Set the patio table and your timer for 25 minutes. Are you sure you’re not a restaurant chef or something?
July 8: Corn Fritter Caprese with Peaches and Tomatoes
’Tis the season for all of our produce favorites. Why not combine them into the ultimate summer salad?
July 9: Skillet Chicken with Apricots and Fresh Herbs
Apricots are fleeting, so take advantage when you see them at the market. Then race home to make this summer masterpiece.
July 10: Grilled Peach and Halloumi Salad with Lemon-Pesto Dressing
Dinner salads can be hit or miss, so we made sure this one would be hearty enough for dinnertime. Save the leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch and thank yourself later.
July 11: Grilled Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
You could swap the chicken thighs for any quick-cooking protein you have on hand (like chicken breasts, ground pork or tofu); just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
July 12: BLT Tacos
BLTs are already one of our summer go-tos. We transformed them into tacos for an easy upgrade because why not?
July 13: Cheater’s Skillet Paella
The traditional Spanish paella is delicious but not necessarily suited for a weeknight. Our simplified version isn’t authentic, but it sure is tasty.
July 14: Cherry Tomato Galette with Garlic and Herbs
This savory pie has a secret: store-bought puff pastry. Serve it with a big green salad for an effortless, gorgeous meal.
July 15: Summer Skillet Gnocchi with Grilled Corn and Burrata
You had us at skillet and again at burrata. All we need now is a glass of white wine.
July 16: Tomato Salad with Grilled Halloumi and Herbs
When it’s steamy outside, go for something light but filling. This refreshing tomato and cheese salad hits the spot.
July 17: Spicy Corn Carbonara
It’s our goal this month to eat corn as many ways as we possibly can. This is just one of them.
July 18: One-Pot Tomato Basil Pasta
You toss everything in the same pot and cook it all at once. The result? A saucy, glossy pasta and minimal dishes to clean.
July 19: Grilled Honey-Sriracha Chicken Drumsticks with Fennel-Apple Slaw
Think of these spicy-sweet drumsticks as the summer version of chicken wings. (You’re going to want extra napkins.)
July 20: Shrimp Boil Skewers with Corn, Sausage and Potatoes
Nothing against burgers and dogs, but they don’t know what’s coming for them. Bonus: There’s hardly any cleanup when you make these on the grill.
July 21: Grilled Flank Steak with Lemon-Herb Sauce
Just think of the marinating time as a built-in cocktail hour. You’ve earned it.
July 22: Cheater’s Prosciutto Hawaiian Pizza
Alright, we’ll confess: We actually kind of love Hawaiian pizza, as long as the pineapple is grilled. It’s a game-changer.
July 23: Aran Goyoaga’s Niçoise Salad
Everyone should have a good Niçoise salad recipe in their back pocket for a healthy yet satisfying dinner. Serve it alfresco, why don’t you?
July 24: Cauliflower Sweet Potato Burgers
Most veggie burgers are dry and bland, but these are the opposite. Make a double batch and store some in the freezer if you want to go the extra mile.
July 25: Grilled Flatbread Pizza with Artichoke, Ricotta and Lemon
When you can’t be bothered to turn on the oven, head to the grill. This pie starts with store-bough flatbread so you can get it on the table (and in your mouth) as fast as possible.
July 26: Zucchini Ricotta Galette
It’s buttery, flaky and ready in under an hour. Need we say more?
July 27: Poblano and Mushroom Tacos with Tomatoes and Goat Cheese
Skip the ground beef and make it a meatless taco night. If you can’t find poblano peppers, bell peppers would be just as delish.
July 28: Steak Skewers with Chimichurri Sauce
Cooking steak at home is simple when you put it on a skewer. These guys take just 25 minutes to cook, and the herby sauce is *chef’s kiss*.
July 29: Squash and Squash Blossom Frittata
Head to your farmers market to support local business and pick up some seriously gorgeous seasonal produce. Then transform it into a low-effort dinner that looks as good as it tastes.
July 30: 15-Minute Mediterranean Couscous with Tuna and Pepperoncini
Couscous is as easy to make as it is to boil water. Toss it with a few flavorful toppings and dinner is set.
July 31: Yellow Tomato Gazpacho
Prep everything the night before, then blend the ingredients and put it all together in less than 10 minutes, right before serving. You won’t even break a sweat.
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