25 Easy Summer Dinner Ideas
Easy Summer Dinner Ideas make summer more fun. Cooking with fresh, in-season ingredients makes everything taste better. Whether grilling outside or looking for an impressively refreshing drink to cool down after a long day, these recipes are what you need.
Summer always reminds me of island getaways and having fun under the sun. But with summer also comes those exciting seasonal harvests. We’re talking about naturally sweet, healthy veggies and fruits that are also cheaper when they are abundant.
So, I came up with menu items you could easily make for yourself and your family.
1. Homemade Pineapple Juice
There’s nothing like refreshing homemade fruit juice made from fresh pineapple. Enjoy it with a little rum and ice for a rejuvenating beverage to start your list of summer dinner ideas.
2. Pan-Seared Oven Roasted Steak
Smokey, savory, and seasoned steak seared in aromatic garlic, rosemary, and butter. Even better, with a pantry staple seasoning used to add a kick of robust flavors into it! No need to dish out big bucks for a restaurant-quality steak again.
3. Smoked Beef Brisket
This recipe is at the top of my list of summer dinner ideas because it doesn’t heat up the kitchen. It might take patience, but the wait is definitely worth it! Besides, smoking on a pellet grill is set it and forget it while you have fun in the sun.
4. Grilled Shrimp Kabobs
Need a quick and easy-to-make dinner so you can chill? Then here you go! Just marinate the shrimp, skewer it with summer harvest vegetables, set up your grill, and have fun!
5. Jamaican Jerk Chicken
Chicken basted in an authentic Jamaican jerk marinade for a tangy, sweet, and spicy mix! Perfect for a backyard dinner with friends and family.
6. Steak Tips
How I love steak! And what better protein to enhance a fresh summer salad than these super easy steak tips? It’s fantastic with mashed potatoes but equally delicious on a black and blue salad.
7. Garlic Butter Shrimp
Buttery, lemony, and savory shrimp deliver a versatile summer dinner menu. This dish stands out because it all comes ready in just 15 minutes!
Serve this fabuliciousness over pasta or rice. And have some bread to mop up that lip-smacking good sauce!
8. Southern Fried Chicken
Not your ordinary fried chicken. This recipe made it on my list because it’s simple and tasty. And the not-so-secret ingredient?
The hack is marinating it in buttermilk and dredging it well with a seasoned flour mixture just before frying. Easy! And you can match these crispy chicken with buttermilk biscuits for a satisfying summer dinner.
9. Cube Steak and Mushroom Onion Gravy
Minute steak in a savory mushroom and onion gravy is a winner in prep and cooking. Enjoy the gravy over mashed potatoes or steamed rice and green beans with bacon. Now that’s what I call dinner!
10. Caribbean Rice and Beans
Nutritious and savory enjoy Caribbean flavors of coconut milk, garlic, onion, and scotch bonnet pepper in one pan. You can even make it vegan by replacing chicken stock with vegetable stock or go meatier with your choice of meat. Voila! Instant one-pot meal!
11. Southern Fried Catfish
If you love fishing for catfish, you’ll have fun cooking them up after the haul. Dip them in buttermilk and coat them in a well-seasoned cornmeal mixture for comfort food bliss. Enjoy it with steamed seasonal veggies or coleslaw and hush puppies! And don’t forget your tartar sauce.
12. Chicken Francese
Fancy name, right? Luckily, it’s easier than it sounds because you can make it at home in just 20 minutes. You’ll get a savory, rich, and tangy dish intensified by a pour of white wine and reducing the sauce to a silky consistency. Yum!
13. Grilled Tilapia
What sets this dish apart from other grilled fish is its spicy-hot dipping sauce! You’ll be amazed how the refreshing, savory, and spicy flavors in your mouth marry well together.
14. Shepherd’s Pie
This hearty holiday favorite made it to my summer dinner ideas because it tastes even better with in-season veggies. Besides, who can resist those creamy-savory mashed potatoes on top? A crustless meat pie comfort food! Enjoy it along with steamed veggies and garlic bread for a really satisfying evening meal!
15. Greek Chicken Marinade
Healthy Mediterranean flavors ramp up chicken for a great summer dinner you can slap on the grill. Top your favorite salad, mashed potatoes, or sauteed seasonal veggies. Grilled chicken makes the filling for a delicious wrap, too!
16. Cajun Shrimp Boil
This classic Cajun seafood boil will be gone in an hour after you serve them! It’s seasoned with Creole seasoning (truly a must) to get that distinct flavor. And you see, this is not your usual shrimp boil. Click on the link to find out.😉
17. Cajun Chicken Avocado Salad
This refreshing, flavorful, meaty salad has earned its place on my list of summer dinner ideas. It’s healthy, and it has avocado! My favorite! You know your salads enjoy a different level of flavor when the ingredients are in season.
18. Caribbean Coleslaw
There’s nothing like a chilled coleslaw in the summer. The crunchy texture of napa cabbage and nuts marries with savory, sweet, and tangy flavors because of the spices, herbs, and fruits. It’s a perfect side for grilling and cookouts.
19. Oven-Roasted Corn on the Cob
Freshly harvested sweet corn is the best! Plus, it’s fast and easy; just brush a delicious homemade Creole and garlic butter all over the corn, then roast! Just thinking about it makes me drool!
20. Homemade Ginger Juice
Zingy, tangy, and refreshing thirst-quencher is how I describe this drink. Say that one more time! 😅
It’s super easy, plus delicious hot or cold! And with just a few ingredients like lemon juice, mint, honey, and ginger, and a few stirs, you’ll have one naturally detoxifying drink in every sip.
21. Tomato Bisque
Is there anything better than sun-warmed tomatoes picked ripe off the vine? Turn them into the most fabulous soup with Italian seasoning and fresh herbs that complement their flavor. This velvety soup makes an excellent starter for your summer dinner.
22. Watermelon Salad
Watermelon tossed with cucumber, red onions, feta, mint, and a sweet-spicy vinaigrette may sound odd, but it’s amazing. Very simple and easy to make! It’s also a plus factor if you know how to pick the right watermelon.
23. Shakshuka
Enjoy this African specialty for a light dinner for a meat-free Friday. I love it with avocado slices and toasted bread, though you can pair it with salad.
24. Squash Casserole
An abundance of summer squash straight from the garden makes an incredible casserole. Smother them in a cheese sauce and top them with buttery crackers for a comforting side.
25. Chicken Lettuce Wraps
I’ve saved the best for last on my list of summer dinner ideas. This cool-as-a-cucumber appetizer doubles as a main meal. This delectable lettuce wrap with an Asian twist will make you one happy camper.
And, that’s a wrap! 😉
By Imma
Your recipes has made me so innovating. I love them and has caused me to try so many of them. Since the kids are grown, you have open my eyes to so many wonderful dishes. I thank you.
Aww thank you, Yvonne! 🙂