In the summer months, I want to enjoy all those iconic flavors of the season: watermelon, sweet corn, and a simple burrata caprese salad served with my favorite crusty bread. Since summertime brings more kid activities and yard projects – in addition to everything else I tackle year round – I need to have suppers that are easy, fast, and flavorful. And that’s exactly what this collection of healthy summer dinner ideas includes.
Grilled Summer Dinner Recipes
My husband and I love it when we can take meals outside, for both the cooking and the eating. These summer grill recipes are some of our family favorites, and I often serve them at the table on our back deck so we can watch those lingering summer sunsets while dining al fresco.
Greek Chicken Kebabs with Tzatziki Sauce
Marinated in Greek flavors then grilled to perfection, these chicken kebabs are probably my favorite easy, flavorful, and healthy summer meal. I thread tender chicken breast onto skewers with zucchini and bell pepper and drizzle them with my quick homemade Tzatziki for a low-carb dinner off the grill.
Feta Spinach Grilled Turkey Burgers
These turkey burgers studded with feta cheese and spinach are one of the first grill recipes I created for this site. Thanks to the additions, they are perfectly juicy and incredibly flavorful. Don’t have a grill? I’ve also included stovetop directions.
Grilled Chicken Fajita Salad
I’ve paid more than $15 for a big, fresh salad like this at a restaurant. But here I show you how to make it even better at home, from the tender marinated grilled chicken to building the fajita bowls just right.
Grilled Flank Steak with Herby-Green Sauce
Tender, juicy flank steak topped with a bright herb-and-olive oil sauce is an ideal easy meal for summer. I serve it with crusty bread, a simple orzo pasta salad, or this favorite peach arugula salad.
Grilled Salmon Kabobs with Creamy Curry Yogurt Sauce
It wasn’t until last summer that I discovered kebabs are a fresh, fast, and delicious way to grill salmon. These light and lemony salmon skewers are tender, healthy, and so good when served right off the grill with a drizzle of creamy yogurt sauce. To round out the plate, I serve it with this herbed quinoa pilaf.
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Salsa
I like to mix sweet and savory flavors, so that was the inspiration for this grilled pork tenderloin recipe that comes with a simple fresh pineapple salsa that makes every bite so darn delicious. The pork cooks perfectly tender and juicy with this method so it’s an easy grilled recipe for weeknights.
Grilled Steak Kebabs
Sometimes simple is the best way to go and that’s the case with these steak skewers made with sirloin steak, onions, red peppers, and a quick marinade. They can be prepped ahead to be grilled when the summer days call for easy suppers.
Grilled Honey Garlic Pork Chops
When it’s the time of year for grilled pork chops, I always turn to this recipe that is so easy, juicy, tender, and delicious. My popular Honey Mustard Sauce takes this recipe to the next level for summertime weeknight dinners that hit the spot. I like to serve it with my blueberry quinoa salad.
Mediterranean Steak Bowls
I find myself craving this bowl as soon as I change the calendar to June. Crisp greens and creamy hummus are topped with a pile of rainbow-colored veggies and perfectly grilled steak in this Mediterranean-inspired steak bowl. I serve it with pita wedges for a summery dinner that hits the spot.
Easy Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Mango Avocado Salsa
When I’m craving a shrimp dinner, these simple grilled shrimp tacos always come to mind for a 30-minute weeknight dinner recipe that hits the spot in summer. The simple marinade comes together fast and the mango avocado salsa is so good that I could eat it on its own with a spoon.
Easy Grilled Pizza Burger
This recipe is part pizza, part burger and perfect for those nights when my family can’t decide between the two! I top lean ground beef patties with flavorful pizza sauce for a summer grilled recipe that is both kid- and adult-friendly. I usually serve it with some sweet potato fries out of the air fryer and a side salad.
Chicken Pineapple Skewers
My kids love anything with pineapple, so I had the idea to make these Hawaiian-inspired kebabs that are made with quick-to-assemble, healthy ingredients. For an impressive summer recipe with ease, these delicious kebabs are both a weeknight dinner favorite and also great for BBQ parties.
Grilled Pork Burgers with Creamy Thai-Inspired Slaw
My husband and I collaborated on this naturally tender and juicy pork burger recipe. He incorporated ginger, garlic, and jalapeño into the burgers, and I had the idea to top them with a creamy slaw made with peanut sauce. The result is a unique and savory taste, and everyone who tries one raves about it all night long.
Easy Summer Dinner Bowls, Skillets, And Tacos
Dinner bowls, tacos, and one-skillet recipes are my favorite ways to serve a well-rounded meal that doesn’t require any side dishes. These recipes are full of nutrition, including protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs and fiber from veggies and healthy grains or beans.
Crockpot Pulled Pork Bowls
Think of this recipe like eating a BBQ picnic dinner in a bowl. The simple crockpot pulled pork makes every bite so satisfying and is perfectly complemented by tangy slaw and pickles served over rice. I choose this recipe for gatherings and simple weeknights.
Simple Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
My family loves all traditional Mexican-inspired dinners, including tacos, enchiladas, and burritos. When I want a summer dinner I can make ahead and warm up when it’s time to eat, this crockpot chicken taco recipe is what I turn to. I set out soft and hard tortillas and bowls of black beans, queso fresco, avocado, red onions, tomatoes, and cilantro, and everyone assembles their own.
Pork Banh Mi And Veggie Bowls
Whenever I can get one from a food truck, I always order a bahn mi sandwich. So I had the idea that those favorite rich flavors would taste great over rice and next to quick marinated veggies. When I don’t want to warm up the oven or grill, this is an easy dish right out of my slow cooker.
Crockpot BBQ Beef
I serve this saucy slow-cooked BBQ beef over baked sweet potatoes or as the main protein for a baked potato bar. It’s also great stuffed into veggies, like bell peppers, or served in buns or wraps, too. I make a batch of this one-pot beef and have many dinner options ready to go.
Easy Slow Cooker Carnitas
I use everyday pantry spices, including cumin, chili powder, oregano, and cinnamon to create this perfectly spiced shredded pork that I can serve as tacos or dinner bowls over rice and with a drizzle of a simple cilantro-lime sauce. It can be made in the crockpot or Instant Pot.
Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa
This simple protein is reminiscent of what you can order at Chipotle to stuff into tacos, burritos, grain bowls, or top taco salads or baked potatoes. The tender and perfectly spiced beef makes a large amount and all it takes are a few minutes of prep and a reliable slow cooker.
Salsa Verde Chicken
I created this salsa verde chicken recipe one night as I was craving tender, juicy shredded chicken to serve bowl style, over rice or cauliflower rice. I had a jar of salsa verde, so I dumped that into the slow cooker along with a few spices and boneless skinless chicken thighs. Dressed up with some sliced radishes and avocado, this simple dinner turned out to be a family hit. I enjoy the leftovers stuffed into tortillas for easy lunch wraps.
Chicken Stir Fry
When I want a summer dinner that is quick, easy, and full of flavor, this chicken stir fry is the perfect one-skillet recipe. It’s high in protein, easy to customize, ready in just 30 minutes, and I like to package the leftovers over rice with a squeeze of lemon juice for reheat lunches.
The Best Ground Beef Stir Fry
This ground beef stir-fry is one of my favorite weeknight dinners in the summer. It’s ready in 30 minutes, high in protein, a good source of veggies, full of flavor, and meets various dietary needs, including being gluten free, dairy free, and nut free.
Turkey Sloppy Joes
Turkey sloppy joes — or sloppy janes, which is what I call them — are a great option for summer meals that don’t require much effort. I appreciate the veggies and quick homemade sauce. I highly recommend serving it over buns or potatoes with the optional slaw and some sliced red onion and pickles.
Ground Beef and Zucchini Skillet
When my backyard garden is overflowing with zucchini in late July and August, this Mexican-inspired recipe is one I love to make. It’s easy and healthy, high-fiber, high-protein, and cooks in one skillet. Plus, it comes together in just 30 minutes, start to finish.
Korean Ground Beef Bowls
These simple dinner bowls rely on ground beef and cook quickly in a skillet. They’re one of my top choices when I want a summer dinner that’s fresh, fast, healthy, high in protein, and never disappoints in the flavor department.
Sheet Pan Mediterranean Salmon Bowls
These healthy salmon and quinoa bowls have all the Mediterranean flavors I could think of: lemon- and herb-marinated salmon, garbanzo bean salad, tender quinoa, crisp greens, feta cheese, kalamata olives, and homemade Tzatziki. I think they’re the perfect healthy and fresh summer dinner.
Easy Beef Taco Bowl with Salsa Ranch
When I want to put a fresh spin on taco night, I make these easy beef taco bowls. My husband and kids like to customize their own bowls, adding rice, cheese, salsa, cherry tomatoes, diced avocado, and corn chips. It’s a fun option for summer weeknights and I enjoy the leftovers, too.
Greek Chicken Meatball Bowls With Tzatziki
I’ve included a few different ways to cook these Greek chicken meatballs, though my favorite method is to cook them in the air fryer. Then, I serve the meatballs in gluten-free veggie bowls over greens, rice, and quick marinated veggies with simple Tzatziki sauce.
Italian-Sausage Stuffed Zucchini Boats
This simple stuffed zucchini recipe is another favorite to make with my garden zucchini harvest, and my kids think they’re so fun to eat, too. Stuffed with ground meat, veggies, seasonings, and cheese, this is a delicious and nutritious low-carb dinner and a unique way to enjoy zucchini.
Summertime Dinner Salads
In the summer, especially on really hot days, I often crave a simple salad for dinner. But at the same time, I want to make sure I’m getting enough protein to keep me satisfied and nourished. These main dish salads and summer pasta salads do the trick!
Buffalo Chicken Salad with Crispy Chickpeas
Thanks to the chickpeas and chicken, this main dish salad provides an impressive 40 grams of protein per serving. I love buffalo chicken flavors, which are all represented in this super flavorful salad that doesn’t take much time to prep.
Thai-Inspired Steak Salad
I love a steak salad because it always feels filling and light at the same time. The sweet-and-spicy dressing is so good that I want to lick the plate when it’s all done. It’s easy to throw the steaks on the grill and prep the rest of the salad components while they cook.
Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad
I love anything with pesto, not only because it’s a perfect way to use up fresh basil from my garden, but also because it’s always so delicious. The vibrant flavors in this easy chicken pesto summer pasta salad are one of my daughter’s favorites. And I love that it’s full of chicken, pasta, fresh veggies, cheese, and pesto, so I’m getting both great taste and good nutrition.
Strawberry Spinach Salad with Chicken
When strawberries are so big, bright, and sweet in the summer months, I use them to make this strawberry spinach chicken salad. It’s exactly the type of recipe to showcase fresh summer flavors and to get a bunch of healthy ingredients at the same time.
Cold Noodle Salad With Peanut Sauce
This cold ramen noodle salad has quickly become a favorite of mine. It features a delicious peanut sauce, fresh crisp veggies, and shredded chicken for a protein- and fiber-rich main dish salad that works well for summer lunch meal prep, potlucks, and quick dinners on hot nights.
Caesar Salmon Bowls With Parmesan
I love classic caesar salad and those flavors were the inspiration for these salmon caesar salad bowls that are both fresh and satisfying. They feature flakey salmon, shaved parmesan, tender grains, sliced radishes, and fresh romaine all served in a bowl topped with crispy chickpeas and caesar dressing. Salmon Caesar Salad Grain Bowl makes for a satisfying lunch or quick weeknight dinner and is perfect for meal prep.
Side Dishes To Serve With Any Grilled Protein
Since my summertime dinners often contain grilled protein (see my favorite marinades below), then it’s usually a fresh summer side dish that I’m looking for. This round up of summer salads is the first place I check for inspiration, as well as these recipes featuring in-season ingredients.
Farmers Market Summer Salad
This fresh veggie chopped salad is so bright and perfect for summer meals. The goat cheese melts into the ingredients making every forkful taste absolutely delish. I often pair it with grilled chicken breast or pork chops. It’s also a hit at summer potlucks where everyone will want the recipe.
Arugula Salad with Fresh Basil
When I want something a little fancier than a spinach salad, this arugula salad always hits the spot. It has a delicious lemon-Dijon vinaigrette and the toasted almonds on top make every bite so good. This salad is especially good with this miso-glazed salmon.
Greek Chopped Salad
This no-lettuce chopped salad features quick marinated cucumbers, red onion, and tomatoes with chickpeas, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta. The surprise ingredient is fresh mint, and it’s just so good paired with grilled meats and chicken.
Quinoa Arugula Salad with Peaches and Goat Cheese
I wait all year long for the moment that fresh peaches are in season. I love to use them in this greens-and-quinoa salad that pairs really well with grilled steak to round out the meal with flavors, colors, and nutrients.
Quinoa Kale Salad With Blueberries And Feta
It’s hard for me to decide what’s the star ingredient in this summer side salad. This recipe came to me one day as I was using up leftover ingredients from my fridge. I couldn’t believe how good it all tasted together after I tossed it with a simple lemon vinaigrette.
The Perfect Brussels Slaw
When I discovered that thinly shaved raw Brussels sprouts create a unique alternative to cabbage for slaw recipes, I knew I had to create this recipe. It’s both sweet and smoky and doesn’t have any refined sugar – only sweetened with dates and a little fresh orange juice.
Chili Lime Quinoa Black Bean Salad
Here’s another no-lettuce salad that I love to serve with summer dinners. It features cooked quinoa, chopped fresh veggies, black beans, corn, avocado, cherry tomatoes and a simple chili-lime vinaigrette. I pair it with fish tacos, grilled shrimp, and cooked chicken.
Summer Corn Salad With Cherry Tomatoes
Growing up in the Midwest, I’d be amiss not to have sweet corn and fresh summer tomatoes on my list of favorite summer sides. This simple salad combines those iconic summer veggies, as well as creamy avocado and a zest lime vinaigrette. I pair this one with grilled pork chops and grilled chicken.
Corn Salad With Blackberries and Lime Vinaigrette
For a stunning summer salad, this corn salad never disappoints. When I make it, I feel like I’m serving something right off the pages of a food magazine. The unusual combination of ingredients works so well together and every bite is a full burst of fresh flavors. Pair it with grilled pizzas, burgers, chicken, steaks, and pork.
Blue Cheese Potato Salad with Chives
Some summer dinners just wouldn’t be complete without potato salad on the plate. And I love this particular potato salad because it doesn’t have any mayo and features some delicious crunchy mix-ins like red onion, celery, and chives. The blue cheese melts into the cooked red potatoes and makes this side dish a great pairing for grilled steak.
Summer Grilling? Try These Marinades
Frequently Asked Questions
When hosting friends in the summer, I like to serve recipes that allow my guests to customize their plates and something that allows me to socialize instead of spending all night tending to the grill or stovetop. Some recipes that work for that are this make-ahead chicken taco meat, these BBQ pulled pork bowls, and slow cooker carnitas or barbacoa bowls. Some side dishes that are really great for a dinner party are this stunning corn salad, this farmer’s market summer salad, and this Greek cucumber chopped salad.
Summer means I don’t want to turn on the oven or spend much effort getting dinner on the table. A few dinners that are satisfying but come together quickly, especially when I already have cooked chicken on hand, are this cold ramen noodle salad, this pesto chicken pasta salad, and this creamy BBQ chicken salad.
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