15 Summer Dinner Recipes: Fresh Ideas for Summer Dinners

Summer dishes feature summer produce at its peak ripeness. Flavors tend to be lighter and more refreshing than winter dishes, which typically aim to be hearty. Salads, including pasta salads, make for great summer dinners because they involve very little cooking, but you can also avoid heating your home by using an outdoor grill for cooking meats and veggies. Slow cookers and sheet pan recipes make quick work of weeknight dinners and can help you escape the heat of the kitchen on hot summer nights.

Summer cooking is all about using fresh produce, grilling meats, and trying to beat the heat of hot summer days. Look to these refreshing summer dinner ideas for inspiration.

1. 1. Caprese salad: Nothing says summertime quite like fresh, juicy tomatoes. Caprese salad (known as insalata Caprese in Italy) is an Italian salad that features basil leaves, mozzarella, and summer tomatoes. For a less traditional but equally tasty option, use cherry tomatoes instead of the classic beefsteak tomato.
2. 2. Fish tacos: Fish tacos are a quintessential summer meal. They come together quickly (so you can spend less time in a hot kitchen) and provide a refreshing, satisfying meal at the end of a long summer day. Try making this fish taco recipe that involves light, flaky white fish nestled in warm corn tortillas topped with avocado, pico de gallo salsa, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. A classic Margarita would be a sensible drink pairing here.
3. 3. Mexican corn salad: Mexican street corn salad (also known as esquites) can be made with fresh grilled corn, frozen corn, canned corn, or in-season sweet corn. Add jalapeño peppers for a little heat.
4. 4. Summer pasta: Summer pasta recipes are all about reducing the amount of time spent cooking with heat and making use of abundant summer vegetables. You can make homemade pad Thai by rehydrating rice noodles in boiling water and giving those noodles a quick stir-fry. You could also toss cooked penne with store-bought pesto sauce, zucchini, tomatoes, capers, and parmesan for a summery pasta salad.
5. 5. Traditional gazpacho: Authentic Spanish gazpacho—a versatile cold soup starring the best summer ingredients—is a refreshing dish to serve on hot weather days.
6. 6. Lettuce wraps: Grilled skirt steak or grilled chicken make for the perfect protein fillings for refreshing lettuce wraps. The heat and smokiness of grilled meats offer a delicious contrast to the crisp, crunchy lettuce. Serve with fresh herbs (like cilantro or basil), limes, and white rice, and top your lettuce wraps with crushed peanuts.
7. 7. Summer watermelon feta salad: Sweet watermelon and salty feta cheese produce a stunning flavor combination in this easy summer salad. Watermelon feta salad is a refreshing side dish for a summertime cookout.
8. 8. Italian lamb skewers: These Italian lamb skewers are a fantastic grill recipe. They pair well with summer veggies such as cherry tomatoes or summer squash. Serve them with sliced bread and a simple side salad dressed in balsamic vinaigrette.
9. 9. Greek salad with grilled chicken: Add grilled chicken breasts to Greek salad for a simple Mediterranean meal. Juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and red onions provide a refreshing contrast to the saltiness of feta cheese and black olives. Serve with a side of flatbread.
   
10. 10. Falafel: Falafel is the ultimate Middle Eastern street food. Crispy, spicy chickpea fritters are stuffed into warm pita bread and topped with overflowing fresh vegetables and tahini sauce. Its popularity as casual fast food makes it easy to find in food carts all over the US, Europe, and the Middle East. The dish is suitable for vegetarians as an excellent source of vegan protein.
11. 11. Chicken tinga tacos: In the city of Puebla, the popular tinga taco, or stew taco, is often made from chicken braised in a mild chipotle-tomato sauce seasoned with garlic and a bit of piloncillo, or raw cane sugar. The meat is shredded, served in a tortilla, and topped with chopped onion, cilantro, and lime. You can also serve chicken tinga on top of tostadas or inside burritos or enchiladas.
12. 12. Turkey burgers with pesto and arugula: Hamburgers are a crowd-favorite of summer BBQs, but every now and then a lighter option is called for. Turkey burgers provide a healthier alternative to traditional hamburgers and are equally delicious. Spread pesto on both buns and add a handful of arugula before topping with a delicious, juicy turkey patty. Serve with a side of sweet potato fries.
13. 13. Grilled, marinated pork chops: Grilling marinated pork chops may be one of the most popular ways to achieve crispy, charred edges and a tender, juicy texture. A bottle of teriyaki or BBQ sauce alone can serve as a compelling marinade. When exposed to the high heat of a grill, the sugars caramelize and create a flavorful crust on the outer edges of the meat. Grill pork chops in a grill pan, or place directly on the well-oiled grates of a gas or charcoal grill.
14. 14. Ricotta toast: Grilled sourdough bread provides the perfect base for a slathering of ricotta cheese. Serve your toast with a mixture of diced green beans, canned white beans, scallions, and dill tossed in a quick dressing of dijon mustard, lemon juice, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
15. 15. Grilled salmon with miso marinade: Consider making this miso salmon recipe on the grill. You can marinate the salmon for up to three days, making it easy to prep for a last-minute weeknight dinner. Serve with a side of quinoa for a satisfying weeknight meal.

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