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These cool summer dinner ideas work for any setting, from backyard meals to quiet nights in. They feature tacos, sandwiches, pasta salads, and grilled meats.
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You have to try these, even if you’re just relaxing at home solo.
Many of these meals can be made ahead of time so you can enjoy the weather, and at the same time savor good flavors.
Start with the most simple recipes and explore from there!
Chilis Shrimp Taco
These tacos are light, zesty, and like something you’d order at your favorite beachside restaurant.
Line them up on a wooden platter and drizzle with extra lime sauce.
Get The Recipe: Chilis Shrimp Taco
Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders
Sliders are perfect for cookouts and picnics. In this version, you’ll get the savory goodness of turkey and bacon.
Pair them with roasted sweet potato wedges and garlic aioli.
Get The Recipe: Turkey Bacon Ranch Sliders
Crunchy Shrimp Sushi Bowl
Seafood lovers, you won’t be able to resist this sushi bowl.
It’s the ideal summer dinner, with shrimp, carrots, cucumbers, avocados, and Kewpie mayo.
Get The Recipe: Crunchy Shrimp Sushi Bowl
Chicken Teriyaki Pineapple Bowl
This hearty bowl is loaded with teriyaki and tropical flavors.
Customize it and include your favorite toppings. You can add pineapple chunks, cucumbers, carrots, red onions, and more.
Get The Recipe: Chicken Teriyaki Pineapple Bowl
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Hot Girl Summer Salad
If you’re looking for hearty summer salads, this one should be at the top of your list.
It’s full of wholesome ingredients like hard-boiled eggs, cucumbers, green bell peppers, red onions, and lemon juice.
Get The Recipe: Hot Girl Summer Salad
Sushi Bake Cups
Skip traditional sushi this summer and try something new. These savory cups are so easy to prep, pack, and devour.
You’ll need sushi rice for this, but you can also use jasmine rice if that’s the only one available.
Get The Recipe: Sushi Bake Cups
Peruvian Shrimp Ceviche
You don’t need to be an expert cook to make restaurant-quality dishes at home.
This ceviche is one of the best options you can try this summer. Top it with avocado slices and cilantro once done.
Get The Recipe: Peruvian Shrimp Ceviche
Slow Cooker Jackfruit Tacos
These tacos are smoky, tender, and perfect for laid-back summer nights.
Remember to use young, green, and unripe jackfruit. Ripe ones are just too soft and sweet to work as taco meat!
Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Jackfruit Tacos
Italian Zucchini Boats
Craving something savory but don’t want a heavy meal? Check out these zucchini boats.
They’re filled with mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, black olives, and Italian seasoning.
Get The Recipe: Italian Zucchini Boats
Chickpea Kale Salad
It’s time to encourage the kids to eat more greens. They’ll love this salad.
Its lemon cashew dressing is silky and tangy, adding a zesty, nutty finish to every bite.
Get The Recipe: Chickpea Kale Salad
Creamy Vegan Tomato Soup
This creamy soup is made with crushed tomatoes, coconut cream, onions, olive oil, smoked paprika, and dried basil.
It’s smooth and comforting, something that pairs well with cucumber salads and hearty sandwiches.
Get The Recipe: Creamy Vegan Tomato Soup
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Copycat Zupas Ultimate Grilled Cheese
This grilled cheese sandwich is crispy, gooey, and layered with multiple cheeses for next-level comfort.
Feel free to tweak the recipe and add caramelized onions, broccoli, or even peach jam!
Get The Recipe: Copycat Zupas Ultimate Grilled Cheese
Crispy Tofu with Balsamic Tomatoes
In search of something hearty, easy, and delicious? This tofu dish is a fun choice.
It combines tofu with cherry tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, fresh basil leaves, and olive oil.
Get The Recipe: Crispy Tofu with Balsamic Tomatoes
Zesty Tomatillo Ranch Pasta Salad
Are summer get-togethers even complete without pasta salads?
Make this main dish ahead of time. It can last up to four days in the fridge! Just make sure to store it in an airtight container.
Get The Recipe: Zesty Tomatillo Ranch Pasta Salad
Air Fryer Halibut with Lemon Butter Sauce
Include this air fryer creation in your summer seafood menu.
It features halibut fillets, seasonings, and a delicious lemon butter sauce. You can use tilapia or mahi-mahi if you run out of halibut.
Get The Recipe: Air Fryer Halibut with Lemon Butter Sauce
Zesty Pasta Salad
Try this pasta salad for your next cookout or weeknight dinner.
This version has a vinaigrette made with Dijon mustard, garlic, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and zesty Italian seasoning.
Get The Recipe: Zesty Pasta Salad
Arugula and Spinach Salad
Got some extra arugula and spinach? Just grab a few more ingredients and make this salad.
It also has cherry tomatoes, red onions, chopped pecans, and feta.
Get The Recipe: Arugula and Spinach Salad
Grilled Shrimp Salad
If you’re preparing for a simple dinner party, just go for something easy.
Try this salad. The recipe recommends one tablespoon of chili powder, but feel free to add more or less depending on your preferred heat level.
Get The Recipe: Grilled Shrimp Salad
Fig, Prosciutto and Brie Open-Faced Sandwich
Not in the mood for a summer salad? Just go for this sandwich instead.
You can either leave out the prosciutto and turn it into a vegetarian treat or replace it with sliced smoked turkey.
Get The Recipe: Fig, Prosciutto and Brie Open-Faced Sandwich
Southwestern Cobb Salad
This isn’t your average Cobb salad.
It’s packed with bold Southwest flavors and hearty ingredients that make it a full-on summer meal. Pair it with cornbread muffins!
Get The Recipe: Southwestern Cobb Salad
Grilled Pork Chops with Marinade
These pork chops are perfect when you want something smoky, juicy, and bursting with flavor straight from the grill.
Make sure to marinate them overnight (or even for up to two nights!) to get the best flavors.
Get The Recipe: Grilled Pork Chops with Marinade
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Creamy Cucumber Gazpacho
This gazpacho can make hot nights way more bearable.
It’s creamy, refreshing, and herbaceous with a subtle heat, thanks to cucumbers, jalapeños, apples, avocados, and fresh herbs.
Get The Recipe: Creamy Cucumber Gazpacho
Lobster Caesar Salad
You’ll never run out of Caesar salads to try this summer. This one takes on a luxurious twist everyone will love.
It only has five simple ingredients, including lobster meat and a homemade Caesar dressing.
Get The Recipe: Lobster Caesar Salad
Peach Tomato Feta Salad
This summer salad is an irresistible side dish, but you can also turn it into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken or salmon fillets.
As for the vinaigrette, feel free to make adjustments. Add more lemon juice to make it tangier or more maple syrup to sweeten it up.
Get The Recipe: Peach Tomato Feta Salad
Sweet Potatoes and Guacamole Bowl
Say goodbye to boring dinners and try this hearty bowl.
The recipe calls for sweet potatoes, white cheese, avocado, spring onions, cucumbers, leeks, and other simple ingredients.
Get The Recipe: Sweet Potatoes and Guacamole Bowl
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Summer is the perfect time to enjoy simple ingredients in new and exciting ways.
Aside from making meals in advance, you can keep their sauces and toppings flexible.
Make a few go-to dressings or sauces (like lemon tahini, garlic yogurt, or herbed vinaigrette) and use them to switch up basic meals.
25 Summer Mexican Recipes That Taste Like a Fiesta
Whether you’re looking for creative tacos, delicious Tex-Mex recipes, tasty Mexican-American dishes, or want to serve some traditional summer Mexican recipes, these are easy, delicious, and great for the warm weather season.
Read it here: 25 Summer Mexican Recipes That Taste Like a Fiesta
25 Light Summer Dinner Recipes That Are Zero Fuss and All Flavor
All flavor and no fuss, these light summer dinner recipes will keep you full and satisfied when the weather is hot but you still want something that’s filling.
Read it here: 25 Light Summer Dinner Recipes That Are Zero Fuss and All Flavor
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Is the new Walmart Plus worth the annual fee or is it just another failed version of Amazon Prime? I spent my own money trying this service out for 12 months and counting. I have a lot to say about the benefits and drawbacks in this Walmart+ honest review.
Read it here: Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!
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