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These quick summer dinner ideas are simple and delicious. From rice bowls to colorful salads, these recipes are sure to satisfy your cravings.
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You can prepare the most flavorful summer dinners without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
Even if you’re busy and new to cooking, there are countless recipes out there waiting for you to try. Start with these quick recipes!
Chicken Teriyaki Pineapple Bowl
This dish combines sushi rice, chicken fillet, mayo, and rice vinegar with pineapple chunks.
You can prepare this in less than 30 minutes. Then, garnish it with extra bell peppers for a vibrant look.
Get The Recipe: Chicken Teriyaki Pineapple Bowl
Baked Salmon With Mayonnaise
In search of the easiest seafood creations?
Try this recipe with parmesan cheese, lemon zest, black pepper, and mayo. You’ll love how easy, simple, and appetizing it is.
Get The Recipe: Baked Salmon With Mayonnaise
Instant Pot Chicken Bites
These bite-sized pieces of chicken are seasoned perfectly and cooked to juicy perfection in the Instant Pot.
To prepare, simply marinate the chicken pieces and cook in the Instant Pot. Serve in a shallow bowl with fresh herbs sprinkled on top.
Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Bites
Nigerian Salad
Nigerian salad is a refreshing and colorful dinner option. It’s packed with wholesome ingredients like cabbage, peas, corn, tomatoes, and carrots.
Serve it with spicy grilled chicken wings for a heartier meal.
Get The Recipe: Nigerian Salad
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Sushi Bake Cups
These sushi bake cups bring the flavors of sushi into a convenient, bite-sized format.
They are savory and slightly sweet, with a creamy texture from the sushi rice and fillings. They’re easy to make yet so delicious!
Get The Recipe: Sushi Bake Cups
Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
Here’s another straightforward recipe you can make in the Instant Pot. It’s a speedy and comforting dinner with ground beef, breadcrumbs, and eggs.
Cook the meatballs in the Instant Pot, add the spaghetti and sauce, and cook until done.
Get The Recipe: Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
Vegan Lobster Roll
This lobster roll uses hearts of palm to replicate the texture of lobster.
It offers tangy, creamy, and slightly salty flavors reminiscent of traditional lobster rolls. Garnish with a sprinkle of paprika and fresh dill.
Get The Recipe: Vegan Lobster Roll
Summer Cold Green Bean Salad
This salad combines green beans, tomatoes, and onions in a light vinaigrette. It also includes black-eyed peas, summer squash, and lemon.
It’s one of the most nutritious and refreshing dishes you can make in 15 minutes.
Get The Recipe: Summer Cold Green Bean Salad
Spiced Chickpea Kale Salad
Chickpeas are versatile and nutritious and can be used in many summer dishes.
Aside from chickpeas, this salad includes coconut oil, raw honey, almonds, kale, and sunflower seeds. It’s creamy, crunchy, and easy to make.
Get The Recipe: Spiced Chickpea Kale Salad
Panzanella Salad
Preparing this dish is a fun way to enjoy fresh summer produce. It includes tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, olive oil, and red wine vinegar.
Toss the vegetables and bread in vinaigrette and let them sit to absorb the flavors.
Get The Recipe: Panzanella Salad
Gluten-Free Grilled Hawaiian Chicken
This dish includes chicken breasts, pineapple, rice vinegar, and homemade ketchup.
Marinate the chicken, grill until cooked through, and serve with grilled pineapple slices. Pair it with a side of coconut rice.
Get The Recipe: Gluten-Free Grilled Hawaiian Chicken
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Flank Steak & Gorgonzola Sandwich
Here’s an easy yet mouthwatering option for a quick summer dinner.
This sandwich features juicy flank steak topped with Gorgonzola cheese. Add pickled red onions for a pop of color.
Get The Recipe: Flank Steak & Gorgonzola Sandwich
Noodles with Prawns
Summer is the best time to explore dinner recipes you have never tried before.
This one is unique and appetizing, with vermicelli noodles, bell peppers, soy sauce, and mild curry powder. Add a wedge of lime on the side for a citrus kick.
Get The Recipe: Noodles with Prawns
Zucchini Pasta Bake
Are you looking for a wholesome and shareable dish for the entire family?
This bake features layers of zucchini, pasta, and tomato sauce, topped with melted cheese. You’ll love the tender, slightly crisp texture of the zucchini.
Get The Recipe: Zucchini Pasta Bake
Smoked Turkey Pinwheels
Pinwheels are quick and portable summer meals. This recipe includes smoked turkey, spinach, and fresh herb cream cheese rolled up in tortillas.
Serve them with carrot and celery sticks and a homemade ranch dip.
Get The Recipe: Smoked Turkey Pinwheels
Balsamic Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches
Sandwiches are awesome summer options because they are quick, portable, and versatile.
Try these savory treats, filled with grilled eggplant, balsamic vinegar, red peppers, and mozzarella. Serve them on a wooden board with a side of mixed olives.
Get The Recipe: Balsamic Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches
Tuna Poke Bowls
These bowls feature tuna marinated in a savory soy sauce mixture, combined with veggies and rice.
It offers a mix of salty, umami flavors with a hint of sweetness. Marinate the tuna, cook the rice, and assemble everything in a bowl.
Get The Recipe: Tuna Poke Bowls
Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs
This summer dinner option is a smoky, flavorful summer dinner that’s easy to prepare.
In this recipe, the chicken thighs are marinated in a tangy BBQ sauce and grilled to perfection. Garnish them with chopped fresh parsley and lemon wedges.
Get The Recipe: Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs
Grilled Mahi Mahi
Mahi Mahi’s light, mild flavor, and firm texture make it perfect for grilling or pairing with fresh ingredients. You’ll love making this seafood creation!
It includes Mahi Mahi fillets, olive oil, butter, and seasonings like garlic powder.
Get The Recipe: Grilled Mahi Mahi
Zucchini Pizza Boats
Zucchini boats are absolute summer favorites. The best thing about them is that they are easy to make, even for beginners.
This recipe comes together in around 30 minutes with marinara sauce and mozzarella.
Get The Recipe: Zucchini Pizza Boats
Asian Garlic Beef Bowl Over Rice
Prepare the heartiest dinners without spending that much time in the kitchen. This beef bowl combines beef with rice and a garlicky soy sauce.
Cook the beef in the garlic soy sauce, and serve over rice with a sprinkle of green onions.
Get The Recipe: Asian Garlic Beef Bowl Over Rice
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Baja Fresh Fish Tacos
These tacos feature crispy fish fillets topped with a creamy slaw and fresh pico de gallo.
Main ingredients include white fish fillets, vegetable oil, Baja sauce, and corn tortillas. Garnish them with sliced jalapeños and radishes.
Get The Recipe: Baja Fresh Fish Tacos
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
These skewers include juicy chicken pieces marinated in a garlic and parmesan mixture, then grilled until tender and flavorful.
They also include seasonings like onion powder and black pepper. Arrange grilled vegetables around the skewers for a colorful presentation.
Get The Recipe: Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
Creamy Avocado Pesto Pasta
Pasta is a great choice if you’re looking for a tasty and filling quick summer dinner.
This one includes pasta tossed in a creamy avocado pesto sauce with fresh basil and garlic flavors. The taste is smooth and savory, with a creamy texture from the avocado.
Get The Recipe: Creamy Avocado Pesto Pasta
Spicy Shrimp Pizza
This pizza has a crispy crust topped with tomato sauce, shrimp, and cheese.
Spread the sauce on the dough, top with shrimp and cheese, and bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
Get The Recipe: Spicy Shrimp Pizza
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Start with simple yet delicious flavor combinations to make your summer dinners exciting.
Try pairing citrus with herbs, like lemon with basil or lime with cilantro, for a fresh and vibrant taste.
Also, don’t be afraid to use curry powder, cumin, and other spices to add depth to your dishes.
Looking for more summer recipes? These dishes are light, refreshing, and packed with flavor:
- 25 Healthy Summer Salads So Delicious, You Won’t Believe They’re Good for You
- 25 Easy Summer Recipes for Your Next Picnic
- 25 Summer Meal Ideas So Simple, Even Beginners Can Master Them
- 25 Picnic Breakfast Ideas to Make You Jump Out of Bed
- 25 Summer Pasta Recipes So Effortless, You’ll Make Dinner in a Snap