Top 21 summer dinner ideas improvementsfitness

these Summer dinner ideas Full of colorful fruits and vegetables and comes together in a flash. If you’re looking for easy recipes to add to your summer rotation, look no further!

When the weather starts to warm up, the last thing I want for dinner are heavy casseroles and hot bowls of soup. Busy schedules (and, let’s be honest, swimsuit season) mean it’s all about keeping dinner light and easy.

If you’re short on ideas, I’ve got plenty! And at the bottom of this post, I have a collection of recipes that fit the bill. But first, let’s talk about some of the ways I like to simplify summer dinners.

Shop at your farmers market

Going to a farmers market with a long shopping list can make the experience less enjoyable — especially early in the season when there aren’t a lot of summer favorites like corn and tomatoes in season. Instead, I like to let fresh produce inspire my meals. Buying what looks good and then planning my meals around what I buy at the market means I can enjoy shopping!

batch cook

During the summer months, I like to cook on the weekends, so I have less work to do during the week. Roasting chicken or vegetables in large quantities, then preparing a range of sauces and sauces, can provide the basis for many varied meals throughout the week. I also like to cook up a big pot of instant quinoa or brown rice and use it throughout the week as well.

Embrace paper meals

Sheetroot meals are a lifesaver when it comes to quick, easy summer dinners. Simply place the protein of your choice with seasonal vegetables, olive oil, salt and pepper on a baking sheet and bake in the oven. Finish with fresh herbs from your backyard. The best part? Minimal cleanup!

Don’t forget the salads

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh, vibrant salads filled with seasonal produce. I love no-cook dinners when the weather is hot! Get creative with your salads by incorporating whole grains, fruits, nuts and seeds for more texture and flavor. And don’t forget to make your own homemade sauce—this Cucumber Ranch Dressing is one of my favorites.

Keep it simple

Summer fruits and vegetables are so delicious, you don’t really need to make a huge batch for dinner. Simply grill some chicken and serve it with roasted Parmesan green beans or grilled corn on the cob and you’ll have an easy, healthy meal on the table in minutes.

21 fresh and delicious summer dinner ideas

These are some of the recipes I make for summer dinner. It’s easy, full of summer produce, and healthy, too!

Green curry noodles

I love this recipe for green curry noodles because you can use any vegetables that are in season. This creamy coconut sauce is delicious with almost everything!

One bowl of orzo with sausage, spinach, and corn

One-pot dinner is always a good option when you’re looking to simplify the cooking process, and the fresh sweet corn in this orzo recipe really makes it stand out.

Pesto salmon recipe

Three ingredients! That’s all you need to make pesto salmon. You can cook it in the oven or air fryer and it is excellent with any summer vegetables.

Pasta with creamy zucchini sauce

Who knew you could turn zucchini into a creamy sauce?! Serve this creamy zucchini pasta as a light main course or add protein to make it a more filling meal.

Gazpacho soup recipe

Gazpacho is a summer staple! When you’re in the mood for something light, refreshing, and cold, you can’t beat this classic Spanish chilled soup.

Grilled pesto chicken and tomato kebab

Will it be summer if you don’t prepare kebabs on the grill?! Everything about this grilled pesto chicken and tomato kebabs screams summer.

Grilled chicken sandwich recipe

The chicken breast for this grilled chicken sandwich recipe is brined with pickle juice, making it moist and flavorful.

Asian chicken lettuce wraps

These lettuce wraps are easy, quick, and customizable with seasonal summer produce. I like to add diced cucumber and fresh mint or basil to the ground chicken filling.

Korean-inspired salmon tacos with spicy slaw

Crispy slaw adds texture and fresh flavor to these salmon tacos cooked Korean style. You can make it even more summery by grilling salmon!

Skillet Chicken Caprese

Fresh basil and tomatoes add so much flavor to this chicken caprese skillet recipe, and the sweet honey balsamic ties it all together.

Seared scallops with creamed corn, tomatoes and chives

Scallops are delicious with fresh corn and ripe tomatoes, especially when you add the Boursin to make them creamy! This easy summer dinner idea requires only 6 ingredients.

Summer cavatelli with corn, tomatoes and zucchini

Pasta dinners are always one of my favorite meals when I need an easy meal, but summer pasta is worth the excitement thanks to the addition of corn, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and fresh basil.

Black grilled salmon skewers

These healthy grilled blackened salmon skewers are spicy, smoky, and delicious. Best of all, they’re easy to make even on a busy weeknight!

Giant Zucchini Parmesan

If you keep your zucchini growing on the vine for too long, this Giant Zucchini Parmesan recipe is the perfect way to use it.

Tuna Poke Salad

Why spend money on mall poke bowls when you can make your own at home? These taste so much better than the ones at chain restaurants!

A box of sausage foil with cheese and pepper

Foil packs are always fun – even when you’re not camping, they make clean up easy! This version contains cheesy sausage and juicy peppers, and is perfect served with rice.

Grilled chicken bruschetta

This recipe is a staple in my house during the summer, and one I make over and over again. It’s a great way to use fresh tomatoes and basil in the garden!

Caesar-marinated chicken kabobs with grilled zucchini and romaine

Caesar dressing isn’t just for salads! It also makes a great marinade for chicken and zucchini kebabs.

Grilled steak with black beans and corn salsa

For a 30-minute dinner that will satisfy the whole family, you can’t go wrong with grilled steak with black bean and corn sauce.

Quinoa Bowls with Lemon, Chili, and Avocado

These quinoa dishes are quick and easy, plus you can change things up for summer by adding seasonal vegetables.

Grilled peach and watermelon burrata salad

I’ll eat roasted peaches any way I can get them, whether it’s with honey for dessert or with watermelon and burrata in this easy summer salad!

Slow cooker bacon

This easy “set it and forget it” pulled pork in the slow cooker comes out so tender and juicy, made from scratch with homemade barbecue sauce.

More recipe collections

Quick and Easy Healthy Dinner Recipes for Two

Featuring delicious, healthy, low fat, family-friendly recipes. At Skinnytaste, you’ll find healthy dishes that don’t sacrifice any of the flavor that can be found in their full-fat origins.