Ridiculously Easy Recipes for Soaking up the Summer (2024)

Ridiculously Easy Recipes for Soaking up the Summer (1)

From fresh seasonal fruits to backyard get-togethers to fun summer activities, there's so much to look forward to during summer. As the season approaches, you might be looking to add some new recipes into the rotation. Luckily, we've rounded up a ton of easy summer dinner ideas for you to enjoy. From summer chicken recipes to grilled chicken recipes to fresh summer salads, these easy family recipes are sure to be a hit. Some of these dishes can even be prepped ahead of time for those busy weeknights when you don't have time to cook.

And if you can't stand to turn on the oven when the weather is hot, no sweat. Plenty of these recipes come together quickly on the grill. Whether you're cooking Sunday dinner for the whole crew or just need a simple meal for two, there's sure to be a recipe here that sparks your interest. Many of them even come together in 30 minutes or less. These recipes also make the most of what summer has to offer, like fresh corn and summer squash. After dinner, keep the good times rolling with an easy no-bake dessert or summer co*cktail. Then, it's time for you to kick back and relax. After all, isn't that what summer is all about?

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1

Enchilada Pie

Ridiculously Easy Recipes for Soaking up the Summer (3)

This easy dinner brings together rotisserie chicken, canned sauce, and beans. It comes together quickly, so you can get back to relaxing and enjoying the summer evening.

Get the Enchilada Pie recipe.

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2

Roasted Clams with Lemony Panko

Ridiculously Easy Recipes for Soaking up the Summer (4)

Nothing says summer like roasted clams. Add the crunchy, lemony breadcrumbs to take things to the next level.

Get the Roasted Clams with Lemony Panko recipe.

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3

Steak and Rice Noodle Bowls

Ridiculously Easy Recipes for Soaking up the Summer (5)

Talk about flavor! This recipe features skirt steak, rice noodles, mint, cilantro, lime, cucumber and more.

Get the Steak and Rice Noodle Bowls recipe.

RELATED: 83 Steak Recipes That Make Dinner at Home Feel Extra Fancy

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4

Chicken Caesar Baguettes

Ridiculously Easy Recipes for Soaking up the Summer (6)

This recipe is great for days you can't bear to turn on the oven. Grilled chicken, creamy Caesar dressing, and fresh veggies make for a refreshing and protein-packed dinner.

Get the Chicken Caesar Baguettes recipe.

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5

Roasted Beet and Orange Salad

This bright, flavorful salad brings together plenty of fruits and veggies. Serve it as a side at your next backyard get-together, or enjoy it as a meal for two.

Get the Roasted Beet and Orange Salad recipe.

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6

Grilled Shrimp Kebabs

Ridiculously Easy Recipes for Soaking up the Summer (8)

Grilled, smoky shrimp with an herbaceous rub and squeeze of lemon is basically the epitome of summer. You'll definitely want to add this to the rotation.

Get the Grilled Shrimp Kebabs recipe.

RELATED: 30 Seriously Easy Shrimp Recipes

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7

Baked Tonkatsu

Ridiculously Easy Recipes for Soaking up the Summer (9)

The secret to 20-minute dinner is pre-toasting panko with a little bit of oil. Everyone's going to want seconds of these Japanese-inspired pork cutlets.

Get the Baked Tonkatsu recipe.

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8

Smoky Barbecue Ribs

Ridiculously Easy Recipes for Soaking up the Summer (10)

It's not officially summer until you serve up a plate of these simple but delicious ribs, which are baked and then finished on the grill with barbecue sauce.

Get the Smoky Barbecue Ribs recipe.

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9

Tomato-Poached Cod with Olives and Capers

Ridiculously Easy Recipes for Soaking up the Summer (11)

This delicate fish is simmered in a little bit of rosé, along with tomatoes, garlic, olives and a few other ingredients. You might as well pour a glass of rosé to enjoy alongside this easy dinner!

Get the Tomato-Poached Cod with Olives and Capers recipe.

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10

Cheeseburger Pizza

Ridiculously Easy Recipes for Soaking up the Summer (12)

Trust us, the kids are going to love this one. I mean, pizza dough, ground beef, veggies, and barbecue sauce — what's not to love?

Get the Cheeseburger Pizza recipe.

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11

Aleppo Grilled Steak with Farro Salad

Ridiculously Easy Recipes for Soaking up the Summer (13)

Any standout summer dinner starts with a perfect grilled steak. Pair it with an herby farro salad to round out the meal.

Get the Aleppo Grilled Steak with Farro Salad recipe.

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12

Marinated Pepper Pasta

Ridiculously Easy Recipes for Soaking up the Summer (14)

Keep a batch of homemade marinated peppers (best made with in-season summer peppers!) on hand to whip up this pasta in a flash.

Get the Marinated Pepper Pasta recipe.

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13

Chorizo-Stuffed Zucchini

Ridiculously Easy Recipes for Soaking up the Summer (15)

Got a garden full of zucchini? Put them to delicious use in this five-ingredient dinner.

Get the Chorizo-Stuffed Zucchini recipe.

RELATED: 50+ Zucchini Recipes That Are Easy, Healthy and Delicious

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14

Crispy Chicken Salad

Ridiculously Easy Recipes for Soaking up the Summer (16)

Coat chicken breast in cornflakes for a crispy exterior without frying. A plate full of fresh lettuce and herbs keep this light enough for hot days!

Get the Crispy Chicken Salad recipe.

RELATED: 60 Best Chicken Breast Recipes Perfect for an Easy Weeknight Dinner

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15

Creamy Corn Pasta

Ridiculously Easy Recipes for Soaking up the Summer (17)

Introducing summer in a bowl: creamy, puréed corn and fresh basil combine for a light and flavorful pasta sauce.

Get the Creamy Corn Pasta recipe.

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16

Grilled Lemony Chicken and Kale

Ridiculously Easy Recipes for Soaking up the Summer (18)

Every part of this recipe — the chicken, kale and lemons — gets tossed on the grill for maximum smoky, summery flavor.

Get the Grilled Lemony Chicken and Kale recipe.

RELATED: 10 Best Grills of 2023, According to Expert Testing

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17

Steak, Peach, and Watercress Salad

Ridiculously Easy Recipes for Soaking up the Summer (19)

Use peak summer peaches for this recipe. When ripe, a peach should smell pleasantly sweet — if your peaches aren’t quite ripe, store them in a paper bag with a few holes poked in it for three to five days.

Get the Steak, Peach, and Watercress Salad recipe.

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18

Grilled Chicken Caprese

Ridiculously Easy Recipes for Soaking up the Summer (20)

The classic Italian combo of juicy tomatoes, basil and mozzarella is equal parts sauce and salad for this smoky grilled chicken.

Get the Grilled Chicken Caprese recipe.

RELATED: 55 Delicious BBQ Salads We Can't Wait to Eat

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19

Chickpea Salad with Smashed Cucumbers

Ridiculously Easy Recipes for Soaking up the Summer (21)

Loaded with protein-packed chickpeas, creamy feta cheese and chopped veggies, this vegetarian salad is plenty filling.

Get the Chickpea Salad with Smashed Cucumbers recipe.

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20

Zucchini Linguine

Ridiculously Easy Recipes for Soaking up the Summer (22)

Toss raw, grated zucchini with cooked spaghetti and the heat from the pasta will cook it to crisp-tender perfection. Genius!

Get the Zucchini Linguine recipe.

Ridiculously Easy Recipes for Soaking up the Summer (2024)

FAQs

What is the most refreshing summer food? ›

Chill Out: 10 Refreshing Foods to Beat the Summer Heat
  • Mint - The Zesty Refresher. ...
  • Berries - Bursting with Antioxidants. ...
  • Citrus Fruits - Vitamin C Boosters. ...
  • Yogurt - A Cool Creamy Delight. ...
  • Cilantro - Flavorful and Fresh. ...
  • Tomatoes - Juicy and Nourishing. ...
  • Leafy Greens - Light and Nutritious.
Jul 17, 2023

What to eat on a very hot day? ›

Experts recommend eating produce with high water content, such as berries, watermelon, cucumbers, tomatoes, celery and bell peppers. While lettuce is known to contain a lot of water, Wood said darker greens such as kale and spinach can also be hydrating.

What is the best thing to eat in hot weather? ›

Spicy foods, small portions and grazing

Spicy foods get your juices going when you start to flag, plus they make you sweat which is the body's way to naturally cool off. Grazing is also a good approach to hot weather eating during a heatwave – who honestly feels like sitting down to a full, big meal?

What to eat in hot, humid weather? ›

"Cantaloupe, watermelon, berries, tomatoes, leafy greens — all of these things are nutrition powerhouse," Larson said.

What foods should be avoided in summer? ›

Avoid spicy foods, aerated drinks, fried fatty foods, sugary foods, and red meat to stay cool and hydrated.

What is the most refreshing thing on a hot summer day? ›

A glass of freshly squeezed lemonade on a hot summer's day is relaxing. Add water to freshly squeezed lemon juice, then taste and adjust with sugar or honey. Add some crushed mint leaves or a dash of sparkling water for an added fizz to give it an extra twist.

What can I cook in 5 minutes? ›

25 healthy recipes you can cook in 5 minutes or less
  • Pea and broad bean couscous.
  • Fast home-made baked beans.
  • Porridge.
  • Pasta with cherry tomatoes and rocket.
  • Home-made hummus.
  • Smashed avocado and wilted spinach.
  • Cucumber (or potato) raitha.
  • Quick pitta pizzas.

What can you cook in 8 minutes? ›

8-minute recipes (91)
  • 8 minute Spanish rice. ...
  • 8 minute spicy Ramen. ...
  • 8 Minute Fudge. ...
  • 3 Minute Bread Pudding (for breakfast and snacktime) ...
  • 1 California Farm Croissants (they are bigger!) ...
  • 3 ingredient fake pancakes (made with oats and cottage cheese)

How to eat when you're broke? ›

Cheapest Foods to Live On:
  1. Oatmeal.
  2. Eggs.
  3. Bread.
  4. Rice.
  5. Bananas.
  6. Beans.
  7. Apples.
  8. Pasta.

What to make for dinner when you have no money? ›

Here are some additional cheap easy meals to make when you're broke:
  • Tuna Melts.
  • Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
  • Lentil Soup.
  • Fried Rice.
  • Potato Soup.
  • Vegetable Soup.
  • Hamburger Stew.
  • Macaroni and Cheese.

What to eat when it's 100 degrees outside? ›

In other words, salads are perfect for hot weather. Many people may not think of eating soup when it is 100 degrees or more outside, but it is actually a pretty good idea. First of all, soups, stews, and porridge can help with hydration levels. Also, if you are a fan of spicy chili, it will help you cool off.

What to make when it's hot? ›

  1. Tortellini Salad is a great summertime meal to keep on hand in the fridge. ...
  2. Egg Salad Sandwiches are a classic for a reason! ...
  3. Green smoothies are packed with fresh summer fruits and a little spinach for good measure! ...
  4. Muesli is the O.G.
Jun 27, 2023

What cook food directly under heat? ›

DIRECT METHOD

Food is cooked directly over the heat source, and only needs to be turned once halfway through to ensure even cooking. Use the direct method for foods that take less than 25 minutes to cook, like steaks, chops, kabobs, sausages and vegetables. Most importantly, direct cooking is the key to searing meats.

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