17 Easy Summer Recipes To Add To Your Meal Plan ASAP
Not sure about where you are located, but here in the Pacific Northwest summer is officially in full-swing! This means days spent out in the garden, camping and staying cool during those sweltering summer days. With so much going on, I need easy summer recipes. And what screams summer more than grilling and no-bake recipes?
We’ve shared so many amazing and easy summer recipes here on the blog, so today I wanted to round up some of the greatest hits for you. It’s time to get inspired and change up both your weeknight meals and what you bring to summer BBQs. Here’s a quick list of easy summer dinner ideas, side dishes, desserts and drinks!
17 Delicious and Easy Summer Recipes to Try:
Summer Dinner Recipes:
As much as I like spring recipes, like a garden vegetable galette, come summer, all I want is to leave the oven behind and grill! And with the bountiful vegetable options, there are so many more fun possibilities for dinnertime in the summer. Each of these easy summer recipes is a personal fave— I hope you love them, too!
Sweet Potato Quinoa Burger Recipe
You’ll want these absolutely delicious vegetarian, sweet potato and quinoa burgers all summer long!
Quinoa Salad with Feta, Cucumber, Red Onion, Mint & Parsley
Bring this delicious quinoa salad with feta, fresh cucumber, mint and parsley to your next party. If you don’t have any fresh herbs on hand, add your own twist with whatever you have in the pantry! This recipe is so easy to mix and match ingredients.
My Greek Grandma’s Lamb Souvlaki Recipe
Learn how to make lamb souvlaki just like my grandma. This is one of my all-time, most popular recipes and for good reason– it’s delicious! Plus, this summer recipe is easily adapted for other proteins like chicken.
Chickpea, Seed, and Kale Salad with Miso Yogurt Vinaigrette
Flavorful, packed with protein and topped with a delicious savory dressing, meet this chickpea, seed and kale salad AKA your new favorite salad!
Easy Summer Side Dishes:
Sometimes during the summer, I skip the main dish and instead make a few different sides. I love this approach because it’s easier than a main dish and perfect for picnicking, or for those of us who want to try as many new recipes as possible!
Greek-Style Sugar Snap Peas
This easy side dish of Greek-style sugar snap peas goes with pretty much anything! It’s also a healthy and filling snack if you’re feeling peckish.
Grilled Sweet Corn Gazpacho
IMO, grilled sweet corn gazpacho is perfect hot weather soup – no oven needed!
Grilled Halloumi Watermelon Bites with Pistachios & Mint
My favorite dish to bring to a BBQ is grilled halloumi watermelon bites. This sweet and savory bite is the perfect ode to my Greek heritage.
Everything Bagel Seasoned Kale Chips
Mix up a big batch of these everything bagel kale chips and keep on hand for whenever you need a snack!
Summer Dessert Recipes:
There is nothing I love more than dessert, especially when it features the summer abundance of gorgeous produce from the local farmer’s market or my garden. Personally, I’m partial to anything with peaches in it! In case you’re in the mood for a sweet summer recipe, here are some of my faves from the blog archives:
The Best Peach Pie Recipe with Thyme and Honey
This is the best peach pie you’ve ever had– Including the easiest, best homemade pie crust! This pie recipe is the one I go back to over and over again.
Coconut Water and Pink Lemonade Popsicles
Popsicles are so easy to make. The coconut water in these pink lemonade popsicles will keep you extra hydrated too! Make a big batch to keep on hand this summer.
Quick & Easy No-Bake Cheesecake with Seasonal Fruit toppings and a Pretzel Crust
No bake cheesecake is literally the perfect dessert for when you don’t want to turn on the oven! The pretzel crust adds a crunchy, salty element that I love. Serve in cute, lidded jars for easy portability!
Grilled Peaches with Cardamom Granola and Ice Cream
Craving a sweet treat without turning on the oven? Meet your new favorite summer dessert: grilled peaches and icecream! The granola on top adds such a satisfying crunch.
Mint and Hibiscus Blackberry Popsicle Recipe
Popsicles are the OG summer treat. The mint and hibiscus blackberry in these popsicles is the yummiest way to cool down this summer!
Summer Drink Recipes:
What’s a summer gathering without a few refreshing cocktails or mocktails?? Each of these drinks is easily made for one or for a crowd and are perfect whether you’re poolside or at home! I recommend trying them all (not at once though…), but please promise me you’ll give the coconut lemonade a go. It’s fantastic.
Coconut Lemonade Recipe with Lavender Simple Syrup
Meet your new favorite mid-summer drink! This coconut lemonade is easily made as a mocktail or cocktail, too.
Our Twist on the Classic Negroni
This beautifully balanced aperitivo is a twist on the classic Negroni. It was inspired by my time in Italy and is truly my fave summer cocktail!
Summery Apple & Lavender Mojito
This summery apple and lavender mojito cocktail is so refreshing and just a bit dangerous!
The Classic Aperol Spritz Recipe
What’s NOT to love about this classic Italian cocktail? It’s the peak summer cocktail.
There’s so many easy, summer recipes to choose from and I can’t wait to make them all this season. Leave a comment and let me know which recipe you’re most excited to try– whether it’s a side dish, dessert or a refreshing drink!
