10+ Summer Dinner Recipes to Keep Your Evenings Light and Delicious

Summer dinners are all about quick, fresh meals that fit your busy days and warm evenings. You want recipes that are easy to make but still tasty and satisfying.

These meals use seasonal ingredients and can be light or hearty, depending on your preference. Whether you want something grilled or a fresh salad, there are plenty of options to keep dinners simple.

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Ingredients

• Seasonal vegetables
• Fresh herbs
• Proteins like chicken, fish, or beans
• Olive oil
• Basic spices (salt, pepper, garlic)

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash and chop vegetables as needed.
2. Season protein and vegetables with olive oil and spices.
3. Grill, sauté, or bake at 375°F (190°C).
4. Assemble your meal and enjoy.

1) 20 Minute Summer Squash Pasta

This summer squash pasta is a quick and simple dinner for busy nights. Use fresh zucchini and yellow squash, cooked with garlic and browned butter.

Toss the pasta with goat cheese for a creamy, tangy flavor. Finish the dish with toasted pine nuts or fresh basil if you like.

It only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish. This recipe is perfect for a fresh, homemade meal fast.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces pasta (your favorite kind)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 summer squash (zucchini and yellow), sliced
• ¼ cup goat cheese
• 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts (optional)
• Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions and drain.
2. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and sliced squash; sauté until tender (about 5–7 minutes).
4. Toss cooked pasta with the squash mixture.
5. Stir in goat cheese and season with salt and pepper.
6. Top with pine nuts and basil if using, then serve warm.

2) Stone Fruit Caprese with Basil Vinaigrette

This Stone Fruit Caprese salad makes a light summer dinner. Combine sweet peaches, nectarines, and cherries with fresh mozzarella.

Add a fresh basil vinaigrette made with olive oil, vinegar, and honey. The salad is simple to make and tastes refreshing.

Serve it chilled for best flavor. Enjoy it on its own or pair it with grilled chicken or fish.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella
• 2 peaches, pitted and sliced
• 2 nectarines, pitted and sliced
• ⅔ cup fresh cherries, pitted
• ½ cup fresh basil leaves
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine peaches, nectarines, cherries, mozzarella, and basil in a bowl.
2. In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the vinaigrette over the fruit and cheese. Toss gently to coat.
4. Chill the salad for 15-20 minutes before serving.

3) Grilled Shrimp Louie Salad

Grilled Shrimp Louie Salad is fresh and light, perfect for warm summer evenings. Grill the shrimp to add smoky flavor, then pair them with crisp lettuce and fresh vegetables.

Include hard-boiled eggs, ripe tomatoes, and avocado for extra taste and creaminess. The tangy Louie dressing, made with mayonnaise, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce, brings the salad together.

Prepare the dressing ahead of time to let it chill and deepen in flavor. This salad is quick to make and looks beautiful on the plate.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 cups chopped lettuce
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
• 1 avocado, diced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• Louie dressing (mayo, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat grill to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season shrimp with salt and pepper.
3. Grill shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink.
4. Arrange lettuce, eggs, avocado, and tomatoes on a plate.
5. Top with grilled shrimp.
6. Drizzle with Louie dressing and serve.

4) Honey Chicken Kabobs

Honey chicken kabobs are an easy way to enjoy grilled chicken. The honey gives a sweet touch that balances savory seasonings.

Cook them on a BBQ or a griddle for smoky flavor. Add vegetables like bell peppers or onions to the skewers for extra color and taste.

Marinate the chicken in honey, garlic, and soy sauce for a delicious boost. This keeps the chicken juicy and flavorful.

Ingredients

• 2 large chicken breasts, cut into chunks
• 3 tbsp honey
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Bell peppers and onions (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix honey, garlic, olive oil, soy sauce, salt, and pepper.
2. Add chicken pieces and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Thread chicken and veggies onto skewers.
4. Preheat grill or griddle to medium-high heat (about 375°F / 190°C).
5. Cook skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally until chicken is cooked through.
6. Serve warm.

5) Rotisserie Chicken with Corn Avocado Salad

This recipe is great when you want a quick summer dinner. Start with rotisserie chicken to save time and add flavor.

The salad combines sweet corn and creamy avocado for a fresh side. Add diced tomatoes and scallions for color and crunch.

Toss everything with olive oil, salt, and pepper for a simple, healthy dish. This colorful meal is easy and perfect for warm evenings.

Ingredients

• 2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
• 2 cups corn (fresh or frozen)
• 1 large avocado, diced
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced
• 4 scallions, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. If using frozen corn, cook according to package instructions and let cool.
2. Shred the rotisserie chicken into bite-sized pieces.
3. In a large bowl, combine corn, avocado, tomatoes, and scallions.
4. Add chicken to the bowl.
5. Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
6. Gently toss everything together.
7. Serve immediately or chill for 15 minutes before serving.

6) Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Stuffed zucchini boats are a fun summer dinner. Hollow out zucchini and fill them with sausage, cheese, herbs, and tomatoes.

Bake them until tender and the cheese melts on top. You can use breadcrumbs, meat sauce, or different cheeses for the filling.

Bake the zucchini boats at 375°F (190°C) until soft but not mushy. They come out warm and flavorful.

Ingredients

• 4 medium zucchinis
• 1 cup cooked sausage or meat sauce
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella or cheddar)
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon chopped herbs (parsley, basil)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut zucchinis in half lengthwise and scoop out the centers.
3. Mix sausage, breadcrumbs, tomatoes, herbs, salt, and pepper.
4. Fill zucchini halves with the mixture.
5. Top with shredded cheese.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until zucchini is tender and cheese is golden.

For more ideas, check stuffed zucchini boats recipes here.

7) Fish Tacos with Fresh Salsa

Fish tacos with fresh salsa make a light, flavorful summer dinner. Use any white fish, like cod or tilapia, and grill or pan-sear it.

The salsa adds a bright touch with tomatoes, jalapenos, and garlic. Serve the tacos with warm tortillas and a squeeze of lime.

This meal is quick to prepare and perfect for warm evenings. It’s healthy and colorful.

Ingredients

• 1 pound white fish fillets
• 3 medium beefsteak tomatoes, chopped
• 2 jalapenos, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ cup chopped cilantro
• 8 small corn or flour tortillas
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Season fish with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F / 175°C).
3. Cook fish 3-4 minutes per side until opaque.
4. Mix tomatoes, jalapenos, garlic, and cilantro in a bowl for salsa.
5. Warm tortillas in a pan or oven.
6. Fill tortillas with fish and top with fresh salsa.
7. Serve with lime wedges.

8) Grilled Pork Chops with Herb Butter

Grilled pork chops are perfect for a simple summer dinner. You get juicy, flavorful meat when you cook them just right.

Add herb butter for a fresh taste that pairs well with the grill’s smokiness. Season pork chops with salt and pepper before grilling.

Brine them in water, brown sugar, and salt to keep them moist if you like. While the chops cook, mix softened butter with garlic and fresh herbs like parsley and cilantro.

Grill pork chops over medium-high heat for about 3-5 minutes per side. Top each chop with herb butter so it melts over the meat.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless pork chops
• Salt and pepper
• 4 tbsp softened butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
• 4 cups lukewarm water
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix water, brown sugar, and salt to make a brine. Soak pork chops for 30 minutes.

2. Preheat grill to medium-high (375°F / 190°C).

3. Season pork chops with salt and pepper.

4. Grill chops 3-5 minutes per side until cooked through.

5. Mix butter with garlic, parsley, and cilantro.

6. Spread herb butter over hot pork chops before serving.

For more tips, check out this grilled pork chops with herb butter recipe.

9) Chimichurri Shrimp One-Pan

Chimichurri shrimp is a quick and tasty summer dinner. You cook the shrimp in one pan, which makes cleanup easy.

The sauce is fresh, with parsley, cilantro, garlic, and a splash of vinegar. This dish comes together fast and is full of bright flavors.

Add veggies like broccoli or asparagus to the pan for a balanced meal. It’s perfect when you want something light but satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup fresh parsley
• ½ cup fresh cilantro
• 3 garlic cloves
• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• ½ cup olive oil
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• ½ teaspoon coriander
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions:

1. Blend parsley, cilantro, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, cumin, and coriander to make chimichurri sauce.

2. Marinate shrimp in half the sauce for 10 minutes.

3. Heat a pan over medium heat. Cook shallots until soft.

4. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink.

5. Pour remaining chimichurri over shrimp before serving.

10) Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken

Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken is simple and tasty. You cook chicken thighs slowly in a sauce made from soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar.

The sauce gives the chicken a rich, savory flavor with a touch of sweetness. You cook this dish on the stovetop, so you don’t need a grill or oven.

As the chicken simmers in the sauce, it becomes tender and juicy. Serve it with white rice and steamed vegetables for a full summer dinner.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
• 1/2 cup soy sauce (shoyu)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1/2 cup water

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and water in a pot.

2. Add chicken thighs to the pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

3. Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 30-40 minutes, turning the chicken occasionally.

4. Cook until the chicken becomes tender. Let the sauce thicken.

5. Serve hot with rice or your favorite sides.

Learn more about Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken here.