Here in the Midwest, the temperatures are soaring. Even though it is hot, everyone expects to eat. Every Day! This is when easy summer meal ideas come into play. As the sun stretches its warm fingers across the sky and temperatures climb, spending less time in the kitchen appeals to most of us.
I am always looking for summer meals that taste great, are easy to prepare, are economical, and can keep me out of the hot kitchen. Cooling our home in the summer is hard if the oven or cooktop is in constant use.
We prepare most meals from scratch every day. It is important to our family to prepare most meals at home. That does not mean we do that 100% of the time. We keep frozen pizza in the freezer and call it emergency pizza. If it is a crazy busy evening we can pull a pizza from the freezer and have dinner on the table quickly. Do we love to do this? No, but it is an option we fall back on from time to time.
Traditional grilled foods such as hamburgers and hot dogs are on the menu in the summer. Another easy to prepare fav in the summer are salads. I might have to do another post on favorite salads for the summer months.
Chicken salad, broccoli salad, cobb salad, and a garden salad are all favorites during the hot days of summer. We grow different types of lettuce in the garden and this provides the ingredients for many of our salads.
The slow cooker and instant pot are often pulled out in the warmer months. They do all the hard work of prepping dinner and do not heat the house up. There are many recipes that use these appliances to make life easier as we plan meals.
Summer is the season to embrace simplicity in cooking, focusing on fresh ingredients and quick preparation that doesn't compromise on flavor and doesn't keep you in the kitchen for hours on end. If you grow a garden this helps use up some of your produce. If gardening is not your cup of tea, you might consider a stop at a roadside vegetable stand (these are all over the Midwest) or a farmer's market.
Many grocery stores have produce departments with a wide selection if not of the previous options will work. This is a good way to get the simple ingredients to make easy summer dinner recipes.
Here are some easy summer meal ideas. Feel free to make changes according to your taste or ingredients on hand. You can always use these recipes as inspiration and adapt them to your personal preferences. This post is meant to provide some ideas. Please adapt as needed to what your family prefers.
My favorite recipes for me allow for easy substitution. I have never favored recipes that use unusual ingredients that are hard to find or ingredients I will only use once. It is important to keep staples on hand that can contribute to a quick meal. The best recipes for me need to be simple but yet full of flavor.
Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Skewers
Grilled Chicken and Veggie Skewers: Skewers are the epitome of easy summer cooking. Marinate chunks of chicken breast or chicken thighs with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and your favorite herbs. Alternatively, you could use dried herbs.
Thread them onto skewers with colorful bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, and onions. If you do not have these exact ingredients, use the fresh produce you have on hand. If I have them on hand, I use red onions, because I love their grilled flavor.
Grill until the chicken is cooked and the veggies are charred, creating a perfect harmony of flavors and textures. Chunks of beef can be substituted if you prefer. I have used pork tenderloin in place of the chicken as well. These are so good, that we often end up using a ton of fresh vegetables. Grilled vegetables taste so good. My family often forgets they are eating vegetables and ask for more. This is a great way to get in more servings of vegetables every day and use up the abundance of vegetables we grow in our garden.
Caprese Salad
Caprese Salad: The ever-popular summer salad that celebrates the bounty of the season. Arrange slices of ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil leaves on a platter. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, balsamic glaze, salt, and pepper. It's a refreshing and elegant dish that requires minimal effort and highlights the best of the summer produce. This simple recipe gets food on the table quickly.
Gazpacho
Gazpacho: If you love soup but want to stay cool during the higher temps of summer, try gazpacho. This chilled soup is refreshing and incredibly easy to make. This is one fo those simple summer meals I am always on the lookout for. This makes an easy weeknight dinner.
Blend ripe tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and a dash of hot sauce until smooth. Chill thoroughly before serving. Garnish with diced cucumbers, bell peppers, and a swirl of olive oil for a vibrant and cooling summer appetizer. Seasonal ingredients from your garden or one of the many farmer's markets that pop up in the warmer months make everything taste better.
Shrimp Tacos
Shrimp Tacos: Quick-cooking shrimp are perfect for summer tacos. Season shrimp with chili powder, cumin, and lime juice, then sauté until pink and cooked through. The ingredients for this meal include pantry staples that most of us already have on hand. Serve in warm corn tortillas with shredded cabbage, avocado slices, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. These tacos are light, flavorful, and the perfect easy summer meal idea. You could substitute fish for shrimp and enjoy fish tacos. I have had success using both.
Pasta Primavera
Pasta Primavera: A colorful medley of summer vegetables makes this pasta dish a seasonal favorite. Cook pasta al dente and toss with sautéed zucchini, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and fresh basil. Feel free to substitute with any fresh veggies you have on hand, If you have fresh tomatoes, they are great in this recipe. The last step is to finish with a drizzle of olive oil, grated Parm cheese, salt, and pepper.
This tastes even better on the second day! It tastes good, uses up your summer veggie harvest, and celebrates the flavors of summer. Easy dinners are appreciated by everyone, especially by the one in the kitchen preparing the meal! Your hungry family will appreciate meals that can be prepared quickly. Everyone seems to arrive home hungry.
Most of us want to enjoy the beautiful summer weather and spend more time outdoors. We especially appreciate this in the Midwest as summers are short. Even if you enjoy cooking as I do, the more time I can spend with my family and friends, the happier I am.
Watermelon Feta Salad
Watermelon Feta Salad: A refreshing salad that balances sweet and savory flavors. Cube fresh watermelon and toss with crumbled feta cheese, thinly sliced red onion, and mint leaves. Drizzle with a balsamic reduction or a light vinaigrette made with olive oil and lemon juice. This salad is a perfect side dish for any summer meal. It is cooling and refreshing on a hot summer evening. It is light, when you want something that is not too heavy.
Berry Yogurt Parfait
Berry Yogurt Parfait: For a simple and healthy dessert or breakfast option, layer fresh berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries) with Greek yogurt and granola in a glass. Buy prepared granola or make a simple homemade version if you have the time. Repeat the layers and top with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup. It's a delicious way to enjoy the sweetness of summer berries. Even better, you can usually find summer fruit that is in season for a great price.
Grilled Veggie Sandwich
Grilled Veggie Sandwich: Load up slices of crusty bread with grilled summer vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and onions. Add creamy goat cheese or hummus for extra flavor and richness. Grill the assembled sandwich until warm and the bread is toasted. You can use the grill, or stovetop in a pan, or the air fryerUse whichever method you prefer. It's a hearty and satisfying summer meal filled with fresh flavor. The grilled vegetables caramelize quickly, and add a layer of intense flavor.
Grilled Peaches with Vanilla Ice Cream
Grilled Peach with Vanilla Ice Cream: For a simple yet indulgent dessert, grill halved peaches until caramelized and juicy. Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of cinnamon. It's a simple way to savor the sweetness of summer fruits in a comforting and satisfying dessert. The drizzle of honey or spri nkle of cinnamon adds just the right amount of sweetness. This is quick to prepare and makes for easy clean up.
Summer meals are about embracing simplicity, enjoying the freshest ingredients, and making the most of outdoor cooking. Many of the dishes we discussed lend themselves well to swapping out ingredients and substituting what you have on hand.
Whether you're grilling on the patio, packing a picnic basket, or preparing a quick meal indoors, these easy summer meal ideas are sure to delight your taste buds and keep you cool during the sunny days ahead. Embrace the flavors of summer and savor every bite of these delicious dishes!
This is just a small sample of easy summer meal ideas. Healthy summer dinners do not have to be complicated. Keep a list of summer meal ideas you can whip up quickly. This makes it easier to cook from scratch and saves you money by avoiding take out food on busy nights.
Choose one to try tonight or create your version of an easy summer meal. When the temperature outside increases the goal is to minimize time spent in a hot kitchen and I am sure you want to do that as well!
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