81 Cool And Easy Summer Recipes You Can Make
Summer is fast approaching, and that means it's time to whip out those grills and blenders, stir up those shakes, and assemble a task force of the best recipes to beat that sweltering summer heat.
1.Easiest Shortcut Sangria
Three steps: Muddle berries, add liquor and wine, top with club soda. (Since you make these by the glass, they’re perfect if you’re trying to use up the last of a bottle!)
Recipe: Easiest Shortcut Sangria
2.Heirloom Tomato Toast
Heirloom tomatoes are in season, so you should be eating them every chance you get in every form, including these ripe and juicy open-faced toasts. Spice them up further with ricotta or goat cheese, a balsamic drizzle, or a pinch of sea salt.
Recipe: Heirloom Tomato Toast
3.Hawaiian Poke Bowl With Spicy Aioli
If you're not a fan of raw fish, use smoked salmon, frozen pre-cooked shrimp, beets, watermelon, canned tuna, or even rotisserie chicken. The options are endless.
4.Shrimp Louie Salad
Make some hardboiled eggs in advance or grab a bag of store-bought boiled eggs. Then the only cooking required is five minutes of sautéing shrimp.
Recipe: Shrimp Louie Salad
5.Whipped Ricotta Toast with Lemon Thyme Honey
You don't need a ton of ingredients to whip up a seriously satisfying meal. Here, it really comes down to fresh bread, creamy ricotta, salty prosciutto, juicy grapefruit, and a little honey drizzle.
6.Zesty Lime Shrimp and Avocado Salad
Grab some pre-cooked shrimp and your half way to this seriously refreshing summer salad. Pro tip: Serve it with tortilla chips ceviche style.
7.Orzo Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad
Get creative and swap the orzo for any kind of pasta, grain, or (if you're really not in the mood to boil water) microwaveable rice.
Recipe: Orzo Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad
8.Vegan Sushi Spring Rolls
This recipe happens to be totally vegan, but you can always add some protein like tofu or shrimp.
Recipe: Vegan Sushi Spring Rolls
9.Shrimp and Crab Seafood Rolls
It's officially seafood season. Celebrate in style. If you start with pre-cooked shrimp and lump crab meat, there's no cooking involved whatsoever.
Recipe: Shrimp and Crab Seafood Rolls
10.Watermelon Arugula Salad
If you want to turn this into a more filling meal, add anything from avocado and hummus to smoked salmon and cucumber.
Recipe: Watermelon Arugula Salad
11.10-Minute Blender Gazpacho Soup
Soup season can be all year long thanks to this chilled gazpacho, which comes together right in the blender.
Recipe: 10-Minute Blender Gazpacho Soup
12.Crab Salad Stuffed Avocados
Pre-cooked crab meat, tomato, pepper, onion, olive oil, lime, and cilantro make a seriously delicious salad, perfect for serving in an avocado bowl, on cucumber slices, or on any old salad or sandwich.
Recipe: Crab Salad Stuffed Avocados
13.Cilantro Lime Crab Tacos
Canned crab meat makes for a seriously sophisticated taco filling. It gets a kick from chili powder, cilantro, lime juice, tomato, and onion. Whip up a simple sauce of honey, sour cream, and cilantro for the finishing touch.
Recipe: Cilantro Lime Crab Tacos
14.Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Sriracha Wings
If you're a sucker for sweet-meets-spicy flavors, these fall-off-the-bone chicken wings will be right up your alley.
15.Slow Cooker BBQ Baked Beans
Let's make a deal and forget about the canned baked beans for good. This homemade recipe couldn't be easier. Just dump your ingredients into the slow cooker and wait for the best barbecue beans of your life to appear.
Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Baked Beans
16.Instant Pot Bruschetta Chicken
Serve this 30-minute meal warm from the Instant Pot or let it chill and enjoy it pasta salad-style.
Recipe: Instant Pot Bruschetta Chicken
17.Instant Pot Mexican Street Corn
This decadent side dish starts with a bag of frozen corn. Just add butter, cream cheese, lime juice, and some seasonings.
Recipe: Instant Pot Mexican Street Corn
18.Instant Pot Salmon with Lemon-Dill Sauce
This foolproof salmon is flaky and tender, and best of all, it won't stink up your kitchen.
19.Instant Pot Caesar Chicken Sandwiches
Salads are boring, but Caesar pulled chicken sandwiches? Now that's something to get excited about. Throw some romaine and grated Parmesan on there for good measure.
20.Caribbean Jerk Chicken With Pineapple Salsa
Say goodbye to the plain grilled chicken you've eaten 200 times this summer. This tangy Caribbean jerk dish is the perfect blend of savory, sweet, and spicy.
21.Lemon Pasta With Shrimp, Corn, Peppers, Tomato, and Basil
Take a trip to your local farmer's market, then whip up this zesty pasta dish. You can always toss in some additional veggies like peas, asparagus, spinach, or broccoli.
Recipe: Lemon Pasta with Shrimp, Corn, Peppers, Tomato, and Basil
22.Crispy Baked Fish Tacos
There's no deep frying required for these seriously decadent fish tacos. Just dredge the fish in egg and panko bread crumbs, then bake it and assemble them in tortillas with your favorite toppings.
Recipe: Crispy Baked Fish Tacos
23.Air Fryer Crispy Fish Sandwiches
Start with any flaky white fish like cod, hake, or halibut. Dip the fish fillets in egg and bread crumbs, then cook in the air fryer until it turns golden brown and crispy.
Recipe: Air Fryer Crispy Fish Sandwiches
24.Pantry Pasta With Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Burrata
Summer is synonymous with burrata season, and you should be eating this indulgent cheese on everything from pizza to pasta, like this easy weeknight meal you can whip up in no time.
25.Grilled Moroccan Chicken Skewers
These chicken skewers are marinated in an extremely flavorful Moroccan spice blend of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, and turmeric. Serve with over couscous for a fast and filling meal.
Recipe: Grilled Moroccan Chicken Skewers
26.Crunchy Thai Noodle Salad With Peanut Sauce
This colorful and veggie-packed salad is almost too beautiful to eat. Don't skimp on the spicy peanut sauce, and go ahead and add some chicken, shrimp, tofu, or pork to make it more filling.
27.BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
Not that there's any wrong time for barbecue pulled chicken, this dish is particularly perfect for your end-of-summer cook-out. Serve it with tangy coleslaw on burger buns.
Recipe: BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
28.Baltimore-Style Crab Cakes
The secret ingredient that makes these crab cakes absolutely irresistible: Ritz crackers. Mix the lump crab meat with crackers, mayonnaise, egg, Worcestershire Sauce, and Old Bay seasoning, then pan-fry the cakes until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Recipe: Baltimore-Style Crab Cakes
29.Easy Steak Fajitas
Make this steak on the grill, slice it super thinly, then serve this meal family style with warm tortillas and your favorite toppings like guacamole, pico de gallo, and sour cream.
Recipe: Easy Steak Fajitas
30.Chicken and Seafood Paella
If you haven't made paella yet this summer, there's still time! This version is loaded with pretty much whatever protein you can get your hands on like chicken, clams, mussels, shrimp, and chorizo.
Recipe: Chicken and Seafood Paella
31.Skillet Balsamic Peach Pork Chops
Ripe peaches, tangy feta cheese, sweet balsamic, and fresh basil are the perfect complement to grilled pork chops. Everything cooks in a single skillet, so you don't have to worry about all the clean up.
32.Lemon Pepper Sheet Pan Salmon
Cooking fish for a group shouldn't be intimidating, especially with this easy sheet pan recipe. Just toss your salmon and veggies into the oven and let it roast.
Recipe: Lemon Pepper Sheet Pan Salmon
33.Chicken Taco Pinwheel Sandwiches
The ultimate party finger food, you can fill your pinwheel sandwiches with whatever deli meats, veggies, and condiments you like best.
Recipe: Chicken Taco Pinwheels
34.Fresh Summer Corn Salad
Corn on the cob can get messy and annoying to eat. Instead, serve sweet summer corn in a colorful and fresh salad like this one.
Recipe: Fresh Corn Salad
35.Mediterranean Farro Salad
This nutty and crunchy farro and veggie side dish will change all your preconceptions about the word salad. It's full of Greek veggies, sun dried tomato, parsley, and creamy feta, then topped with a tangy homemade red wine vinaigrette.
Recipe: Mediterranean Farro Salad
36.Kale Pesto Pasta Salad
Sometimes the simplest combinations are the most satisfying. Take, for example, the basic caprese, made with mozzarella, tomato, and pesto.
Recipe: Kale Pesto Pasta Salad
37.Summer Rolls With Peanut Dipping Sauce
You can make these light and fresh summer rolls with shrimp, chicken, or keep them totally vegetarian packed with crispy veggies.
38.Antipasto Skewers
Use whichever antipasto ingredients you like best from cheese and charcuterie to marinated vegetables and olives.
Recipe: Antipasto Skewers
39.Strawberry Shortcake Ice Box Cake
Make this pound cake in the morning, then pop it in the freezer for at least four hours. When your guests arrive, it'll be ready to eat.
40.Lemon Cheesecake Mousse Parfaits
This light and zesty lemon mousse is the perfect treat for warm summer days.
Recipe: Lemon Cheesecake Mousse Parfaits
41.Coconut Cream Trifle
You don't need any baking skills to make a delicious trifle. In fact, you can start with store-bought, and this dessert will still be irresistible.
Recipe: Coconut Cream Trifle
42.No Bake Cheesecake
Topped with strawberries and blueberries, how perfectly festive and refreshing is this creamy cheesecake?
Recipe: No-Bake Cheesecake
43.Ramen Noodle Salad
Turn your dollar packets of instant ramen into a satisfying salad recipe by mixing it up with cabbage, scallions, carrots, and sliced almonds. You can always add shredded chicken, shrimp, or your favorite protein to make it more filling.
Recipe: Ramen Noodle Salad
44.BLT Pasta Salad With Avocado
Instead of eating your bacon, lettuce, and tomato on sandwich bread, why not mix it all up with your favorite noodles into a big, summery pasta salad.
Recipe: BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado
45.Mexican Street Corn Off The Cob
Corn on the cob, mayo, green onion, Cotija cheese, and some spices are really all you need to whip up this spicy and creamy corn salad.
Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Off the Cob here.
46.Chicken Yakitori
This Japanese-inspired skewered, grilled chicken calls for chicken thighs, a notoriously affordable cut of chicken, which are marinated in soy sauce, rice wine, apple cider vinegar, and spices.
Recipe: Chicken Yakitori
47.Pesto Chicken Pull-Apart Sliders
Pro tip: Start off with a rotisserie chicken and you'll have tons of tender, shredded meat to fill your sliders with.
Recipe: Chicken Pesto Pull-Apart Sliders
48.Grilled Pizza
If you've never tried cooking pizza on the grill, now is the time. Just make sure your grill top is clean and well-oiled so the dough doesn't stick. Then, load it up with your favorite toppings!
Recipe: Grilled Pizza
49.Fish Tacos With Garlic Lime Crema
Fish tacos may seem totally fancy, but they're actually surprisingly affordable. You can use any fresh or frozen white fish like cod, hake, or Mahi Mahi. Just coat the fish in olive oil, lime, and spices, then toss it into tortillas with your favorite toppings.
50.Peach, Corn, and Mozzarella Bruschetta
Grab a baguette and top it with a refreshing salad made of summer's best produce. A little drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper on top, and you've got a serious party app.
51.Southwestern Black Bean Veggie Burgers
With very little prep and made of mostly cheap pantry ingredients, these vegetarian burgers are a no-brainer for your next barbecue.
52.Italian Pepperoni Roll-Ups
Start with flour tortillas and fill them with sliced pepperoni, mozzarella, sliced peppers, cream cheese, and whatever other veggies or deli meat your heart desires. Roll them up and cut them into little sandwiches.
Recipe: Italian Pepperoni Roll-Ups
53.Grilled Hawaiian-Inspired Pork Chops
An easy and affordable way to feed a group, these sweet and tangy pork chops are marinated in soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, pineapple juice, and red pepper flakes, then grilled until golden brown.
Recipe: Hawaiian-Inspired Pork Chops
54.Shrimp Rolls
Lobster's more affordable cousin, the humble shrimp roll is equally as delicious. Cooked shrimp gets tossed with celery, chives, mayo, and lemon, and spooned into hotdog rolls.
Recipe: Shrimp Rolls
55.Black Bean Succotash
With corn, red onion, bell pepper, parsley, and red wine vinegar, this flavorful succotash is a great recipe for a super simple Sunday meal prep.
Recipe: Black Bean Succotash
56.Spicy White Bean & Sweet Corn Gazpacho
If elote was a soup, I imagine this is what it would taste like.
57.Raw Carrot Pasta With Ginger-Lime Peanut Sauce
The peanut butter and roasted cashews will make this sweet 'n' spicy recipe as filling as it is refreshing.
58.Southwest Vegan Pasta
The creamy chipotle dressing over all of those fresh vegetables and pasta will even keep the carnivores happy.
Recipe: Southwest Vegan Pasta
59.Vegan Sandwich
Nothing makes a sandwich quite as delicious as sun-dried tomatoes.
Recipe: Vegan Sandwich
60.Vegan Meatball Banh Mi
Make a big batch of the meatballs and freeze them for later.
Recipe: Vegan Meatball Banh Mi
61.Mango Salsa With Lemon-Lime Vinaigrette
No doubt you'll be nomming on this mango salsa every day for the rest of the summer.
62.Lemon Garlic Pasta
This version uses campanelle, but any short-shaped pasta — like orecchiette, cavatappi, or macaroni — would work.
Recipe: Lemon Garlic Pasta
63.Vegan Blueberry Muffins
These ditch the dairy but still bake up super fluffy and flavorful.
Recipe: Vegan Blueberry Muffins
64.Gem Wedge Salad With Homemade Herb Dressing
The dressing doubles as a great veggie dip for your next BBQ.
65.Goat Cheese Frittata With Fresh Arugula
Meet your new favorite Sunday breakfast.
66.No-Cook Caprese Pasta Salad
Super easy to assemble — and travels well!
Recipe: Caprese Pasta Salad
67.20-Minute Low Carb Cajun Shrimp & Veggie Skillet
Ideal for make-ahead meal prep.
68.Salty-Sweet Watermelon With Cotija, Chili Powder, and Lime
Inspired by esquites — or Mexican street corn salad — this simple side is equal parts tangy, spicy, and sweet.
Recipe: Salty-Sweet Watermelon with Cotija, Chili Powder, and Lime
69.Family-Style Sheet Pan Taco Night
Just pile chopped veggies and seasoned flank steak onto a sheet tray, then pop foil-wrapped tortillas in at the end to warm them through.
70.Crispy Gluten-Free Eggplant Parmesan
This recipe requires pan-frying slices of eggplant until they're perfectly battered and tender for a satisfying meal.
71.Jackfruit Pulled Pork Sliders
If you've never tried jackfruit as a meat substitute, this recipe will wow your taste buds and make you question whether or not you're actually eating the real deal.
Recipe: Jackfruit Pulled Pork Sliders
72.Vegan Crunchwrap Supreme
Make your Taco Bell favorite at home with this copycat recipe.
Recipe: Vegan Crunchwrap Supreme
73.Vegan Cobb Salad
This salad recipe makes delicious meat-free replacements, like coconut bacon and a ranch dressing made from cashews.
Recipe: Vegan Cobb Salad
74.Cucumber Avocado Salad
A healthy summer salad that is easy to make with just a handful of ingredients.
Recipe: Cucumber Avocado Salad
75.Vegan Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers are a staple in my kitchen and can be filled with pretty much whatever you have on hand! If you've yet to try them, now's your shot.
Recipe: Vegan Stuffed Peppers
76.Vegetable-Stuffed Zucchini
This recipe for zucchini boats fills them with asparagus and carrots, but you could substitute any of your favorite vegetables if you want to!
Recipe: Vegetable-Stuffed Zucchini
77.Sweet and Sour Cauliflower
The cauliflower shows off its versatility in this sweet and sour recipe. Serve over grain of your choosing, or devour as-is.
Recipe: Sweet and Sour Cauliflower
78.Easy Vegan Strawberry Pie
Make use of strawberries while they're in season with an easy pie recipe that uses only six ingredients.
Recipe: Easy Vegan Strawberry Pie
79.Vegan Macaroni Salad
This filling dish can be served hot right away or chilled for a pasta salad that you can imagine yourself eating outside in the summer breeze.
Recipe: Vegan Macaroni Salad
80.Bigger & Batter Portobello Burger
Turns out that the more attention you give to your mushrooms before you cook them, the better "burgers" they'll become.
81.Vegan Blueberry Cobbler
Blueberries, cream, and a biscuit crust make for a heavenly dessert recipe to round out any summer barbecue.
Recipe: Vegan Blueberry Cobbler
This article contains content previously curated by Hannah Loewentheil, Deena Shanker, Emily Shwake, Melissa Jameson, Whitney Jefferson, and Rebekah Shoemake. It was compiled by Lavanya Narayanan.
