67 Summer Dinner Ideas for Relaxed Weeknights and Alfresco Gatherings
Kristi Kellogg
1/67
Seafood Boil With Shrimp, Corn, and Sausage
Some summer dinner ideas just feel like a party—cover your table with newspaper, whip up a quick cocktail sauce and lemon butter for dipping, and invite some friends. See recipe. (Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson)
2/67
Zucchini and White Bean Caesar
Summer salad dinners are the best salad dinners. This hearty Caesar helps sweet fresh zucchini shine. And other than toasting up some croutons, there’s no heat required. See recipe. (Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Kim)
3/67
Cedar-Plank Salmon
Need a showstopper for your first big summer BBQ? Meet our favorite grilled salmon, with its hint of smoke and tangy-sweet glaze. See recipe. (Photo by Caleb Adams, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell)
4/67
Easy Pasta Salad
Banana peppers add a tangy kick to this easy pasta salad. Feel free to make it in advance and stash in the fridge for a few hours before bringing it along to a backyard party or picnic. See recipe. (Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton)
5/67
Grilled Fattoush with Halloumi and Eggplant
This spin on fattoush features grilled pita, eggplant, and Halloumi cheese, plus tomatoes, cukes, and lots of fresh mint and dill. See recipe. (Photo by Peden + Munk)
6/67
Grand Aioli
An elegant party move that doesn’t require silverware. See recipe. (Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell)
7/67
Chopped Salad With Shallot Vinaigrette, Feta, and Dill
Make this flexible summer salad with whatever produce you’d like—asparagus is nice! Just make sure everything is cut to roughly the same size. See recipe. (Photo by Peden + Munk)
8/67
Summer Squash and Basil Pasta
Summer isn’t complete without a really good summer squash dinner. The key to this pasta recipe is cooking the yellow squash and zucchini until it gets nice and jammy. See recipe. (Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Judy Mancini)
9/67
3-Ingredient Garlic-Herb Grilled Chicken Wings
A simple marinade gives this grilled chicken tons of flavor. Serve with lots of napkins and your favorite slaw. See recipe. (Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone)
10/67
3-Ingredient Pesto-Grilled Chicken with Peaches
Grab your favorite store-bought pesto (or make your own!) to use as a marinade and finishing sauce in this sweet-meets-savory summer dinner idea. See recipe. (Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson)
11/67
Paella With Seafood
Shrimp, mussels, and bomba rice get the star treatment in this large-format dish. See recipe. (Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich)
12/67
Green Bean and Tuna Salad With Basil Dressing
This simple meal is both fresh and hearty. And with minimal cooking involved, it’s ideal for summer. See recipe. (Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell)
13/67
Spicy Honey-Glazed Grilled Pork Chops With Peach Pico de Gallo
When peaches show up at your local market, it’s time to make this juicy mix of peaches, red onion, jalapeño, lime juice, and cilantro to pile onto grilled pork chops. See recipe. (Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou)
14/67
Corn and Zucchini Salad with Feta
If you can get your hands on zucchini blossoms, serve them in this fresh salad that makes the most of summer produce. See recipe. (Roland Bello)
15/67
Chile-Lime Clams with Tomatoes and Grilled Bread
Don’t feel like cooking indoors? Toss a cast-iron pan right on the grill for a saucy dish of clams and chickpeas, and char some bread alongside for dipping. Cherry tomatoes add sweetness and sambal oelek contributes flavor and heat. See recipe. (Photo by Peden + Munk)
16/67
Roasted Eggplant and Crispy Kale With Yogurt
Garlicky, lemony yogurt with grated cucumbers and roasted eggplant keeps this crispy, creamy vegetable dish refreshing for hot nights. See recipe. (Photo by Peden + Munk)
17/67
Pork Chops and Padrón Chiles en Escabèche
This bright, tangy marinade full of pickled vegetables makes an ideal sauce for juicy thick-cut pork chops. See recipe. (Photo & Food Styling by Joseph De Leo)
18/67
Eggplant With Buttermilk Sauce
The best thing about eggplant is the way it softens and sweetens when cooked. The second best thing? It’s so hearty, you can put it at the center of the plate. See recipe. (Photo by Jonathan Lovekin)
19/67
Baby Back Ribs with Tamarind Glaze
Sweet-and-sour tamarind makes these baby back ribs impossible to put down. See recipe. (Photo by Peden + Munk)
20/67
Grilled Swordfish Steaks With Whole-Lemon Dressing
This is the summer that you’ll become a real grilling pro—starting with this restaurant-worthy grilled swordfish recipe. See recipe. (Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton)
21/67
Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder With Zesty Basil Sauce
A slow cooker is a truly great way to cook a dinner party main dish without turning on your oven. Serve with a simple arugula salad with shavings of Parmesan and a drizzle of balsamic. See recipe. (Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Dawn Perry)
22/67
Caprese Salad
Consider this summer recipe a reminder to get your fill of tomatoes. The best move here: Get great tomatoes from the farmers market and keep the classic combo simple. See recipe. (Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova)
23/67
10-Minute Shrimp With Green Beans and Creamy Lemon-Dill Dip
Add this no-forks-required meal to your summer plans for a busy weeknight—or a delightfully lazy long weekend. See recipe. (Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Monica Pierini)
24/67
Ratatouille
This easy summer classic can be served as an appetizer, main, or side dish. See recipe. (Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton)
25/67
Summer Corn, Tomato, and Salmon Salad With Za’atar Dressing
Poach salmon in the same thyme-and-garlic-infused water that the corn is boiled in for this refreshing, time-saving summer dinner. See recipe. (Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell)
26/67
Buldak-Style Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks
Prepare to be wowed by these easy grilled chicken drumsticks, which are sweet, savory, and perfectly spicy. They’re awesome of their own or as a part of this party menu. See recipe. (Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Kim)
27/67
Massaged Kale With Tomatoes, Creamed Mozzarella, and Wild Rice
Of all the kale salads around, we’re pretty partial to this one. See recipe. (Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell)
28/67
Grilled Pizza
If you have a grill, you don’t need a fancy pizza oven to have a backyard pizza party. Start with these pizza tips and this recipe. See recipe. (Photo and Food Styling by Joseph De Leo)
29/67
Pasta With 15-Minute Burst Cherry Tomato Sauce
This quick summer dinner absolutely hits every time. It’s a pasta dish that works all year, but it’s especially tasty with just-picked backyard tomatoes. See recipe. (Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell)
30/67
Italian Sausage with Grilled Broccolini, Kale, and Lemon
Grilled lemon slices add bright, sweet, and smoky flavor to a salad of charred broccolini and kale—the perfect complement to rich, juicy Italian sausage. See recipe. (Photo by Peden + Munk)
31/67
Shrimp and Chorizo Mixed Grill
This crowd-pleasing surf-and-turf dinner features jumbo shrimp, spicy chorizo, and lots of fresh spring asparagus. With summer dinner ideas like this one, you'll wish the season could last all year long. See recipe. (Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson)
32/67
Speedy Summer Gazpacho
Cold soups will save you when the weather is hot and humid. Serve this one—made with cucumber, tomatoes, bell peppers, and garlic— with a loaf of bread and you’re good to go. See recipe. (Photo by Faith Mason)
33/67
Foolproof Grilled Chicken
Brined chicken is the secret to juicy meat every time. See recipe. (Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Frances Boswell)
34/67
Grilled Mahi-Mahi Tacos
Serve these simple grilled fish tacos on warmed corn tortillas with guacamole and pico de gallo. See recipe. (Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich)
35/67
Chilled Coconut Corn Soup
Grab the freshest ears of corn possible and whip up this creamy vegan soup. See recipe. (Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell)
36/67
Raw Tomato Sauce
News flash: It’s better not to cook your tomato sauce. See recipe. (Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce)
37/67
Chicken Salad With Apricots, Celery, and Blue Cheese
This summer salad is packed with sweet, creamy, and sharp flavors—and tender, crunchy, and juicy textures. Make sure to use peak-season apricots and a fairly mild blue cheese that won’t overwhelm the mix. See recipe. (Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell)
38/67
Grilled Shrimp, Zucchini, and Tomatoes With Feta
See recipe. (Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell)
39/67
Summertime Sōmen Noodles
See recipe. (Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Laura Rege)
40/67
Quinoa Tabbouleh
The riff on the classic Middle Eastern salad is made with quinoa. The tiny nutritional powerhouse is loaded with protein, making this dish both a delicious vegetarian main course and a summer-suitable side. See recipe. (Jason Lowe)
41/67
Grilled Zucchini and Bulgur Salad With Feta and Preserved-Lemon Dressing
Awash in squash? Pair your bounty of summer veggies with tangy preserved lemon paste and creamy feta in this hearty dish. See recipe. (Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Christopher Barsch)
42/67
Brown-Butter Crab Roll
See recipe. (Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone.)
43/67
Summer Corn With Ginger-Chile Prawns
Summer corn and sweet shrimp come together quickly in a nonstick skillet with ginger, Thai chile, and mustard seeds. See recipe. (Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich)
44/67
Grilled Chicken with Mustard Barbecue Sauce and Tomato Salad
For this cookout-ready dinner, grilled chicken gets glazed with a sweet and tangy South Carolina–inspired barbecue sauce. The simple salad of grilled onions, sweet raw tomatoes, and pickled green beans provides a bright counterpart to the chicken’s smoky char. See recipe. (Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova)
45/67
Habanero BBQ Shrimp
This quick and easy grilled shrimp recipe from Lazarus Lazar’s Son of a Southern Chef gets a little sweetness from apricot preserves and some searing heat from a habanero pepper. See recipe. (Photo & Food Styling by Joseph De Leo)
46/67
Grilled Ratatouille Pasta Salad
See recipe. (Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Laura Rege)
47/67
Grilled Pork Spareribs With Soda Bottle Barbecue Sauce
For truly tender spareribs, repeat after us: low and slow. See recipe. (Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Christopher Barsch)
48/67
Juiciest Grilled Chicken Breast With Citrus Marinade
If you do just one bit of summer meal prep, make these juicy grilled chicken breasts for piling onto salads, grain bowls, and sandwiches. It’s an easy recipe that can help your whole week go better. See recipe. (Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce)
49/67
Yellow Squash Casserole
See recipe. (Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert)
50/67
Spice-Rubbed Fish Sliders
Everyone loves sliders for dinner. Rub fish fillets with smoked paprika, coriander, garlic powder, cardamom, and salt, then quickly cook in a skillet. See recipe. (Photo by Stephen Baccon)
Top your banh mi with as much (or as little) sliced jalapeño and cilantro as you like. See recipe. (Photo by Aubrie Pick)
54/67
Marinated Summer Squash With Hazelnuts and Ricotta
See recipe. (Photo by Chelsie Craig, Prop Styling by Emily Eisen, Food Styling by Molly Baz)
55/67
Grilled Pork Tenderloin and Asparagus With Mustard-Herb Sauce
This entire meal comes together on your grill. (But don’t skip the mustardy, garlicky sauce.) See recipe. (Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton)
56/67
Negima
If your barbecue menu is focused on yakitori, don’t skip these classic chicken skewers. See recipe. (Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert)
57/67
Crunchy and Bright Greek Salad
Juicy, crunchy, creamy summer magic. See recipe. (Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova, Prop Styling by Gerri K. Williams)
58/67
Jerk Baby Back Ribs With Pineapple Salsa
Many of our best summer dinner ideas come from the grill, like this fantastic recipe for allspice-, cinnamon-, and cayenne-rubbed ribs from chef Tanya Holland’s book Brown Sugar Kitchen. See recipe. (Photo by Jody Horton)
59/67
Charred-Peach Panzanella With Pickled Pepper Vinaigrette
Crisp some bacon, char the peaches (and some bread) in the rendered fat, toss the tomatoes in a garlicky, spicy brine, and you’ve got a killer panzanella. See recipe. (Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton)
60/67
Zucchini "Noodles" With Eggplant and Tomatoes
See recipe. (Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks)
61/67
Saucy Beans and Artichoke Hearts With Feta
Add a loaf of bread and serve as a predinner snack or a vegetarian main. See recipe. (Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell)
62/67
Tangy Grilled-Cabbage Slaw With Raisins and Walnuts
See recipe. (Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Michelle Gatton, prop styling by Alyssa Pagano)
63/67
Charred Caprese Sandwich
How do you improve on a classic Caprese salad recipe? Grill your tomatoes—and then spill them over a charred baguette with lots of fresh basil. See recipe. (Photo by Alex Lau)
64/67
Grilled Garlic-and-Black-Pepper Shrimp
Toss shrimp in a fiery chile-lime oil, then skewer and throw on the grill for a simple, but impressive, main dish. Whether it’s the Fourth of July or just a sunny weekend, this recipe is a winner. See recipe. (Photo by Peden + Munk)
65/67
Spaghetti alla Carbonara With Zucchini
There’s a reason this summery weeknight dinner is one of Giuliano Hazan’s favorite pastas of all time. See recipe. (Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton)
66/67
Grilled Jerk Tofu and Plantains With Mango Salsa
For the best grilled tofu, freeze it first. That way it’ll absorb lots of this flavorful marinade. See recipe. (Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Christopher Barsch)
67/67
Instant Pot Chogae Guksu
If you really need easy summer dinner ideas that’ll cool you off, this cold noodle dish with chicken and veggies should be on your list. See recipe. (Photo by Nancy Cho)
