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This list of 31 quick dinner ideas will have you in and out of the kitchen (or manning the grill) with plenty of time left to chill out on any hot summer night of the week.
Easy Recipes for Summer Weeknight Wins
Hello August = Hello end of summer. Please! Say it isn’t so!
There’s no time in what’s left of the quickly dissipating summer schedule for cooking all day in the kitchen. Suntans still need to be worked on. Outdoor activities must be conquered. So with summer readying to sing its swan song, laid back summer eats are what’s called for now.
But what should you make for dinner on a hot summer night? Make it real, make it good, and make it happen fast.
This list of 31 favorite summer dinner recipe ideas will put the savor in your last days of summer. So sit back, relax, and chill out with these easy seasonal summer eats.
1
Greek Chicken
This garlic, lemon, and oregano Greek marinade can be used for chicken that’s grilled, baked or pan-fried and is great any which way you choose.
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2
No-Cook Blender Gazpacho
This traditional no-cook gazpacho is a mix of fresh vegetables and store-bought tomato based vegetable juice for a perfect blend of smooth and chunky vegetable textures.
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3
Linguine with Clams
Talk about a dinner that comes together fast! The clams and sauce cook just as quick as the pasta for a light but filling summer dinner with flare.
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4
Grilled Turkey Burgers
Turkey burgers made with the Greek flavors of garlic, oregano, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and feta cheese are a delicious option for burger lovers everywhere.
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5
Montreal Steak and Peppers Kebabs
This simple Montreal steak seasoning marinade tenderizes any cut of meat thanks to a soak in red wine vinegar and oil with a blend of salt, spices, red pepper, paprika, garlic, and more for a bell pepper-packed steak kebab worthy of any summer dinner.
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6
Instant Pot Pork Ribs
Instant Pot pork ribs are fall-off-the-bone good and ready in under 30 minutes when cooked in the pressure cooker then finished off quickly in the oven.
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7
Grilled Pineapple Shrimp Kabobs
A quick dip in a ginger-soy-lime marinade infuses the fresh pineapple and shrimp with bold, Asian-inspired flavors. Once threaded onto skewers, these succulent grilled pineapple shrimp skewers take less than 10 minutes to cook!
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8
Fish Taco Bowl
This fish taco bowl with green cabbage slaw is fully loaded with taco-seasoned flaky fish, rice, and creamy avocado for the best meal that boasts all of the flavors and textures you love about fish tacos, only in a bowl!
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9
Creamy Lemon Chicken
This creamy lemon chicken recipe requires few ingredients and only takes just about 30 minutes to make, coming together in just one pan.
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10
Seared Ahi Tuna with Asian Avocado Salsa
This Ahi tuna recipe with an Asian avocado salsa takes just 20 minutes to make and is so fresh, flavorful, and delicious.
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11
Spice Rubbed Grilled Pork Chops
This is my tried-and-tested grilled pork chop recipe featuring my favorite dry rub. You can use boneless or bone-in chops, and I've shared extra details in the post above to help with troubleshooting if your pork chops are thinner or thicker than mine.
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12
Pasta Pomodoro
Light and easy to make with fresh tomatoes, this simple Southern Italian tomato sauce takes just 20 minutes to make and is a filling summer dinner when tossed with your choice of pasta.
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13
Pan-Seared Salmon with Basil Gremolata
Crisp on the outside, buttery and tender on the inside, this golden-crusted pan-seared salmon is drizzled with a bright and flavorful lemon basil gremolata and the whole dish takes just 20 minutes to make.
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14
THE BEST Caprese Chicken Recipe
This quick and easy caprese chicken recipe comes together in just 30 minutes with the help of store-bought pesto and balsamic glaze.
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15
Mixed Vegetable Ratatouille
This simple ratatouille recipe is chock-full of fresh, peak-harvest veggies and fragrant herbs. Everything gets cooked in one pan to create a hearty, savory stew.
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16
Club Sandwich
Stacked high with turkey, ham, bacon, lettuce, and juicy, ripe tomato, all layered between 3 slices of buttery, toasted white bread, this club sandwich is a crave-worthy classic.
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17
Garlic Grilled Shrimp Skewers
These grilled shrimp skewers are marinated in the most delicious, zesty lemon-garlic marinade, then grilled with the tails on for maximum flavor. Serve over pasta, or salad, or alongside rice for a healthy, easy, and fast weeknight-friendly dinner.
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18
Parmesan Chicken Salad
Crispy Parmesan breaded chicken filets top a bed of arugula with caprese-style mozzarella pearls, sweet roasted tomatoes, and basil dressed with an easy balsamic vinaigrette. Meal prep the chicken and tomatoes ahead to make this a quick lunch or dinner.
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19
Ground Beef Taco Salad
This easy taco salad with taco seasoned ground beef, beans, cheddar cheese, and all the taco fixings makes a favorite easy dinner any night of the week.
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20
Best Ever BLTs
This 5-ingredient BLT recipe is everything a BLT should be — with smoky bacon, perfectly toasted white bread, crisp iceberg lettuce, and juicy ripe tomatoes.
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21
Taco Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Mexican flavored ground beef taco meat fills these stuffed zucchini boats topped with melted cheese and all the taco toppings for an all-in-one, easy dinner.
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22
Crab Salad Stuffed Avocados
Lightened-up crab salad stuffed avocados topped with mint and chopped pistachios are an easy and healthy brunch, lunch, or light dinner idea.
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23
Flaky Grilled Salmon
Follow these easy grilling tips to learn THE BEST way to grill salmon. This grilled salmon recipe is about to become your new favorite summertime dinner.
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24
Lobster Rolls (with Butter AND Mayo)
In the great debate of whether lobster rolls are best when served Connecticut-style with melted butter or the Maine way laced with lemony mayonnaise, I say do a combo of both! Trust me, you're going to love these.
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25
Easy Chicken Fajita Foil Packets
Quick and easy to prep, these chicken fajita foil packet dinners with a simple homemade fajita seasoning mix are cooked on the grill or in the oven and ready to eat in just about 30 minutes.
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26
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Stuffed Avocados
The perfect light lunch, this easy Mediterranean chickpea salad with fresh herbs and a garlicky lemon dressing gets spooned into creamy avocado halves for a protein-packed, vegetarian meal in one.
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27
Greek Salad with Chicken
This delicious Greek salad topped with Greek marinaded chicken is the best for meal prepped lunches or light dinners. Top it with kalamata olives, feta cheese, crunchy cucumbers and my Mediterranean tomato salad with an easy Greek vinaigrette dressing.
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28
Vietnamese Rice Noodle Salad with Berries
This Vietnamese rice noodle salad is a vegetarian-forward version of the traditional bún salads, made with spring lettuces, crunchy fresh vegetables, and sweetened with the season’s best fresh berries.
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29
Saucy Greek Baked Shrimp
This Greek-inspired shrimp recipe in a saucy tomato base with feta can be cooked and served as a one-pot skillet dinner.
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30
Mozzarella and Tomato Caprese Flatbread
This caprese flatbread recipe is an easy way to take advantage of the best of the season’s fresh tomatoes, basil, and of course mozzarella, making it the perfect easy vegetarian dinner.
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31
Antipasto Salad Platter
If it's simply too hot to cook a single thing, throw together this quick and easy platter filled with your favorite cold cuts, cheeses, and nibbly bits.
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