21 Sizzling Summer Dinner Recipes to Light Up Your Nights
Did you know there are more than these amazing summer dinner recipes to pick from? But, it’s not only about main courses in the hot months.
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There’s a lot of yummy treats and snacks out there, too. Summer is perfect for exploring great dinner recipes. You might be by the pool, having a barbecue, or just wanting something sweet.
Take your taco game up a notch with these tasty spicy shrimp tacos. They are covered in a zesty mango salsa. This dish mixes juicy shrimp, bold homemade seasoning, and fresh mango salsa. It’s a perfect mix that makes your taste buds dance.
These tacos are both yummy and simple to cook. You’ll get 10 tacos, enough for 3-4 folks, perfect for dinner with family or a chill hangout with pals. You can have this yummy dish ready in just 30 minutes.
Start by preparing the shrimp. Cook the shrimp for 2 minutes on each side. This makes them juicy and seared just right.
Next, warm your corn tortillas. Moist them and heat up in a skillet for 30 to 60 seconds each side. This makes for soft and pliable tacos.
Now, it’s building time. Put three shrimp on each tortilla. Top with plenty of the mango salsa.
The mango salsa mixes ripe mangoes, cherry tomatoes, jalapeños, red onion, and lime juice. Its freshness and colors are a perfect fit with the shrimp’s spice.
Each small taco has 182 calories, 19g carbs, and 13g protein. They also have good-for-you vitamins and minerals, like Vitamin A and C, calcium, and iron.
Feel free to tweak the recipe to suit your taste. Add more or less seasoning and jalapeños for spice. Use toppings like avocado, cilantro, or lime to add a fresh twist.
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Lemon Herb Dressing
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Travel to the Mediterranean with this cool, tasty chickpea salad. It’s filled with fresh veggies, tart feta cheese, and a lemon herb dressing.
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad With Lemon Herb Dressing Recipes
This salad mixes different tastes and feels in a light, healthy way.
Packed with Nutritious Ingredients: This salad is packed with nutritious stuff. Chickpeas are full of protein and fiber. They make this salad hearty and satisfying.
Refreshing Vegetables: Cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, and red onions bring a fresh kick to the salad. These veggies not only make it look pretty but also add vitamins and antioxidants.
Tangy Feta Cheese: Feta cheese makes the salad creamy and salty. Its tang goes well with everything else, balancing the flavors.
Zesty Lemon Herb Dressing: The lemon herb dressing is the secret. It’s made with fresh lemon, herbs, and a bit of oil. This dressing boosts the flavors and makes each bite exciting.
This salad tastes great and is also super good for you. It’s a top pick for healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. Mix it with vegetables and you’ve got a meal that fills you up right.
Keep it in a sealed container in the fridge. It stays good for up to 5 days. Perfect for planning meals ahead or using up food all week.
Grilled Vegetable Skewers with Balsamic Glaze
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Ready for a grill adventure? Fire up the grill for some delicious vegetable skewers. They are colorful, healthy, and easy to make.
Grilled Vegetable Skewers With Balsamic Glaze Recipes
Designed with tender vegetables soaked in a tangy balsamic glaze, everyone will love them at your barbecue. Let’s learn how to make these incredible skewers together.
Let’s start by making the marinade. Mix together in a bowl 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 2 teaspoons minced garlic, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, and 2 teaspoons chopped thyme. This mix will make the vegetables taste tangy, fresh, and savory all at once.
Time to get the veggies ready. Cut 2 medium zucchinis, 2 medium bell peppers of different colors, and 1 medium red onion into big pieces. Add 4 cherry tomatoes and 8–16 oz fresh whole mushrooms for added flavor and texture. Mix the vegetables with the marinade in a large bowl. Let them sit for 45 minutes to an hour so they can soak up all the delicious flavors.
Getting ready to grill? First, soak wooden skewers in water for 15 minutes so they won’t burn. Then, put the marinated veggies on the skewers, mixing up the types to look fantastic. Heat your grill to medium-high and grease the grates lightly. Cook the skewers for 10 to 15 minutes, turning until they’re soft and a bit crispy. While grilling, use the extra marinade to make them taste even better.
These skewers are both yummy and good for you. Each skewer is only 57 calories and WW Green, Blue, and Purple SmartPoints friendly (1 point per skewer). They are low in calories and fat but high in flavor.
The balsamic glaze, made with equal parts balsamic vinegar and olive oil, adds a sweet yet tangy kick to the already smoky veggies.
Salmon with Avocado Salsa and Cilantro Lime Rice
A tasty and good-for-you dinner can be yours with this yummy salmon. It comes with a lively avocado salsa and lovely cilantro lime rice.
Salmon With Avocado Salsa And Cilantro Lime Rice Recipes
This mix of fresh salmon, smooth avocado salsa, and sharp cilantro lime rice makes a meal that’s fulfilling and healthy. That’s why this Cilantro Lime Salmon has earned a top spot among 7 must-try summer recipes.
The recipe highlights the quick and easy cooking of the salmon, perfect for busy nights.
Salmon stands out for its health benefits, being rich in lean protein and healthy omega-3 fats. It’s a star in many recipes on this site.
The cilantro lime vinaigrette is shown to be very versatile. It can work as a dressing, a marinade, a dip, or a topping for other dishes.
Pickled onions and avocado are recommended as topping options for the salmon, adding a lot to its taste.
Tips are given on enjoying leftovers, making it clear this recipe can feed you more than once.
Specific amounts and ingredients are listed, making sure the cooking is clear and precise.
Instructions on how to make that flavorful cilantro lime rice are given. They aim to make a full and tasty meal.
Get ready for 4 servings of the Baked Cilantro Lime Salmon with Avocado Salsa. It only takes 10-12 minutes in a 400-degree oven, so it’s quick and simple. Add the cilantro lime rice to the side. It goes great with the salmon and adds a fresh element to the dish.
The avocado salsa makes everything creamy and rich, almost like a fancy guacamole. It’s made with cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, lime, and a touch of salt and pepper. Remember to pat the salmon dry before baking. This helps it come out just right—moist and full of flavor.
One-Pot Pasta Primavera
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Make your summer cooking simple with this one-pot pasta primavera. It’s packed with veggies, herbs, and a creamy sauce.
This dish is easy to make and clean up after. It’s perfect for quick weeknight dinners or relaxed weekends.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Recipe Rating: 5 out of 2 votes
Using milk instead of heavy cream for a lighter creamy sauce
Recommended using spaghetti for this recipe
Option to swap fresh vegetables for 1-2 cups of defrosted peas, corn, or fresh spinach
Expert tip: save time by pre-chopping veggies the night before
FAQ: Can substitute gluten-free pasta, may need to adjust liquid amount
FAQ: Adding protein options like cooked shrimp or chicken
Storage: Store leftovers for up to 2 days in the fridge in an airtight container
More one-pot pasta ideas available on the website
Ingredients for the one-pot pasta primavera include olive oil, garlic, salt, pasta, and various vegetables. Among these, pasta and asparagus form a major part. Plus, it includes broccolini, peas, and tomatoes. It also needs ricotta cheese, lemon, and butter.
When you sauté garlic, cook it until it turns golden. This takes about a minute. Cook the pasta until it’s almost ready, about 10 minutes.
Add asparagus, broccolini, and peas next. Stir until they begin to soften, around 3 minutes. Then, mix in tomatoes, ricotta, lemon, and butter. Toss until everything is coated well, for about 1-2 minutes.
The pasta primavera recipe takes about 15-20 minutes from start to finish.
To serve, add parmesan, basil, salt, and pepper.
You can change the veggies in the recipe depending on what you have. Some may need more time to cook than others. Use a large, straight-sided skillet or a dutch oven for this recipe.
For example, you might use a bunch of asparagus, 2 cups of broccolini, and 1 cup of peas.
This dish is ready in less than 30 minutes, making it great for quick dinners. Try using flat noodles like farfalle for a more traditional pasta primavera. Don’t forget the parmesan; you can find pre-grated cheese at stores like Trader Joe’s.
Make sure your saute pan is bigger than you think to avoid spills. It’s recommended to add vegetables in a specific order for even cooking.
If the pasta gets too dry, add more hot water, about ½ cup at a time. Finish the dish in about 15 minutes.
You can personalize the recipe by adding pesto or roasted veggies. Swap veggies like asparagus or leeks to change the taste. For a heartier meal, add chicken or salmon.
Turkey Burgers with Sweet Potato Fries
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Choose something different from the usual beef patties and go for tasty and good-for-you turkey burgers. These come with a side of crunchy sweet potato fries. It’s a fresh take on the well-loved burger that’s rich in taste. Plus, it’s a lighter pick than beef.
To start the turkey burgers, grab 1 lb of ground turkey. You’ll get three turkey apple burgers out of this. Mixing lean turkey meat with sweet apples gives a unique taste. Shape the mix into patties and cook them in a pan for 6-7 minutes per side. They should reach 165 F inside to be safe.
As your burgers sizzle, get the sweet potato fries ready. Slice 1 large sweet potato into thin pieces and coat them with olive oil. Pop them in the oven at 425 F. They will need about 30-35 minutes to cook, flipping once to get crispy.
When everything’s done, plate your meal. Enjoy the juicy turkey burgers and the crispy fries. It’s a combo that’s hard to resist. You’re sure to love every bite.
The recipe makes three turkey apple burgers from 1 lb of ground turkey.
The sweet potato fries recipe serves one person and uses 1 large sweet potato.
The sweet potato fries are baked at 425 F for a total of 30-35 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
The burger patties should be pan-seared for approximately 6-7 minutes each side or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F.
To make the sweet potato fries, cut 1 large sweet potato into thin strips and toss them in olive oil.
Bake the sweet potato fries at 425 F for 30-35 minutes, flipping them halfway through to achieve crispiness.
Lemon Blueberry Cake
Celebrate summer with a sweet lemon blueberry cake. It’s filled with tangy lemon and sweet blueberries. This cake is perfect for any summer event.
Learn how to bake a soft, lemony cake with blueberries on top. Enjoy a piece of this tasty dessert this summer.
Recipe Information
Cake Rating: 4.7 out of 5 from 336 reviews
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 23 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours
Serves: 10-12 people
Baking Method: Baking
Dish Category: Dessert
Recipe Cuisine: American
Ingredients
1 cup (16 Tbsp; 226g) unsalted butter
1 and 1/4 cups (250g) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (100g) packed light brown sugar
4 large eggs
3 cups (354g) sifted all-purpose flour
1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
2 Tablespoons lemon zest
1/2 cup (120ml) lemon juice
1 and 1/2 cups (210g) blueberries
Frosting: 8 ounces (226g) full-fat brick cream cheese, 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, 3 and 1/2 cups (420g) confectioners’ sugar, 1-2 Tablespoons (15-30ml) heavy cream
Layered Cake Preparation
Here’s how to make the lemon blueberry cake:
First, preheat your oven to 350°F and line three 8-inch pans.
In a bowl, mix the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well.
In another bowl, whisk the flour and baking powder. Then add them to the butter mix, alternating with buttermilk.
Next, add the lemon zest, juice, and blueberries.
Divide the batter into the pans evenly and smooth the tops.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Tips for Success
To ensure your cake is light and fluffy, cream the butter and sugar well. Zest lemons before squeezing for the best flavor in your cake.
Decorative Garnish
After the cake cools, decorate with lemon slices and blueberries. This makes your cake look great and enhances the flavors.
Nutritional Information
331 kcal per serving
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 77mg
Sodium: 234mg
Potassium: 108mg
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 29g
Vitamin A: 358IU
Vitamin C: 6mg
Calcium: 85mg
Iron: 2mg
These 7 summer recipes are perfect for those wanting to eat well this season. They include dishes like spicy shrimp tacos, cool salads, and tasty desserts.
Everyone can find something they love. It’s a great time to try new things and enjoy the summertime. So, get your apron on, gather your ingredients, and start cooking!
