80+ Summer Recipes

A collection of the most simple and delicious entrees, sides, salads, drinks, and desserts that will keep you fed all Summer season long!

Kristyn’s Summer Tips

  • Prep-Ahead Chicken for Salads: Prepare and shred chicken in advance, storing it in 1-cup portions in the freezer for quick and easy use in various recipes like Chicken Macaroni Salad and Avocado Chicken Salad. 
  • Storing Summer Salads Safely: When serving creamy salads at picnics or BBQs, keep them chilled in a cooler with ice. Only set out amounts that can be consumed within 30 minutes to ensure food safety, especially if the temperature is 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
  • Salad Proteins: Adding grilled chicken or beef to a salad is an easy way to make it more filling and turn it into a main dish rather than a side. Some other additions include:Shrimp, bacon bits, black, kidney or white beans, boiled eggs or chickpeas
  • Perfecting Meat Marinades: When marinating meat, always refrigerate it (do not marinate at room temperature) and avoid using metal containers, as acids can react. For optimal flavor, marinate for 3 hours, but 1-8 hours is acceptable. Never reuse marinade after it has come into contact with raw meat.
  • Preheat the Grill : Make sure to preheat your grill so it’s hot and ready to cook the food immediately. This also helps loosen any stuck bits of food.
  • Sear Meat : Start by searing your meat over an open flame. Once it’s seared to your liking, move it to indirect heat to finish cooking.
  • Close the Lid : For thicker cuts of meat, close the lid while cooking. This allows the grill to act like an oven, ensuring the center cooks properly.
  • Let it Be : Resist the urge to poke or flip the meat too often. Flip it only once to allow each side to form a nice caramelized crust.

All Summer