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Enjoy delicious entrees, sides, salads, drinks, and desserts that will keep you fed all season long with our favorite summer recipes!
More Collections: Summer Salad Recipes, Summer Drinks, Summer Desserts
No Time like Summertime!
Every season has something to look forward to, and summer is no exception. It’s the perfect time to be outside! We love to fire up the grill, savor fresh fruits and veggies (watermelon is a must-have), and indulge in refreshing summer desserts and summer drinks!
These summer recipes are a great way to stay well-fed and happy all season long!
Why we love summer recipes:
- Fresh produce. I love making summer side dishes, summer salads, and desserts that include all the veggies and berries that are perfectly ripe and delicious in the summer.
- Plenty of tips. This post offers practical tips for cooking, grilling, and serving to make every summer meal a success!
- Variety of recipes. We’ve included a wide range of recipes from entrees, sides, salads, drinks, and desserts, providing options for every summer occasion.
Tips for Summertime Cooking
- Grilled meats, fruits, and veggies. I love the char marks and it adds a unique grilled flavor.
- Utilize your crock pot! Achieve delicious summer crockpot recipes without spending time in an oven-hot kitchen.
- Take it outside. Eat out on the patio, go out for a picnic, or head to the lake or the beach.
- Lighting. If you’re eating outdoors in the evening, string up lights and use tiki torches.
- Keeping food cool outside. Put the food table in the shade, don’t put everything out at once, put dishes on ice, and keep food covered.
- Transporting food. Using a cooler works for both hot and cold foods. Keep cold food and hot foods in separate coolers. Remove them only when you’re ready to serve them.
- Use ice and cold packs to keep food cold. To keep food warm in a cooler, use hot water bottles, hot rice bags, and hot bricks.
See the individual recipe posts for more tips and tricks for cooking these summer recipes.
Seasonal produce
Buying in-season produce is not only cost-effective but also ensures the freshest most delicious produce.
Some favorite summer fruits and vegetables to include in your healthy summer recipes:
- Summer veggies. mushrooms, bell peppers, green beans, carrots, beets, cucumbers, leafy greens, green beans, onions, cabbage, peas, fresh corn, and radishes
- Summer fruits. avocado, apples, melons, stone fruit, figs, grapes, citrus, pear, squash, and cherry tomatoes
- Fresh herbs. fresh basil, garlic, cilantro, dill, fennel, parsley, coriander, cumin, or rosemary
Favorite Summer Dinner Recipes
Grill up a juicy Hamburger piled high with toppings, cook Hot Dogs in a crockpot smothered in mustard, or toast Homemade Pizza Dough on the grill. We have plenty of easy summer dinner recipes from the grill and beyond to have on repeat all season long!
Pulled Pork Recipe
This deliciously easy pulled pork recipe is made in the slow cooker and takes just minutes to prep making it a go-to dinner idea!
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Best Hamburger Recipe
This is the BEST Hamburger recipe for grilling up a juicy American classic. You'll have a perfect burger every time!
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Huli Huli Chicken
Grilled huli huli chicken is the juiciest and most delicious Hawaiian-style chicken you'll ever try! Serve it alone or on rice or noodles!!
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Hawaiian Haystacks Recipe
Totally customizable Hawaiian Haystacks are a pile of fluffy rice stacked with chicken, gravy, and all your favorite toppings!
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Kalua Pork Recipe
This kalua pork recipe is a classic Hawaiian favorite, made easily in your slow cooker with just a few ingredients!
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Steak Marinade
Our all-time favorite steak marinade requires only four ingredients and makes mouth-watering steak that tastes amazing!
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Sloppy Joe Recipe
This sloppy joe recipe is quick and easy, perfect for feeding a crowd! You'll make these meaty sandwiches from scratch every time.
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Ranch Burger Recipe
These are the BEST homemade hamburgers!! This cheesy Ranch Burger is complete with the most delicious secret sauce!
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Hot Dogs in Crock Pot
Hot dogs in crock pot are the easiest way to make hot dogs for a crowd! They're perfect for your summer potluck needs.
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Taco Casserole Recipe
This hearty taco casserole recipe has a biscuit base and all your favorite taco flavors. It preps in just 5 minutes and feeds a crowd!
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More Summer Dinner Ideas
A summer dinner classic at our house is grilling up skewers of cubed chicken breast or shrimp and fresh veggies like red onion and peppers.
There is no shortage of delicious summer dinner ideas. Whether you’re grilling or cooking low and slow in a crock pot, we have even more tasty options for you to enjoy!
Crock Pot Brisket
Try this effortless crock pot brisket recipe for delectably juicy and tender meat that will melt in your mouth.
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Dr. Pepper Ribs Recipe
Pork ribs cooked in Dr. Pepper, grilled to perfection, and smothered in BBQ Sauce. These Dr. Pepper ribs are fall off the bone delicious!
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Slow Cooker Barbacoa
With only 5 minutes of prep, this beef slow cooker barbacoa is tender, savory, and perfect for filling tacos or burritos!
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BBQ Pork Chops Recipe
Baked BBQ Pork Chops are tender, juicy, and smothered in homemade barbecue sauce. They are so easy to make for a weeknight family dinner!
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Crock Pot Ribs
Juicy BBQ crock pot ribs are fall off the bone delicious with minimal work. Great for a small family, big family, or cooking for a crowd!
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Baked Salmon Recipe
Bake a delicious and healthy pan of salmon for the whole family! Flavored with lemon, garlic, and parsley for a tasty dinner everyone will enjoy.
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Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sandwiches Recipe
Loaded with juicy grilled pineapple, red onion and crisp lettuce, this Hawaiian BBQ Chicken sandwich is perfect for summer entertaining!
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Best Chicken Marinade
This best chicken marinade is the perfect way to flavor chicken before grilling or cooking. It makes the meat juicy, tender, and so good!
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Chicken Souvlaki Recipe
Chicken Souvlaki is a savory kabob infused with Greek flavors. With marinated chicken, onions, and peppers, it's hearty and delicious.
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Cilantro Lime Chicken
Cilantro lime chicken is marinated with fresh lime and herbs, bursting with zesty flavor for an easy weeknight meal.
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Steak and Tortellini Salad Recipe
Delish Steak and Tortellini Salad is hearty and refreshing. Tortellini, sirloin & romaine in a creamy pesto dressing is a must-have!
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Teriyaki Chicken Burgers Recipe
Marinated Teriyaki Chicken Burgers are quick, easy and full of sweet, tangy flavor! Grilled pineapple make these burgers perfection.
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French Dip Sandwich Recipe
This low-maintenance French dip sandwich is made with hearty beef and melted provolone cheese on a buttery toasted bun, and dipped in au jus!
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Chicken Kabobs
Mouth-watering chicken kabobs are loaded with veggies for the ultimate sweet and savory grilled summer dish.
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Chicken Pesto Panini
This crispy chicken pesto panini is an Italian-flavored sandwich filled with bacon, tomato, and gooey mozzarella. It is grilled to perfection!
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Country Style Pork Ribs Recipe
Tender + delicious country style pork ribs are finger-licking good! They are perfect for a BBQ, or any night of the week.
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Steak Bites Recipe
Succulent steak bites are juicy, tender, and cook up in minutes! Serve them as an appetizer or as part of a meal.
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Steak Taco Recipe
This steak taco recipe is marinated to perfection and bursting with fresh flavor! They're quick and easy for a perfect weeknight dinner.
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Cafe Rio Chicken Recipe
Copycat Cafe Rio Shredded Chicken – a simple and delicious chicken recipe that is perfect for salads, burritos, quesadillas and tacos!
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Crockpot BBQ Meatballs
Our sweet & savory crockpot bbq meatballs recipe are a hit at every party and only require 5 minutes of prep.
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Corn Dog Recipe
This recipe is a beyond simple delicious hand-dipped corn dog making you never want to buy store-bought again!
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Pasta Primavera Recipe
Pasta primavera is a tried and true dinner recipe. It's filled with peak-of-the-season veggies for a deliciously bright bite!
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Crock Pot Chicken Enchiladas
With just 5 minutes of prep, our hot and cheesy crock pot chicken enchiladas make dinner a breeze! Just let the crock pot do the work.
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Chicken Tacos
Skip the wait and cost – whip up restaurant-quality chicken tacos at home in under 30 minutes for a satisfying crunch and explosion of flavor!
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Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe
Flavorful lemon chicken pasta is covered in a delicious sauce made from lemons, whipping cream, cheese, and fresh basil.
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Zucchini Boats Recipe
Stuffed Zucchini Boats are filled with Italian sausage and tomatoes. They are a tasty go-to healthy dinner idea.
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Steak Kabobs
Easily grill up perfectly tender and flavorful steak kabobs packed with your favorite veggies all summer long!
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Fajita Recipe
Make those sizzling restaurant fajitas at home! It may seem intimidating, but this fajita recipe couldn't get any easier.
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Sides + Salads
Our go-to summer side dishes include the crunch of veggies and sweetness of fresh fruit! From Grilled Corn on the Cob to a bowl of fresh Mango Salsa with Cinnamon Tortilla Chips, seasonal produce is a must.
We have included fresh produce and beyond in our list of must-make summer sides!
Baked Beans Recipe
Easy Homemade Baked Beans is a must-have at all of our BBQ's. Everyone who tries it agrees it's the best baked beans recipe!
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Potato Salad Recipe
This perfect Potato Salad is a famous family recipe. It's simple, packed with flavor, and our most requested side for parties!
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Macaroni Salad With Ham
A favorite for generations, our kid-approved macaroni salad with ham is a potluck winner made in only 20 minutes!
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Broccoli Salad
Simple broccoli salad recipe delivers a hearty and satisfying crunch with a vibrant mix of fresh ingredients smothered in a creamy dressing.
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Grilled Asparagus
Sprinkled with salt, pepper, and a little parmesan cheese, grilled asparagus is a simply flavorful side for any dinner recipe!
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Easy Coleslaw Recipe
This quick and Easy Coleslaw makes the perfect side dish for any picnic or BBQ. It takes just minutes to put this classic coleslaw recipe together, and it can easily be customized with the spices and flavors you love most.
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Corn Salad
This vibrant corn salad is veggie-packed, lightly dressed for a fresh taste, and ready to brighten your plate in under 15 minutes!
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Perfect Baked Potato
With crispy, seasoned skin, a tender inside, and all the best toppings this recipe always results in the perfect baked potato!
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Spanish Rice Recipe
Restaurant-Style Spanish Rice (aka Mexican Rice), that is easy to make and tastes like it came straight from the restaurant, and is the best side dish to any Mexican entree.
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How to Cut a Watermelon
Is there anything better than a ripe juicy watermelon? Learn How to Cut a Watermelon into cubes, sticks, and triangles with our top tips!
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Jiffy Corn Pudding
Jiffy corn pudding is a creamy, buttery, and sweet side dish perfect for any dinner or holiday, and comfort food at its finest.
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Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Everyone loves a good slow cooker recipe, and this crock pot mac and cheese is so simple, cheesy, and delicious!
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How to Boil Corn on the Cob Recipe
Boiling corn on the cob is a cinch! You will love this juicy corn on the cob to put on the side of any summer meal.
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Strawberry Harvest Salad Recipe
Strawberry Harvest Salad tastes just like the salad at Zupa's! It's topped with a homemade Strawberry Vinaigrette dressing.
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Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Recipe
Delicious and Healthy Baked Parmesan Zucchini. These spears are crusted in Parmesan cheese and baked to perfection, making them a great side dish for any meal.
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Fruit Salad Recipe
This fruit salad recipe includes an array of colorful and healthy fruits, making it a delicious side dish for any meal.
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Easy Tortellini Salad Recipe
Fresh and filling Tortellini Salad whips up in minutes for a delicious summer salad topped with creamy ranch dressing.
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Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Simple broccoli cauliflower salad is packed with veggies and ready in 20 minutes for a creamy crunch that is sure to be a hit!
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Pasta Salad Recipe
This easy pasta salad recipe takes minutes to make. It's a classic side dish, perfect for BBQs, picnics, or any night of the week!
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Yellow Squash Casserole
Dive into creamy, cheesy comfort with this yellow squash casserole, a holiday side dish boasting a deliciously crunchy, buttery topping.
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Jello Pretzel Salad
This classic treat is always a crowd pleaser with a pretzel crust, cream cheese layer and strawberry jello topping! Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad is the ultimate combination of sweet and salty!
Cheesecake Fruit Salad Recipe
Cheesecake Fruit Salad is the perfect combination of creamy, fluffy, light, and fresh! It's the perfect side or crepe filling!
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Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe
Easy & Fresh Mozzarella Pasta Salad is light, delicious, and flavorful. This simply dressed salad is a favorite!!
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Green Bean Salad Recipe
Crisp and flavorful green bean salad is seasoned with garlic, feta, and lemon for a tasty side, perfect to accompany any dinner!
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Esquites Recipe
This Esquites recipe is creamy, flavorful, and perfect for any fiesta – plus, it's made in just 20 minutes!
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Homemade Cornbread
This melt-in-your-mouth homemade cornbread has a hint of sweetness and is perfect to serve with your favorite soup and chili recipes.
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Roasted Tomatoes Recipe
Juicy roasted tomatoes are the yummiest and easiest appetizer or side dish. Roasting them (with a little olive oil, basil and parmesan) brings out every delicious flavor!
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Fruit Kabobs
Colorful fruit kabobs are the best appetizer or side for any occasion! Load up your favorite fruits and get snacking.
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Desserts + Drinks
We, of course, eat plenty of cool treats and sweets! From no-bake recipes to ice cream treats, we have a variety of tasty summer desserts to choose from.
And don’t forget to top your summer soiree with a refreshing summer drink!
Jello Poke Cake
Jello poke cake is cool, creamy, and perfect for any get-together. With a cake mix shortcut, it's extra easy and preps in minutes!
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Strawberry Shortcake Poke Cake Recipe
This Strawberry Shortcake Poke Cake is the perfect cool and refreshing dessert. Yellow cake with strawberry gelatin poked throughout, topped with a delicious whipped topping and fresh strawberries.
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Lemon Lasagna Recipe
This luscious Lemon Lush consists of 4 tasty layers, including a Lemon Oreo crust, cream cheese layer, lemon pudding layer and topped with whipped cream!
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Dirt Cake Recipe
This deliciously addicting dirt cake recipe preps in minutes for a cool, creamy, family-favorite treat perfect for Oreo lovers!
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Peanut Butter No Bake Cookie Recipe
Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies combine two cookie classics – No Bake Cookies + Peanut Butter Cookies. The combo of the two make a delicious, simple cookie recipe that is perfect for anyone who loves peanut butter treats.
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Ice Cream Sandwich Cake Recipe
Oreo studded Ice Cream Sandwich Cake is cool, creamy, and refreshingly delicious. It is perfect for hot summer days!!
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Angel Food Ice Cream Cake Recipe
Angel Food Ice Cream Cake is creamy, light, & refreshing, made from layers of angel food cake and your favorite ice cream flavor. A scrumptious treat, chilled to frozen dessert perfection!
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Oreo Ice Cream Cake Recipe
Oreo Ice Cream Cake makes for the perfect no-bake dessert during warm summer months. Best of all, it only takes 5 simple ingredients!
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No Bake Cheesecake
This quick and easy no-bake cheesecake is ideal for summer and can be topped with fresh strawberries or your favorite toppings!
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Peach Dump Cake Recipe
Three ingredient peach dump cake is quick, simple, and utterly tasty. It is warm, gooey, and perfectly peachy!!
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Fruit Pizza
Fruit pizza is an all-time favorite that starts with a sugar cookie crust and is completely customizable with your favorite fruit.
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Easy Peach Cobbler
This easy peach cobbler recipe takes 5 minutes to prep and is buttery and delicious. It is our FAVORITE peach dessert!
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Dessert Parfait Recipe
A Dessert Parfait is a creamy combination of a delicious fluffy pudding and fresh fruit. They are simply heavenly!
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Easy No Bake Cookies
Deliciously chewy easy no bake cookies are ready to enjoy in under 10 minutes – no oven required for this tasty chocolate treat!
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Pineapple Pink Lemonade Soda Recipe
All-time Favorite Party Drink – this Pink Drink recipe (aka Baby Shower Punch) takes a minute to make and is made with 3 ingredients including – pink lemonade dry mix, sprite, & pineapple juice!
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Homemade Lemonade Recipe
Refreshing homemade lemonade is made with a simple syrup for the perfect sweet-to-tart ratio. It is perfect for warm summer days, or any day!
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Sonic Cherry Limeade Recipe
Delicious recipe for Sonic’s Cherry Limeade – tastes just like it! Ingredients include 7-Up, cherries, a lime, and maraschino syrup!
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Orange Julius
This refreshing, nostalgic Orange Julius recipe tastes just like the original and whips up in only 5 minutes with a few simple ingredients!
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Homemade Root Beer
This do-it-yourself homemade root beer has the perfect touch of fizz and amazing flavor. It's party perfect!
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Butterbeer Recipe
This butterbeer recipe is a rich, delicious chilled drink with butterscotch flavoring. It's alcohol-free and perfect for sharing!
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Horchata Recipe
This horchata recipe is a refreshing, cinnamon-flavored Mexican drink filled with flavor! It's festive and perfect for any occasion.
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Shirley Temple Recipe
Our classic Shirley Temple recipe is a favorite non-alcoholic drink – sweet and vibrant red, perfect for any party and any age!
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Ocean Water Recipe
Fizzy coconut Ocean Water is easy and refreshing! This copycat Sonic drink is perfect for parties or a hot, summer day.
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Watermelon Juice Recipe
Delicious and refreshing watermelon juice is a favorite drink in the summertime! It takes minutes to make and is perfect for fruit lovers.
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Easy Summer Dinner Idea
We love to make meat for the summer holidays!! Our favorite meat to cook up is Steak, but we also love to make Hamburgers and Hot Dogs, and my hubby’s favorite – pulled pork!
This deliciously easy Pulled Pork Recipe is made in the slow cooker and takes just minutes to prep making it a go-to dinner idea!
Here is the recipe:
85+ Summer Recipes
Enjoy delicious entrees, sides, salads, drinks, and desserts that will keep you fed all season long with our favorite summer recipes!
Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds pork butt
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- ⅓ cup liquid smoke
- barbecue sauce, optional
Instructions
- Use salt to rub pork butt generously.
- Place pork in your slow cooker and pour liquid smoke over the top.
- Turn slow cooker on low. Cook for 8- 10 hours or until pork is tender and shreds easily.
- Using a fork, shred all the pork. Add BBQ sauce and stir until all pork is coated. Serve with buns or rolls, add additional BBQ sauce and any other preferred toppings.
Notes
To Freeze: Freezing this pork is super easy, and a great way to save leftovers. Store individual servings in resealable plastic freezer bags. Make sure to seal the bags tightly so none of it will leak out. Frozen pulled pork will last 2–3 months in the freezer. Pull it out for a quick and easy meal when you do not have time to make dinner! Let it thaw at room temperature, then heat it up on the stove or in the microwave.
Oven Directions: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Rub liquid smoke and salt over the pork butt and wrap in foil. Place in a roasting pan and cook for 5 hours, or until the internal temperature is 145°F. Shred and serve as directed above.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup, Calories: 225kcal, Protein: 32g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 102mg, Sodium: 1877mg, Potassium: 577mg, Calcium: 25mg, Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Favorite Summer Recipes
We hope you enjoy this list of delicious summer recipes. Whether you’re looking for something special to serve at a backyard BBQ or just an everyday weeknight dinner there is something for everyone!
More Collections: Summer Dinner Ideas, Summer Crockpot Recipes, Summer Soups
Hi- I love the posts and I have printed a lot of these…I cook every Sunday for 75 and easy recipes are my jam….You look familiar…do you live in STG?