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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

A collage of summer recipes.

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.
Asparagus skewers on the grill ready for grilling.

Tips for Summertime Cooking

  1. Grilled meats, fruits, and veggies. I love the char marks and it adds a unique grilled flavor.
  2. Utilize your crock pot! Achieve delicious summer crockpot recipes without spending time in an oven-hot kitchen. 
  3. Take it outside. Eat out on the patio, go out for a picnic, or head to the lake or the beach.
  4. Lighting. If you’re eating outdoors in the evening, string up lights and use tiki torches. 
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

Cheesecake salad in a red bowl, made from seasonal summer berries.

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!

1 Pulled Pork Recipe

Main Course Pulled Pork Recipe
Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 46 votes
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2 Best Hamburger Recipe

Main Course Best Hamburger Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 37 votes

3 Huli Huli Chicken

Main Course Huli Huli Chicken
Total Time: 1 day 21 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 75 votes
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4 Hawaiian Haystacks Recipe

Main Course Hawaiian Haystacks Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 16 votes
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5 Kalua Pork Recipe

Main Course Kalua Pork Recipe
Total Time: 9 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 81 votes
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6 Steak Marinade

Main Course Steak Marinade
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 82 votes
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7 Sloppy Joe Recipe

Main Course Sloppy Joe Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 20 votes
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8 Ranch Burger Recipe

Main Course Ranch Burger Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes
4.96 from 48 votes
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9 Hot Dogs in Crock Pot

Main Course Hot Dogs in Crock Pot
Total Time: 2 hours 2 minutes
5 from 40 votes
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10 Taco Casserole Recipe

Main Course Taco Casserole Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 110 votes

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!

11 Crock Pot Brisket Recipe

Main Course Crock Pot Brisket Recipe
Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 303 votes
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12 Dr. Pepper Ribs Recipe

Main Course Dr. Pepper Ribs Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
4.91 from 31 votes
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13 Slow Cooker Barbacoa Recipe

Main Course Slow Cooker Barbacoa Recipe
Total Time: 7 hours 5 minutes
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14 BBQ Pork Chops Recipe

Main Course BBQ Pork Chops Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes
5 from 14 votes
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15 Crock Pot Ribs Recipe

Main Course Crock Pot Ribs Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
5 from 19 votes
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16 Baked Salmon Recipe

Main Course Baked Salmon Recipe
Total Time: 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 17 votes
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17 Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sandwiches Recipe

Main Course Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Sandwiches Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 6 votes
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18 Best Chicken Marinade

Main Course Best Chicken Marinade
Total Time: 45 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 15 votes
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19 Chicken Souvlaki Recipe

Main Course Chicken Souvlaki Recipe
Total Time: 41 minutes
5 from 12 votes
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20 Cilantro Lime Chicken

Main Course Cilantro Lime Chicken
Total Time: 55 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 16 votes
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21 Steak and Tortellini Salad Recipe

Salad Steak and Tortellini Salad Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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22 Teriyaki Chicken Burgers Recipe

Main Course Teriyaki Chicken Burgers Recipe
Total Time: 1 day 20 minutes
5 from 20 votes
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23 French Dip Sandwich Recipe

French Dip Sandwiches
Main Course French Dip Sandwich Recipe
Total Time: 6 hours 45 minutes
4.94 from 15 votes
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24 Chicken Kabobs

Main Course Chicken Kabobs
Total Time: 8 hours 50 minutes
5 from 10 votes
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25 Chicken Pesto Panini Recipe

Main Course, sandwich Chicken Pesto Panini Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes
5 from 6 votes
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26 Country Style Pork Ribs Recipe

Main Course Country Style Pork Ribs Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 16 votes
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27 Steak Bites Recipe

Main Course Steak Bites Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 11 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 3 votes
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28 Steak Taco Recipe

Main Course Steak Taco Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 10 votes
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29 Cafe Rio Chicken Recipe

Main Course Cafe Rio Chicken Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
5 from 109 votes
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30 BBQ Meatballs Recipe

Main Course BBQ Meatballs Recipe
Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
5 from 10 votes
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31 Corn Dog Recipe

Main Course Corn Dog Recipe
Total Time: 17 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 111 votes
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32 Pasta Primavera Recipe

Main Course Pasta Primavera Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
5 from 17 votes
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33 Crock Pot Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

Main Course Crock Pot Chicken Enchiladas Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 42 votes
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34 Chicken Tacos

Main Course Chicken Tacos
Total Time: 25 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 84 votes
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35 Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe

Main Course Lemon Chicken Pasta Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

4.96 from 21 votes
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36 Zucchini Boats Recipe

Main Course Zucchini Boats Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 51 votes
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37 Steak Kabobs

Main Course Steak Kabobs
Total Time: 8 hours 27 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 7 votes
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38 Fajita Recipe

Main Course Fajita Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 17 votes
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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!

39 Baked Beans Recipe

Side Dish Baked Beans Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 41 votes
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40 Potato Salad Recipe

Salad Potato Salad Recipe
Total Time: 55 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 32 votes
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41 Macaroni Salad

Salad, Side Dish Macaroni Salad
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 111 votes
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42 Broccoli Salad Recipe

Salad Broccoli Salad Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 82 votes
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43 Grilled Asparagus

Side Dish Grilled Asparagus
Total Time: 8 minutes
5 from 10 votes
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44 Easy Coleslaw Recipe

Side Dish Easy Coleslaw Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 24 votes
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45 Summer Corn Salad Recipe

Salad Summer Corn Salad Recipe
Total Time: 7 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 87 votes
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46 Perfect Baked Potato Recipe

Main Course Perfect Baked Potato Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 10 votes
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47 Spanish Rice Recipe

Side Dish Spanish Rice Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 5751 votes
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48 How to Cut a Watermelon

Side Dish How to Cut a Watermelon
Total Time: 5 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 25 votes
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49 Jiffy Corn Pudding

Side Dish Jiffy Corn Pudding
Total Time: 1 hour

Recipe Video

5 from 96 votes
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50 Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Main Course Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 282 votes
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51 How to Boil Corn on the Cob Recipe

Side Dish How to Boil Corn on the Cob Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 10 votes
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52 Strawberry Harvest Salad Recipe

Salad Strawberry Harvest Salad Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 14 votes
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53 Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Recipe

Appetizer, Side Dish Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Recipe
Total Time: 16 minutes

Recipe Video

4.95 from 18 votes
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54 Fruit Salad Recipe

Side Dish Fruit Salad Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 52 votes
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55 Easy Tortellini Salad Recipe

Salad Easy Tortellini Salad Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

4.96 from 22 votes
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56 Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe

Salad, Side Dish Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 119 votes
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57 Pasta Salad Recipe

Side Dish Pasta Salad Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 251 votes
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58 Yellow Squash Casserole

Main Course, Side Dish Yellow Squash Casserole
Total Time: 35 minutes
5 from 14 votes
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59 Jello Pretzel Salad

Dessert Jello Pretzel Salad
Total Time: 20 minutes

60 Cheesecake Fruit Salad Recipe

Dessert Cheesecake Fruit Salad Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 7 minutes

Recipe Video

4.93 from 56 votes
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61 Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe

Salad Mozzarella Pasta Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 11 votes
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62 Green Bean Salad Recipe

Side Dish Green Bean Salad Recipe
Total Time: 15 minutes
5 from 4 votes
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63 Esquites

Side Dish Esquites
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 35 votes
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64 Homemade Cornbread

Bread, Side Dish Homemade Cornbread
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 69 votes
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65 Roasted Tomatoes Recipe

Side Dish Roasted Tomatoes Recipe
Total Time: 22 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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66 Fruit Kabobs

Side Dish Fruit Kabobs
Total Time: 30 minutes
5 from 15 votes
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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!

67 Jello Poke Cake Recipe

Dessert Jello Poke Cake Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 677 votes
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68 Strawberry Shortcake Poke Cake Recipe

Dessert Strawberry Shortcake Poke Cake Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 86 votes
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69 Lemon Lasagna Recipe

Dessert Lemon Lasagna Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 161 votes
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70 Dirt Cake Recipe

Dessert Dirt Cake Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 178 votes
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71 Peanut Butter No Bake Cookie Recipe

Dessert Peanut Butter No Bake Cookie Recipe
Total Time: 41 minutes
4.92 from 24 votes
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72 Ice Cream Sandwich Cake Recipe

Dessert Ice Cream Sandwich Cake Recipe
Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
5 from 67 votes
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73 Angel Food Ice Cream Cake Recipe

Dessert Angel Food Ice Cream Cake Recipe
Total Time: 9 hours 15 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 16 votes
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74 Oreo Ice Cream Cake Recipe

Dessert Oreo Ice Cream Cake Recipe
Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 245 votes
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75 No Bake Cheesecake

Dessert No Bake Cheesecake
Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
5 from 27 votes
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76 Peach Dump Cake Recipe

Dessert Peach Dump Cake Recipe
Total Time: 55 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 491 votes
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77 Fruit Pizza

Dessert Fruit Pizza
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 22 votes
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78 Peach Cobbler

Dessert Peach Cobbler
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 965 votes
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79 Dessert Parfait Recipe

Dessert Dessert Parfait Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
5 from 18 votes
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80 No Bake Cookies Recipe

Dessert No Bake Cookies Recipe
Total Time: 6 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 75 votes
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81 Pineapple Pink Lemonade Soda Recipe

Drinks Pineapple Pink Lemonade Soda Recipe
Total Time: 3 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 309 votes
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82 Homemade Lemonade Recipe

Drinks Homemade Lemonade Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 28 votes
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83 Sonic Cherry Limeade Recipe

Drinks Sonic Cherry Limeade Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 77 votes
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84 Orange Julius Recipe

Drinks Orange Julius Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 192 votes
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85 Homemade Root Beer

Drinks Homemade Root Beer
Total Time: 20 minutes
5 from 3 votes
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86 Butterbeer Recipe

Drinks Butterbeer Recipe
Total Time: 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 86 votes
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87 Horchata Recipe

Drinks Horchata Recipe
Total Time: 12 hours 10 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 32 votes
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88 Shirley Temple Recipe

Drinks Shirley Temple Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes
5 from 12 votes
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89 Ocean Water Recipe

Drinks Ocean Water Recipe
Total Time: 5 minutes

Recipe Video

4.94 from 46 votes
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90 Watermelon Juice Recipe

Drinks Watermelon Juice Recipe
Total Time: 8 minutes

Recipe Video

4.95 from 35 votes
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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:

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85+ Summer Recipes

By: Lil’ Luna
Enjoy delicious entrees, sides, salads, drinks, and desserts that will keep you fed all season long with our favorite summer recipes!
Servings: 8
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 8 hours
Total: 8 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 3-4 pounds pork butt
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 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

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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1 Comment

  1. Rickine says:

    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?