All of these entrees, sides, salads, drinks, and desserts are some of our FAVORITE Summer Recipes! Fire up the grill, grab some fresh in-season produce, and make these tasty and refreshing dishes.
When the weather warms up, pools open, and Summer holidays roll around, we find ourselves wanting to enjoy our meals outside! Especially when we have get togethers or potlucks with family or friends, we love to fire up the grill and make all kinds of BBQ dishes.
Not to mention all the fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season during the summer months! I love making side dishes, salads, and desserts that include all the veggies and berries that are perfectly ripe and delicious in the summer.
I’ve put together a collection of our favorite summer recipes. These recipes include a lot of fresh produce, dishes that utilize the grill, and cool desserts and drinks. Before we get into the list, I also have a few tips for making and serving summer recipes.
Tips for Summertime Cooking
Here are a few things to keep in mind when cooking in the hot summer months…
Grill meats, fruits and veggies. I love the char marks and the unique grilled flavor.
Utilize your crock pot! You can still get delicious main dishes and side dishes without spending time in an oven hot kitchen.
Summer produce is in full swing. Watermelon, sweet corn, tomatoes, berries, zucchini are some of our favorites. Buying in season produce is not only cost effective, but also ensures the freshest most delicious produce.
Take it outside: Eat out on the patio, go out for a picnic, 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.
See the individual recipe posts for more tips and tricks to cooking these summer recipes.
Summer Entrees
Summer Entrees
Hot dogs & burgers & pork, oh my! There are so many delicious summer dishes to serve. Here’s a list of our favorites. Best of all you don’t have to turn on the oven and heat up the kitchen. Be sure to check out our complete list of summer dinner ideas as well.
Main CourseEasy Steak Marinade Recipe
This is Our All-Time Favorite Steak marinade! It requires only four ingredients, and makes our steak taste SO amazing! Everyone always asks for this Easy Steak Marinade recipe because it's just that good!!
This easy chicken marinade is the BEST way to marinate chicken breasts before grilling or cooking. It makes the meat juicy, tender, and so flavorful!
Total Time: 4hours20minutes
4 from 1 vote
Main CourseRanch Burger Recipe
These Ranch Burgers make the BEST homemade hamburgers!! This easy burger recipe is complete with the most delicious secret sauce that compliments the ranch burger perfectly!
This Slow Cooker Kalua Pork is a classic Hawaiian favorite made easily in your slow cooker with just a few ingredients. Eat it on it's own, or in tacos or sliders.
I get just as excited to try the side dishes as I am to eat the main dish. Try to offer a variety of choices both warm and cold, veggie and fruit to balance out the meal.
Side DishFruit Kabobs Recipe
Colorful fruit kabobs are the best appetizer or side for any occasion! Load up your favorite fruits and get snacking.
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!
This Recipe Is Inspired By One Of Our Favorite Disneyland Foods – Bacon Wrapped Asparagus Skewers From Bengal Barbecue! These Skewers Only Require 4 Ingredients And Take Less Than 10 Minutes On The Grill!
Grilled asparagus is the best side dish alongside almost any dinner recipe! Sprinkled with salt, pepper, and a little parmesan cheese—this recipe is incredible!
Both sweet and savory salads have a place at my table. Salads are great because they are typically quick to make, can be made ahead of time and give a nice cool balance to warmer grilled main dishes. Be sure to check out our complete list of summer salad recipes!
SaladCorn Salad Recipe
This Summer Corn Salad is a light, flavorful salad filled with corn, tomatoes, feta, basil and cucumber. It's so simple and quick that it's perfect for get togethers and BBQs.
Delicious Apple Snickers Salad that is so good and so easy to make! Layers of apples, snickers, and caramel in a creamy topping made from cool whip, milk, and vanilla pudding mix.
This Sunny Broccoli Salad is a simple, tasty and hearty broccoli salad served with bacon, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and mixed with a delicious, homemade mayonnaise-vinegar based dressing that is perfect for BBQs and get togethers.
Our all-time favorite Potato Salad - it's simple, flavorful and filled with chunks of potatoes, eggs and olives! It's the perfect addition to any BBQ or picnic and is so creamy and tasty, it will wow everyone who tries it.
This Cheesecake Fruit Salad is the perfect combination of creamy, light, and fresh! Fresh berries tossed in a cream cheese pudding mixture—it's the perfect side, or crepe filling!
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.
Flavorful and simple cauliflower salad with a creamy crunch! Filled with veggies, onions, bacon, sunflower seeds and cheese, this salad is sure to be a hit at any BBQ or get together.
We have a DIY Beverage Station perfect for bottled water and cans of soda. For homemade drinks I like to use a beverage dispenser or regular juice pitchers. Adding a lemon wedge and a paper umbrella to drink cups is a fun easy way to spruce up any glass. Check out our complete list of summer drink recipes for more inspiration.
DrinksPink Punch 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!
Disneyland's Copycat Mint Julep recipe - a non-alcoholic drink that is refreshing and DELICIOUS!! Made with lemonade concentrate, creme de menthe syrup, lime juice, sugar, and club soda - topped with mint leaves and cherries!
Fruity desserts and frozen treats are classic to serve during the summer. No Bake desserts are also a welcome. Keep desserts in the fridge, freezer or cold cooler until you’re ready to serve them. For even more inspiration, check out our complete list of summer dessert recipes!
DessertFruit Pizza Recipe
The BEST Fruit Pizza recipe ever! A super soft cookie dough with a pineapple cream cheese frosting topped with your favorite fruit!
This NO BAKE cheesecake is the perfect recipe for summer. With a delicious graham cracker crust, and a creamy vanilla cream cheese mixture, you can top it with anything - like these sugared strawberries! Everyone goes crazy over this easy no bake cheesecake recipe!
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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!