12 Easy Summer Meal Ideas

Hey friends! Summer is here, and I’m so happy about that. I love all the fun that comes right along with the season, and I also enjoy getting to cook with fresh fruits and vegetables. That being said, I find it a bit more challenging to cook during the summer due to the heat and busyness. I’ve had fun finding meal ideas for you to make your summer cooking easier. Some are ideas we already use, while others are new that I’d enjoy trying sometime. Recipes are not included, (although I have linked a few) so you can go on your own treasure hunt or use your own recipes.

Be sure to check out the ideas that readers share in the comments as well! 😊

Meal Ideas

Grilled Chicken with Roasted Potatoes and Carrots. Use a bottle of herb marinade or brush on barbecue sauce to flavor the chicken. Cut potatoes and carrots in desired size chunks and toss with olive oil and desired herbs (Italian seasoning and onion powder are tasty) before spreading on a big sheet pan and roasting at 375 degrees. If you have an air fryer, then you could also roast the veggies in there, which cuts down on heat from using the oven.

Homemade Chicken Wraps with Crispy Waffle Fries. Use leftover grilled chicken, or you can put chicken breasts in the crockpot and cook till it shreds easily. Or rotisserie chicken is another easy option. Wrap in a tortilla with mayo, iceberg lettuce, tomato slices, cheese, and any other toppings you enjoy for a sub. Pair with crispy waffle fries (if you want to make your own, here’s a link for a recipe you could try).

Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwiches. I especially enjoy making these on sourdough bread. Toast bread and spread with mayo, then layer on thinly sliced tomatoes, lettuce, bacon, and if you so desire, a slice of cheese. BLT’s go well with a bag of chips and dip for a quick and easy meal on a busy night. And it’s a great way to enjoy the flavor of those fresh tomatoes!

Chef Salads. If you want the fresh taste of summer, there’s no better way than through a chef salad. And there are so many options! I like mine with cheese, meat, tomatoes, cucumbers, sliced hard-boiled egg, and crunchy French fried onions. Cranberries are yummy too. You could always try this strawberry chef salad, or make a classic Caesar.

Chicken Ceasar Pasta Salad. Speaking of Ceasar salads, my sister recommended this recipe for Chicken Ceasar Pasta Salad to me. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m hoping to soon. She said it was great! You can make it as a side or use it as a whole meal. It could also be a great dish to pass at picnics, parties, or fellowships.

Grilled Kabobs with Rice. You can always buy the premade ones that you just have to pop on the grill, but I think it would be fun to make your own. Pick your meat of choice–chicken, sausage, or steak is great. Place bite-size pieces on a skewer with veggies and fruit that pair well. Peppers and onions, potatoes, tomatoes, peaches, squash or zucchini—the ideas are endless! Check out this link with 30 easy kabob recipes. Serve with a big pot of rice if you don’t include a starch on your skewer.

Burgers with Potato Salad and Fresh Green Beans. There are so many different kinds of burgers you can make (smashed and crispy or thick and juicy) and toppings you can use—classics like cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes and add-ons like onions, bacon, dressing, and pickles. This is our favorite potato salad recipe, handed down from my grandma.

Grilled Pork Loin. Here’s a recipe for one with a homemade honey glaze. How about fruit salad for dessert? Watermelon, grapes, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries, pineapple, oranges, peaches—find your favorite combinations of fruits that are in season and mix together for a tasty accompaniment to any summer meal.

Homemade Meatball Subs with Italian Pasta Salad. Spread hoagie buns or sub rolls with a mixture of butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Toast lightly in the oven. Cook meatballs (store-bought or homemade) until done. Slice into halves and lay on toasted rolls. Cover with slices of provolone or mozzarella cheese and spread with a layer of your favorite spaghetti sauce, then return to oven for a few minutes until cheese is melted. If you want another meat for a heartier sub, add salami or pepperoni slices. Our Italian pasta salad is simple: colored rotini noodles, Italian salad dressing, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, chopped pepperoni, tomato pieces, and sliced mozzarella (I want to try fresh sometime). Mix all together for an easy and refreshing side.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Macaroni Salad. We like to buy a large pork butt roast and put it in the instant pot for about 80 minutes on the meat setting. It shreds so easily. Then we freeze it until we wnat an easy meal and just reheat it on the stove with a little more barbecue sauce. This is our favorite recipe to use (although we have adapted it to be a bit less spicy due to personal preference). Accompany with an easy macaroni salad: elbow macaroni, dill, hard-boiled egg, relish, mayo, honey mustard, fresh chives, and bacon.

Tacos or Burritos with Corn on the Cob. A great chance to use those fresh peppers, tomatoes, and lettuce. Ground beef or turkey with barbecue sauce, a little spaghetti sauce and taco seasoning is our simple formula. Along with the veggies, top with cheese and sour cream. Homemade tortillas are easy to make: our recipe calls for 6 c. flour, 9 Tbsp. olive oil, 2 c. warm water, and salt, taco seasoning, paprika, or onion powder to taste. Mix together and let rest for 30 minutes before rolling into tortillas and frying. Makes between 25-30 tortillas. We like just pairing this with corn, tortilla chips, and salsa. (Those homemade tortillas are also delicious with chicken salad and shredded cheese.)

Homemade Pizza. It’s so much fun to add your own toppings: sausage, pepperoni, breaded chicken bites, bacon, ranch, ham, pineapple, fresh basil, mozzarella and tomato slices, mushrooms, peppers and onions. Have fun using your imaginations! Pita or flat bread can make for great individual pizzas so each person can put their favorite toppings on.

Veggie Side Ideas

Other vegetable side ideas include roasted asparagus, steamed or roasted broccoli, fresh broccoli and cauliflower salad with vinegar dressing and bacon, carrot salad, brussels sprouts, or roasted zucchini and yellow squash.

Dessert Ideas

Just doing a brain dump on this one! Strawberry Shortcake, No Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake, No Bake Cheesecake or Peanut Butter Pie, Homemade Smoothies, Blueberry Cobbler with Vanilla Ice Cream, Ice Cream and Brownie Sundaes (just make a pan of brownies and have fun with your favorite ice cream and toppings like sprinkles; marshmallows; berry, chocolate or caramel sauce; fresh berries or peaches; chocolate chips; nuts), Strawberry Sorbet, Peach Galette, Pretzel Gelatin Dessert.

I hope these ideas are helpful in giving you some inspiration! Enjoy your summer and happy cooking to each of you!

If you have any favorite summer meal, dessert, or side ideas to share, I’d love to hear them in the comments below!