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77 Quick Summer Dinner Ideas for Easier Weeknights

These fast summer recipes give you more time for what really matters: margaritas, sunsets, and pool time.

By Taylor Worden and Becca Miller

Aug 5, 2021

Mike Garten

Warm weather, green grass and sunny days: The best season of the year is finally here. To celebrate summertime, we’ve gathered our favorite summer dinner ideas for the whole fam. We know you want to get out there and enjoy the beautiful weather, so we made sure these dinners were simple and easy (and delicious!) ways to feed your crew so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time soaking up the sun with your loved ones!

Indulge in all that the summer has to offer by gathering around a table full of the best grilled chicken recipes, grilled vegetable recipes, and refreshing BBQ side dishes that aren't too heavy for the heat. These recipes are filled with the freshest summer ingredients to put you in the mood for those warm days ahead full of sunshine and fun. Whether you’re craving hearty veggie dishes, a grilled masterpiece, or the perfect dish to eat around the pool, we’ve got you covered.

From June through August, fill up on the season's finest with these family-friendly picks which are quick, easy, and seriously satisfying — plus, many of them store well as leftovers for later. Oh, and to top things off, might we recommend one of our favorite summer cocktails too?

Mike Garten

Grilled Chicken Skewers and Kale Caesar

Serve simple grilled chicken skewers with a creamy, garlicky kale caesar salad for a light summer meal in under 30 minutes.

Get the Grilled Chicken Skewers and Kale Caesar recipe.

Mike Garten

Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

Shrimp seasoned with gochujang, ginger and garlic in a crisp lettuce cup makes a fresh dinner for summer.

Get the Spicy Shrimp Lettuce Wraps recipe.

Mike Garten

Pork, Pineapple and Onion Skewers

Throw these sweet and spicy teriyaki skewers on the grill for a quick and easy summertime dish.

Get the Pork, Pineapple and Onion Skewers recipe.

Mike Garten

Tandoori Chicken

This roasted chicken is just as good in the oven or the air fryer!

Get the Tandoori Chicken recipe.

RELATED: 7 Best Air Fryers of 2022

Mike Garten

Chicken Satay With Spiralized-Carrot Salad

Spice up sweet chicken satay with our new favorite way to serve carrots -- spiralized!

Get the Chicken Satay With Spiralized-Carrot Salad recipe.

Mike Garten

Sticky Tofu Bowl

Vegetarians and meat eaters alike won't be able to get enough of this sweet and salty tofu bowl with cucumber and mushrooms.

Get the Sticky Tofu Bowl recipe.

Mike Garten

California Roll Salad

Dinner doesn't get much more refreshing than this! Switch up sushi night (and get some extra veggies in) with this California roll turned salad.

Get the California Roll Salad recipe.

Mike Garten

Pasta With No-Cook Tomato Sauce

Top off a perfect summer evening with this quick and fresh pasta, loaded with fresh tomatoes, olives and capers.

Get the Pasta With No-Cook Tomato Sauce recipe.

Mike Garten

Shrimp Enchiladas With Zucchini and Corn

Enchiladas get a summertime twist in this shrimp, zucchini and corn stuffed dish topped with green salsa and cheese.

Get the Shrimp Enchiladas With Zucchini and Corn recipe.

Mike Garten

Summer Squash Pizza

Enjoy this summer stunner topped with zucchini, yellow squash, fresh herbs and goat cheese.

Get the Summer Squash Pizza recipe.

Mike Garten

Grilled Spatchcock Chicken

Simple, delicious and stunning, this garlic and lemon spatchcock chicken is sure to become a weeknight staple.

Get the Grilled Spatchcock Chicken recipe.

Danielle Daly

Gingery Pork Meatball Subs

These sweet chili meatball subs will be a new family summertime favorite!

Get the Gingery Pork Meatball Subs recipe.

Mike Garten

Cobb Salad

Get in your greens and protein with this refreshing Cobb salad topped with blue cheese and a simple vinaigrette.

Get the Cobb Salad recipe.

Mike Garten

Grilled Chicken Fajitas

Weeknight dinner doesn't get easier than this: load up the grill with your skewers of fajita chicken and vegetables for a dish sure to please.

Get the Grilled Chicken Fajitas recipe.

Mike Garten

Cacio e Pepe Pizza

Get the family together for a delicious activity by transforming the beloved pasta dish into a pizza favorite!

Get the Cacio e Pepe Pizza recipe.

grilled chicken drumsticks with charred corn pudding

Mike Garten

Barbecued Chicken With Roasted Corn Pudding

This charred chicken and corn recipe makes for the quintessential summer dinner. Glass of rosé optional.

Get the Barbecued Chicken with Roasted Corn Pudding recipe.

Danielle Daly

Chicago-Style Chicken Dogs

Sweet and spicy pickles and peppers make this barbecue favorite a real winner.

Get the Chicago-Style Chicken Dogs recipe.

Mike Garten

Grilled Haloumi

This protein-packed vegetarian salad stars haloumi, a salty Greek cheese that doesn't melt over high temps. Toss it on the grill, and mix together your fave veggies and grain and dinner's done!

Get the Grilled Haloumi recipe.

Mike Garten

Steak With Grilled Green Beans, Fennel & Farro

Fire up the grill to char green beans and steak for the ultimate summer dinner.

Get the Steak with Grilled Green Beans, Fennel & Farro recipe.

Danielle Occhiogrosso Daly

BLT Pasta Salad

Up your pasta salad game! This recipe takes the classic sandwich combo and turns it into a quick and easy dinner.

Get the BLT Pasta Salad recipe.

grilled chicken with red cabbage and cilantro slaw recipe

Danielle Daly

Grilled Chicken With Coconut-Lime Slaw

Shake up your chicken routine with this easy weeknight dinner that will be on the table in just 20 minutes.

Get the Grilled Chicken with Coconut-Lime Slaw recipe.

grilled flatbread recipe topped with nectarines and proscuitto

Mike Garten

Peach and Prosciutto Flatbreads

Who knew everything you needed to make your pizzas taste wood-fired was already in your backyard? Fire up your grill to give these flatbreads a beautiful char.

Get the Peach and Prosciutto Flatbreads recipe.

Mike Garten

Tomato, Peach & Basil Salad With Italian Sausage

What more could you want in a fresh summer dish? This one has peaches, tomatoes, and basil.

Get the Tomato, Peach & Basil Salad with Italian Sausage recipe.

Danielle Daly

Summer Squash, Mint, and Pecorino Pasta

Squash, mint, and lemon juice lighten up this fresh summer pasta made in under 30 minutes for the perfect weeknight meal.

Get the Summer Squash, Mint, and Pecorino Pasta recipe.

Mike Garten

Summer Rolls

Get the whole family involved in rolling these vegan finger foods. They make for the perfect light dinner, complete with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce.

Get the Summer Rolls recipe.

Danielle Daly

Creamy Corn Pasta With Bacon and Scallions

Brighten up weeknight pasta with corn, basil, and scallions to satisfy your summer comfort food cravings.

Get the Creamy Corn Pasta with Bacon and Scallions recipe.

Mike Garten

Garlic Butter Salmon

Take this easy weeknight dinner outside for summer! Cook the salmon in foil on the grill instead of in the oven.

Get the Garlic Butter Salmon recipe.

Danielle Daly

Grilled Moroccan Steak and Carrots

Rub the steak with the spices and refrigerate overnight to truly wow your family this weekend with a flavor-packed dinner.

Get the Grilled Moroccan Steak and Carrots recipe.

Danielle Daly

Pork Chops With Bloody Mary Tomato Salad

Bloody Mary spices (horseradish, Tabasco, and celery seeds!) take this tomato salad up a notch for a perfect pork chop companion.

Get the Pork Chops with Bloody Mary Tomato Salad recipe.

Mike Garten

Chicken Bolognese

Ground chicken, flavored with fresh herbs and lemon zest, gets tossed with rigatoni to make the ultimate 20-minute family meal.

Get the Chicken Bolognese recipe.

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Taylor Worden Freelance Editor Taylor Worden is a Freelance Editor on the food team for Good Housekeeping, where she also contributes entertainment and culture pieces as a freelance writer.

Becca Miller Becca Miller has been working with the Good Housekeeping food team since October 2018, where she researches and writes about tasty recipes, fascinating food trends, and top tools.