Imagine this: it’s a beautiful summer evening, and the sun is slowly setting. You want to enjoy the warm weather and soak up the last bit of sunshine, but spending hours preparing a heavy meal in the kitchen is daunting.
That’s where easy summer dinner recipes and light summer meals for two come in. These dishes are perfect for those warm evenings when you’d rather be outside enjoying the weather than sweating over a hot stove.
With fresh ingredients and simple prep, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal without all the fuss. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the flavors of summer with these mouth-watering meals that will leave you feeling happy and satisfied.
Forget traditional hot dogs and burgers and try something new with these creative and delicious summer dinner ideas. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy meal or something more sophisticated, I have you covered with light summer meals that will save you time and make dinner a breeze.
Vegan Quinoa Salad with Pomegranate
Food Blogger: Food Fidelity
Why we chose it: With simple ingredients like olive oil, pomegranate, quinoa, lemon juice, and fresh veggies like edamame, this colorful salad is a great option for anyone looking to make healthier eating choices.
This salad has all the nutrients and vitamins you need to stay full, healthy, and energized throughout the day. Plus, it’s totally customizable: You can switch up the ingredients with whatever you like or have at home, keep it vegan, or pair it with a protein like pork chops, fish, or tofu.
Crave-worthy ingredient: To create this perfect meal, it wouldn’t be the same without the sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes transforms any dinner into something special. They are a versatile ingredient that can be cooked multiple ways, creating an array of flavors and textures.
And if you’re in the mood for a light meal, this recipe is the perfect choice. With its satisfying crunch and natural sweetness, it’s sure to leave you feeling satisfied and happy.
Lobster Pasta
Food Blogger: African Bites
Why we chose it: Now, let me tell you why we just had to feature this dish. Imagine this – your bestfriend or partner is in town and they’re begging you to take them out to a fancy seafood restaurant by the beach.
But you know better than to subject yourself to those insane wait times and overpriced menus. So, why not bring the beach to your own backyard with this amazing summer dinner dish from African Bites?
With juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, zesty lemons, a kick of red pepper flakes, and the perfect amount of garlic, this dish is the perfect combination of convenience, quality ingredients, and incredible taste. So, gather your loved ones around the table and enjoy a delicious meal together without any of the hassle.
Crave-worthy ingredient: It’s a delicious recipe that knows no bounds – with an added punch of flavor from our crave-worthy ingredient, lobsters. Trust us, any hot summer day near water will have you craving a lobster feast.
Shrimp Etouffee’
Food Blogger: Savory Thoughts
Why we chose it: Reading the history provided by these food bloggers alone will seal the deal to commit making these dish. Also, the summer season is the perfect time to pull up a seat to enjoy a warm bowl of white rice, made with the holy trinity (bell peppers, onions, and celery) cooked in chicken broth.
The rich, savory flavor of the holy trinity and delicous roux truly brings out the essence of any dish that it is cooked in.
Crave-worthy ingredient: The shrimp, of course. Shrimp is the perfect complement to any meal, as it provides a delicate flavor that plays well with other ingredients. Whether you’re having a seafood-based dish or just want something light and flavorful, shrimp etoufee’ can be the answer.
Crockpot Chicken Tacos
Food Blogger: Divas Can Cook
Why we chose it: For those busy weeknights in the summer you’re craving a dish with minimal cooking, this should be on your list for easy summer dinner recipes to make for you and a friend.
This slow cooker meal is filling and will leave you with plenty of leftovers to enjoy for a few days, deeming it an ideal meal for those busier summer days. Have your corn tortillas, creamy avocado waiting for you when it’s finished to doz up your meal.
Crave-worthy ingredient: Every single one. You can’t have one ingredient without the other when making tacos, or you’ll instantly regret it. If shredded chicken breasts in a crockpot aren’t your thing, opt for ground beef, pork carnitas, or steak.
Sweet Potato Noodles + Creamy Almond Sauce
Food Blogger: Sweet Potato Soul
Why we chose it: If you want a dish that makes you feel like you’ve traveled somewhere, carve out some time to make this dish full of fresh vegetables and herbs. It’s bursting with flavor and screams summer dinner for two.
Plus, the colors are so vibrant that you won’t be able to resist grabbing a plate! What’s not to love?
Crave-worthy ingredient: The sweet potato noodles. I don’t know what it is about them, but they make me want to return for more. The texture is perfect, and the flavor is just divine. It’s definitely a must-have when I’m cooking up a meal.
Grilled Jerk Chicken + Veggies
Food Blogger: Fit Soul Life
Why we chose it: Everyone could use this dish to add to their chicken recipes book. If green summer veggies aren’t your preference, you can customize them to fit your tastes.
We love that this dish is simple and delicious yet still packs in the nutrition of leafy greens. It’s a great way to get some vitamins and minerals while enjoying a delightful meal. Plus, once you’ve seared the chicken, just place it on top of the veggies and throw it in the oven to avoid washing too many dishes.
Crave-worthy ingredient: The chicken is the star ingredient. It’s the only chicken baked recipe featured on this roundup and rightfully so, because it’s juicy, tender, and full of flavor.
Crab Cakes
Food Blogger: Grandbaby Cakes
Why we chose it: Just when you thought you wouldn’t see another seafood dish. For the crab lovers who still need to nail their crab cake recipe, snatch this recipe up because Grandbaby Cakes recipes are genuinely good.
Crave-worthy ingredient: There would be no dish without crabs being the focal point. Crab anything but especially crab cakes are a must-have. This crustacean can turn this recipe into a repeat with just the right amount of seasoning in its juicy meat. Add some lemon juice on a hot day, and you’ve got the most low-key pleasant meal.
Sausage and Brocoli Pasta
Food Blogger: All The Healthy Things
Why we chose it: When looking for a refreshing new take on a pasta dish, I recently discovered this beautiful site run by All Healthy Things blogger Ashlea. Thanks to Pinterest, I found not one but many recipes on this site featuring creative pasta dishes that will leave your mouth salivating.
Of course, Italian sausage, broccoli, and cheese would make the perfect pasta dish, and with a total cook time of 20 minutes, it’s a great weeknight meal for a date night during those warm weather nights. One bonus to this recipe is that she opted to use gluten-free pasta, a great option that can be used for those with dietary restrictions.
Crave-worthy ingredient: The italian sausage is put to good use when incorporated into this meal. Its flavor creates a savory depth that rounds out the vegetables nicely and adds a delicious touch of umami to any dish it is used in.
Instant Pot Carnitas
Food Blogger: Butter Be Ready
Why we chose it: Paired with fresh herbs, and lime juice, this carnitas taco dish is an easy summer recipe you can rotate with others. It’s quick and easy, full of flavor, and a great way to use for other recipes like nachos, tostadas, quesadillas, soups, and more.
We love that this recipe calls for instant pot carnitas so you can let the pot do the work while you set up sides or tend to other dishes. The finished product is juicy, succulent shredded meat.
Crave-worthy ingredient: My palate always pulls towards the orange and lime juice when making carnitas. Combining these two flavors adds a distinctive zesty note to the dish, elevating it into something extraordinary. I especially love how the citrus cuts through the richness of the carnitas and how it brings out all of its complex flavors.