You’re Missing Out if You Haven’t Tried These 29 Summer Recipes

If you haven't tried these summer recipes yet, you're seriously missing out. They're the kind of dishes that make you wonder why you ever stuck to the same old routine. These are bold, no-nonsense picks that actually make summer cooking feel fun instead of like another thing on your list. Great for laid-back weekends, quick weeknights, or when you just want something that actually tastes like the season. You don’t need fancy skills—just a little curiosity and an appetite.

A white plate with shrimp, watermelon, cucumber, shredded cabbage, and grated carrots.

Sesame Shrimp and Watermelon Salad. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

No Mayo Coleslaw

This fresh slaw comes together quickly with a creamy peanut dressing and a solid crunch. It’s a strong pick for summer meals you might be overlooking.
Get the Recipe: No Mayo Coleslaw

Summer Gazpacho

An overhead image of two gazpacho dish in a white bowl. — Summer Gazpacho. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Cold gazpacho hits the mark when the temperature climbs and you want something easy. It’s a smart way to use up fresh produce and round out a BBQ spread.
Get the Recipe: Summer Gazpacho

Quick Cherry Tomato and Garlic Confit

Two glass jars of cherry tomatoes and garlic confit on a white surface. — Quick Cherry Tomato and Garlic Confit. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This cherry tomato confit takes almost no effort and lets the oven do the work. It’s a must if you haven’t tried preserving the best part of summer yet.
Get the Recipe: Quick Cherry Tomato and Garlic Confit

Tomato Miso Jam

Slow-roasted tomatoes with miso bring deep flavor and are easy to store or spread. You’re missing out if this isn’t already in your summer kitchen rotation.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Miso Jam

Pesto Tortellini Salad

A close up view of cooked tortellini pasta salad in a white bowl. — Pesto Tortellini Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

This tortellini pasta salad takes just 20 minutes and uses under 10 ingredients. If you haven’t added it to your summer sides, it’s time.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Tortellini Salad

Mango Avocado Salad

An overhead image of avocado salad in a serving bowl. — Mango Avocado Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Mango, avocado, and a quick vinaigrette come together fast and hit the spot on hot days. You’ll want this one in the mix if summer salads aren’t doing it for you yet.
Get the Recipe: Mango Avocado Salad

Classic American Potato Salad

This potato salad has boiled eggs and a creamy base, and it gets even better after a night in the fridge. If you haven’t made it ahead for a cookout, you’re missing out.
Get the Recipe: Classic American Potato Salad

Spinach Avocado Salad

A mix of avocado, spinach, radish, and cotija makes this salad light but not boring. It’s the kind of dish that belongs on every summer table at least once.
Get the Recipe: Spinach Avocado Salad

Grilled Asparagus

With just five ingredients and a little time, grilled asparagus is an easy win. If this hasn’t shown up at your summer cookouts, now’s the time.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Asparagus

Sesame Shrimp and Watermelon Salad

Juicy shrimp, watermelon, crunchy veggies, and a sesame lime dressing bring the season together. If you haven’t paired fruit and seafood like this, you’re missing out.
Get the Recipe: Sesame Shrimp and Watermelon Salad

Heirloom Caprese Salad

An overhead photo of caprese salad served in a white bowl. — Heirloom Caprese Salad. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Caprese salad uses six ingredients, no cooking, and delivers big on flavor. You’re definitely missing out if you haven’t used up your summer tomatoes this way.
Get the Recipe: Heirloom Caprese Salad

Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese

Close up of beet salad on a white platter with two forks on the right side. — Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Roasted beets, goat cheese, arugula, and citrus make this salad fresh but grounded. It's a great pick if your usual summer sides need something new.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese

Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

A casserole dish with zucchini and cheese on it. — Cheesy Zucchini Casserole. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

This zucchini casserole is easy to prep and goes from side to standout with little effort. It’s worth trying if baked dishes aren't already part of your summer meals.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Zucchini Casserole

Avocado Tuna Salad

This avocado tuna salad comes together fast and works great for a filling lunch. You’re missing out if you haven’t tried this no-frills, protein-packed combo yet.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Tuna Salad

Tomato Basil Bisque

Tomato basil bisque mixes fresh ingredients with comfort and a bit of richness. It bridges seasons and belongs in your kitchen before fall fully kicks in.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Basil Bisque

Thai Yellow Curry

Thai yellow curry is hearty, full of vegetables, and comes together with minimal fuss. If you haven’t made it part of your summer dinners yet, start here.
Get the Recipe: Thai Yellow Curry

Parsley Pesto Salmon

Salmon roasted with herbs, onions, and garlic. — Parsley Pesto Salmon. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Parsley pesto salmon uses bright herbs and roasted garlic for quick flavor. You’re missing out if you haven’t tried this low-effort weeknight fix.
Get the Recipe: Parsley Pesto Salmon

15 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

A plate of Chinese honey chicken over rice with chopsticks. — 15 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

This honey garlic chicken takes 15 minutes and works with both breasts and thighs. It’s one of those quick meals worth repeating when time is tight.
Get the Recipe: 15 Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

Creamy Zucchini Parmesan Pasta

Creamy zucchini pasta sauce with shaved parmesan. — Creamy Zucchini Parmesan Pasta. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Creamy zucchini pasta with a hit of parmesan makes for a lighter but still rich dinner. It’s great for when you want something simple without losing flavor.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Zucchini Parmesan Pasta

Lemon Garlic Scallops

Scallops with parsley and garlic in a skillet. — Lemon Garlic Scallops. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Lemon garlic scallops cook fast and only need one pan. If they haven’t made your summer dinner list yet, they should.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Scallops

Best Lemon Pasta

A bowl of pasta with lemon slices and parmesan cheese. — Best Lemon Pasta. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Lemon pasta takes just 15 minutes and brings big flavor with minimal effort. This is one of those dishes that belongs in your weekly rotation.
Get the Recipe: Best Lemon Pasta

Greek Shrimp Orzo Salad

A shallow white bowl with orzo, shrimp, sliced cucumbers, and feta cheese. — Greek Shrimp Orzo Salad. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

Shrimp, feta, cucumber, and herbs tossed with orzo make for a refreshing, quick lunch. If you haven’t tried this for summer meal prep, you’re missing out.
Get the Recipe: Greek Shrimp Orzo Salad

Radicchio Endive Chicken Salad

Radicchio and endive with creamy honey mustard dressing bring texture and bite. It’s a great salad to make while spring fades and summer settles in.
Get the Recipe: Radicchio Endive Chicken Salad

Capellini Beurre Blanc with Bronzed Sea Scallop

A pasta bowl filled with noodles in a butter and wine sauce with a single scallop on top. — Capellini Beurre Blanc with Bronzed Sea Scallop. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Butter sauce and a perfectly cooked scallop turn simple pasta into something bold. If this isn’t already in your summer dinner plans, it should be.
Get the Recipe: Capellini Beurre Blanc with Bronzed Sea Scallop

Easy Baked Walleye Recipe with Lemons and Almonds

A plate of almond-crusted walleye or pickerel fish fillets with a fork and lemon. — Easy Baked Walleye Recipe with Lemons and Almonds. Photo credit: Recipes From Leftovers.

Baked walleye comes together quickly and keeps things light. It’s a go-to when you want something easy without heating up the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Easy Baked Walleye Recipe with Lemons and Almonds

Summer Slow Cooker Frittata

This slow cooker frittata uses summer veggies and requires almost no hands-on time. You’re missing out if you haven’t made this for breakfast or dinner yet.
Get the Recipe: Summer Slow Cooker Frittata

Slow Cooker Summer Beef Stew

Summer beef stew made in a slow cooker keeps things hearty without the oven heat. It’s a smart pick when you want comfort food on warmer days.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Summer Beef Stew

Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema

Grilled chicken with cilantro crema on a white plate surrounded by limes, cilantro, and a glass of beer. — Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Grilled chicken with cilantro crema comes together easily and hits right for warm nights. If chicken breasts feel boring, this will change that.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Garlic Lime Chicken with Cilantro Crema

Keto Baked Parmesan Salmon

Parmesan salmon bakes quickly and keeps cleanup minimal with a crisp finish. You’re missing out if this hasn’t made it into your summer dinner rotation.
Get the Recipe: Keto Baked Parmesan Salmon