67 Summer Dinner Ideas for Relaxed Weeknights and Alfresco Gatherings
Summer dinner ideas often start with what’s in season, whether the goal is to use up garden zucchini or make sure you’ve gotten your proper fill of tomatoes. But just throwing plain veggies on the grill or serving the same salad again and again can get a little ho-hum. And that’s where the vast Epicurious archives come in. Below, you’ll find a few of our favorite summer dinner recipes, including no-cook (or low-cook) options, mains and sides for your next barbecue, picnic-friendly salads, and quick recipes for nights when you’d rather be anywhere but standing over a hot stove. Scroll down to build your own summer dinner ideas list—and be sure to start your free trial to access all the recipes and use the Epicurious iOS app.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson1/67Classic Seafood Boil With Lemon-Butter
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Kim2/67Zucchini and White Bean Caesar
Summer salad dinners are the best salad dinners. This hearty Caesar helps sweet fresh zucchini shine. And other than toasting up some croutons, there’s no heat required.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Rhoda Boone9/673-Ingredient Garlic-Herb Grilled Chicken Wings
A simple marinade gives this grilled chicken tons of flavor. Serve with lots of napkins and your favorite slaw.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson10/673-Ingredient Pesto-Grilled Chicken with Peaches
Grab your favorite store-bought pesto (or make your own!) to use as a marinade and finishing sauce in this sweet-meets-savory summer dinner idea.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell12/67Green Bean and Tuna Salad With Basil Dressing
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Lillian Chou13/67Spicy Honey-Glazed Grilled Pork Chops With Peach Pico de Gallo
Roland Bello14/67Corn and Zucchini Salad with Feta
If you can get your hands on zucchini blossoms, serve them in this fresh salad that makes the most of summer produce.
Photo by Peden + Munk16/67Roasted Eggplant and Crispy Kale With Yogurt
Garlicky, lemony yogurt with grated cucumbers and roasted eggplant keeps this crispy, creamy vegetable dish refreshing for hot nights.
Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton20/67Grilled Swordfish Steaks With Whole-Lemon Dressing
This is the summer that you’ll become a real grilling pro—starting with this restaurant-worthy grilled swordfish recipe.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Dawn Perry21/67Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder With Zesty Basil Sauce
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova22/67Caprese Salad
Consider this summer recipe a reminder to get your fill of tomatoes. The best move here: Get great tomatoes from the farmers market and keep the classic combo simple.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Monica Pierini23/6710-Minute Shrimp With Green Beans and Creamy Lemon-Dill Dip
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell25/67Summer Corn, Tomato, and Salmon Salad With Za’atar Dressing
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Susan Kim26/67Buldak-Style Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks
Prepare to be wowed by these easy grilled chicken drumsticks, which are sweet, savory, and perfectly spicy. They’re awesome of their own or as a part of this party menu.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell27/67Massaged Kale With Tomatoes, Creamed Mozzarella, and Wild Rice
Of all the kale salads around, we’re pretty partial to this one.
Photo and Food Styling by Joseph De Leo28/67Grilled Pizza
If you have a grill, you don’t need a fancy pizza oven to have a backyard pizza party. Start with these pizza tips and this recipe.
Photo by Peden + Munk30/67Italian Sausage with Grilled Broccolini, Kale, and Lemon
Grilled lemon slices add bright, sweet, and smoky flavor to a salad of charred broccolini and kale—the perfect complement to rich, juicy Italian sausage.
Photo by Faith Mason32/67Speedy Summer Gazpacho
Cold soups will save you when the weather is hot and humid. Serve this one—made with cucumber, tomatoes, bell peppers, and garlic— with a loaf of bread and you’re good to go.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Nathaniel James, Food Styling by Frances Boswell33/67Foolproof Grilled Chicken
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell35/67Chilled Coconut Corn Soup
Grab the freshest ears of corn possible and whip up this creamy vegan soup.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell37/67Chicken Salad With Apricots, Celery, and Blue Cheese
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell38/67Grilled Shrimp, Zucchini, and Tomatoes With Feta
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Christopher Barsch41/67Grilled Zucchini and Bulgur Salad With Feta and Preserved-Lemon Dressing
Awash in squash? Pair your bounty of summer veggies with tangy preserved lemon paste and creamy feta in this hearty dish.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich43/67Summer Corn With Ginger-Chile Prawns
Summer corn and sweet shrimp come together quickly in a nonstick skillet with ginger, Thai chile, and mustard seeds.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova44/67Grilled Chicken With Mustard Barbecue Sauce and Tomato Salad
Photo & Food Styling by Joseph De Leo45/67Habanero BBQ Shrimp
This quick and easy grilled shrimp recipe from Lazarus Lazar’s Son of a Southern Chef gets a little sweetness from apricot preserves and some searing heat from a habanero pepper.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Christopher Barsch47/67Grilled Pork Spareribs With Soda Bottle Barbecue Sauce
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Erika Joyce48/67Juiciest Grilled Chicken Breast With Citrus Marinade
Photo by Chelsie Craig, Prop Styling by Emily Eisen, Food Styling by Molly Baz54/67Marinated Summer Squash With Hazelnuts and Ricotta
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton55/67Grilled Pork Tenderloin and Asparagus With Mustard-Herb Sauce
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Kat Boytsova, Prop Styling by Gerri K. Williams57/67Crunchy and Bright Greek Salad
Photo by Jody Horton58/67Jerk Baby Back Ribs With Pineapple Salsa
Many of our best summer dinner ideas come from the grill, like this fantastic recipe for allspice-, cinnamon-, and cayenne-rubbed ribs from chef Tanya Holland’s book Brown Sugar Kitchen.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton59/67Charred-Peach Panzanella With Pickled Pepper Vinaigrette
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks60/67Zucchini "Noodles" With Eggplant and Tomatoes
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell61/67Saucy Beans and Artichoke Hearts With Feta
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Michelle Gatton, prop styling by Alyssa Pagano62/67Tangy Grilled-Cabbage Slaw With Raisins and Walnuts
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton65/67Spaghetti alla Carbonara With Zucchini
There’s a reason this summery weeknight dinner is one of Giuliano Hazan’s favorite pastas of all time.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Christopher Barsch66/67Grilled Jerk Tofu and Plantains With Mango Salsa
