Summer is the perfect time to enjoy light and refreshing dinners that keep things simple and delicious. These recipes focus on easy prep and big flavor, making your evenings breezy and your meals enjoyable. Fire up the grill for a backyard BBQ or whip up a quick meal after a day at the beach with these fantastic dishes. Forget heavy, complicated meals and embrace the simplicity of low-carb summer cooking.
Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Eggplant
This easy stuffed eggplant with chicken and cheddar cheese is a quick dinner option everyone will enjoy, ready in just 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Eggplant
Citrus Grilled Shrimp Skewers
These shrimp skewers are marinated in a tangy citrus dressing and brushed with more citrus and herbs after grilling. They make a light summer meal packed with flavor.
Get the Recipe: Citrus Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Fried Chicken Tacos
Crispy fried chicken tacos combine Southern comfort food with a delicious Mexican twist for a fun and flavorful dinner.
Get the Recipe: Fried Chicken Tacos
Grilled Bay Scallops with Summer Vegetables
A summer meal made entirely on the grill! These bay scallops with zucchini, corn, and tomatoes are tossed in a garlic basil butter sauce.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Bay Scallops with Summer Vegetables
Grilled Hawaiian Chicken
This grilled Hawaiian chicken is stuffed with ham, fresh pineapple, and melted smoked cheese, topped with a sticky sweet teriyaki glaze.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Hawaiian Chicken
Grilled Stuffed Avocados
Grilled avocados stuffed with Asian marinated steak, red peppers, grilled corn, and scallions. Serve with rice for a great summer meal!
Get the Recipe: Grilled Stuffed Avocados
Baked Sablefish
Honey lime sablefish, also known as black cod, topped with a spicy jalapeno and corn salsa. A healthy and flavorful meal that’s easy to prepare.
Get the Recipe: Baked Sablefish
Seared Salmon with Tomato Corn Salsa
Salmon quickly seared on a hot skillet and served with a refreshing tomato corn salsa. Perfect for a quick and nutritious dinner.
Get the Recipe: Seared Salmon with Tomato Corn Salsa
Slow Cooker Summer Beef Stew
A summer beef stew made in the slow cooker to keep the house cool. Enjoy this classic dish with a twist of summer vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Summer Beef Stew
Zucchini Noodles with Avocado Cream Sauce
Zucchini noodles with avocado cream sauce make a great side dish or light meal for summer. Add grilled shrimp or chicken for a heartier option.
Get the Recipe: Zucchini Noodles with Avocado Cream Sauce
Roasted Yellowtail Snapper with Old Bay
The yellowtail is seasoned with Old Bay for a flavorful punch. A quick and simple dinner that’s sure to impress.
Get the Recipe: Roasted Yellowtail Snapper with Old Bay
Salmon Al Cartoccio
Salmon Al Cartoccio, or “Salmon in a Bag,” is an Italian method of steaming salmon in the oven. Moist, flaky, and drizzled with olive oil and lemon.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Al Cartoccio
Chimichurri Steak Salad
Chimichurri Steak Salad with crisp greens, creamy avocado, crunchy veggies, marinated flank steak, and homemade chimichurri dressing. The ultimate salad for a hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Chimichurri Steak Salad
Imam Bayildi (Turkish Stuffed Eggplant)
Imam Bayildi is a classic Ottoman dish with eggplants cooked in olive oil and stuffed with onions, tomatoes, and garlic.
Get the Recipe: Imam Bayildi (Turkish Stuffed Eggplant)
Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs
Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs are incredibly easy to make and perfect for everything from weeknight dinners to weekend barbecues.
Get the Recipe: Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs
Vietnamese Lettuce Wraps
Quick and easy stir-fried lemongrass chicken served as Vietnamese lettuce wraps. Ready in 25 minutes and full of flavor.
Get the Recipe: Vietnamese Lettuce Wraps
Easy And Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe
This chicken salad is nutritious, easy to make, and flavored with olive oil, lemon juice, herbs, avocado, and cheese. Enjoy it with any side dish or in a healthy low-carb sandwich.
Get the Recipe: Easy And Healthy Chicken Salad Recipe
Italian Meatball Salad
Italian meatball salad is a great way to turn leftover meatballs into a new dish. Easy to prepare and bursting with flavors.
Get the Recipe: Italian Meatball Salad
Grilled Chicken Caprese
Grilled Chicken Caprese with added grilled zucchini. Everything is cooked on the grill, making cleanup a breeze and prep work minimal. Popular with both kids and adults.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Caprese
Turkey Taco Salad
Turkey Taco Salad is packed with protein and veggies. Romaine, juicy tomatoes, fresh cilantro, onion, lean turkey taco meat, and creamy cilantro dressing. Add crunchy chips and extra toppings for a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Turkey Taco Salad
Mediterranean Tuna Stuffed Peppers
Cool, crisp tuna stuffed peppers with brown rice, hummus, Greek olives, and feta cheese. A fast and easy recipe for lunch or a light dinner.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Tuna Stuffed Peppers
Baked Caprese Chicken Recipe
Baked Caprese Chicken stuffed with mozzarella, tomatoes, and fresh basil. An easy dinner ready in under 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Baked Caprese Chicken Recipe
Super Crispy Keto Chicken Parmesan
Keto Chicken Parmesan is extra crispy with fresh marinara and gooey mozzarella cheese. Easy to make and a great way to enjoy an Italian classic.
Get the Recipe: Super Crispy Keto Chicken Parmesan
Easy Greek Mediterranean Chicken
Mediterranean Chicken is juicy and simple to make. Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for a main course or meal prepping salads and bowls throughout the week.
Get the Recipe: Easy Greek Mediterranean Chicken
The Best Greek Chicken Marinade
This Greek Chicken Marinade with lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs brings classic flavors to your table. Quick to prepare with only a handful of fresh ingredients.
Get the Recipe: The Best Greek Chicken Marinade
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
