When it’s hot outside, the LAST thing you want is a big, heavy dinner. You want something light, something fresh, and something that doesn’t take FOREVER to make. Right?
Summer is all about enjoying the sunshine, not being stuck in a hot kitchen. That’s why putting together easy, breezy meals is SO important. You need food that tastes amazing but still leaves you feeling good.
So, we’ve rounded up 25 FANTASTIC light summer dinners to help you out. These ideas are all about quick prep, fresh flavors, and no-fuss cooking.
1. Grilled Chicken Thighs
Enjoy incredibly juicy and tender Grilled Chicken Thighs. Each grilled chicken thigh is coated in a zesty cilantro lime marinade, cooking up golden brown and full of flavor.
2. One Skillet Creamy Leeks With Cod Fillets
Enjoy a delicious and healthy One Skillet Creamy Leeks With Cod Fillets that comes together easily in just one pan.
Flaky cod fillets are gently simmered in a silky, healthy creamy leek sauce for a truly comforting leek and cod meal.
This fuss-free dinner is perfect for any night you want something elegant yet simple.
3. Best Spinach Salad Recipe
The Best Spinach Salad Recipe makes healthy eating simple and convenient.
You can easily wash and chop all the ingredients in advance, then just toss this flavorful spinach salad together for a quick meal.
It’s a complete dish, perfect for a busy work week lunch or dinner.
4. Curried Tofu Salad
This delicious Curried Tofu Salad features crumbled firm tofu, crisp celery, and juicy apples in a creamy, tangy curry dressing.
It’s quick, easy, and perfect on its own, with crackers, or as a flavorful curried tofu sandwich filling.
Enjoy this delightful vegan and gluten-free alternative to egg salad.
5. Kale Apple Salad with Creamy Avocado Pesto
This Kale Apple Salad with Creamy Avocado Pesto is a vibrant and satisfying dish. It features crisp green apples and a delicious homemade avocado pesto, creating a healthy and sweet kale salad recipe.
6. Chicken Salad with Almonds, Apricots and Tarragon
This creamy Chicken Salad with Almonds, Apricots and Tarragon offers a wonderful blend of textures and flavors. You’ll love the crunchy almonds, sweet apricots, and tangy fresh tarragon in this delightful chicken salad with almonds, which also happens to be low carb and gluten free.
7. Cucumber Edamame Salad with Ginger Lime Dressing
This Cucumber Edamame Salad with Ginger Lime Dressing is a vibrant and filling choice.
Enjoy its bright, fresh flavors and satisfying crunch as a delicious side or light lunch.
It’s an excellent edamame salad for any meal, especially if you’re meal prepping.
8. Italian Shrimp Omelette recipe
This Italian Shrimp Omelette recipe is a delightful and savory dish.
It perfectly blends tender shrimp with fresh mozzarella and vibrant veggies, making it a fantastic shrimp omelette.
It’s the ideal choice for a delicious and easy brunch.
9. Maryland Style Crab Cake Recipe
This Maryland Style Crab Cake Recipe brings the authentic taste of the Chesapeake Bay right to your kitchen.
It features delicious jumbo lump crab meat with just a touch of filler, perfectly seasoned with classic Old Bay and Dijon mustard.
Get ready to enjoy truly authentic Maryland crab cakes with every bite.
10. Butter Poached Salmon
Butter Poached Salmon is a delicious, restaurant-quality seafood dish that comes together in just 15 minutes.
Enjoy this easy, naturally gluten-free and low-carb meal perfect for any weeknight or weekend gathering.
11. Chicken Fajitas
These easy Chicken Fajitas bring that delicious restaurant flavor right to your kitchen.
They feature tender, zesty marinated chicken cooked alongside sweet peppers and onions until perfectly caramelized.
This fantastic fajitas recipe is an easy dinner option that tastes just as good as what you’d get at a restaurant.
12. Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Roasted Veggies
Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Roasted Veggies makes a healthy and delicious dinner. This sheet pan meal features juicy chicken thighs and perfectly roasted veggies. It’s an effortless one-pan supper perfect for any night.
13. Asian Shrimp Salad with Gochujang Dressing
Enjoy this vibrant Asian Shrimp Salad with Gochujang Dressing, ready in under 20 minutes.
It’s a deliciously fresh shrimp salad featuring a zesty gochujang dressing that brings big flavor.
14. Honey Mustard Salmon
This Honey Mustard Salmon recipe features seared salmon fillets perfectly coated in a sweet and tangy sauce. It’s easy to make, and you can add broccoli to turn it into a fantastic one-pot meal.
15. Veggie Lo Mein
This Veggie Lo Mein is a quick and flavorful stir-fry perfect for a weeknight meal.
It’s easily customizable with your favorite vegetables and completely oil-free.
16. Instant Pot Salmon
Whip up delicious teriyaki Instant Pot Salmon that’s ready in minutes.
This incredibly easy recipe helps you get a healthy meal on the table fast.
17. Roasted Apple Arugula Salad
This Roasted Apple Arugula Salad is a delightful arugula salad recipe featuring tender roasted apples and crisp arugula. It comes together beautifully with crunchy walnuts and a bright, fresh lemony dressing for a truly vibrant apple arugula salad.
18. Blackened Halibut
Blackened Halibut is a quick and easy recipe perfect for busy weeknights.
Enjoy this spicy, smoky seafood meal, perfectly balanced with a creamy Avocado Lime Crema.
19. Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
Discover the delicious Parmesan Crusted Tilapia, a dish designed for everyone. This easy recipe makes preparing healthy fish simple and enjoyable. Even those who aren’t usually fond of seafood will love this perfectly crusted meal.
20. Coronation Chicken Salad
Enjoy a classic taste of British history with this delicious Coronation Chicken Salad. Tender chunks of chicken are tossed in a light curry dressing, perfectly blended with sweet chutney, juicy grapes, and crunchy almonds. This delightful chicken salad is wonderful served as a sandwich filling or on fresh lettuce.
21. Lemon Spaghetti
Lemon Spaghetti is an incredibly easy dish that delivers a burst of refreshing, light flavor. This delightful lemon pasta is ready to enjoy in under 20 minutes. It’s the perfect solution for those busy weeknights when you need a quick, delicious meal.
22. Hearts of Palm Cakes Recipe
Our Hearts of Palm Cakes Recipe offers a delightful twist on vegetarian crab cakes. These crunchy cakes are packed with hearts of palm, artichokes, garlic, and panko, perfectly complemented by a zesty garlic aioli. It’s a fantastic addition to your collection of delicious hearts of palm recipes.
23. Grilled Chicken Kabobs Recipe
This Grilled Chicken Kabobs Recipe brings together tender, juicy chicken pieces.
Enjoy the easiest and juiciest grilled chicken skewers, vibrant with colorful vegetables.
24. Red Curry Thai Noodle Soup
Enjoy a comforting bowl of Red Curry Thai Noodle Soup, packed with delicious flavor and so easy to prepare.
This red thai curry recipe features a mild heat, making it perfect for the whole family any day of the week.
You can easily customize this Thai noodle soup with your favorite vegetables.
25. Carrot Apple Salad With Seasoned Greek Yogurt
Enjoy the bright flavors of this refreshing Carrot Apple Salad With Seasoned Greek Yogurt. This healthy and flavorful raw carrot salad features a wonderfully seasoned Greek yogurt dressing.