There are so many things to celebrate over the summer. Of course the national holidays are great and should totally be celebrated, but summer is really about enjoying the little moments. The sunny Friday afternoon playing hooky from work, falling asleep to a midwestern thunderstorm, the slow, lazy days at the beach and the tasty charred flavor of anything and everything cooked on the grill. Those are the little summer moments to celebrate and enjoy.
I will totally give you permission to play hooky on Friday afternoons, I’ll share the wonderful Minnesota thunderstorms and if you can’t make it to the beach, a kiddy pool in the backyard is often just as magical. But the food, that’s the part that I can really help with!
From grilled meats and hummus stuffed peppers to fruity cocktails and frozen treats, summers foods are some of my favorites! So, fire up those grills, dust off your popsicle molds and dive into the season with my 20 best recipes for summer!
Grilled Meats and Mains
The center of the picnic plate is often the meat. Whether it’s steak, chicken or burgers, they’re always delicious when perfectly grilled!
Bourbon and Honey Grilled Flank Steak
This super flavorful grilled flank steak is marinated in a mixture of bourbon, honey, spices and garlic and served with roasted potatoes.
Grilled Chicken with Chimichurri
Garlic, herbs and a little bit of spice make this grilled chicken with a quick chimichurri sauce is quick, easy and delicious.
Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce
Flavorful, delicious and piled high with tzatziki sauce these lamb burgers are made with a mixture of ground lamb and pork for the perfect amount of fat and flavor.
Farmers’ Market Pizza
A quick and easy pizza with layers of flavor all made with fresh ingredients picked up at the farmers market. A great dinner or appetizer.
Sides and Veggies
Roasted corn on the cob and grilled veggies are delicious summery staples you’ll make all season long!
Shishito Peppers
Blackened shishito peppers topped with fresh lime juice and salt for a perfect last minute snack or appetizer.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Perfectly grilled sweet corn on the cob is one of the best summer veggies around. Top it with herb butter and it’s irresistible!
Grilled Feta Cheese with Olives and Tomatoes
Hot and melty, this grilled feta cheese is topped with olives, tomatoes and peppers for a quick and easy appetizer.
Feta and Hummus Stuffed Mini Peppers
These mini stuffed peppers are a packed with hummus and a sprinkling of feta for a quick and delicious appetizer perfect for a party, happy hour or healthy snack.
Salads
Stuffed with veggies, pasta or legumes these salads hold up to even the heartiest of grilled proteins and are perfectly packable for a picnic.
Kale and Farro Salad with Chickpeas
Fresh, hearty and delicious, this kale and grain salad is made with kale, a light lemon dressing and a sprinkling of feta cheese.
Pasta Salad with Feta and Snap Peas
This make ahead pasta salad with feta and lots of veggies is the perfect picnic lunch or vegetarian potluck party dish.
Moroccan Potato Salad
Not your average potato salad, this Moroccan inspired potato salad recipe has lots of great flavor to spice up your next meal.
Quinoa Summer Salad
This quick and easy quinoa salad is made with fresh veggies and is delicious for a summer lunch!
Cocktails
Summers are made for sipping cocktails in the shade while watching the world go by. These are a handful of my favorite summery drinks.
Grapefruit Gin and Tonic
Tart, citrusy and boozy, this grapefruit infused gin and tonic is the prefect refreshing citrus cocktail.
Bourbon and Honey Blackberry Lime Mint Julep
Colorful, fruity and spiked with Bourbon and Honey this blackberry mint julep packs a punch and will keep you sipping pretty all summer long!
Frozen Pineapple Margarita
Sweet, frosty and totally refreshing, these tequila spiked frozen pineapple margaritas are going to sweeten your weekend!
Rosé Sangria
Pretty pink rosé sangria is just the thing for your summer happy hour. It’s light, refreshing, fruity and oh so summery!
Frozen Treats
Summer is hot, cool down with these fruity, cool and delicious treats.
Strawberry and Cream Frozen Pops
A simple and tasty frozen pop with cream and lots of fresh strawberries.
Mixed Berry Granita
Sweet-tart and refreshing, this mixed berry granita pairs perfectly with vanilla ice cream and fresh blueberries.
Blackberry Coconut Ice Cream
Creamy, smooth and lightly sweetened, this coconut ice cream with blackberry is a favorite summer treat.
No Churn Coconut Peach Ice Cream
Fresh summer peaches turn this coconut based ice cream into a fresh seasonal treat that doesn’t even need an ice cream maker.
Do you have a favorite summer recipe? Share it in the comments below!
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