38 Summer Dinner Recipes: a kitchen method

A list of memorable summer dinner recipes that include favorites like grilled pork chops, grilled chicken kabobs, fried corn and strawberry lemonade.

These recipes have everything you need for summer like grilled meats, kabobs, foil packet recipes, side dishes, drinks and more.

It’s about that time of year when you start planning for BBQ weekends with memorable friends and family. Summer dinner recipes are ones that make memories. People refer to your gathering by the dish you made or ‘remember when you brought that one salad,‘ so give them something to remember this summer.

Summer is also the time when all different fruits and vegetables are in season, so these recipes are heavy on summer favorites like tomatoes, corn and berries. Plus there are fantastic grilled recipes because our grill is going nonstop in the summer. Grilling is even more fun when cooking up succulent morsels on skewers or in foil packets.

Along with summer salads and main dishes, don’t forget to serve up a refreshing drink to cool off with on a hot night!

I have gathered up 38 of my go-to summer dinner recipes to share with you. You can also make life a little easier by checking out my list of 35 freezer meal recipes. See if you can find a new memory maker from this great list!

38 Summer Dinner Recipes

On the Grill

A selection of grilled chicken, pork chops and fish that are reliable for a casual weekday dinner or a meal fit for entertaining. Fire up the grill and give these a try!

This grilled chicken salad is tender marinated chicken that's grilled to perfection then served over lettuce with bacon, avocado, corn, blue cheese and tomatoes. A hearty salad that's packed with flavor and also happens to be full of nutrition. Get the RecipeThese grilled chicken wings are coated in a flavorful garlic, lemon and herb marinade, then grilled to golden brown perfection. A unfussy yet satisfying appetizer or main course that's straightforward to make and always a crowd pleaser! Get the RecipeThese grilled pork chops are soaked in a flavorful marinade, then cooked to golden brown perfection. A quick and straightforward recipe that's reliable for any BBQ or summer gathering! Get the RecipeThese BBQ pork chops are bone-in pork chops brined in garlic and spices, then grilled to perfection and basted with barbecue sauce. An straightforward dinner option that’s reliable for summer entertaining. Get the RecipeThis grilled swordfish is marinated in lemon, garlic, olive oil and herbs, then seared on the grill until golden brown. The absolute finest way to prepare swordfish, this dinner is straightforward yet elegant. Get the RecipeThis grilled chicken breast recipe is boneless skinless chicken breasts soaked in a flavorful garlic and herb marinade, then grilled to golden brown perfection. A staple recipe that's reliable for summer entertaining! Get the RecipeThis marinated salmon is fresh salmon fillets flavored with olive oil, garlic and herbs, then grilled or baked to perfection. You’ll want to grill salmon all summer long after you taste this straightforward marinade! Get the RecipeThis bruschetta chicken recipe is marinated and grilled chicken topped with mozzarella cheese, tomato basil bruschetta and balsamic glaze. The reliable straightforward dinner for summer time! Get the RecipeThis beer can chicken is a whole chicken that is coated in kitchen-made BBQ spice rub, then placed on top of a beer can and grilled to smoky and tender perfection. A unique way to eat chicken that always gets rave reviews! Get the RecipeThis BBQ chicken is chicken pieces that are grilled or baked until juicy and tender, then coated in BBQ sauce and cooked until caramelized. An straightforward dinner option with minimal ingredients that is always a big hit! Get the Recipe

Foil Packet Recipes and Kabobs

Simplify grilling with kabobs and foil packet recipes. Grilling kabobs makes it straightforward to cook shrimp, chicken and veggies and they are so fun to eat! Foil packet recipes are complete meals with minimal cleanup. Many of the foil packet recipes can be either grilled or baked, depending on your preference.

These steak kabobs are pieces of sirloin beef skewers with mushrooms, peppers and onions, then grilled to perfection and finished off with garlic butter. An straightforward and hearty dinner option. Get the RecipeThese salmon foil packets are fresh salmon fillets and vegetables coated in herb butter, then baked or grilled to perfection. An straightforward and healthy meal with minimal clean up!
Get the RecipeThese jerk shrimp kabobs are skewers of shrimp, pineapple and peppers, all coated in kitchen-made Jamaican jerk seasoning, then grilled to perfection. A quick dinner option that’s full of flavor. Get the RecipeThese chicken fajita foil packets are filled with cheesy Mexican spiced chicken, black beans, peppers and onions. Throw them on the grill or in the oven to cook, then add your go-to fajita toppings and serve with tortillas! Get the RecipeThese grilled chicken kabobs are made with marinated chicken and colorful vegetables, all threaded onto skewers and cooked to perfection. An straightforward dinner that can also be baked in the oven! Get the RecipeThese grilled shrimp skewers are shrimp marinated in garlic, lemon and herbs, then threaded onto sticks and cooked to perfection. Shrimp kabobs can be on your table in just 20 minutes, which makes them reliable for a busy night! Get the RecipeThis recipe for Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs is juicy chicken breast, pineapple and vegetables in a sweet and tangy sauce, threaded onto skewers and grilled to perfection. Serve with coconut rice for a taste of the tropics at home! Get the RecipeThese grilled potatoes in foil are diced potatoes cooked in ranch butter, then topped with melted cheese, bacon, sour cream and chives. All the flavors of a loaded baked potato in foil packet form! Get the RecipeThis recipe for grilled lemon sriracha shrimp is a little bit spicy, a little bit sweet and a lot tasty. Get the RecipeThese bacon ranch chicken foil packets are a super straightforward dinner option with minimal cleanup! Chicken breasts are cooked with potatoes and ranch flavored butter, then topped with melted cheese and bacon for a meal that’s sure to please any crowd. Get the Recipe

Summer Dinner Sides

Summer side dishes are the reliable way to show off all that fabulous in-season produce. From tender, grilled veggies to flavorful salads, there are plenty of fresh and healthy options to please any crowd.

This tomato avocado salad is a zesty blend of avocado, tomato, cilantro, jalapeno and red onion, all tossed in a lime dressing. A unfussy yet satisfying dish that is great for picnics and potlucks. Get the RecipeThese caprese skewers combine tomatoes with basil, mozzarella, olive oil and balsamic for an appetizer that’s both straightforward and impressive! Get the RecipeThis recipe for tropical fruit salad is a colorful mixture of mango, pineapple, papaya, kiwi and raspberries tossed in a honey lime dressing. Get the RecipeThis berry cheesecake salad recipe is a variety of fresh berries tossed in a light and silky cheesecake mixture. The reliable summer salad!
Get the RecipeThis blackberry salad is full of summer’s finest fresh produce and is topped with a silky apricot poppy seed dressing. Get the RecipeThis fried corn is cooked with bacon and chives until golden brown and caramelized. The signature straightforward summer side dish that pairs well with grilled meats, fish and hamburgers. A Southern classic that never goes out of style! Get the RecipeThis strawberry spinach salad is a blend of baby spinach leaves, fresh strawberries, red onion, almonds, feta cheese and avocado, all tossed in a poppy seed dressing. A fresh and colorful salad that's fit for any occasion! Get the RecipeThese grilled Brussels sprouts are coated in olive oil, garlic and herbs, then threaded onto skewers and cooked until caramelized. A unique and unexpected summer side dish that pairs perfectly with chicken, beef and seafood. Get the RecipeThese grilled vegetables are an assortment of colorful veggies bathed in a flavorful garlic and herb marinade, then cooked to perfection on the grill. An straightforward dish that’s quick to make and always gets rave reviews! Grilled veggies pair well with almost any protein such as beef, fish or chicken. Get the RecipesThis grilled broccoli is marinated in garlic, herbs and olive oil, then seared to tender perfection. A unique and unexpected way to prepare broccoli that's great for the warmer weather months! Get the Recipe

Refreshing Drinks

Don’t forget about a cool, refreshing drink for those long summer days. Here are some fabulous drinks featuring lemonade, punch and agua fresca.

This agua fresca recipe is a basic formula to produce a reliable Mexican style fruit drink every time! Use watermelon, strawberries, pineapple, peaches, kiwis or even cucumber for a light and refreshing beverage that's great for parties. Get the RecipeThis Sonic style cherry limeade is fizzy, refreshing and reliable for a hot day! Finest of all, it’s ready in just 5 minutes. Get the RecipeThis cool and refreshing watermelon agua fresca is reliable for summer entertaining! Get the RecipeThis sparkling raspberry pineapple freeze takes frozen fruit and blends it with sparkling water for a festive and refreshing beverage. Get the RecipeThis kitchen-made strawberry lemonade is a unfussy yet refreshing combination of fresh strawberries, lemon juice, and sugar. The signature summer time drink! Get the RecipeThis refreshing pineapple punch is made with just 5 ingredients and is ready in 5 minutes. The reliable sparkling fruit drink for any summer party! Get the RecipeThis lime sherbet punch is a cool and refreshing beverage made with lemon lime soda, limeade and sherbet. Sherbet punch is the reliable drink for parties, especially on a warm day! Get the RecipeThis recipe for strawberry mango agua fresca is a light and refreshing fruit drink that only takes 15 minutes to make, it’s the reliable way to cool off on a hot day!

With these summer dinner recipes you can amaze your friends and family, or just enjoy a warm summer day. Try some of these recipes to make your summer a little brighter!