10 Lazy Summer Dinner Ideas So You Can Get Back to Having Fun

I truly love to cook. But when it’s 80+ degrees outside and tummies are starting to rumble long before the sun loses its ferocity for the evening, cooking is often the last thing I want to do—especially if it requires turning on the stove or oven. In the summer, I want to be able to come home from the beach or from grabbing kids at summer camp and have dinner on the table in 30 minutes, preferably without breaking a sweat.

When there’s so much fun to be had, there’s no shame in seeking out lazy summer dinner ideas so you can get back to the good stuff: reading your book, tending your garden, catching movies at the drive-in, and just spending time with your favorite people in the beautiful weather. Lucky for you, we have 10 supremely easy summer dinner recipes to ensure you spend your time enjoying the season.

Cold Summer Meals

There’s a good reason why ice cream is such a popular summer treat. But finding food for hot weather that also fulfills all the nutritional needs of a meal is a little more challenging. Here are a few of our favorite cold, no-cook summer meals to help keep you cool.

Poke Salad

Sushi is one of those magical foods that always manages to leave me feeling full but not weighed down. This gingery poke bowl only requires some slicing and assembly to create a super flavorful and refreshing dinner that’s perfect for when it’s just too hot for anything else.

Did you know that “sushi-grade” is an unregulated term? When you’re planning to eat fish raw, the most important part is buying it from a reputable fish market and using it fast! Tuna is naturally resistant to bacteria, making it a great choice for raw preparations at home. Look for firm flesh, displayed on plenty of ice with minimal contact with other fish. Keep it extra cold and use it within 24 hours for the best flavor.

Picnic Ready Veggie Sandwiches

When I’m all out of ideas for what to eat on a hot day, I turn to the humble sandwich. They are endlessly customizable, conveniently hand-held—perfect for when dinner is on the road or at a campground—and require little cleanup. Made with a mix of pickled veggies from Tillen Farms, these picnic sandwiches are delightfully crunchy and chill. Skip the bread making and grab focaccia from a local Italian market to maximize easiness.

Watermelon & Feta Salad with Nectarine and Tomatoes

Nothing screams summer quite as much as sweet watermelon and beautifully ripe tomatoes. Juicy and chilled, this watermelon salad is the perfect food for hot weather. While the recipe calls for cherry tomatoes, we recommend choosing whichever heirloom varieties look best at the farmer’s market, chopping them to match the size of your watermelon cubes. Add edamame or rinsed chickpeas for an extra dose of protein.

Pro Tip: Smell is one of the strongest indicators of a good tomato. Hold tomatoes up to your nose with the stem facing you and breathe in deeply. Ripe tomatoes have a strong floral, fruity, and somewhat grassy aroma.

Easy Summer Dinners on the Grill

Okay, so I can tolerate using a bit of heat if it means I can hang out in my backyard. Grilling is a great way to prepare easy summer dinners that are full of flavor. The high heat means you get a beautiful, charred flavor and your meal is ready fast! Just about everything tastes great grilled, from classic steak and corn on the cob to fish and even fruits, so you can grab whatever protein and veggies catch your eye at the store. But in case you need some grilled lazy summer dinner ideas to get you started, here are four of our best.

Italian Sausages with Giardiniera

It really doesn’t get easier than sausages on hoagie rolls. You can grab a mix of sweet and hot Italian sausages to please all levels of spice tolerance and grill them over medium-high heat for less than 15 minutes for a perfect char. A little butter or Farmhouse Mayo spread on your buns goes a long way in getting them crisp on the grill just before the sausages are done. Crunchy, briny Tillen Farms Giardinera provides a counterpoint to the savory meat. Add a quartered onion to the grill for an additional smoky sweet topping.

Grilled Peach Salad and Chimichurri Steak

Hosting friends and family for a dinner al fresco is one of my favorite parts of summer, but I still want my cooking to be easy. This grilled chimichurri steak is worthy of a dinner party while only taking 30 or so minutes to prepare. As long as you remember to marinate the steak at least four hours in advance, you’re guaranteed a juicy, herby end result that pairs perfectly with the sweet peaches and refreshing lettuce.

Garlic Rosemary Chicken Skewers

To whichever early human was the first to cook food on stick, thank you! Skewers help you get an even char on all sides, speed up the cooking process and make portioning super simple, all things I look for in lazy summer dinner ideas. You can stack these citrusy chicken skewers with your choice of veggies like zucchini, summer squash or eggplant to get your whole meal in one bite.

Grilled Salmon and Spiced Garbanzo Bowl

Fish is great for creating healthy, light summer dinners and with the right cut, plays nicely on the grill. This smoky, Kodiak Salmon Rub grilled salmon is flaky and beautifully caramelized thanks to a touch of honey in the glaze. Slightly spicy arugula and sliced radishes contrast the buttery fish for a refreshing meal that comes together quick

Did you know Salmon is high in omega-3 fatty acids which can help reduce inflammation? Don’t skip your SPF, but incorporating salmon into your diet can help keep hot, tender skin at ease.

Bonus Refreshing Dinner Ideas

Lobster Tacos

I wouldn’t be a Mainer if I didn’t recommend at least one lobster recipe and I have to give the slot to these delicious lobster tacos. The sweet, tender lobster meat and our Spicy Corn Relish are a match made in heaven—plus they’re hand-held and can be assembled individually. Serve with a cold beer and you’ve got my ideal summer dinner.

Panzanella

If croutons are your favorite part of any salad, Panzanella is going to be your new favorite summer dinner recipe. Toast large cubes of hearty bread and toss them with refreshing summer veggies like cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and red onion. Finish with a little fresh basil from your garden and you’ll feel instantly Tuscan.

Southwest Pasta Salad

Sometimes my eyes are bigger than my stomach and I get overzealous with the grill, landing me with a bunch of extra grilled chicken or too many corn cobs. Enter the pasta salad. Perfect for using up leftovers and packable for the beach or picnic, all you have to do is cook pasta, chop ingredients, and toss! Our fan-favorite Chipotle Aioli is truly the star of this pasta salad, building on the smoky flavors from the grill for a savory, creamy dressing.

We hope these meal ideas inspire you to enjoy delicious and refreshing dishes throughout the hot summer days. Remember, good food can turn any meal into a delightful experience, so don't hesitate to try new recipes and treat yourself to some culinary adventures. Have a fantastic summer filled with great food, laughter, and cherished moments with your loved ones. Stay cool!