Summer is literally right around the corner, and I already know you don’t know what to make for dinner.
Today, we’re talking about 24 healthy summertime dinner recipes to get you through these warmer months. Whether you’re looking for a classic BBQ dinner or a light summer salad, I’ve found the perfect summer dinner idea for you to try!
Ready to get into it?
The Perfect Summertime Dinner Recipes
So we’re talking about summertime dinner recipes, but what does that even mean? Here are some classic healthy dinner options to enjoy all summer long.
Grilling
We both know it can’t be summer without at least 12 BBQs. Summer BBQ recipes are perfect for healthy options that are cooked to perfection. If you’re looking for the perfect excuse to enjoy dinner outside, then fire up the grill!
Light Salads
When the sun is out, so are the perfect light salad recipes! Mix your favourite spring mix with delicious cherry tomatoes, feta, tropical fruits and whatever else you have lying around the kitchen for a delicious summer salad. Don’t forget a simple vinaigrette to top it all off!
A Sea of Seafood
Another light dinner option is, of course, seafood. Whether you’re whipping up some garlic shrimp or grilling the perfect piece of salmon, you really can’t go wrong with a light seafood summer dinner.
Some Fresh Pasta
We all know pasta is a classic go-to 12 months out of the year, which means it will be staying around for the summer months. For a fresh pasta recipe, bring out the snow peas, cherry tomatoes, and asparagus and pair it with a light sauce like pesto!
Tips for Making the Summer Dinner Recipes
- Use Fresh Over Frozen: This is the time when fresh produce is at its peak! Head over to your local farmers market to grab all the fresh fruits and veggies you’ll need to make the perfect summer dinner!
- Keep it Light: Summer is not the time to be cooking up a hearty stew. Instead, we’re swapping it up with roasted veggies, grilled meats, and light summer salads.
- Get Grilling!: For many of us, summer is really the only time we can bust out the grill. Grilling your favourite meats leave them deliciously juicy and takes the same or less time to cook ( who doesn’t love saving time).
- Plan Ahead: There’s nothing worse than when 4 pm rolls around, and we have nothing on the roaster for dinner. Planning ahead takes the stress out of worrying about dinner, so you can get back to actually enjoying cooking!
- Keep it Quick: To tie in with planning ahead, you also want to consider sticking to meals that don’t take a lot of time. Look for dinners ready in 30 minutes or less (don’t worry, I already did the searching for you). This allows you to go for that after-dinner walk and enjoy the next weather while we can.
Now that you have the basics, are you ready to get into it?
Healthy Summer Dinner Recipes
Korean Chicken Bowl
By: Your Healthy Beginning
Number of Servings: 4
Total Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 444 Fat: 9g Carbs: 66g Protein: 26g
Indulge in the delicious Korean Chicken Bowl by Your Healthy Beginning. Succulent grilled chicken, vibrant veggies, and a flavorful blend of Korean spices come together in a wholesome bowl that satisfies both your taste buds and your healthy living goals!
Pineapple & Chicken Kabobs
By: Your Healthy Beginning
Number of Servings: 8
Total Cook Time: 60 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 181 Fat: 2g Carbs: 20g Protein: 19g
Delicious and nutritious pineapple and chicken kabobs by Your Healthy Beginning. Juicy pineapple chunks and tender chicken pieces grilled to perfection, creating a delightful blend of sweet and savoury flavours. Check out this healthy and satisfying option for your next BBQ!
Vegetarian Pasta with Avocado Sauce
By: Your Healthy Beginning
Number of Servings: 4
Total Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 529
Indulge in my vegetarian pasta with creamy avocado sauce. Bursting with flavours and packed with nutritious ingredients, it’s a guilt-free delight that satisfies your cravings while nourishing your body, not to mention who doesn’t love a touch of Boursin cheese.
Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
By: Your Healthy Beginning
Number of Servings: 4
Total Cook Time: 28 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 418 Fat: 22g Carbs: 41g Protein: 17g
My air fryer shrimp tacos are a delicious and healthier twist on the classic favourite. The shrimp turns crispy and flavorful without the need for excessive oil. Top with fresh ingredients for a quick and satisfying meal.
Focaccia Pizza with Chicken & Asparagus
By: Your Healthy Beginning
Number of Servings: 4
Total Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 350 Fat: 22g Carbs: 41g Protein: 17g
Deliciously savoury, the Focaccia Pizza with chicken and asparagus combines the rich flavours of tender chicken, crisp asparagus, and fragrant herbs on a fluffy, herb-infused focaccia base. This is the perfect addition to your summer dinner menus.
Grilled Salmon in Foil
By: Well Plated
Number of Servings: 4
Total Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 301 Fat: 17g Carbs: 3g Protein: 34g
By Grilled Salmon recipe by Well Plated offers a mouthwatering dish where juicy salmon fillets are cooked to perfection, infused with flavorful herbs and spices, all wrapped up in a convenient foil packet. A delicious and easy way to enjoy grilled salmon.
Summer Chicken Cobb Salad
By: Little Spice Jar
Number of Servings: 4
Total Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Nutrition: Not Specified
Little Spice Jar’s Summer Chicken Cobb Salad is a refreshing blend of crisp greens, grilled chicken, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, tangy feta cheese, and zesty lemon vinaigrette. It’s the perfect light and satisfying dish for hot summer days.
Hawaiian Steak Kabobs
By: Savory Tooth
Number of Servings: 4
Total Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 410 Fat: 6g Carbs: 55g Protein: 39g
Savour the flavours of Hawaii with Savory Tooth’s Hawaiian Steak Kabobs. Tender chunks of marinated steak, pineapple, and colourful veggies are grilled to perfection, delivering a taste of tropical paradise in every bite.
Summer Pesto Pasta Salad
By: Eat Yourself Skinny
Number of Servings: 8
Total Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 400 Fat: 16g Carbs: 54g Protein: 9g
Enjoy the vibrant flavours of summer with Eat Yourself Skinny’s Summer Pesto Pasta Salad. This refreshing dish combines al dente pasta, fresh basil pesto, and a medley of colourful vegetables for a light and satisfying summer meal.
Healthy Sriracha Shredded Chicken Tacos
By: Jar of Lemons
Number of Servings: 6
Total Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 128
Healthy Sriracha Shredded Chicken Tacos by Jar of Lemons: Deliciously spicy and packed with flavour, these tacos feature tender shredded chicken, tangy sriracha sauce, and a refreshing avocado-lime slaw. A guilt-free twist on a classic favourite!
BBQ Chicken Power Bowls
By: Jar of Lemons
Number of Servings: 4
Total Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 263
Jar of Lemons’ BBQ Chicken Power Bowls are a flavorful and nutritious delight. Packed with tender grilled chicken, vibrant veggies, and a smoky BBQ sauce, these bowls are a perfect balance of taste and wholesome goodness.
Peach Salad
By: Chelsea’s Messy Apron
Number of Servings: 4
Total Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 284 Fat: 23g Carbs: 15g Protein: 6g
Chelsea’s Messy Apron’s Peach Salad is a delightful combination of fresh peaches, mixed greens, crunchy almonds, tangy feta cheese, and a refreshing honey-lime dressing. A burst of summery flavours in every bite!
Chicken Satay Salad
By: Sweetpeas & Saffron
Number of Servings: 4
Total Cook Time: 2 Hours 20 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 536 Fat: 37g Carbs: 17g Protein: 35g
Sweetpeas & Saffron’s Chicken Satay Salad is a mouthwatering blend of grilled chicken, crisp vegetables, and creamy peanut sauce. With a perfect balance of flavors and textures, it’s a delicious and satisfying meal that will leave you wanting more.
Summer Bliss Bowls With Sweet Potato Fritters And Jalapeño Ranch
By: Pinch of Yum
Number of Servings: 4-6
Total Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 289 Fat: 15g Carbs: 31g Protein: 8g
Pinch of Yum’s Summer Bliss Bowls feature delightful sweet potato fritters and a zesty jalapeño ranch dressing. These vibrant, wholesome bowls are a perfect combination of flavors and textures, bringing a taste of summer to your plate.
Green Goddess Power Bowl
By: Peanut Butter & Fitness
Number of Servings: 5
Total Cook Time: 40 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 460 Fat: 17g Carbs: 41g Protein: 38g
The Green Goddess Power Bowl by Peanut Butter & Fitness is a vibrant and nourishing meal packed with nutrient-rich ingredients like leafy greens, avocado, quinoa, and a flavorful green goddess dressing. It’s a delicious way to fuel your body and embrace a healthy lifestyle.
Grilled Steak Kabobs
By: Eat Well 101
Number of Servings: 2
Total Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 562 Fat: 32g Carbs: 12g Protein: 55g
Grilled Steak Kabobs by Eat Well 101: Juicy marinated steak chunks threaded onto skewers with colourful veggies, perfect for a flavorful and satisfying meal. A delicious grilling option that combines tender meat and fresh veggies.
Buffalo Chicken Tacos
By: 40 Aprons
Number of Servings: 6
Total Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 463 Fat: 29g Carbs: 27g Protein: 20g
These Buffalo Chicken Tacos by 40 Aprons deliver a bold and spicy twist on a classic favourite. Juicy chicken doused in tangy buffalo sauce, wrapped in warm tortillas and topped with cool ranch dressing—pure taco bliss in every bite.
Grilled Tahini Chicken Caesar Sandwiches
By: Ambitious Kitchen
Number of Servings: 4
Total Cook Time: 45 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 488 Fat: 23g Carbs: 39g Protein: 30g
Grilled Tahini Chicken Caesar Sandwiches are a flavorful twist on the classic Caesar salad. Tender grilled chicken is coated in a creamy tahini dressing, then tucked into a toasted bun with tomato, avocado and tangy Caesar dressing. A delicious combination that satisfies both salad and sandwich cravings.
Easy Salmon Sushi Bowl
By: Minimalist Baker
Number of Servings: 4
Total Cook Time: 40 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 616 Fat: 23g Carbs: 56g Protein: 44g
These easy salmon sushi bowls by the Minimalist Baker are a delightful and simple way to enjoy the flavours of sushi at home. With fresh salmon, creamy avocado, crisp vegetables, and a tangy soy-based dressing, these bowls offer a nutritious and satisfying meal that comes together effortlessly in no time.
Vegan Corn Succotash
By: Jessica in the Kitchen
Number of Servings: 4-6
Total Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 503 Fat: 23g Carbs: 65g Protein: 14g
Jessica’s Vegan Corn Succotash is a delightful medley of fresh corn, colourful veggies, and aromatic herbs. Bursting with flavours and textures, this dish is a plant-based twist on a classic favourite that will leave you craving more.
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
By: Veggies Save The Day
Number of Servings: 8
Total Cook Time: 2 hours & 30 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 326 Fat: 11g Carbs: 44g Protein: 13g
Veggies Save the Day’s Mediterranean Orzo Salad is a delightful blend of orzo pasta, fresh vegetables, and tangy lemon dressing. Bursting with Mediterranean flavours, it’s a light and refreshing dish perfect for a summer meal or a vibrant side dish.
Halloumi Sandwich with Romesco
By: Fork in the Kitchen
Number of Servings: 4
Total Cook Time: 7 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 322 Fat: 16g Carbs: 28g Protein: 16g
Fork in the Kitchen’s Halloumi Sandwich features grilled halloumi cheese with a flavorful twist of Romesco sauce. This delightful combination creates a mouthwatering experience, blending the salty richness of halloumi with the bold, roasted flavours of Romesco. A sandwich worth savouring!
Thai Turkey Bowl
By: Lexi’s Clean Kitchen
Number of Servings: 4
Total Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 352 Fat: 15g Carbs: 22g Protein: 41g
The Thai Turkey Bowl by Lexi’s Clean Kitchen combines lean ground turkey, vibrant vegetables, and flavorful Thai spices for a delicious and healthy meal. It’s a tasty twist on a classic bowl packed with protein and fresh ingredients.
Chile Ginger Marinated Shrimp
By: Cotter Crunch
Number of Servings: 5
Total Cook Time: 40 Minutes
Nutrition: Calories: 174 Fat: 7g Carbs: 4g Protein: 23g
Cotter Crunch’s Chile Ginger Marinated Shrimp is a tantalizing dish bursting with flavour. The combination of zesty chillies and fragrant ginger creates a mouthwatering marinade that elevates the succulent shrimp to new heights of deliciousness.
