Fresh Summer Recipes for the Whole Family

fresh summer recipes grilled elote corn

The hot weather is the perfect time to eat fresh and healthy. Check out some of these fresh summer recipes for meal inspiration, whether dinner, lunch, or even a snack!

When the weather starts to heat up, nothing tastes better than fresh and seasonal foods. Think sweet watermelon, fresh Caprese with balsamic glaze, and chopped salads, tacos, pasta, and more. These summer recipes are perfect for summer dinners at home or seasonal events like cookouts and barbecues!

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Summer Salad Recipes

I know–summer salads, original, right? Well, these unique salads might have you rethinking your greens this season! With fun flavor combinations and surprising ingredients, these summer salad recipes are sure to please even particular palettes. 

This watermelon and arugula salad is a refreshing combination of summer staples. The combination of feta cheese crumbles and fresh mint creates an equally flavorful and beautiful dish. Serve it up with icy mojitos at your next potluck or barbeque! Craving more fruit? Check out this pineapple and cucumber salad! Almost like salsa, this light and easy dish is perfect for sharing. All you need to throw this together is fresh pineapple, English cucumbers, lime, and cilantro. Toss with salt and pepper, and you have a delicious side for any summer occasion! 

Pasta salads are always a fan favorite and a staple at summer cookouts. Try out this twist on a classic pasta salad recipe that combines Caprese flavors with the ease of pasta salad! All you need to do is add cooked bowtie pasta to a bowl. Then, add sliced grape tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and mozzarella balls. You can add avocado chunks as well! Whisk together a vinaigrette dressing of olive oil, balsamic glaze, lemon juice, herbs, and salt and pepper. Top off your salad with the dressing and toss to serve. Delicious and easy! If vinaigrettes are not your thing, you can always swap the dressing for pesto as well.

It wouldn’t be summer without a fruit salad- try out fun, seasonal combinations like strawberries and peaches or blueberries and pineapples. You can even top off a fruit salad with homemade whipped cream or an easy lemon poppyseed dressing. To make the dressing, just stir together lemon juice, honey, and poppy seeds. Then, drizzle it over any fruit combination you crave for a fresh treat! 

Fresh Summer Recipes for the Grill

Summer means more outdoor dining and, of course, grilling! So fire up the grill and try out these delicious summer recipes

Veggies Anyone?

Have a pescatarian on your BBQ guest list? Try out grilled pineapple and shrimp skewers! First, load up long bamboo skewers with sliced pineapple, peppers, onions, shrimp, and jalapenos. Then, top with olive oil and any seasonings you like. Grill until the shrimp, fruit, and veggies are browned and serve!  You can also add any meat of your choice, like grilled chicken or steak rounds. You can even swap the pineapple slices for peaches if you’d prefer!

Pair your skewers with another veggie option, like grilled herb-crusted eggplant! Slice your eggplant into ½ inch rounds and coat in olive oil. Toss the rounds in a mixture of bread crumbs and any combination of herbs and spices you prefer. Grill the eggplant on both sides until browned, and you’ll have a delicious veggie main or side dish! You can swap the eggplant for zucchini as well, either sliced long or in short rounds. Try topping grilled zucchini with parmesan as well just after grilling, so the cheese melts. Yum!

Grilled corn makes a great and easy side dish- just throw your corn on the cob on the grill with salt and pepper. Top with a squeeze of lime juice and butter. Try some Mexican elote seasoning and cotija cheese on your grilled corn for a flavorful combination!

grilled pineapple shrimp kebabs fresh summer recipes

Grilled Pineapple Shrimp Kebabs

This fresh summer recipe is perfect for the backyard family cookout!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 165 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup light coconut milk
  • 2 tsp hot sauce
  • 2 tsp soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1 lb large shrimp peeled and de-veined
  • 3/4 pound pineapple chunks 1 inch-cut
  • canola oil for grilling
  • cilantro and/or green onion Freshly chopped

Instructions
 

Grilled Pineapple Shrimp Kebabs

  • Combine the coconut milk, hot sauce, soy sauce, orange juice, and lime juice in a medium bowl. Add the shrimp and toss. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Toss occasionally. Meanwhile, cut the pineapple into 1-inch chunks.
  • Preheat the grill to medium-high. Remove the shrimp from the marinade (reserve the rest of the marinade for grilling). Put the shrimp onto the skewers, alternating with the pineapple.
  • Brush the grill with oil, then place the kebabs on the grill. Grill for 3 minutes, brushing with the marinade. Then, turn and cook for an another 2-3 minutes. Brush with the marinade again, until the shrimp are just cooked through. Remove from grill and place on a serving plate. Garnish with cilantro and green onion if desired. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 16gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 143mgSodium: 884mgPotassium: 292mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 288IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 79mgIron: 1mg
Keyword fresh, summer
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We Have the Meats!

Burgers are a barbeque staple, but why not mix it up a bit? To make jalapeno pepper jack burgers, you’ll need to mince white onion and jalapenos first. Then, mix your veggies into your ground beef and form them into patties. On the grill, once your burgers are mostly cooked through, top with thick slices of pepper jack cheese. Finally, serve up these juicy burgers with toasted potato buns, caramelized onions, and a slab of mayo. Yum! 

More of a pork fan? Try out this incredible pork chop marinade before you grill! All you need are a few pantry staples to whip this up. Gather your brown sugar, olive oil, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, ground pepper, and garlic and mix. Be sure to let your pork chops marinate for at least two hours before grilling, but preferably overnight. Once grilled, you’ll have some tender and mouth-watering pork chops ready to serve!

Summer Sandwich Recipes

What’s better than a fully-loaded sandwich on a summer afternoon? Try out these summer recipes for easy lunch or weeknight dinner sandwiches everyone will love!

Chicken salad sandwiches are always a crowd-pleaser, especially when you pair homemade chicken salad, made with grapes and sliced pecans, with a buttery croissant!

Pimento cheese is a southern staple for a reason- it packs a flavorful punch! Add it to any type of bread you like and top with any type of meat, cheese, and veggies you prefer. The possibilities are endless! Personally, I love pimento cheese with fried green tomatoes! Just put your garlic-and-buttermilk-fried tomatoes in between two slices of thick bread, slather with pimento cheese, mayo, and sprouts for a delicious meal!

A veggie sandwich loaded with hearty smashed chickpeas, sprouts, sliced tomatoes, veganaise or pesto, avocado, and dairy-free cheese is a great option for vegan diners. Sub regular bread for gluten-free slices to make this sandwich even more diet-restriction friendly!

Sub sandwiches or hoagies are great and easy options for summer meals! You can add any toppings you want on a thick sub roll. Try out this Hot Italian Sub recipe for a flavorful lunch. Just layer on lettuce, salami, ham, pepperoni, provolone cheese, mayo, Italian seasoning, onions, tomatoes, and mild pepper rings on sub/hoagie rolls. And feel free to make any substitutions of meat or other toppings based on your family’s preferences. Bake at 350 until the cheese is melted. That’s it! A summer-time deli-favorite made easy.

Summer Dessert Recipes

Ambrosia is a vintage southern summer favorite dessert, and for good reason! The combination of pineapple, mandarin oranges, coconut, and miniature marshmallows is sure to please any palate. The maraschino cherry on top makes this dessert a delight to serve- and eat!

Ice cream and popsicles of any kind are always a hit on a hot summer day! Serve any type, flavor, and brand you prefer in ice-cold coolers at your next barbeque. You can even make your own by freezing your favorite fruit juice with slices of fruit, like peaches, inside popsicle molds. You’ll have beautiful and refreshing treats!

S’mores are an iconic summer dessert that are equally delicious and fun! Gather the whole family around the fire under the stars and roast your marshmallows. Whether golden brown or nearly charred, there’s a roasted marshmallow for everyone! Arrange a table with all the necessary toppings; classics, like squares of Hershey’s chocolate (milk, white, or dark) and graham crackers, and exciting new toppings like Nutella or coconut shavings. With a buffet of options, even the pickiest eaters will find a s’more combination they’ll love- and have fun doing it!

Are you ready for fresh summer dining and cookouts outside with your friends and family? Have these fresh summer recipes and meal ideas inspired you to try cooking for the season? Let your friends and family know on FamilyApp!

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