With summer around the corner and family schedules finally slowing down, it’s easy to let dinner routines slide—potluck nights, breakfast for dinner, or even making a trip to the ice cream stand for dinner (because hey, it has protein and calcium, right? 😉). But summer is also the perfect time to lean into quick and easy summer dinners—those meals that help you spend less time in the kitchen and more time soaking up the season’s fun. Summer living is all about that easier time of year, when we’re not racing through homework, after-school activities, and the endless hustle of everyday life.
When my kids were little, we had a saying in our house that we used once school was out: “It’s summertime and the living is easy.” I can still see their little faces light up when I said it, or when they repeated it back, knowing it meant no more rushing out the door or speeding through dinner to make it to the hockey rink or theater practice on time. It meant lazy days were ahead, with a little extra time to sleep in and let schedules relax.
But even as we lean into summer’s carefree days, one thing never changes: getting healthy meals on the table is still part of daily life. Sure, it’s fun to wing it some nights, but it’s always helpful to have a few quick and easy summer dinners in your back pocket—meals that let you keep those relaxed summer vibes going all season long.
One of my favorite ways to keep dinner simple (and my sanity intact!) is to lean into meals that are quick, require minimal cooking, and still taste amazing. So today, I’m sharing five of my go-to summer dinners—meals I’ve been serving since my kids were little and that are still on repeat in our house today.
Five Quick and Easy Summer Dinners That I Swear By:
🍓 Fish with Strawberry Basil Salsa (can also use chicken or pork chops)
This dish is summer on a plate—moist and flaky fish topped with sweet strawberries and fresh basil. The first time we made this recipe, we ended up eating the whole bowl of salsa before the fish was even cooked, requiring us to make a whole new batch (it was that addictive!). It’s perfect for a quick dinner that feels special but takes almost no time. I love how it’s light and fresh, and the kids always loved it because of the strawberries.
If you struggle to get your family to eat fish, this is a good one to try!
Ingredients
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4 cups strawberries, chopped
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1/2 red onion, chopped
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1 cup fresh basil, chopped
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1/2 cup fresh mint, chopped (optional)
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2 tbs olive oil
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2 tbs red wine vinegar
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2 lbs fish fillet of choice
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1 lemon
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350. In a medium bowl, combine strawberries, onion, herbs, olive oil, and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside. Spray baking dish with cooking spray, or lightly coat with olive oil. Place fish in baking dish, drizzle with lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 15 to 25 mins, depending on the thickness of the fish. Spoon salsa over fish and serve!
🍗 Sheet Pan Chicken Teriyaki
This quick and easy dinner is a staple in our rotation all year round because of its flexibility. Sheet pan dinners are a busy family’s secret weapon. I toss chicken, baby carrots, bell peppers, and pineapple with a quick homemade teriyaki sauce (so much better than buying it!) and let the oven do the work. Clean-up is fast, and that classic sweet-savory flavor or teriyaki make it a winner every time.
Ingredient
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2 cups rice
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1/3 cup soy sauce (or GF tamari), low sodium
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3 tbs honey
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3 tbs rice vinegar
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3 garlic cloves, minced
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2 lbs boneless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
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20 oz pineapple chunks, canned, drained
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1 cup baby carrots
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2 red/orange/yellow bell peppers, chopped
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6 scallions, chopped
Instructions
Heat oven to 450. Cook rice according to package directions. Spray a large rimmed sheet pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and garlic. Place chicken, pineapple, carrots, and bell peppers on the pan. Pour soy sauce mixture over everything and toss to coat. Bake about 15 mins or until chicken is cooked through (internal temp of 165). Sprinkle with scallions and serve over rice.
🍔 Truly Tasty Turkey Burgers
Turkey burgers are a summer classic in our house. They’re quick to throw together, easy on the budget, and everyone can customize them with their favorite toppings. I love having them with corn on the cob or a simple green salad for a fuss-free meal.
Ingredients
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1 1/2 lbs ground turkey, 93% lean
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1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
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1 egg
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1 onion, small, chopped
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1 tbs Worcestershire sauce
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1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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3/4 tsp salt
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1 avocado, sliced
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1 tomato, sliced
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1/4 head lettuce, shredded
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1 package sandwich rolls
Instructions
Preheat grill or broiler to med/high. Place turkey in a large bowl and add all remaining ingredients (except avocado, tomato, lettuce, and rolls). Mix well and form into patties. Place on oiled broiler pan or grill. Cook about 5 minutes per side until no longer pink inside and internal temperature is 165. Serve on rolls topped with sliced tomato, lettuce, and avocado. Yum!
🐟 Easy Fish Tacos
Who doesn’t love tacos in the summer? These fish tacos are light, fresh, and perfect for those “let’s eat outside tonight” vibes. We use whatever white fish is on sale, add a quick cabbage slaw, and pile everything into warm tortillas. It’s a colorful, delicious way to keep summer dinners feeling fun. Fish tacos are also a great way to use up leftover fish from another night’s meal!
Ingredients
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1 1/2 lbs fish fillet of choice
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1/4 cup fresh lime juice
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1/4 cup olive oil
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1/4 red cabbage, chopped
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1 avocado, peeled and chopped
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1/2 red onion, chopped
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1 1/2 tbs fresh lemon juice
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1 tsp red wine vinegar
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3 tbs sour cream, low fat
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2 tomatoes, chopped
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5 tortillas, taco size
Instructions
Place fish in shallow dish. Mix lime juice, oil, and garlic in a small bowl and pour over fish. Marinate for up to 30 mins if time allows. Heat skillet on med and add both fish and marinade. Cook 10 mins until fish is opaque and flakes easily. Remove, flake into pieces, and keep warm. Add cabbage to pan and cook 5 mins until soft. For salsa: combine avocado, onion, lemon juice, vinegar, and sour cream in bowl and mash until smooth. Stir in tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. To assemble: heat tortillas per package. Spoon fish, cabbage, and salsa onto tortilla and roll up!
🌽 Grilled Chicken with Corn and Avocado
Nothing says summer like corn and avocado together! This dinner comes together quickly and is a perfect example of how simple ingredients can feel like a special summer meal. It’s filling but light and always hits the spot on hot nights.
Ingredients
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2 lbs boneless chicken breast, thin sliced
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2 red/orange/yellow bell peppers, halved and seeded
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1 tbs olive oil
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1/4 cup mayonnaise
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1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, low-fat
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1/4 cup low fat milk
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3/4 tsp white vinegar
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2 scallions, chopped
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3 heads romaine lettuce hearts, chopped
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1 1/2 cups frozen corn, thawed
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2 avocados, peeled and sliced
Instructions
Preheat grill or broiler to med/high. Brush chicken and red pepper with oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and grill or broil for 5 mins. Turn everything over and continue grilling/broiling until chicken is no longer pink (internal temp of 165), about 5 mins more. Place on plate to cool. Mix mayonnaise, yogurt, milk, vinegar, and scallions in a bowl to make dressing. Salt and pepper to taste. Slice chicken and pepper. Assemble salads in individual bowls: start with lettuce, then arrange chicken and vegetables (including corn and avocado) in colorful groups on top. Drizzle dressing over and serve.
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I hope these quick and easy summer dinners bring a little calm to your evening because even when life slows down in the summer, figuring out dinner can still be stressful! If you’d love to have a weekly plan that’s based on what’s on sale at your store (plus recipes your family will actually eat!), that’s exactly what The Dinner Daily is all about. You can check out our 14-day free trial and see how much easier dinner can be!
