As Taylor Swift sings in her hit song “Cruel Summer,” “I’m drunk in the back of a car, and I cried like a baby coming home from the bar.” While we can’t relate to the drama, we can certainly appreciate the sentiment of wanting a quick, tasty meal after a long summer day.
These recipes are perfect for those “Cruel Summer” moments when you’re craving something delicious but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
1. Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Zesty Marinade
The zesty marinade infuses the shrimp with a burst of Mediterranean flavors, making it a light and refreshing option for a hot summer evening.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- Zest of 2 lemons
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp coriander
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions:
- Combine marinade ingredients and marinate shrimp for 20-30 minutes.
- Thread shrimp onto skewers and grill for 2-3 minutes per side.
2. Crispy Chicken Salad with Sriracha Honey BBQ Dressing
Satisfy your cravings with this crispy chicken salad, featuring a tantalizing sriracha honey BBQ dressing. The combination of crispy chicken tenders and fresh greens makes for a delightful and filling summer meal.
Ingredients:
- Chicken tenders
- Romaine lettuce
- Cherry tomatoes
- Avocado
- Honey
- BBQ sauce
- Dijon mustard
- Apple cider vinegar
- Mayonnaise
- Sriracha
Instructions:
- Prepare crispy chicken tenders according to your preferred method.
- Whisk together dressing ingredients.
- Assemble salad with greens, chicken, and desired toppings.
- Drizzle with dressing and enjoy!
3. Cheeseburger Pizza
Indulge in the flavors of a classic cheeseburger with this creative twist on pizza. This recipe is a surefire hit with both kids and adults, making it a perfect summer dinner option for the whole family.
Ingredients:
- Pizza dough
- Ground beef
- Mozzarella cheese
- Dill pickle slices
- Onion
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayonnaise
Instructions:
- Pre-bake the pizza dough for 6 minutes.
- Cook ground beef and assemble toppings on the pre-baked crust.
- Bake for 8-12 minutes until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown.
4. Air Fryer Pepperoni Pizzas
Beat the summer heat by whipping up these air fryer pepperoni pizzas. They’re crispy, flavorful, and ready in no time, making them an ideal weeknight dinner option.
Ingredients:
- Pizza dough
- Tomato puree
- Mozzarella cheese
- Pepperoni slices
- Bell pepper
Instructions:
- Stretch pizza dough into rectangles and top with tomato puree, cheese, pepperoni, and bell pepper.
- Air fry at 370°F for 7 minutes, checking for doneness.
5. Baked Tonkatsu (Japanese Pork Cutlets)
Enjoy the crispy goodness of traditional Japanese tonkatsu without the hassle of deep-frying. This baked version is a healthier alternative that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
Ingredients:
- Boneless pork loin chops
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Eggs
- Flour
- Tonkatsu sauce
Instructions:
- Toast panko breadcrumbs until golden brown.
- Bread the pork chops in flour, egg, and toasted panko.
- Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Serve with tonkatsu sauce.
6. Summer Grain Bowls with Peach Salsa
The combination of juicy peach salsa, creamy avocado, and nutrient-dense grains makes for a satisfying and wholesome meal.
Ingredients:
- Quinoa or farro
- Peaches
- Red onion
- Jalapeño
- Cilantro
- Avocado
- Black beans
Instructions:
- Cook the grains according to package instructions.
- Prepare the peach salsa by combining diced peaches, onion, jalapeño, and cilantro.
- Assemble bowls with grains, peach salsa, avocado, and black beans.
7. Grilled Vegetable Skewers with Romesco Sauce
Embrace the flavors of the Mediterranean with these grilled vegetable skewers, served with a rich and smoky romesco sauce. It’s a vegetarian delight that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients:
- Zucchini
- Bell peppers
- Red onion
- Mushrooms
- Romesco sauce
Instructions:
- Thread vegetables onto skewers.
- Grill skewers until vegetables are tender and charred.
- Serve with romesco sauce for dipping.
8. Caprese Sandwiches
Celebrate the bounty of summer with these caprese sandwiches. Fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella come together in a simple yet delicious handheld meal.
Ingredients:
- Ciabatta or focaccia bread
- Tomatoes
- Fresh mozzarella
- Basil leaves
- Balsamic glaze
Instructions:
- Slice bread and layer with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil leaves.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze and season with salt and pepper.
9. Steak Pitas with Romesco & Herb Whipped Feta
Elevate your summer dinner game with these flavorful steak pitas. The combination of grilled flank steak, romesco sauce, and herb whipped feta is sure to tantalize your taste buds.
Ingredients:
- Flank steak
- Pita bread
- Romesco sauce
- Feta cheese
- Fresh herbs
Instructions:
- Grill or pan-sear the flank steak to desired doneness.
- Whip feta cheese with fresh herbs and a splash of olive oil.
- Assemble pitas with sliced steak, romesco sauce, and herb whipped feta.
10. Chipotle Grilled Chicken & Mango Cobb Salad
Add a touch of smoky heat to your summer salad with this chipotle grilled chicken and mango cobb salad.
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts
- Chipotle seasoning
- Romaine lettuce
- Mango
- Avocado
- Bacon
- Blue cheese
Instructions:
- Season and grill chicken breasts until cooked through.
- Assemble salad with romaine, diced mango, avocado, bacon, and blue cheese.
- Top with sliced grilled chicken and drizzle with desired dressing.
11. Quick BBQ Pork & Pineapple Tostadas
Bring the flavors of the tropics to your dinner table with these quick BBQ pork and pineapple tostadas. They’re a fusion of Mexican, BBQ, and island flavors that are sure to impress.
Ingredients:
- Pork tenderloin
- BBQ sauce
- Pineapple
- Red onion
- Cilantro
- Tostada shells
Instructions:
- Cook pork tenderloin and shred or chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Prepare pineapple salsa by combining diced pineapple, onion, and cilantro.
- Assemble tostadas with pork, pineapple salsa, and desired toppings.
12. Summer Salad with Arugula, Basil, Pasta, & Crispy Chicken
This summer salad is a feast for the senses, featuring crispy chicken, fresh basil, and al dente pasta. It’s a perfect balance of flavors and textures that will leave you feeling satisfied and energized.
Ingredients:
- Arugula
- Basil
- Pasta (cavatappi or penne)
- Crispy chicken tenders
- Cherry tomatoes
- Red bell pepper
- Pickled onions
- Avocado
Instructions:
- Cook pasta according to package instructions and let cool.
- Prepare crispy chicken tenders according to your preferred method.
- Assemble salad with arugula, basil, pasta, chicken, and desired toppings.
13. Grilled Salmon Skewers with Avocado Salsa
Elevate your summer dinner with these grilled salmon skewers, served with a refreshing avocado salsa. It’s a healthy and flavorful option that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients:
- Salmon fillets
- Avocado
- Tomatoes
- Red onion
- Lime juice
- Cilantro
Instructions:
- Thread salmon onto skewers and grill until cooked through.
- Prepare avocado salsa by combining diced avocado, tomatoes, onion, lime juice, and cilantro.
- Serve grilled salmon skewers with avocado salsa on the side.
14. Zucchini Noodle Caprese Salad
Embrace the bounty of summer with this zucchini noodle caprese salad. It’s a light and refreshing twist on the classic caprese, perfect for those warm summer evenings.
Ingredients:
- Zucchini noodles
- Cherry tomatoes
- Fresh mozzarella
- Basil leaves
- Balsamic glaze
- Olive oil
Instructions:
- Prepare zucchini noodles using a spiralizer or julienne peeler.
- Toss zucchini noodles with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze and olive oil.
15. Watermelon Poke Bowls
Beat the summer heat with these refreshing watermelon poke bowls. They’re a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors, perfect for a light and hydrating dinner.
Ingredients:
- Watermelon
- Cooked quinoa or rice
- Avocado
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Sesame seeds
- Ponzu sauce
Instructions:
- Scoop watermelon into bite-sized cubes.
- Assemble bowls with cooked grains, watermelon, avocado, cucumber, edamame, and sesame seeds.
- Drizzle with ponzu sauce and enjoy!
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.