We’ve collected 13 of the best dinner ideas for hot summer nights. From classic and easy, to healthy, vegetarian – heck we’ll even throw in a few kid friendly ideas too!!
On a hot summer night one of the last places you may want to be is cooking over a stove! In fact, you’re probably looking for a way to cool down, then just whip up a BLT pasta salad, or couscous summer salad. If you’re one who doesn’t mind cooking over that hot flame then slap some marinated steak or chicken kabobs on the grill!
Table of Contents
Easy Dinner Ideas for Hot Summer Nights
Easy Mexican Corn Salad
This easy salad is smoky, spicy and tangy all wrapped up in one dish! A salad like no other, this recipe tastes just like Mexican corn on the cob! Top it with cotija cheese, guacamole, and pair with some jicama fries – perfect for hot summer nights!
Ground Turkey Tacos
Are you ready for a recipe that will change your whole dinner game? These turkey tacos will knock your regular recipe right out! This lightened-up version will have your whole family wanting more! Instead of ground beef, this recipe opts for ground turkey – making this recipe lighter, leaner and full of flavor!
Shrimp Tacos
These Blackened Shrimp Tacos are a delicious meal made with blackened shrimp, avocado, mango, purple cabbage, fresh lime and cilantro. Not only are they healthy, but they are a completely flavorful meal! With only 15 minutes of prep, you’re sure to please everyone with this one.Good to the last bite!
Grilled Marinated Steak
Tender, juicy and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, marinated skirt steak is definitely a must try this summer! This recipe will provide you with a simple trick to get the best tasting skirt steak every time! Plus, with the garlic and lime marinade your steaks will be bursting with flavor.
Baked Sockeye Salmon
One of the most sought after types of salmon, sockeye is not farmed, it’s wild! And talk about health benefits from eating this fish, how does this sound: Reduced inflammation, protection for the brain and nervous system. Plus, this dish is ready in just 10 minutes! You can’t beat that!
Avocado Pasta
Creamy, satisfying, full of flavor and it’s vegetarian? Okay, now I’m extra intrigued. Add in the fact it takes only 15 minutes to put together and you’ll be sold as well. To top it off, this dish is full of antioxidants.
BLT Pasta Salad
This easy salad is both refreshing and colorful, but also the perfect salad for summertime. It’s probably the easiest pasta recipe you’ll ever try and will be on your dinner table in just 15 minutes. Your family and friends will ask for it again and again!
Lasagna Roll Ups
Veggies, mozzarella cheese, ricotta, parmesan cheese and marinara sauce all rolled up individually in lasagna pasta. Versititle and easier to prepare than traditional lasagna, you’ll especially love how easily you can freeze these and reheat them!
BBQ Chicken Kabobs
Ready in just 20 minutes, BBQ Chicken Kabobs are made with chicken, bacon and pineapple! The combination will have your kabobs juicy and tender and ready for the grill! Don’t forget the BBQ sauce!
Summer Grilled Cheese
Some say you haven’t tried a grilled cheese until you’ve tried a ‘Summer’ Grilled Cheese! Fresh basil, tomato and dill – and of course that melted cheese!! Bread of choice, cheese of choice. The choice is yours! Get grilling!!
Summer Veggie Mac and Cheese
A little spin on the classic mac and cheese, this summer veggie mac and cheese includes some nutritious veggies! With a nice crisp crust on top, and filled with ooey gooey goodness in the middle, this dish only takes 15 minutes to prep!
Summer Squash Sauté
Two words will sell you on this recipe – delicious and easy. This dish can be cooked on one skillet. Top with a little parmesan cheese, and basil vinaigrette, and you’re good to go!
Couscous Summer Salad
Cherries, avocado, juicy nectarines, chickpeas, cucumber, mint and sweet corn – may not sound like the best combination but definitely tastes like one! This may be the perfect summer salad with all the flavors and colors in every bite!
Easy Corn Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups corn kernels cut from the cob
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 red bell pepper chopped
- 1/2 red onion chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 5 green onions chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper diced
- 1/2 avocado chopped
- 4 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin ground
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup cotija cheese crumbled
Instructions
- Cut the corn off the cob, or use canned or frozen corn.
- Preheat the oil on the stove at high heat. Stir in the corn and cook for about 3- 5 minutes or until the corn starts to char. Add an extra few minutes to the cooking time if you’re using frozen corn.
- Transfer to a large bowl and cool for a few minutes.
- After it has cooled, add the remaining ingredients. Stir well! Adjust the amount of the lime juice and salt and pepper to your taste.
- Garnish with more cheese and cilantro.
Notes
- Substitute feta cheese if you don’t have cotija cheese.
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