15 Lazy Day Summer Dinner Recipes
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy simple and refreshing meals that require minimal effort in the kitchen. When the sun is shining and the days are long, the last thing you want to do is spend hours cooking. Here are 15 lazy day summer dinner recipes that are quick, easy, and delicious, allowing you to make the most of your summer evenings.
1. Caprese Salad with Grilled Chicken
A classic Italian dish that is both light and satisfying. Layer fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil leaves. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and olive oil. Add grilled chicken for a protein boost. This dish is not only refreshing but also requires minimal cooking time.
Ingredients:
Fresh mozzarella
Ripe tomatoes
Fresh basil leaves
Balsamic glaze
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Grilled chicken breasts
Instructions:
Slice the mozzarella and tomatoes.
Alternate layers of mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil.
Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze.
Season with salt and pepper.
Serve with sliced grilled chicken on top.
2. Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa
These shrimp tacos are packed with flavor and can be on your table in under 20 minutes. The mango salsa adds a sweet and spicy kick that perfectly complements the shrimp.
Ingredients:
Large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Corn tortillas
Mango, diced
Red onion, diced
Jalapeño, diced
Lime juice
Cilantro, chopped
Salt and pepper
Olive oil
Instructions:
Season shrimp with salt and pepper.
Sauté shrimp in olive oil until pink.
Mix mango, red onion, jalapeño, lime juice, and cilantro for salsa.
Warm tortillas and fill with shrimp and mango salsa.
3. Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
A nutritious and hearty salad that is perfect for a lazy summer evening. It's loaded with fresh vegetables and topped with a zesty lemon vinaigrette.
Ingredients:
Quinoa, cooked
Cucumber, diced
Cherry tomatoes, halved
Red onion, diced
Kalamata olives, sliced
Feta cheese, crumbled
Fresh parsley, chopped
Lemon juice
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Mix quinoa, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, olives, feta, and parsley.
Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper for dressing.
Toss salad with dressing and serve chilled.
4. Zucchini Noodles with Pesto
A low-carb alternative to pasta, zucchini noodles are easy to prepare and delicious when tossed with fresh pesto.
Ingredients:
Zucchini, spiralized
Pesto sauce
Cherry tomatoes, halved
Parmesan cheese, grated
Pine nuts, toasted
Instructions:
Sauté zucchini noodles in olive oil until just tender.
Toss with pesto sauce and cherry tomatoes.
Top with Parmesan and pine nuts before serving.
5. Grilled Vegetable and Hummus Wraps
These wraps are packed with flavor and can be customized with your favorite vegetables. Perfect for a light dinner on a hot summer day.
Ingredients:
Assorted vegetables (bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant)
Olive oil
Hummus
Whole wheat wraps
Feta cheese
Fresh spinach
Instructions:
Grill vegetables until tender.
Spread hummus on wraps.
Layer with grilled vegetables, spinach, and feta.
Roll up and enjoy.
6. BBQ Chicken Flatbread
A quick and easy flatbread that combines the flavors of barbecue chicken with creamy cheese and fresh cilantro.
Ingredients:
Flatbread
Cooked chicken, shredded
BBQ sauce
Red onion, sliced
Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Spread BBQ sauce on flatbread.
Top with chicken, onion, and cheese.
Bake until cheese is melted.
Garnish with cilantro before serving.
7. Summer Corn and Tomato Pasta
This simple pasta dish is a celebration of summer produce. Sweet corn and juicy tomatoes create a delightful combination.
Ingredients:
Pasta of choice
Fresh corn kernels
Cherry tomatoes, halved
Garlic, minced
Basil leaves
Parmesan cheese
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Cook pasta and set aside.
Sauté garlic, corn, and tomatoes in olive oil.
Toss pasta with vegetable mixture and basil.
Sprinkle with Parmesan and serve.
8. Spicy Tuna Poke Bowl
Poke bowls are a fun and easy way to enjoy sushi flavors at home. Customize with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients:
Sushi-grade tuna, diced
Cooked rice
Soy sauce
Sesame oil
Green onions, sliced
Avocado, diced
Seaweed salad
Sesame seeds
Instructions:
Marinate tuna in soy sauce and sesame oil.
Serve over rice with avocado, seaweed salad, and green onions.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.
9. Lemon Garlic Grilled Salmon
Salmon is a rich and flavorful fish that cooks quickly, making it ideal for a summer dinner.
Ingredients:
Salmon fillets
Lemon juice
Garlic, minced
Olive oil
Fresh dill
Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Marinate salmon in lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Grill salmon until cooked through.
Garnish with fresh dill and serve.
10. Stuffed Bell Peppers
These bell peppers are stuffed with a savory mixture of rice, beans, and spices for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients:
Bell peppers, halved and seeded
Cooked rice
Black beans, rinsed and drained
Salsa
Cheddar cheese, shredded
Cumin and chili powder
Fresh cilantro
Instructions:
Mix rice, beans, salsa, cheese, cumin, and chili powder.
Fill pepper halves with mixture.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) until peppers are tender.
Garnish with cilantro.
11. Cold Soba Noodle Salad
This Japanese-inspired dish is refreshing and light, perfect for a hot summer evening.
Ingredients:
Soba noodles, cooked and chilled
Cucumber, julienned
Carrot, julienned
Soy sauce
Rice vinegar
Sesame oil
Green onions, sliced
Sesame seeds
Instructions:
Toss noodles with cucumber, carrot, and green onions.
Whisk soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil for dressing.
Pour dressing over noodles and garnish with sesame seeds.
Conclusion
These 15 lazy day summer dinner recipes offer a variety of flavors and cuisines to suit any palate. Whether you’re in the mood for something light and refreshing or hearty and satisfying, these dishes provide the perfect balance of taste and ease, allowing you to enjoy your summer evenings to the fullest.
