Hello, summer lovers. There’s so much to enjoy this season — extra family time, warm days, fresh fruit, s’mores, long sunlight hours, sandy toes at the beach, and beautiful sunsets. It’s one of the best times of the year.
That said, dinner in summer often gets complicated. Schedules change, family outings interrupt the usual routine, and planning a weekly menu can feel impossible. It’s tempting to rely on quick fixes like cereal (no judgment — that happens here, too). To make dinnertime easier this month, I organized 25 recipes into four simple categories instead of strict weekly plans. The categories are: On the Grill, Main Course Salads, In a Skillet, and In the Crock Pot. This layout makes it easier to mix and match based on your schedule and what you feel like cooking that day.
I’ll be away at a youth girls’ camp this week helping cook for 250+ people, so I’ll be offline for most of the week. I’ll respond to questions and comments when I’m back. Fingers crossed for no grumpy bears and only a modest number of mosquitoes!
Below is the plan — pick a few favorites each week and enjoy relaxed, family-friendly meals.
ON THE GRILL
- Grilled Chicken Teriyaki Sandwiches with Crispy Oven Fries
- Grilled Greek Chicken Kabobs with Creamy Cucumber Sauce and Lemon Butter Rice
- Grilled Chicken Caesar Wraps with Simple Grilled Zucchini
- Classic Grilled Burgers with Skillet Potatoes and Lumberjack Baked Beans
- Grilled Chicken Tacos with Fresh Pico de Gallo
MAIN COURSE SALADS
- Taco Salad — build-your-own style for a customizable, kid-friendly dinner
- Mexican Black Bean and Rice Salad — hearty, colorful, and served cold or room temperature
- Quinoa, Mandarin and Feta Salad — light, nutritious, and refreshing
- Crispy Wonton and Chicken Asian Salad — crunchy with bold flavors
- BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad — smoky, creamy, and satisfying
IN A SKILLET
- 30-Minute Skillet Beef Enchiladas with Cheesy Spanish Rice — quick and comforting
- Crispy Skillet Chicken with Bruschetta Pasta — a great combination of textures and fresh tomato flavor
- Creamy Chipotle Black Bean Chicken — smoky, creamy, and simple to prepare
- Orange Sesame Chicken served with white rice — a sweet-savory favorite
- 30-Minute Skillet Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta — indulgent and fast to make
IN THE CROCK POT
- Shredded Mexican Chicken served with tortillas and Cilantro Lime Rice — great for tacos, bowls, or nachos
- Meatball Marinara with spaghetti noodles and baked zucchini with mozzarella — classic and hands-off
- French Dip Sandwiches with chips and watermelon — simple, flavorful, and easy to serve a crowd
- Italian Cream Cheese Chicken with fettuccine and a green salad — creamy and comforting
- Hawaiian Meatballs with white rice — sweet, tangy, and kid-approved
Pick a handful of these meals each week and adapt them based on your schedule and what’s fresh at the market. Enjoy summer dinners that are simple to prepare and enjoyable to eat.