I’ve really been enjoying summer dinners this year. Our days are full, but the evenings feel a little less rushed, which means I’ve had more time to cook, experiment, and build meals around whatever is fresh. And with the kids at these ages, it doesn’t matter quite as much whether dinner is ready at 6:00 PM or 7:30 PM. Plus, the garden produce—especially the tomatoes—has been so flavorful that even the simplest dinners have felt extra special.
I know fall will look very different. Our schedule will be packed with sports, activities, co-op days, and plenty of dinners eaten quickly or on the go. But we aren’t there yet! So while we’re still summer-loving, here are some of the meals we’ve been enjoying lately.
These aren’t all elaborate recipes or perfectly planned dinners. They’re simply 12 easy summer meals that tasted good, worked for our family, and made the most of this slower, produce-filled season. If you have a favorite summer meal you’ve been enjoying, please share it with me! 🙂
BBQ Chicken Sweet Potato Bowls
These have been one of our favorite dinners of the summer: roasted sweet potatoes topped with shredded BBQ chicken, black beans, corn, avocado, and ranch. I love a build-your-own meal because everyone can customize their bowl, and it makes leftovers especially easy. I usually use already-cooked chicken to keep this one simple on a busy night. It’s filling on its own, so I don’t typically serve much alongside it.
Why we loved it: Easy, customizable, and great for leftovers.
Make it easier: Use rotisserie chicken and frozen corn.
Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Okra
This was one of those simple dinners that came together without much planning: marinated and roasted sliced pork tenderloin with roasted okra on the side. I didn’t add a traditional carb because we had just devoured a big bowl of popcorn during a movie, which felt like a good reminder that summer dinners can be a little footloose and fancy free. The pork was satisfying and the okra was fresh from my garden club haul.
Why we loved it: Simple, flavorful, and not overly heavy.
Make it easier: Marinate the pork and trim the okra earlier in the day.
Greek Chicken Rice Bowls
Rice bowls continue to be one of my favorite ways to feed everyone because they’re easy to prep and easy to customize. For these, I paired Greek-marinated chicken with rice, tzatziki, and Greek salad and let everyone assemble their own. They felt fresh and summery while still being hearty enough for dinner.
Why we loved it: Fresh, filling, and customizable.
Make it easier: Prep the chicken and vegetables ahead of time.
Mackerel with Onions, Tomatoes, and Garlic over Rice
This meal might not win the award for prettiest dinner, but it actually tastes pretty good and it is helping me with my omega-3 goals. I sautéed mackerel with onions, tomatoes, and plenty of garlic, then spooned everything over rice. I also like to add a little pepper vinegar sauce. It came together quickly and was a nice change from our usual chicken and ground beef rotation.
Why we loved it: Nutrient-dense, flavorful, and quick to make.
Make it easier: Use canned mackerel and leftover rice.
Lemon Orzo Skillet Chicken with Garden Tomatoes
My lemon orzo skillet chicken has been a repeat favorite for good reason. It’s creamy, bright, and comes together in one pan, which is always appreciated. I served it with sliced Cherokee Purple tomatoes on the side because when tomatoes are this good, they don’t need much more than a little salt. But the girls still like when I add a little drizzle of balsamic.
Why we loved it: Cozy but still fresh enough for summer.
Make it easier: Slice the tomatoes while the chicken and orzo cook.
Ground Beef Burritos
Ground beef burritos are not revolutionary, but they are dependable—and sometimes that is exactly what dinner needs to be. I seasoned the beef, set out the tortillas and toppings (refreid black beans, guac, salsa, pico, sour cream, rice), and let everyone build their own. It was an easy meal that pleased everyone without requiring much thought or cleanup. Hero brand now has tortillas size!
Why we loved it: Familiar, satisfying, and family-friendly.
Make it easier: Cook a double batch of ground beef and freeze half.
Smoked Pork with Homemade Pickles and Caprese Salad
David smoked the pork for this dinner, and I handled the sides: homemade pickles and a caprese salad. The rich, smoky pork paired so well with the acidity of the pickles and the juicy tomatoes and mozzarella. It felt like a very summer-on-a-plate kind of meal, especially with the side of watermelon!
Why we loved it: Smoky, fresh, and full of summer flavors.
Make it easier: Smoke extra pork and use the leftovers for sandwiches, tacos, or bowls.
Potato, Zucchini, and Onion Sauté with Fried Eggs
This was a garden-inspired meal made with sautéed potatoes, zucchini, and onions topped with fried eggs. The runny yolks created their own sauce, and the potatoes made it filling enough to count as dinner. It was inexpensive, comforting, and a great way to use produce we already had.
Why we loved it: Simple, budget-friendly, and surprisingly satisfying.
Make it easier: Dice the potatoes small so they cook more quickly.
Lemon Dill Salmon with Rice and Cucumber Salad
This was such a fresh summer dinner: lemon dill salmon served with rice and a cool cucumber salad on the side. The bright lemon and herbs worked so well with the salmon, while the cucumber salad kept the whole meal feeling light and refreshing. It was easy enough for a weeknight but still felt a little special.
Why we loved it: Fresh, balanced, and full of bright summer flavor.
Make it easier: Mix the cucumber salad ahead of time and use microwave rice.
Bean, Rice, and Veggie Ground Beef Taco Bowls
These taco bowls included rice, beans, and ground beef cooked with plenty of vegetables. They were hearty, colorful, and yet another easy way to offer everyone some choice at dinner. I especially like meals like this because the leftovers can become lunch bowls, quesadillas, or burritos the next day.
Why we loved it: Filling, flexible, and packed with vegetables.
Make it easier: Use microwave rice and canned beans.
BLTs with Avocado on Homemade Sourdough
Few meals taste more like summer than a BLT made with a really good tomato. We added avocado and piled everything onto slices of homemade sourdough, slathered in mayo, which made a simple sandwich feel extra special. This is the kind of dinner I look forward to all year.
Why we loved it: Fresh, nostalgic, and all about the tomatoes.
Make it easier: Cook the bacon earlier in the day and reheat it briefly before serving.
Grilled Chicken with Blistered Shishito Peppers, Tomatoes, and Homemade Onion Rings
This dinner was a mix of fresh and indulgent in the best possible way. We served grilled chicken with blistered shishito peppers, ripe tomatoes, and homemade onion rings. The chicken kept it simple, the vegetables brought the summer flavor, and the crispy onion rings made the whole meal feel fun.
Why we loved it: A little fresh, a little indulgent, and full of flavor.
Make it easier: Prep the onion rings before starting the grill.
I know our meals will start looking a lot different once fall arrives and the calendar fills up, but I’m really enjoying this season of slower evenings, fresh produce, and dinners that don’t have to be rushed. These meals weren’t fancy, but they were delicious, practical, and exactly right for this time of year. I’d love to know what has been on repeat in your kitchen this summer—especially if it involves a really good tomato!
Amber says
I love these ideas! Thank you for sharing! I am feeding three growing kids involved in multiple sports and I’ve found the make-your-own bowls similar to what you shared are the best option for us right now. Easy for me because I just prep and set out the ingredients, helpful for them because they can fill up their bowl and eat and eat and eat! 🙂