27 Quick Summer Meals For When You’d Rather Be Outside Than Cooking

Photo of author

By Anne Jolly

| Published:

The summer sun beckons us outdoors while our dinner plans often keep us trapped in the kitchen. These quick meal ideas help you escape kitchen duty and get back to enjoying those long summer evenings that slip away all too fast.

Shrimp tacos with cabbage and lettuce on a white plate.
Blackened Shrimp Tacos. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Mexican Street Corn Soup

Street corn soup with potatoes, corn and red pepper in the crock pot with a spoon on the side.
Mexican Street Corn Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Slow Cooker Mexican Street Corn Soup lets you spend more time outside while dinner cooks itself. Just add the ingredients to your slow cooker in the morning and return to a flavorful meal that captures the essence of elote in a bowl – perfect for those summer evenings when cooking feels like a chore.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Soup

Nicoise Salad

A plate of salad featuring boiled eggs, tuna, potatoes, green beans, olives, and cherry tomatoes on a bed of greens.
Nicoise Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This classic Niçoise salad is the answer when you’d rather soak up summer rays than stand over a stove. Protein-rich tuna pairs with tender potatoes and crisp vegetables in a bright lemon dressing for a complete no-cook meal that’s ready in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Nicoise Salad

Beef and Broccoli

Stir-fried beef and broccoli garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions in a pan.
Beef and Broccoli. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Easy Panda Express Copycat Beef and Broccoli gets dinner on the table in just 20 minutes so you can maximize your outdoor time. The flavorful combination of tender beef and fresh broccoli makes a family-friendly meal that’s quick enough for even the busiest summer evenings.
Get the Recipe: Beef and Broccoli

Grilled Steak Kabobs

Steak kabobs with peppers and onions on a cutting board with sauce and plates in the background.
Grilled Steak Kabobs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Grilled steak kabobs let you cook dinner outside where the summer action is happening. Marinaded beef and colorful vegetables cook together on skewers for a complete meal that keeps you from being stuck in the kitchen during those precious long summer days.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Steak Kabobs

Italian Grinder Salad

Salad with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, salami, and cheese.
Italian Grinder Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This 20-minute Italian Grinder Salad delivers all the flavors of a classic Italian sub without heating up your kitchen on sweltering summer days. Loaded with Italian deli meats, cheese, and fresh vegetables in a tangy dressing, it’s a hearty dinner option when you’d rather be at the pool than cooking.
Get the Recipe: Italian Grinder Salad

Tortellini Pasta Salad

A bowl of tortellini pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, basil, red onions, and a pesto dressing. A spoon is placed on the side of the dish.
Tortellini Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Tortellini Pasta Salad with Mozzarella, Cherry Tomatoes, and Pesto requires minimal cooking and can be made ahead of time. It’s substantial enough for a main course yet simple enough to throw together quickly before heading back outside to enjoy those long summer evenings.
Get the Recipe: Tortellini Pasta Salad

Fish Taco Salad Bowls

A bowl with grilled fish, lettuce, diced mango, red cabbage, jalapeño slices, and cilantro.
Fish Taco Salad Bowls. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These Fish Taco Salad Bowls come together in just 20 minutes, giving you more time to enjoy the summer sunshine. Flaky fish and crisp vegetables create a light yet filling dinner that won’t keep you trapped in the kitchen during the best hours of the day.
Get the Recipe: Fish Taco Salad Bowls

Spicy Grilled Salmon

Grilled salmon on a platter with lime and summer squash.
Spicy Grilled Salmon. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This spicy grilled salmon dinner gives you a reason to cook outdoors where you actually want to be on summer evenings. The fresh marinade adds kick to the fish while the quick grilling time means you’ll spend more minutes enjoying the weather and fewer prepping food.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Grilled Salmon

Blackened Shrimp Tacos

Shrimp tacos with cabbage and lettuce on a white plate.
Blackened Shrimp Tacos. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These Blackened Shrimp Tacos cook up in under 15 minutes, making them perfect for those summer nights when you’ve been playing outside until dinnertime. The tender, perfectly seasoned shrimp and creamy garlic aioli create a flavor-packed meal that lets you maximize your outdoor time.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Shrimp Tacos

Avocado Pasta

A plate of fettuccine pasta topped with pieces of avocado, corn, and herbs on a patterned dish.
Avocado Pasta. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This vibrant avocado corn pasta is adaptable to summer’s changing plans – serve it hot for dinner or cold as a pasta salad for impromptu picnics. The quick preparation means more time lounging in the backyard and less time sweating over the stove.
Get the Recipe: Avocado Pasta

Grilled Pork Kabobs

Three pork kabobs with pineapple on a wooden cutting board.
Grilled Pork Kabobs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These grilled pork kabobs let you cook dinner outside where you want to be on those perfect summer evenings. The combination of marinaded pork, bacon, pineapple and colorful vegetables creates a complete meal ready in 30 minutes with minimal indoor prep time.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Pork Kabobs

Fajita Burgers

A burger topped with peppers and onions with guacamole.
Fajita Burgers. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These flavorful fajita burgers let you cook dinner on the Blackstone griddle in your backyard rather than in your hot kitchen. The fajita-seasoned beef and grilled vegetables come together quickly, giving you a summer dinner that keeps you where the action is.
Get the Recipe: Fajita Burgers

Puff Pastry Pizza

Six rectangular vegetable pizzas with tomatoes, spinach, olives, and red onions on a cooling rack, with a white napkin nearby.
Puff Pastry Pizza. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This veggie puff pastry pizza requires minimal prep work and cooks quickly, giving you more time to enjoy summer activities. The flaky, buttery crust topped with your favorite ingredients makes for a light dinner that won’t keep you hovering in the kitchen during those precious evening hours.
Get the Recipe: Puff Pastry Pizza

Air Fryer Fish Tacos

A hand holding a soft taco filled with breaded fish, diced mango, cilantro, and white sauce.
Air Fryer Fish Tacos. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These air fryer fish tacos with fresh mango salsa come together in just 20 minutes without heating up your entire kitchen. The crispy fish and bright flavors make for a quick family dinner that leaves plenty of time for evening walks or backyard games.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fish Tacos

Chicken Provencal

A bowl containing pieces of cooked chicken with onions, olives, cherry tomatoes, and herbs in a brothy sauce, placed on a white surface.
Chicken Provencal. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This one-pan Chicken Provençal minimizes cleanup time so you can get back outside to enjoy those long summer evenings. The juicy chicken and aromatic herbs create a flavorful dinner that doesn’t require you to spend hours in the kitchen while summer passes you by.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Provencal

Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken on wooden cutting board.
Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken thighs cook in about 30 minutes with minimal hands-on time. The pressure cooker keeps your kitchen cool while delivering a hot, flavorful meal perfect for when you’d rather be enjoying summer activities than cooking.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos

Three shrimp tacos with lettuce, tomatoes, and herbs on a plate, surrounded by tortillas and lettuce leaves.
Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These cilantro lime shrimp tacos are ready in just 30 minutes, meaning less kitchen time and more outdoor fun. Their bright, fresh flavors capture the essence of summer in a quick meal that won’t keep you away from your garden, pool, or patio for long.
Get the Recipe: Cilantro Lime Shrimp Tacos

Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe

A bowl of Buffalo chicken caesar salad with dressing.
Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad requires minimal cooking, keeping your kitchen cool during those hot summer days. The bold flavors and satisfying crunch create a complete meal that’s quick to prepare when you’re eager to get back to your outdoor activities.
Get the Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe

BBQ Salmon Tacos

Three chicken tacos with lettuce and mango salsa are arranged on a gray surface. There is a small green lime and a bowl of mango salsa on the side.
BBQ Salmon Tacos. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These BBQ Salmon Tacos with tangy mango salsa bring quick cooking and fresh summer flavors together in one easy meal. The simple preparation means you’ll spend less time cooking and more time enjoying the season’s long daylight hours.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Salmon Tacos

Avgolemono Soup

A bowl of soup with chunks of chicken, rice, and vegetables, garnished with lemon slices and fresh herbs.
Avgolemono Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Avgolemono soup transforms leftover chicken into a creamy, lemony dish that’s surprisingly light for summer evenings. The quick preparation using pre-cooked chicken means minimal cooking time when you’d rather be outside catching fireflies or enjoying a sunset.
Get the Recipe: Avgolemono Soup

Chicken Shawarma

A close-up of a pita bread sandwich filled with spiced chicken, tomatoes, and green peppers, served on a white plate with a side salad.
Chicken Shawarma. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma cooks in minutes without heating up your kitchen on those scorching summer days. The flavorful, spice-infused chicken makes a quick dinner solution when you’ve been enjoying the outdoors and don’t want to spend time cooking indoors.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Shawarma

Air Fryer Chicken Tacos

Close-up of grilled chicken tacos topped with shredded cheese, cherry tomatoes, guacamole, and cilantro, served in flour tortillas.
Air Fryer Chicken Tacos. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These air fryer chicken tacos come together in just 20 minutes, perfect for when you’ve spent all day at the beach or pool. The crispy, juicy chicken and quick homemade salsa create a family-friendly dinner that doesn’t steal precious time from your summer activities.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Tacos

Moroccan Chicken Thighs

Overhead view of a dish featuring roasted chicken thighs atop a bed of seasoned quinoa with chickpeas and raisins.
Moroccan Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These Instant Pot Moroccan Chicken Thighs cook in 30 minutes with little supervision, freeing you to enjoy more summer sunshine. The flavorful one-pot meal combines warm-spiced chicken with protein-rich quinoa and chickpeas for a complete dinner that doesn’t demand hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Chicken Thighs

Kung Pao Shrimp

A plate of stir-fried shrimp and vegetables with cashew nuts served over rice.
Kung Pao Shrimp. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Air Fryer Kung Pao Shrimp recipe is ready in under 30 minutes without heating up your house during hot summer days. The sweet, savory, and spicy flavors create a fast weeknight meal that lets you maximize your time enjoying the season’s longer daylight hours.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Shrimp

Grilled Greek Chicken Salad

Plate with chicken salad with corn, grilled peppers and avocado.
Grilled Greek Chicken Salad. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This Grilled Greek Chicken Salad lets you cook dinner outdoors where you’d rather be on summer evenings. The marinated chicken pairs perfectly with spinach, fresh vegetables, and olives for a complete meal that’s ready in less than 30 minutes with minimal indoor prep.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Greek Chicken Salad

Easy Tofu Bowl

Bowl with rice, tofu cubes, avocado slices, edamame, cucumber, red cabbage, carrot, and lime, topped with sesame seeds and sauce. Pink cloth on the side.
Easy Tofu Bowl. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This tofu poke bowl features perfectly seasoned tofu, fresh vegetables, and creamy peanut sauce for a no-cook summer dinner option. The customizable recipe comes together quickly, giving you more time to enjoy outdoor activities instead of slaving away in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Easy Tofu Bowl

Thai Basil Beef

A skillet with cooked ground beef, red bell peppers, green onions, and herb garnishes.
Thai Basil Beef. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This one-skillet Thai Basil Beef delivers restaurant-quality flavor in under 30 minutes, perfect for those summer evenings when daylight lingers. The savory beef and fragrant basil create a quick meal that keeps you from spending precious summer hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Thai Basil Beef

17 low-carb appetizers that disappear fast every time

21 low-carb recipes that get to the point: Big flavor, easy cleanup, and no apologies

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.