28 Easy Summer Dinners You Can Make in Less Than 30 Minutes

During the fall and winter, I feel like I never have trouble deciding what to make for dinner. There are so many cozy soups and comfort food meals I want to make that I’m pretty much set for dinner ideas throughout the season. Coming up with summer dinner ideas, however, is a different story. The fact is that, during the colder months, I’ve got nothing better to do than spend a couple hours in the kitchen whipping up some elaborate dish. But come summertime, the last thing I want to be doing is standing over a hot stove. What I really need are some easy summer dinner ideas I can throw together quickly before getting on with my summer plans.

In the spirit of spending less time in the kitchen and more time making the most of the season, I rounded up a bunch of summer dinner recipes that come together in less than 30 minutes. From veggie-packed pastas to fresh-off-the-grill favorites, these easy summer dinner ideas are simple, quick, and delicious.

1. Mexican Street Corn Chicken Tacos

Source: Closet Cooking

Tacos are one of my go-to dinners when I want something on the table ASAP, but my usual ground beef recipe gets boring week after week. Packed with all the flavors of elote (AKA Mexican street corn), this chicken taco recipe is just the inspo I needed to switch things up.

2. 30-Minute Herby Lemon Garlic Steak and Rice

Source: Half Baked Harvest

Summer equals grilling season, and I’m planning on taking full advantage with yummy recipes like this lemon garlic steak. Even if you don’t have access to an outdoor grill, you can easily make this recipe with a skillet or grill pan instead. Serve the cooked steak with a heap of herby rice and some sliced avocado for a delicious, filling meal that requires minimal cleanup.

3. 15 Minute Sesame Salmon Sushi Bowl

Source: Midwest Foodie

When you’re craving sushi but don’t want to spend the money on takeout, this easy recipe is the perfect solution. It’s made with all your favorite sushi flavors and comes together in just 15 minutes, so you can have dinner on the table in less time than delivery would take.

4. Grilled Chicken Caprese

Source: Feasting at Home

If you love a good caprese salad, this easy summer dinner idea is about to become your new go-to. The chicken is grilled, covered in melty mozzarella cheese, and then topped with fresh tomatoes, basil, and balsamic glaze. It’s fancy enough to serve at a summer dinner party, but easy enough to make on a weeknight.

5. Southwest Chicken Burrito Bowls

Source: Jar of Lemons

This burrito bowl will be ready faster than you can drive to Chipotle and back—and it tastes way better, too. It’s also super easy to customize with all your favorite spices and toppings.

6. 30-Minute Zucchini Pizza Boats

Source: The Girl on Bloor

These stuffed zucchini boats are perfect for when you’re craving pizza but want something a little less carb-heavy. The recipe calls for a mix of sausage, mushrooms, green pepper, and red onions, but you could easily customize yours with whatever toppings you prefer.

7. Bang Bang Chicken Skewers

Source: Chelsea’s Messy Apron

These bang bang chicken skewers are packed with flavor and a touch of spice, and they’re super easy to throw together on busy weeknights. The recipe recommends serving the skewers alongside a cucumber-avocado salad, but they would also be delicious over a bed of rice or greens.

8. Grilled Halloumi Mediterranean Salad

Source: Midwest Foodie

If you’ve never tried halloumi cheese before, this easy summer salad recipe will no doubt make you a fan. Made with delicious grilled halloumi cheese, chickpeas, tomatoes, and Kalamata olives drizzled with a creamy homemade balsamic dressing, this hearty salad is equal parts nutritious and delicious.

9. Mango Chicken Teriyaki

Source: Pinch of Yum

This bowl is bursting with tropical goodness, complete with a tangy mango teriyaki sauce that you’ll want to slather on everything once you try it. It’s also quick and easy, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

10. Shrimp and Chorizo Paella

Source: Fox and Briar

This recipe tastes like something you’d eat while on vacation off the coast of Spain, when in reality, you made it yourself in just 30 minutes. It’s the perfect summer dish to make when you want to romanticize a weeknight dinner (without putting in too much effort).

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11. Ahi Poke Bowl

Source: The Girl on Bloor

For summer nights when it’s too hot to even think about turning on the oven, this ahi tuna poke bowl is the perfect solution. All you have to do is dice and marinate your tuna, make some rice, and then add any toppings you like for a delicious meal that tastes restaurant-ready.

12. Asparagus Pasta with Lemon

Source: A Couple Cooks

The combination of roasted asparagus, zesty lemons, and fresh basil forms the best restaurant-quality summer pasta dish. Customize it to your liking with other seasonal vegetables or chicken for some protein.

13. Lemon Butter Scallops

Source: Chungah Rhee | Damn Delicious

If you’ve never made scallops at home, it’s actually surprisingly easy, and this recipe provides so many tips and tricks to make sure they turn out fabulous every time. This dish is sure to be a new summer staple.

14. Greek Lamb Meatballs with Tzatziki

Source: What’s Gaby Cooking

This recipe uses ingredients you most likely already have at home (like panko breadcrumbs and Greek yogurt) and is a great way to make a protein-packed meal in a short amount of time. If lamb is outside your comfort zone, you can easily swap for ground beef or ground chicken instead.

15. 20 Minute Ginger Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry

Source: Half-Baked Harvest

Stir fry is the best quick dinner option because all you have to do is chop up your ingredients and throw them in the pan. This recipe elevates your run-of-the-mill stir fry with brown butter, garlic, and Thai red curry paste for a well-seasoned dish balanced out with some tangy pineapple.

16. Spicy Mango, Black Bean & Avocado Tacos

Source: Love and Lemons

If you are trying to incorporate more plant-based protein, these tacos are a tasty option. Chili powder-spiced beans and sriracha mayo add a spicy kick, but it’s perfectly balanced by the creamy avocado and fresh mango.

17. Whole Wheat Summer Pesto Pasta

Source: The Girl on Bloor

When you need to make dinner quickly, the last thing you want is a sink full of dishes to wash when you’re finished cooking. This one-pot pasta will be on the table in less than half an hour and keeps cleanup simple.

18. Honey Garlic Shrimp Skewers

Source: Ahead of Thyme

These shrimp skewers are the ideal blend of sweet and savory flavors. The shrimp is marinated in a mouthwatering honey garlic sauce that will have you craving them every night of the week.

19. Zippy Orzo Summer Salad

Source: Pinch of Yum

Thanks to the addition of fresh dill and lemon juice, this zesty salad tastes like the epitome of summer. Loaded with veggies and served with chicken, it’s also a healthy, well-rounded meal that will keep you full.

20. Easy Chipotle Salmon Burgers

Source: Half-Baked Harvest

If you’re craving a burger but want to spice up your basic ground beef, try this salmon version. It packs in all the flavors of a classic burger but with a fresh seafood twist.

21. Garlic Lemon Bucatini with Crab

Source: What’s Gaby Cooking

Cooking with crab may seem like a big undertaking, but this recipe only takes 20 minutes from start to finish. Plus, nothing says summer like seafood pasta.

22. Mediterranean Orzo Salad

Source: Fox and Briar

Super versatile and filled with refreshing flavors, this Mediterranean orzo salad works as a side dish, a light lunch, or an easy summer dinner. If you want to make it more filling, mix in some shredded chicken or crispy chickpeas.

23. 20-Minute Snap Pea Pasta

Source: What’s Gaby Cooking

IMO, there’s nothing better than a light, summery pasta, and this snap pea pasta only reinforces that idea. Packed with in-season ingredients like snap peas and shallots, this will be one of your new favorite easy summer dinner ideas.

24. Honey Garlic Chicken

Source: Chungah Rhee | Damn Delicious

This recipe is essentially the grown-up version of chicken tenders, and it will quickly become your new comfort meal. The chicken is so crispy, and the honey-garlic sauce is better than anything you can get from a drive-through.

25. Grilled Romaine Salad with Jalapeño Ranch

Source: Isabel Eats

This amazing grilled romaine salad might just make you swear off your usual Caesar. Grilling your lettuce might sound strange, but the smoky, tender result truly takes the flavor to the next level.

26. Jerk Salmon with Pineapple Salsa

Source: Grandbaby Cakes

This Caribbean-inspired salmon recipe creates a sweet, spicy dinner that will outshine your normal salmon recipe. The pineapple salsa adds a pop of citrus that balances out the meal wonderfully.

27. Crispy Lemon Chicken Thighs

Source: What’s Gaby Cooking

Elevate your dinner with these irresistible crispy lemon chicken thighs. To make, you’ll coat the chicken thighs in a lemon marinade and then bake them to golden perfection, resulting in a dish with bright, tangy flavors and an incredible crunch. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, this recipe is sure to become a go-to.

28. Zucchini Pasta

Source: Erin Clarke of Well Plated

Zucchini noodles may be healthier than regular noodles, but don’t worry, they taste just as good. With just zucchini, cherry tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, basil, and some seasonings, you’ll have a delicious summer dinner that’s ready in just 25 minutes.