Not every dish is suitable for hot weather, but there are summer recipes out there that have been specifically created and cultivated to go with high temperatures and cool drinks. Enjoy a few of them right here!

Zucchini Pizza Bites

Made with zucchini rounds instead of dough, these bite-sized treats make great summertime appetizers. They’ll give you the cheesy, spicy goodness of traditional pizza, but they’ll be much healthier than the stuff you order from a grease-clogged fast food restaurant.

Grilled Chicken with Avocado Corn Salsa

If you need a fancy dish for a garden party but hate the thought of slaving over a hot stove all day, consider grilling up some of these chicken breasts. They’re served with bright yellow-and-green avocado corn salsa that uses everything from minced garlic to ground cumin to give it an extra kick.

Shrimp Cocktail Salad

Make a meal out of the seafood that you just spent the day catching (or shopping for). This shrimp cocktail salad will look gorgeous on a plate while also being simple enough to throw together during vacations and impromptu family gatherings. It’s one of those simple summer recipes that will keep everyone coming back for more.

Chili Steak with Hawaiian Rice

Bring a little piece of Hawaii into your kitchen with this chili steak dish. One bite is all it takes to imagine yourself lounging on a beach chair or enjoying a high-class dinner at a bungalow resort. It even uses limes and pineapples to make you feel like you’re really on a tropical island.

Watermelon Gazpacho

There’s something wonderfully exciting about mixing a sweet summer fruit with a savoury dish. Maybe it’s because it’s a unique culinary combination, or maybe it’s because the flavours always spark off each other so well. In any case, this watermelon gazpacho is sure to turn you into a fan.

Thai Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Made with onions, carrots, lime juice, chili peppers and even a hint of peanut butter, these turkey lettuce wraps are a blast of flavour with every bite. You don’t have to worry about your waistline, however, since their primary ingredients are lettuce and turkey. They’re much better for you than, say, regular tacos.

Swordfish Kebabs with Mint Pesto

Nothing says summer like shish kebabs, and these swordfish squares are marinated in lemon and garlic to make them both a colourful and delightful entree. The hot months are meant for outdoor finger foods, so put these kebabs on the grill and enjoy!

Lemongrass Pork Sandwich

You wouldn’t know it to look at them, but these lemongrass pork sandwiches contain everything from brown sugar to Asian fish sauce. One thing is for sure, however: their eclectic ingredients make an amazing flavour profile. These are the kind of sandwiches that make people go back for seconds.

Mediterranean Chicken Pitas

Ready to eat in just 20 minutes, these chicken pitas are sure to be popular during your next summertime get-together. They’re made with onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta to give them that Mediterranean flavour, and the chicken turns these into an option for your main entree.

Let’s take a look at some delicious summer recipes you can try for dessert!

Blackberry Coconut Custard Cobbler

Who’s up for dessert? When you’re done indulging yourself with steaks and swordfish, satisfy your sweet tooth with this blackberry coconut cobbler. The berries will ooze out of the pie with every cut, and the coconut will be just tangy enough to remind you that it’s summertime.

Triple Berry Summer Salad

This delightful summer salad is made with fresh, tangy fruits, and a few tosses of nuts and cheese. It’s served on a bed of baby spinach. Not only will it be a colourful addition to your picnic table, but it will also let you enjoy the crispness of summer one last time.

Peaches N’ Cream Cupcakes

Finish your meal with these amazing peaches n’ cream cupcakes. Equal parts tangy and creamy, they’re sure to delight your guests with a taste of summer fruit and delectable buttercream frosting.

These are just a few dishes that will pair nicely with picnic baskets, pool parties, and umbrella drinks. Whether you’re hosting a potluck in the backyard or just looking for something new to put on the dinner table, these recipes will be a lot of fun to try!

Related article: Spring Recipe Ideas You Need to Try

Originally posted Aug 7, 2017; updated Jun 6, 2023

Author: Sereena S.

Mom of two, wife to one, and a dog lover. Although cats can be okay too, but only sometimes...