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Summer Meal Ideas

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You can use our summer meal ideas for many different occasions. If you don’t want to cook in a hot kitchen for an hour or two on a warm summer’s evening, you can get plenty of inspiration here.

Find ideas for potlucks, barbecues, lighter meals that travel well, and so much more.

We’ll be adding plenty more ideas throughout summer, so be sure to check back for more inspiration.

What to Bring to a Summer Potluck

listicle of foods for what to bring to a summer potluck in color-coded sections

Appetizers

Breads

  • Dinner rolls
  • Garlic bread
  • Cheddar biscuits
  • Focaccia
  • Cornbread

Salads

Mains

Fruits

Desserts

  • Mini cheesecakes
  • Lemon bars
  • Peach cobbler
  • Apple pie with ice cream
  • Cookies

Drinks

  • Lemonade (assorted flavors)
  • Iced Tea
  • Infused Water
  • Sodas
  • Juices

Get the Summer Potluck printable here.

Summer Cookout Favorites

Summer Cookout Favorites (list).

Mains

Burgers. See this list of burger toppings for more ideas.
Hot dogs
BBQ ribs
Grilled chicken
Grilled sausages
Grilled shrimp
Chicken kabobs
Veggie kabobs
Fried chicken
Pulled pork

Sides

Corn on the cob
Potato salad
Pasta salad
Coleslaw
Watermelon feta salad
Mac and cheese
Spinach strawberry salad
Tomato cucumber salad
Fresh corn salad
Grilled vegetables

Appetizers

Chips and salsa
Deviled eggs (traditional or something different)
Jalapeño poppers
Guacamole
Caprese skewers
Nachos
Chicken wings
Corn fritters
Buffalo chicken dip
Sliders

Desserts

Apple pie
Brownies
Watermelon
S’mores
Grilled peaches
Cupcakes
Fresh berry salad
Ice cream
Peach cobbler
Lemon bars

Get the Summer Cookout Favorites printable here.

Summer Dinner Themes

Summer dinner themes
  • Wrap Night – Make wraps with your favorite fillings (grilled chicken & avocado, steak & grilled peppers, smoked salmon and herb cream cheese).
  • Cold Soup Night – Make a cold soup like gazpacho and serve it with your favorite bread.
  • Tartine Night – Make open-faced sandwiches with your favorite toppings (tomato & mozzarella, pesto & burrata, cream cheese & smoked salmon, ricotta & fresh berries).
  • Skewer Night – Make a variety of grilled skewers (assorted veggies, shrimp, chicken, halloumi) and serve with dipping sauces.
  • Antipasto Night – Serve a variety of antipasti like marinated vegetables, cheeses, cured meats, olives, and bread.
  • Burger Night – Set up a burger station with beef, chicken, or veggie patties and various toppings.
  • Corn Night – Feature corn in a variety of dishes (corn fritters, grilled corn, elotes, corn & tomato salad).
  • Pasta Salad Night – Make a variety of cold pasta salads (pesto, Greek-inspired, tortellini pasta salad).
  • Croissant Sandwich Night – Make croissant sandwiches (ham & cheese, turkey & avocado, smoked salmon & cream cheese).
  • Flatbread Pizza Night – Top flatbreads with your favorite toppings (tomato, mozzarella & basil, prosciutto & arugula, pesto chicken).
  • Taco Night – Build-your-own tacos with your favorite fillings (grilled chicken, shrimp, or veggies) and serve with elotes, guacamole, and chips on the side.
  • Tapas Night – Make small Spanish-style dishes like patatas bravas, garlic shrimp, marinated olives, and pan con tomate.
  • Avocado Night – Feature avocado in a variety of dishes (stuffed avocados with chicken salad, avocado toast with various toppings, avocado & tomato salad, avocado fries, guacamole & chips).
  • Mezze Night – Serve a spread of hummus, tzatziki, dolmas, pita, olives, grilled meats, and cucumber-tomato salad.
  • Sushi Night – Roll your own sushi and serve with dipping sauces or make sushi bowls.
  • Savory Crepe Night – Make crepes and fill the with various savory options (herb goat cheese & tomatoes, cream cheese & smoked salmon, chicken, mushrooms & cheese).
  • Salad Night – Set out a variety of greens, toppings, proteins, and dressings for everyone to make their own salad with their favorite ingredients.
  • Summer Tart Night – Make puff pastry tarts with your favorite toppings (tomatoes & oregano, pesto & mozzarella, bacon & cheese).
  • Picnic Night – Pack a variety of sandwiches, pasta salad, fruit, and lemonade for an outdoor picnic.
  • Breakfast for Dinner – Serve your favorite breakfast foods for dinner (pancakes, omelets, granola & yogurt).
  • Quesadilla Night – Make quesadillas and serve with guacamole.
  • Ceviche Night – Marinate fresh fish or shrimp in citrus with onions, cilantro, and peppers (use sashimi-grade/sushi-grade quality that’s safe to use for ceviche).
  • Steak Night – Grill steaks and serve with grilled corn and fresh salads.
  • Grilled Fish – Grill fish (salmon, snapper, swordfish, halibut, mahi mahi) and serve with side salads.

Get the Summer Dinner Themes printable here.

Picnic Food Themes

Picnic Food Themes

Italian-Inspired

Prosciutto, mozzarella, and pesto sandwiches
Rosemary focaccia
Marinated olives
Tiramisu in jars
Sparkling orange soda

French-Inspired

Baguette sandwiches with brie and fig jam
Quiche Lorraine (served cold)
Cornichons
Macarons
Lavender lemonade

Mediterranean Mezze

Pita
Dips (hummus, labneh, baba ganoush)
Tabbouleh
Baklava
Rose water lemonade

Bagel Brunch Picnic

Assorted bagels
Smoked salmon
Herb cream cheese
Berry cream cheese
Fresh fruit
Fresh orange juice

Charcuterie

Cheddar & mozzarella
Salami & prosciutto
Baguette slices & crackers
Roasted nuts
Grapes & berries
Sparkling apple cider (juice)

Classic & Easy

Ham & cheese wraps
Cheese & crackers
Fruit salad
Chocolate chip cookies
Sparkling lemonade

Afternoon-Tea Themed

Cucumber sandwiches
Smoked salmon sandwiches
Egg & cress sandwiches
Scones with jam and clotted cream
Iced Earl Grey tea

Savory Tarts

Tomato & goat cheese tart
Arugula salad
Prosciutto-wrapped melon
Mini fruit tarts
Sparkling elderflower soda

Plant-Based

Chickpea salad sandwiches
Kale crisps
Watermelon & mint salad
Pitted dates filled with nut butter
Iced hibiscus tea

Midwest-Inspired Comfort

Roast beef & cheddar sandwiches
Classic potato salad
Deviled eggs
Mini pecan pies
Sweet tea

Get the Picnic Food Themes printable here.

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