Unique Summer Recipes Roundup

We all know summer is the best time for family dinners, picnics by the lake, and late night BBQs. This unique summer recipes roundup is full of some of my favorite recipes that are perfect for your next family dinner or potluck. From easy-to-make dips and refreshing salads, these recipes will have everyone begging for seconds! There’s a little somethin’ for everyone.

*Please note, some of these links are affiliate links. That means, if you use my link to purchase, I'll earn a little cash. That cash helps support my business and keeps me truckin' along, sharing all the goodness with you! 🙌 It also just might make you a rockstar, in my opinion!*

Summer is here and that means you’re looking for new, tasty recipes to make with your family. The best part of summer cooking is all the fresh ingredients you can find at the farmer’s market or in season at your local grocery store! In this post, we’ll share our favorite recipes perfect for a hot summer day.

Serve these dishes up on a picnic blanket under a shady tree or in front of an air conditioner; they’re guaranteed to satisfy. I hope you enjoy them!

An Unforgettable Thanksgiving Starts with premium turkey and ham, sides and desserts from Perdue Farms!

Contents hide

1 What should I make for dinner on a hot summer day?

2 What are good summer foods?

3 What do you cook in hot weather?

4 What to make when it’s hot?

What should I make for dinner on a hot summer day?

Salads are always easy summer side dishes for bbqs or any other summer meal. They’re light to eat and won’t heat up the house when preparing them. Plus, they’re usually super easy to throw together and customize to your taste. Here’s some summer salad recipes that are sure to be a hit!

It’s summertime and it’s time to ditch the heavy salads for lighter, fresher fare. Enter this strawberry mint cucumber salad! This is a perfect meal or side dish that will quench your thirst while also satisfying your hunger. It has all the flavors of a traditional caprese salad but with no cheese and less oil. If you’re looking for an easy way to stay cool in the summer heat, look no further!

The color and texture of this easy fruit salad is enough to make anyone happy. The variety of fruits that are in this dish allows for each person to have their own personal favorite, whether it be apples, strawberries, or grapes.

Fruit salads can range from healthy to decadent depending on what you add into the mix. What do you like more: honey or chocolate? It’s your choice! That’s why I love them so much, perfect for shelf cooking and using up that leftover produce! So easy to customize depending on what you already have on hand or your budget this week!

What are good summer foods?

Those prepared by someone else, amiright? Summertime is a great time for cookouts and backyard BBQs. But, what’s an easy dish you can take to a potluck? Try this bang bang chicken in the Air Fryer. It’s making my mouth water and it would be the perfect dish to bring to a potluck. Pretty easy to transport if you put the chicken in a pyrex dish with a lid.

One-pot dishes are pretty much always my favorite because washing dishes is not my favorite. This one pot broccoli and rice would be a tasty addition to any cookout. Even though it has broccoli, the flavors seem like they’d be kid-friendly.

What’s a cookout without a flavorful buffalo chicken dip? I can promise you, one batch of chicken dip isn’t enough! Made in the crockpot, this dip is perfect for those busy summer days. Plus, make a double batch and freeze the leftovers so all you have to do next time is warm it up!

So maybe these weren’t the best warm weather foods to add to your summer menu. Eating a warm meal on a hot day isn’t always ideal. However, these were all easy prep and easy clean up, so they’re still a win in my book!

What do you cook in hot weather?

Dessert, I mean I love dessert at any time of year, but the summer months offer especially delicious dessert options that are easy to make. I’m all about whipping up the most impressive desserts, with minimal work. What about you?

Did you know you can make a cake in your electric pressure cooker? Who doesn’t love instant pot summer recipes, especially ones that end in cake? Try this Instant Pot pound cake and your socks will be knocked right off!

Looking for something a little fruitier? This peach dump cake is on my “must make in the Air Fryer” list. Dump cakes are my favorite because they’re so easy and usually have minimal clean up. Another easy cleaning win!

If you’re looking for an easy dessert idea, these cheesecake cups are perfect! Your kids will love them and they can be made in a jiffy. The recipe is easy to follow and budget friendly. What more could you ask for?

This melting ice cream cone cupcake recipe is a fun (and messy) way to make ice cream in cupcake form. You can use any flavor of cake mix and frosting you want, so these are perfect for any occasion. These cupcakes take only 30 minutes to make and they only need a few ingredients.

What to make when it’s hot?

A refreshing beverage, of course! This next section won’t give you recipes for genius warm weather foods, but they will help you cool off! My unique summer recipes roundup just wouldn’t be complete without some easy summer drink recipes.

I mean, when it’s extra hot out, a refreshing drink is a must! But, a delicious summer drink doesn’t have to cost a ton or take a whole lot of effort. Personally, I love some frozen fruit in my sparking water for a refreshing summer treat.

Here’s a refreshing twist on the traditional iced tea, this blueberry pomegranate lemonade iced tea has whole, fresh ingredients that pop with flavor. It’s perfect for those hot summer days when you want something cold. And since it has no added sugar or artificial sweeteners, this drink can also be enjoyed by anyone with dietary restrictions or preferences. The best part? You’ll have plenty of time left over to play outside with your family.

When it’s hot outside, nothing beats a cold glass of cherry lemonade. It has the sweetness you need to offset the heat and thirst that comes from being outdoors in the summer. I love how tart and tangy this drink is!

Want some options just for the adults? Here’s some summer drink ideas that are not just alcoholic, but also super refreshing. These Prosecco Pops are sure to quench your thirst while cooling you down.

If you’re looking for a delicious drink that won’t break the calorie bank, this huge list of low calorie alcoholic drinks is just for you. These low-calorie alcoholic drinks are perfect for those trying to watch their weight or who want an occasional drink without going overboard. This list includes wine, beer, and more!

I hope this unique summer recipes roundup helped you find some recipes that will make your summer even more enjoyable. Remember to check out all of the great blogs linked to throughout this article for more delicious ideas! What warm weather foods are you preparing this year? What are your favorite easy summer side dishes for bbqs or potlucks?

Until next time,
Stay Courageous!