15+ Make-Ahead Summer Dinner Recipes

15+ Make-Ahead Summer Dinner Recipes

Summer Dinners Made Easy

Summer is here, and with it comes the desire for lighter, fresher meals that can be enjoyed in the great outdoors. However, it’s not always easy to come up with new and exciting dinner ideas that fit the bill. That’s why we’ve put together this collection of 15+ make-ahead summer dinner recipes that are perfect for hot summer evenings.

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Chopped Veggie Grain Bowls with Turmeric Dressing

These crunchy chopped salad bowls are high in fiber but lower in calories, making them perfect for those following a reduced-calorie diet. To minimize prep, we’re taking advantage of prechopped fresh veggie mix and frozen quinoa (which heats in the microwave in under 5 minutes).

Green Goddess Salad with Chickpeas

In this cucumber, tomato, Swiss cheese, and chickpea salad recipe, a healthy green goddess dressing is made from avocado, buttermilk, and herbs. The extra dressing is delicious served with grilled vegetables.

Sweet Potato & Cauliflower Rice Bowl

In this riff on a healthy grain bowl recipe, we use cauliflower rice instead of another whole grain like brown rice to cut back on carbs and load up on veggie servings. A simple citrusy drizzle, inspired by Cuban mojo sauce, finishes these vegan rice bowls, perfect for dinner.

Grilled Lime Chicken & Steak with Herb & Arugula Salad

This recipe involves one of our favorite make-ahead hacks: let the chicken and steak marinate in reverse. In this recipe, you’ll pour a punchy, citrusy dressing over the meat right after it leaves the grill, so it soaks up the bright vinaigrette as it cools. Better yet, reverse-marinating keeps the grilled meat from drying out, even when kept in the fridge overnight.

Chickpea & Quinoa Grain Bowl

It seems grain bowls have as many variations as there are stars in the sky, and there is no wrong way to build one! But we prefer to keep things classic and simple with hummus, quinoa, avocado, and loads of veggies!

Sausage, Pepper & Potato Packets

Make a complete meal in one foil packet with this easy recipe full of seasoned sausage, peppers, and potatoes. This easy dinner is great for grilling at home or prepping ahead and taking along on a camping trip to cook over the coals.

Walnut Pesto Pasta Salad

This cold pesto pasta salad will cool you off on a summer day. Fresh tomatoes and roasted red peppers add a pop of bright color and juiciness here, but any of your favorite pasta-salad veggies, like blanched broccoli and fresh bell peppers, would be delicious too.

Curried Cauliflower Steaks with Red Rice & Tzatziki

This beautiful grain bowl is packed with healthy ingredients like quinoa, chickpeas, kale, and cauliflower—all drizzled with a lemony tahini sauce. The fast one-bowl meal makes a satisfying weeknight dinner or packable work lunch.

Eggplant Gyros

Eggplant’s meaty texture is a delicious vegetarian stand-in for the lamb that typically fills a gyro sandwich. The vegetable absorbs the lemony-herby-spicy marinade like a sponge, so if you have time, let it marinate for the full day.

Grain Bowl with Chickpeas & Cauliflower

This black bean and quinoa bowl has many of the usual hallmarks of a taco salad, minus the fried bowl. We’ve loaded it up with pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, and avocado plus an easy hummus dressing to drizzle on top.

Salsa-Black Bean Burgers

Salsa and some pantry staples give this vegetarian bean burger recipe tons of flavor. We use crushed tortilla chips to bind the burgers together, making them a great vehicle for using up those crumbs that inevitably fall to the bottom of the bag.

Roasted Veggie & Quinoa Salad

Quick, simple, and packed with satisfying protein and fiber, this salad makes a perfect lunch or easy one-dish dinner.

Lentil Burgers

Walnuts and fresh marjoram accent these vegan lentil burgers. Substitute oregano for marjoram if you like. Serve with a smear of whole-grain mustard and roasted sweet potato wedges.

Loaded Chicken-Quinoa Salad

Turn simple precooked ingredients into a delicious one-dish meal, high in fiber and with plenty of protein to keep you feeling satisfied.

Roasted Veggie & Hummus Pita Pockets

These satisfying and tasty pita-pocket sandwiches are packed with roasted veggies and greens. A spread of hummus adds creaminess and keeps everything from falling out.

Conclusion

Summer dinner recipes don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With these 15+ make-ahead summer dinner recipes, you can enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal without breaking a sweat. Whether you’re a busy professional or a family with a packed schedule, these recipes are perfect for a quick and easy dinner that’s sure to please.

FAQs

Q: Can I make these recipes ahead of time?
A: Yes, many of these recipes can be made ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen for later use.

Q: Are these recipes vegetarian?
A: Some of these recipes are vegetarian, while others may include meat or animal products. Be sure to check the ingredients list before making any substitutions.

Q: Can I customize these recipes to suit my dietary needs?
A: Absolutely! These recipes are designed to be flexible and can be easily customized to suit your dietary needs and preferences.

Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days or frozen for up to 2-3 months. Be sure to label and date leftovers for easy identification.