Come summer time, my meal planning mindset undergoes a major shift. When it’s hot outside I don’t want to use my oven. Raising the temperature in my kitchen tends to put stress on my emotional thermometer as well! I also don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Whether I’m playing outside with the kids or spending the day at the beach, a summer dinner needs to come together quick, often at the last minute. Finally, I don’t want heavy meals. Save the stews, biscuits, and pot pies for fall and winter. Warm weather makes me crave lighter foods that don’t drag a body down.
Today I have 5 meal ideas for you that fit all of my summer time dinner criteria. Hopefully these dinners add freedom and freshness to your own meal planning!
Chicken Salad
Whether you are using up the remains of a rotisserie chicken or you’ve cooked up a few chicken breasts in the slow cooker, chicken salad is the perfect summer meal. Variations on it are endless- I like to add grapes and almonds to mine, but you can also go the curry powder route, try apples and red onions… pretty much whatever you’d like! You can also serve it several ways; cold on bread or a tortilla, open faced with cheese melted on top, or scooped over a bed of lettuce. A bonus perk is that leftovers make great lunches. Another great summer salad idea is an Italian zucchini salad with fresh picked zucchini from your garden.
Hummus
Hummus is super easy to make at home, and super cheap too. A can of chickpeas, a tablespoon or two of olive oil, a dash of lemon juice, and the seasonings of your preference blended in a food processor is all it takes. I serve it with a plate of veggies and crackers or tortilla chips for dipping, or on a wrap with greens and bell peppers and cheese. This roasted beet hummus is a beautiful color and a fun twist on the classic, and this chart gives you a variety of fabulous ideas for hummus creation.
Baked Potato Bar
Rub a bit of oil and salt on as many potatoes as it takes to feed your family, and cook them in the slow cooker on low until soft. Provide a wide array of simple toppings- butter, sour cream, cheddar, chives, crumbled bacon, etc. I also like to serve steamed broccoli alongside. It provides a little bit of green, and my family gobbles it up when I hide it under the toppings!
Pancakes and Fruit
Summer is berry season, and that calls for breakfast for dinner. Cook up a big batch of pancakes and top them with your family’s favorite summer fruits. Make sure to include scrambled eggs or bacon or sausage for protein. Simple and delicious, and only uses stove top heat. And don’t forget dessert! Fruit and fruit recipes make for a wonderful summertime dessert. A Cool Whip strawberry pie, or a no bake strawberry pie would be the perfect end to any summer evening.
Summery Slow Cooker Dishes
They do exist! Trust me, I always thought of the slow cooker as a cold weather tool- roasts, chilis, etc. But I love that I can get dinner going first thing, smell good food cooking all day, and never raise the temperature of my home. Most recently my family has enjoyed Vietnamese Chicken with Bok Choy, Chicken in Tomatillo Salsa Verde, and this white chili recipe {which somehow seems more summery than its traditional chili counterpart}. You will find tons of great recipes to try on this list too!
These are the most popular recipes in my summer arsenal!
What summer time meals keep you cool and out of the kitchen?
Rachel
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