19 Summer Meal Ideas With Mains, Sides, and Appetizers

Summer food usually starts with whatever sounds good once the day heats up. You might want a main for dinner, a side to round out the plate, or an appetizer to set out before people sit down. Pick the one that matches your table and serve it with the drinks, fruit, or sides you already have.

Three grilled kebabs on flatbread, topped with shredded lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red onion, chopped herbs, and a drizzle of white sauce, served with lime wedges. — Lamb Kebabs. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Four grilled corn cobs topped with crumbled cheese, chopped herbs, and spices are arranged on a white plate. — Grilled Corn on the Cob. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Charred kernels make Grilled Corn on the Cob four servings in 25 minutes. Four corn cobs are brushed with vegetable oil, grilled for about 15 minutes, then finished with butter mixed with Tajín and sea salt. Lime juice, cilantro, and Cotija go over the hot corn after it leaves the grill. Serve it beside kebabs, chicken tenders, lamb, pasta salad, or burgers at a summer meal.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn on the Cob

Aglio e Olio

Close-up of fettuccine pasta tossed with grated cheese, chopped parsley, and red pepper flakes being lifted with a fork. — Aglio e Olio. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Garlic-infused olive oil gives Aglio e Olio six servings in 17 minutes. One pound of linguine cooks with a whole head of sliced garlic, red pepper flakes, parsley, Parmesan, salt, and black pepper. Reserved pasta water loosens the sauce after the noodles are tossed in the skillet. Serve it as a main with salad and bread, or portion it alongside chicken, shrimp, salmon patties, or grilled vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Aglio e Olio

Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders

A plate with honey chicken tenders, broccoli florets, and mashed potatoes. — Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Quick skillet cooking brings Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders to three servings in 15 minutes. Chicken tenderloins take a five-minute marinade in honey, Dijon, apple cider vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. The tenders cook in olive oil for three to four minutes per side over medium heat. Add grilled corn, celery salad, fried zucchini, rice, or pasta salad for a simple summer plate.
Get the Recipe: Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders

Fried Shrimp

Seasoned milk helps Fried Shrimp produce four servings in 20 minutes. One pound of shrimp soaks for 10 minutes with garlic, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper before being pressed into seasoned flour. Small batches fry at 375°F for three to four minutes, keeping the coating crisp while the seafood cooks through. Serve the shrimp with cocktail sauce, slaw, grilled corn, pasta salad, or lemon wedges.
Get the Recipe: Fried Shrimp

Antipasto Skewers

No-cook assembly turns Antipasto Skewers into 16 portions in 20 minutes. Mozzarella balls, prosciutto, salami, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, green olives, black olives, pesto, and herbs create the layered bites. The completed skewers can stay covered in the refrigerator until 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Put them out as an appetizer with pasta, grilled meat, salads, bread, or chilled drinks.
Get the Recipe: Antipasto Skewers

Chick-fil-A Nuggets

Golden fried chicken pieces with a side of dipping sauce. — Chick-fil-A Nuggets. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Bite-sized chicken breast turns Chick-fil-A Nuggets into four servings in 30 minutes. Milk and egg help a light coating of flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper cling before frying in peanut oil. The nuggets cook in batches for three to five minutes at 355°F, and pickle juice is optional rather than part of the main method. Serve them with dipping sauce, corn, salad, fries, or vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Chick-fil-A Nuggets

Italian Pasta Salad

Bowtie pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, fresh basil leaves, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze in a green bowl. — Italian Pasta Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Bow-tie pasta fills Italian Pasta Salad with four servings in 18 minutes. Pesto, halved cherry tomatoes, baby bocconcini, mixed greens, balsamic glaze, salt, and pepper complete the chilled bowl. Rinsing the cooked pasta under cold water stops the cooking before it is tossed with the pesto and toppings. Serve it cold or at room temperature beside chicken, shrimp, kebabs, quesadillas, or grilled corn.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pasta Salad

Kung Pao Chicken

A close-up of a stir-fry dish featuring pieces of chicken, snap peas, red bell peppers, scallions, and black sesame seeds. — Kung Pao Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Snap peas and red pepper give Kung Pao Chicken four servings in 30 minutes. Cubed chicken breast cooks with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, rice wine, vinegar, chicken broth, sugar, cornstarch, vegetable oil, and sesame oil. The chicken sears first before the vegetables and thickened sauce finish the wok. Spoon it over egg fried rice or noodles, and add cucumber salad, steamed greens, or appetizer skewers.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken

Egg Fried Rice

Oval dish filled with fried rice garnished with chopped green onions. — Egg Fried Rice. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Cooled jasmine rice makes Egg Fried Rice in four servings in 25 minutes. Eggs, vegetable oil, green onions, soy sauce, and sesame oil complete the short ingredient list. Soft scrambled eggs join the rice in a hot wok before the seasonings cook for another two to three minutes, creating some golden grains. Use it as a side for Kung Pao chicken, fried shrimp, chicken tenders, kebabs, or vegetables.
Get the Recipe: Egg Fried Rice

Caprese Appetizer Bites

Image shows an overhead shot of Caprese Bites on a wooden board. — Caprese Appetizer Bites. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Toasted baguette rounds make Caprese Appetizer Bites 20 servings in 15 minutes. Fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, tomato slices, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and balsamic glaze top the bread. Cooling the toast before assembly keeps the cheese from melting and helps the base stay crisp. Add the glaze shortly before serving, then place the bites beside skewers, salads, pasta, or grilled mains.
Get the Recipe: Caprese Appetizer Bites

Fried Zucchini

A plate of baked zucchini chips topped with shredded parmesan cheese and a lemon wedge on the side. — Fried Zucchini. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Thin vegetable slices give Fried Zucchini four servings in 25 minutes. Zucchini is lightly coated with flour, salt, and pepper before cooking in olive oil, then finished with fresh herbs, Parmesan, and lemon juice. A brief rest draws out moisture, while two to three minutes on the first side and one to two on the second create browned edges. Serve it hot as an appetizer or side with pasta, chicken, shrimp, or lamb.
Get the Recipe: Fried Zucchini

Celery Salad

A bowl filled with chopped celery, red onion, apples, almonds, and fresh herbs. — Celery Salad. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Granny Smith apple brightens Celery Salad, a four-serving side with 15 minutes of preparation. Celery, red onion, Medjool dates, roasted almonds, Parmesan, parsley, garlic, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and olive oil fill the bowl. After mixing, the salad rests for 20 minutes, so the full schedule runs longer than the stated preparation time. Serve it with grilled meat, salmon patties, chicken tenders, sandwiches, or pasta.
Get the Recipe: Celery Salad

Lemon Pasta

A bowl of pasta with lemon slices and parmesan cheese. — Lemon Pasta. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Fresh citrus brings Lemon Pasta to four servings in 15 minutes. Spaghetti is tossed with olive oil, diced onion, garlic, lemon juice and zest, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and reserved pasta water. The onion and garlic soften for six to seven minutes before the cooked noodles join the skillet. Serve the pasta with Caprese salad, chicken tenders, salmon patties, grilled vegetables, bread, or fried zucchini.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Pasta

Cheese Quesadilla

A person lifts a cheesy quesadilla slice from a wooden board. Nearby are bowls of guacamole and salsa on a light-colored table. — Cheese Quesadilla. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Melted mozzarella turns Cheese Quesadilla into two servings in nine minutes. Four flour tortillas need only butter and two cups of shredded cheese for the basic skillet method. Each quesadilla cooks for two to three minutes per side before being cut into quarters. Serve the wedges as an appetizer with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream, or add rice, salad, corn, beans, or chicken for a larger meal.
Get the Recipe: Cheese Quesadilla

Skillet Miso Butter Chicken Thighs with Burnt Honey

Close-up of grilled, well-seasoned, and charred chicken pieces with visible herbs on a plate. — Skillet Miso Butter Chicken Thighs with Burnt Honey. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

White miso seasons Skillet Miso Butter Chicken Thighs with Burnt Honey across four servings. Six chicken thighs cook with soy sauce, sesame oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon, orange, butter, honey, and salt. A 15-to-30-minute marinade comes before searing, covered skillet cooking, butter basting, and a final one-to-two-minute honey caramelization, extending the schedule beyond the stated 30 minutes. Serve it with rice, noodles, roasted vegetables, cucumber salad, or grilled corn.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Miso Butter Chicken Thighs with Burnt Honey

Salmon Patties

Finely diced salmon gives Salmon Patties two servings and six patties in 25 minutes. Breadcrumbs, green onions, garlic, basil, dill, egg, paprika, lemon zest and juice, salt, and pepper hold the mixture together. The patties cook in a lightly greased skillet for about five minutes per side. Serve them with sour cream and lemon wedges, then add celery salad, corn, rice, roasted vegetables, or Caprese salad.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Patties

Easy Caprese Salad in Minutes

Caprese salad in a serving bowl, with tomatoes, oil and balsamic glaze nearby. — Easy Caprese Salad in Minutes. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Ripe tomatoes make Easy Caprese Salad in Minutes eight servings with a 23-minute total time. Fresh mozzarella, basil, olive oil, salt, pepper, and a balsamic vinegar reduction form the platter. The balsamic simmers for 12 to 18 minutes before the tomatoes and cheese are layered, though prepared glaze can shorten the process. Serve it as a side or appetizer with pasta, chicken, lamb kebabs, salmon patties, or bread.
Get the Recipe: Easy Caprese Salad in Minutes

Pesto Pasta

A bowl of penne pasta with green pesto sauce, topped with grated cheese and fresh basil leaves, with a black serving spoon. — Pesto Pasta. Photo credit: Splash of Taste.

Homemade basil sauce coats Pesto Pasta across four servings in 22 minutes. Short pasta, fresh basil, garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, Parmesan, toasted pine nuts, and salt create the dish. A food processor handles the pesto while the pasta cooks, and reserved pasta water loosens the sauce during tossing. Serve it warm or at room temperature with Caprese salad, chicken, shrimp, corn, fried zucchini, or antipasto skewers.
Get the Recipe: Pesto Pasta

Lamb Kebabs

Ground meat and herbs make Lamb Kebabs six servings with a 20-minute stated total. Lamb, sautéed onion and garlic, coriander, mint, cumin, salt, and pepper are shaped around skewers, while Greek yogurt, paprika, and cumin create the sauce. Wooden skewers need a 30-minute soak before the kebabs grill for eight to 10 minutes, and optional chilling can help them hold shape. Serve them with flatbread, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, salad, rice, or grilled corn.
Get the Recipe: Lamb Kebabs