35 Sensational Summer Dinners Every Family will Love

I love sitting on the deck in the early evening with my family enjoying nature and sharing with each other over summer dinners. Whether we cook on the grill or I cook inside and bring it outside to eat doesn’t matter, the goal is gathering in the great outdoors for a wonderful summer meal.

I don’t know about you but summer has arrived with a blast of heat and humidity where I live. We went from wintery frost to the hot days of summer around here pretty quickly.

I want to continue to have meals on the deck throughout the summer months whenever weather is permitting. Which is why I’ve been researching summer dinner ideas that I can keep on hand in order to whip up a satisfying and tasty meals and have dinner on the table without too much effort.

Of course whenever I do a bit of research I like to hop over here on the blog and share with you my findings.

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Super Great Summer Dinner Ideas

Summer Dinner Ideas In the Crockpot

A little sweet, a little savory is what you’ll find with these Crockpot Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Tacos  by Host the Toast. The pineapple slaw is the perfect addition to these tasty tacos.

When it comes to lasagna I get overwhelmed. That’s because my favorite go-to recipe is time consuming. But, this Crockpot Veggie Lasagna by Crystal & Co. makes getting dinner on the table so much easier!

The aroma of these smoky and succulent Slow Cooker Barbacoa Tacos by Gimme Some Oven will make your mouth water the whole time they are cooking.

One thing I know from living in Kansas City is good ribs take time. Low & slow is the motto around here when it comes to good BBQ. This Slow Cooker Honey Maple BBQ Ribs by Chef in Training takes the guess work out of what exactly that means. You’ll love the results.

Slow Cooker Pineapple Pulled Pork by Mommypotamus is a delectable summer dish. The author puts hers in soft taco shells, but I prefer sub buns for this one. You can do what works for your family.

 Kid Friendly Summer Dinners

My recipe for coconut lime chicken strips are a perfect kid friendly summer dinner idea.

This Feta and Fire Roasted Tomato Pizza from Faith and Food for Busy Moms is a marvelous kid-friendly summer dinner idea add some sliced cucumbers and cold snap peas on the side to round out the dinner. Plus, I think a simple summer fruit salsa would make a great side dish.

Sliders are kid friendly because they fit in a kid’s hand perfectly. These Asian Pulled Pork Sliders by Produce for Kids are yummy but also offer your kids a way to expand their flavor profiles with this Asian version of pulled pork.

Who doesn’t love a pretzel dog? These Pretzel Dogs by Buns in my Oven are fun, easy, and the kiddos will eat them up.

Summer Dinner On the Grill

Wrap anything in bacon and the family will love it, right? Bacon Wrapped Chicken Skewers with Pinapple & Teriyaki Sauce by Serious Eats is no exception. They are so good they’re cravable.

I love to do something unexpected from time to time when cooking. And, the Cuban flavors of Grilled Cuban Flank Steak by Kaylin’s Kitchen does just that.

This is not your typical Hawaiian chicken, Hawaiian Grilled Chicken by The Girl Who Ate Everything. You’ll be surprised to find there is no pineapple in the recipe. Of course you can serve pineapple on the side if you want.

Quick & Easy Summer Dinner Ideas

Pepperoni Pizza Quesadillas by Snixy Kitchenis a great recipe to teach the kids how to cook. Once you do, you can sit back and relax while they make dinner. So easy you’ll want this for dinner a couple of times a month. Serve with a salad for a complete meal

Romantic Date Night Summer Dinner Ideas

Blackberry Balsamic Glazed Chicken by The Food Charlatan

Chicken Fajita Pasta by Relative Taste

Skinny Bruschetta Chicken by Domestic Superhero

Summer Citrus Salmon en Papillote by Host the Toast

Summer Spaghetti by Anapolis & Company

Salad for Supper

My Family Favorite Summer Salad with recipe card. 

Broccoli Pasta Salad by Crystal & Co.

Got Salad? 19 Summer Salad Ideas by Real the Kitchen & Beyond

Cornbread Salad by Diary of a Recipe Collector

Watermelon, Feta & Arugula Salad by Shared Appetite

Chickpea Salad by Cookie & Kate

Super Side Dishes

Backyard BBQ Side Dishes by How Does She?

Broiled Italian Tomatoes by Crystal & Co.

Easy Corn Casserole by Crystal & Co.

Lemon Herb Roasted Potato Nuggets by Rock Recipes

What about you? Do you love summer dinners on the deck? Or do you prefer to be inside where the air conditioner can keep you cool? Truth be told I like it both ways. But I love spending time with my family and meal time is the perfect time to connect. 

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While You are Here Check out These Summer Dinner Ideas

Summer Dinner Idea: Coconut Lime Chicken 

15 Summer Dinner Ideas 

15 Broccoli Recipes