Sunday dinners with the family are a perfect time to squeeze in that last bit of weekend together before the busy weeknights start. I especially love the summers when we can grill or eat on the patio.
We have lots of great summer Sunday dinner ideas for you – meat, chicken and seafood recipes, grilled vegetarian mains and sides, and summer salads.
So grab a refreshing drink and start scrolling to find your perfect summer meal.
What you will find here
All of the recipes are make ahead, at least partially, and most are are quick to prepare, under 30 minutes.
We chose easy summer dinner recipes with lots of fresh produce and simple ingredients. A fresh salad is a perfect dish for hot summer nights. Or bust out the grill to make amazing-tasting fresh vegetables and proteins for an easy dinner.
Just one more thing. The summer heat can certainly be a good reason not to want to stand in a hot kitchen or cook over a hot grill. If you have the equipment, the sous vide cooking method is a fabulous way to avoid all that. Here are our best sous vide recipes to add to our list of summer Sunday dinner ideas if you want to go that route.
Meat, Chicken and Seafood Main Dishes
Smoked Chicken Thighs Recipe
Treat yourself to juicy, mildly smoky BBQ chicken with this smoked chicken thighs recipe. No need for a smoker, wood chips or long cooking times. Just a simple wood plank to infuse the smoke flavor and make the grilling easy. And don’t be intimidated by plank grilling – it’s surprisingly simple!
Canadian Maple Cedar Plank Salmon
This rich, mildly smoky Canadian Maple Cedar Plank Salmon is glazed with maple syrup, balsamic, grainy mustard, butter & garlic. Easy, mouthwatering and a big crowd pleaser.
Grilled Shrimp Rolls (aka lobster roll alternative) Recipe
Grilled shrimp rolls may be the poor man’s lobster roll, but the dressed-up plump juicy morsels of shrimp in a buttery toasted roll are simply scrumptious!
Grilled Marinated Flank Steak
When cooked right, this grilled marinated flank steak is a delicious, lean, robust-tasting meat that’s a great choice for a crowd. And there are lots of great ways to use leftovers if you’re lucky enough to have any.
Juicy Grilled Pork Chops
If you’re tired of dry, bland pork chops, look no further. These glazed juicy grilled pork chops are tender, moist and flavorful. You will be amazed at what a few simple tips and tricks can do.
How To Grill The Perfect Steak
There’s something groan-worthy about taking that first bite of a perfectly cooked tender, juicy well seasoned steak. Here are the steps and tips for how to grill the perfect steak based on years of grilling and research.
Ribs With Peach BBQ Sauce
Ribs with peach barbecue sauce are super tender and full of bold, sweet and savory flavors. They cook low and slow, but the hands-on part is minimal. These scrumptious ribs are baked then finished on the grill or under the broiler.
Spicy Honey Lime Chicken
The combination of honey (or maple syrup), soy sauce, sriracha, lime, garlic and ginger in this spicy honey lime chicken recipe is wicked. Delicious hot, room temp or cold. Use thighs for maximum flavor and moistness, but chicken breasts will work fine too.
Shrimp Lettuce Wrap with Mango Slaw Recipe
If you believe that a low calorie, low carb, healthy, gluten-free and low fat dish can’t be absolutely delicious, Shrimp Lettuce Wraps with Mango Slaw will prove you wrong.
Classic Chicken Salad Recipe
Vegetarian Grill Recipes
Veggie Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
A delicious main or side dish, these veggie stuffed portobello mushrooms, filled with fresh vegetables, fresh herbs and mozzarella cheese, are a wonderful change of pace. When I talk about ‘stuffed’ in this recipe, I mean STUFFED!
Easy Eggplant Parmesan (30 minutes)
This easy Eggplant Parmesan recipe has no breading, no frying and no pre-salting. It’s unfussy, healthy and simply delicious. Good shortcuts cut the time down to 30 minutes. Make it on the grill or in the oven.
Easy Vegetarian Fajitas Recipe (20 minutes)
In 20 minutes, you can be sitting down to a delicious, satisfying, assemble-your-own vegetarian fajita feast with your favorite toppings. Start with the basics – bell peppers, red onions, fajita seasonings and flour tortillas – then customize from there. Make the veggies on the grill or in a skillet.
Lemon Risotto with Grilled Vegetables (Instant Pot)
Creamy risotto without the constant hands-on stirring? Yes! Instant pot lemon risotto with grilled vegetables takes minimal effort for exceptional results. Ready in 30 minutes.
Vegetable Pasta Recipe with Wine Sauce
Seasonal vegetables get front row attention in this vegetable pasta recipe with wine sauce. This vegetarian weeknight meal can be made ahead in 30 minutes with grilled or roasted veggies. A super versatile dish.
Summer Salads for BBQs
Party Salad with Grilled Vegetables and Quinoa
We love this Party Salad with Grilled Vegetables and Quinoa, loaded with eggplant, corn, peppers and maple-balsamic dressing. Three sides in one colorful dish. Or a great stand-alone main dish with some crusty bread.
Pesto Orzo and Vegetables
A taste of summer, Pesto Orzo and Vegetables is a super flavorful, healthy dish with pesto, spinach, green beans and cherry tomatoes. Ready in 20 minutes.
Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe (with grilled vegetables)
This orzo pasta salad recipe with grilled vegetables is a beautiful make-ahead, under 30 minute side dish and a step up from the usual sides. Vary the ingredients to make it your own.
Peach Salad With Walnut Dressing
This beautiful peach salad puts those juicy ripe peaches of summer in the spotlight and is easy to prep ahead. Just add the deliciously rich, nutty walnut dressing before serving.
Best Citrus Salad With Greens
Sweet oranges and tangy grapefruit tossed in vinaigrette over salad greens make this delicious citrus salad a lovely all-season salad. Refreshing and pretty! We use a simple citrus vinaigrette for zip, nuts for crunch and creamy avocado for a contrasting texture. Quick, easy and beautiful.
Herbed Potato Salad (no eggs, no mayo)
Herbed potato salad is a delicious side dish that’s quick and easy to make and bursting with lemon, garlic and fresh herb flavors.
Panzanella Salad Recipe with Peaches
This panzanella salad recipe with peaches is a simple tuscan bread salad that celebrates fresh summer peaches, tomatoes, cucumbers and basil. Great side dish or a perfect summer meal on hot days.
Tomato and Onion Salad
This sweet, tangy Marinated Tomato Salad with homemade Catalina dressing creates a colorful side dish even when tomatoes are not at their best. Use regular, cocktail or cherry tomatoes.
Healthy Vegetable Quinoa Salad Recipe
This flavorful vegetable quinoa salad recipe is packed with healthy fresh veggies, pops with bold colors and is super versatile. Great for lunches, potluck or buffet tables.
Corn and Tomato Salad
Don’t let summer end without a sweet corn and tomato salad. Add quinoa to the fresh corn and tomatoes to make it a satisfying vegetarian main dish. Easy, quick and versatile with whatever you have on hand.
The Best Grilled Vegetables
Sweet & Tangy Grilled Eggplant Recipe
Eggplant lovers will rave about this grilled eggplant recipe with a sweet and tangy glaze. The beautiful bold colors make this an impressive side dish at any BBQ or picnic.
Grilled Peaches Recipe
(I know this is a fruit – so good!) This grilled peaches recipe will transform summer peaches into a bit of magic in less than 10 minutes. The true taste of summer.
Charred Onions on the Grill
Tender, sweet charred onions on the grill make a delicious condiment or side dish and are a snap to make using a grill basket. Little effort, big return. A pretty traditional topping for burgers, but also delicious in burritos, quesadillas, scrambled eggs, salsas, quinoa or rice dishes.
Grilled Potatoes and Veggies
Next time you’re grilling some steaks or your favorite protein, try these super easy grilled potatoes and veggies – a two-in-one side dish. Dinner in a flash with whatever veggies you have lying around. And a perfect way to use that great summer produce.
Grilled Carrots With Balsamic Glaze
These vibrant, sweet, tender, caramelized Grilled Carrots with Balsamic Glaze add a little drama to the table. A great side dish for BBQs and potlucks.
Grilled Cabbage
Grilled cabbage is turned into our version of a super flavorful, no mayo coleslaw. The vibrant colors of the red cabbage, julienne carrots, green onion and sesame seeds make a stunning vegetarian side dish.
