8 Healthy, Simple Summer Dinner Ideas for Breezy Nights

By Jess Novak

July 30, 2024

Courtesy of Pinch of Yum

Coming up with healthy dinners night after night can feel like a drag, especially in the summer, when we all just want to take things a little easier. So, to ease the struggle and help you enjoy simpler nights, we’ve gathered these summer dinner ideas to make on repeat. They’re all simple to make, and utilize inexpensive and wholesome ingredients — plus, there’s something here for you no matter what you’re in the mood for.

1. White Bean Ragout

It’s hard to beat a simple, 30-minute, one-pan meal, especially when it features summer tomatoes and fresh herbs. Use dried or canned beans, depending on your preference. This fiber-rich vegetarian dish is perfect with crusty bread or a whole grain like quinoa, and it tastes even better the next day.

Try the recipe from Once Upon a Chef.

2. Sweet Chili Chicken Leg Quarters

Chicken leg quarters are often overlooked in favor of breasts and thighs, but it’s time to give them another go. Not only are they juicy, tender, and flavorful, they’re also amazingly budget-friendly. This super-simple recipe uses just four ingredients and is so easy to toss on the grill on a busy weeknight.

Try the recipe from Or Whatever You Do.

3. Spicy Steamed Mussels

Mussels seem fancy, but they’re actually both very inexpensive and easy to cook, so you don’t have to wait for a date night to enjoy them. They’re also healthy, rich in iron, protein, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids. Plan for about a pound per person (that factors in the shells), and don’t forget to serve some crusty whole-grain bread to soak up the tomato-y, garlicky broth.

Try the recipe from Carmy.

4. Grilled Skirt Steak with Tomato Salad

Take a few minutes in the morning to marinate the steak, and come home to a delicious, easy, festive summer dinner that’s on the table in 20 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the steak; skirt is a tender, ropy cut that turns tough if cooked past medium rare. If you find raw red onion too sharp, let the slices sit in a bowl of vinegar to soften and mellow while you make the rest of the meal. Drain and add to the tomato salad as written.

Try the recipe from What’s Gaby Cooking.

5. Sweet Potato Noodles with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

You may not think of sweet potatoes right away when dreaming up summer dinner ideas, but spiraling them into noodles and topping them with a roasted red pepper sauce makes them perfect for warmer weather. This vegetarian recipe is delicious on its own, but if you want to boost the protein content, feel free to add a can of rinsed black beans or some leftover rotisserie chicken.

Try the recipe from Detoxinista.

6. Salmon Burgers

You can use canned or leftover cooked salmon in this recipe, as well as any fresh herbs that you have on hand, which makes these patties economical as well as tasty. If you’re gluten free or prefer a lower-carb option, you can swap in almond flour for the breadcrumbs, per the recipe. As far as summer dinner ideas go, this one is hearty and filling without weighing you down, especially with the cabbage slaw on the side.

Try the recipe from Pinch of Yum.

7. Ground Turkey Fried Rice

Put away that takeout menu: This fried rice, featuring lean ground turkey, is every bit as tasty, and on the table in 20 minutes. Plus, it’s rich in protein, minerals, and B vitamins. This is a great way to use up leftover brown rice, which the recipe calls for — or if you don’t have any on hand, you can swap in leftover quinoa or cauliflower rice.

Try the recipe from Show Me the Yummy.

8. Buffalo Tofu Quinoa Bowls

This recipe had us at “buffalo tofu.” You make this super-tasty protein by brushing firm tofu cubes with buffalo hot sauce, then baking — and we might be making tofu only this way from now on forever. Serve it on top of cooked quinoa (or another whole grain) with any veggies you like, and you have a fun and delicious grain bowl that’s sure to join your regular rotation.

Try the recipe from That Was Vegan.