As summer breezes in, it brings with it a multitude of seasonal, fresh flavours, and a delightful shift in the culinary landscape – offering you the tastiest, best summer dinner ideas for a garden party, BBQ night, or the like. It is the perfect season to make refreshing summer salads, grilled masterpieces, light summer pasta dishes and sweet dessert treats with the best summer fruits and berries.
Our summer dinner ideas are perfect for planning a garden party, picnic, or BBQ night. It is all about crafting the perfect menu from our selection of summer dinner ideas, embracing the season's best produce, and letting them shine. But most importantly, it is about enjoying the process of creating and sharing meals with your loved ones.
Gather your loved ones around an easy summer dinner
There is something incredibly special about gathering your loved ones around a table for an easy summer dinner. The laughter, shared stories, and clinking of glasses under the warm sun – these are moments that make memories. And the best part? You do not have to spend hours in the kitchen to make these moments happen.
Our summer dinner ideas focus on dishes that are easy to prepare, yet still deliver on taste with the help of some of the best summer foods in season. After all, summer is about enjoying the beautiful weather and spending time with those you care about with great food that is as easy to prepare and serve as it is delicious.
Refreshing and light summer dinner ideas
Summer is upon us, bringing along a myriad of refreshing and light summer dinner ideas that capture the vibrant flavours of the season. If you are looking to be inspired, we have a great selection of summer dinner ideas for you combining freshness, flavour, and simplicity, all while ensuring you keep your cool.
Our summer dinner ideas range from fresh salads bursting with the juiciness of fresh fruits to heartier options that offer a blend of sweet and savoury notes to small desserts that encapsulates the sweetness of the season. These summer dinner ideas offer a delicious and refreshing way to enjoy the best of what summer has to offer. So, gather your ingredients, fire up the BBQ, and get ready to savour the taste of summer.
Strawberry salad
One of the best summer dinner ideas is our exquisite and refreshing strawberry salad. Sweet, juicy strawberries are combined with savoury grilled vegetables and crumbled salad cheese to create a true summer delight. The standout component of this dish is the vinaigrette. The dressing is a delightful blend of sun-dried tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, and strawberries. This creates an explosive burst of flavour that compliments the sweetness of the strawberries while also amplifying the earthiness of the vegetables.
Watermelon salad
You can also enjoy a refreshing, vibrant, and colourful watermelon salad. Juicy, sweet cubes of watermelon are paired with a tangy, creamy salad cheese, providing a delightful contrast in both taste and texture. The salad is drizzled with homemade balsamic syrup made from dark balsamic vinegar and sugar, giving the salad a sweet and tangy note. This salad has it all – it is summery sweet, refreshing, slightly tangy, and full of interesting textures.
Grilled peach salad
One of our summer dinner ideas with a hint of BBQ flavour is this grilled peach salad. It perfectly combines the natural sweetness and smoky flavours of grilled peaches with a refreshing mix of crisp greens, olives, avocado, onions, and walnuts. Drizzled with fresh lemon juice, it boasts a refreshing, tangy counterpoint to the sweetness of the peaches. Grilling the peaches enhances their sweetness and allows their sugars to caramelise, offering a delightful addition to the tasty salad.
Rhubarb crumble
Rhubarb crumble might be one of our favourite summer dinner ideas in sweet cuisine. This classic dessert blends the zesty zing of rhubarb compote with the sugary crunch of the crumble topping. Crowned with velvety vanilla cream, this delicacy is a captivating medley of contrasting yet perfectly balanced flavours. A generous spoonful of creamy vanilla cream completes the dessert, adding a smooth, rich dimension to balance the tart rhubarb and crunchy crumble.
Summer dinner recipes with chicken
If you are seeking hearty yet light summer dinner ideas, consider turning to the versatile and universally beloved ingredient – chicken. We have curated a couple of delicious summer dinner ideas with chicken and summer ingredients; dishes that are not just hearty and satisfying, but also light enough to enjoy on a balmy summer evening.
Chicken sandwich
A chicken sandwich often takes the top spot among summer dinner ideas for a picnic or an easy, light meal bursting with flavour. Our take on this all-time favourite turns a simple meal into a summer gourmet delight. The chicken is marinated in Worcestershire sauce, lending a distinct sweet and tangy depth, then layered with Caesar mayo, sweet-tangy pickled red onions, salty bacon, nutty artichoke hearts, and crispy lettuce.
Pasta with pesto
Immerse yourself in the beauty of simplicity with another one of our easy summer dinner ideas: pasta with pesto. Enjoy the fresh pesto, its vibrant green colour derived from the finest basil and mint leaves, carefully entwined with al dente pasta, and complemented by tender chicken grilled to perfection along with the sweet, smoky notes of chargrilled red bell peppers. The result is a plate of pasta with pesto that is hearty yet balanced, indulgent yet wholesome.
Summer dinner for a crowd
Planning a summer gathering? As the days grow longer and the evenings warmer, our range of summer dinner ideas can make the opportunity to entertain a crowd even more delightful. And with more guests comes more work, which is why we, of course, have some delicious summer dinner ideas for a larger group of guests.
Cabbage salad
Prepare to be surprised by the humble pointed cabbage salad, a simple salad that packs a big flavour punch. Featuring pointed cabbage and thinly sliced apples, this salad brings together diverse textures and flavours to create an outstandingly satisfying side dish that is sure to improve any dinner. A delectable creamy dressing made from crème fraiche, zesty lemon zest, tangy lemon juice, salt, and pepper complements the crispness of the cabbage and the sweet-tart notes of the apples perfectly.
Pesto pasta salad
If you are looking for a dish where fresh ingredients meet sweet and zesty flavours, then you have found a winner with this pesto pasta salad. This delightful dish pairs perfectly cooked pasta with a colourful medley of Galia melon, ripe tomatoes, mixed green salad, and slices of savoury salami. The star of the show is the homemade cottage cheese pesto that brings a creamy element to the salad. The base of aromatic basil and sharp parmesan infuses the dish with a richness that is simply irresistible.
Grilled pork roast
If you have never tried grilled pork roast, here is your chance. Experience the rich, succulent taste of the pork roast, its outer layer transformed into a crispy, slightly charred crust through the power of the BBQ. Just beneath the crust, you will find the meat to be astonishingly tender and juicy. Serve it with a mix of crunchy broccoli, sweet peas, juicy plums, sharp onions, and aromatic coriander with a delicious Asian-inspired dressing to give the grilled pork roast a well-balanced counterpart.
Rhubarb cheesecake
Indulge your senses with our rhubarb cheesecake featuring a sweet and crumbly base made from dark chocolate and sweet vanilla biscuits. Enjoy the delightful balance of sweet vanilla cream cheese filling, raspberry compote, and rhubarb crisps on top, making for a delightful summer cheesecake filled with sweet and tart flavours.
Make-ahead summer dinner party ideas
With our make-ahead summer dinner ideas, you will have time not only to prepare a delicious meal but also to enjoy the company of your guests. Focus on dishes that not only taste better with time when the flavours have time to meld but can keep for a day or two without losing their charm. So, no more last-minute rush or stress, just the joy of sharing a meal prepared ahead.
Potato salad
Welcome summer with one of our favourite summer dinner ideas: a bowl of classic potato salad, a dish that sings of sunshine and dinner parties. This rendition features tender potatoes paired with summer peas and peppery radishes. Mix with a dressing made from creamy crème fraiche, subtly tangy Dijon mustard, and fresh chives, and you have yourself a very tasty side dish. But the best thing is, it is more than easy to prepare in large batches, and it gets even better when it is allowed to sit a few hours or overnight for the flavours to meld.
Olive bread
Experience the pull of the Mediterranean with olive bread, a fine addition to our list of summer dinner ideas that you can easily make ahead and serve for a large group, too. This aromatic and flavourful bread artfully combines the tangy taste of olives with aromatic notes of thyme, making it delicious with various dips that you can also easily prepare ahead, making for a true no-fuss side dish.
Spinach quiche
Delight in a classic that never goes out of style – spinach quiche, a shining star among our summer dinner ideas. It features a base of creamy cottage cheese, shredded cheese, and eggs, creating a luxurious, smooth texture that serves as the perfect stage for sweet and earthy spinach. And, topped with cheese before baking, it is sure to be a hit. It will keep for a few days, and you can even freeze it, allowing you to bake it before your summer dinner party so it is more than easy to serve it after a quick reheating in the oven.
Summer dinner ideas for the BBQ or campfire
When you think of summer, you probably picture warm evenings under an open sky filled with the comforting aroma of delicious food cooking over a hot BBQ or campfire. This transforms simple ingredients into unforgettable meals, when the food absorbs the smoky essence of the fire, enhancing its natural flavours and adding a new depth that is hard to achieve with other cooking techniques.
Both BBQ and campfire cooking offers you the chance to step out of the confines of the kitchen and enjoy nature. Take your dinner outdoors and see how it can transform your meals, creating not just delightful dishes but memories as well. Let these summer dinner ideas inspire you to explore the potential of fire, creating meals that are filled with the flavours of summer.
In need of more summer dinner ideas? Check out our best BBQ recipes, our idea for choosing the best foods for campfire night, and the ultimate guide to BBQ sauces.
Grilled corn on the cob
Our grilled corn on the cob is a classic BBQ favourite with a spicy twist. The sweet corn gets a smoky, charred flavour that infuses every bite with a tantalising taste. Serve it with crumbled salad cheese and homemade chilli butter. The fiery mixture brings together herbs, lime, and fresh chilli in a blend that is as spicy as it is savoury. When slathered on the warm corn, this chilli butter melts beautifully, seeping into the kernels and adding a layer of richness to the smoky, charred, and sweet corn flavour.
Bread on a stick
Revisit the joy of outdoor cooking with bread on a stick, an enjoyable inclusion in our summer dinner ideas for kids as well as adults. This rustic delicacy is as fun to make as it is delicious to eat.
Wrap the dough around sticks, hold it over the campfire, and ss the bread bakes over the open fire, savouring the delightful aromas of freshly baked bread mixed with a smoky, outdoorsy aroma.
Grilled nectarines
Enjoy the sweet side of grilling with grilled nectarines, a tasty dessert in our list of summer dinner ideas. This simple but incredibly delicious delicacy showcases the beauty of this sweet summer fruit. The nectarines are halved and placed on the BBQ, where the heat caramelises their natural sugars. The smoking hot BBQ turns their juicy flesh into a soft, warm treat that is a delight to bite into. Serve with a sweet and tart raspberry whipped cream as a light dessert or a special treat on a sunny afternoon.
Appetisers for a summer dinner party
The art of a successful summer dinner party lies in the appetisers. They set the tone for the meal to come and rouse anticipation. These small bites may be small, but they carry a significant role – to impress and tantalise your taste buds.
Summer appetisers offer a world of creativity. A well-curated selection of appetisers allows your guests to sample an array of flavours and textures. They can cater to various likes and preferences, ensuring that there is something for everyone to enjoy. Whether your guests prefer sweet or savoury, creamy or crisp, there is an appetiser that is just right.
Pimientos de Padrón
Taste a slice of Spain with pimientos de Padrón, a popular tapas dish. Renowned as delightful finger food, these small, green peppers pack a punch in flavour despite their modest size. They are mild and slightly sweet, creating an enjoyable, easy-to-eat snack, although some pack a surprising, spicy kick. Once cooked, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt to add a crunchy texture and intensify the taste of the peppers, creating a snack that is simple, yet incredibly satisfying.
Tzatziki
Immerse yourself in the authentic flavours of Greek cuisine with tzatziki, a traditional dip with fraiche, garlic cloves, ground pepper, cucumbers, and salt known for its refreshing taste and versatile usage. Whether served as an appetiser, a side dish, or a complement to grilled meats and Mediterranean dishes, tzatziki brings a cool, creamy touch that is simply irresistible.
Finger sandwiches
Savour the joy of a delightful snack with our elegant finger sandwiches, the ideal light and refreshing appetiser to enjoy during breezy summer dinner parties. These petite delicacies feature a divine filling of succulent shrimp combined with luxuriously creamy garlic-infused cream cheese, creating a harmonious blend of flavours that is both indulgently rich and divine. A zesty twist of lemon brightens the overall flavour, and a scattering of fresh mint leaves subtly contributes to the refreshing character of the sandwiches. Each sandwich is a bite of perfection, delivering a range of textures and flavours, poised to impress with their delectable taste and elegant presentation.
