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Summer Recipes

Cookouts, salads, and cold treats

37 recipes

Make the most of warm weather with cookout favorites, crisp salads, juicy stone fruit, and cool treats to beat the heat.

Appetizers

Classic Bruschetta

Classic Bruschetta

A timeless Italian appetizer featuring golden, garlic-rubbed toasted bread topped with a vibrant mixture of fresh tomatoes, basil, olive oil, and a hint of balsamic. Simple, stunning, and endlessly crowd-pleasing — this is the bruschetta you'll make on repeat all summer long.

Soups

Classic Gazpacho

Classic Gazpacho

A vibrant, chilled Spanish tomato soup that's as refreshing as it is simple. Made with peak-season raw vegetables blended to a silky, bright finish, this gazpacho is the gold standard — bold with ripe tomatoes, kissed with sherry vinegar, and finished with a drizzle of good olive oil. No cooking required, just great ingredients and a blender. Perfect for hot summer days and easy enough for a weeknight.

Salads

Blood Orange & Avocado Salad

Blood Orange & Avocado Salad

This beautiful blood orange and avocado salad brightens up dreary winter days! It's loaded with delicious fresh, seasonal flavors and makes a statement on the dinner table. Recipe yields 4 servings.

Watermelon Feta Salad

A refreshing, crowd-pleasing summer salad that balances sweet juicy watermelon with salty crumbled feta, crisp cucumber, and fresh mint, all tied together with a simple honey-lime dressing. It comes together in minutes and is always a hit at cookouts, picnics, and backyard gatherings. No cooking required — just chop, toss, and serve.

Caesar Salad

Caesar Salad

Crisp romaine with creamy Caesar dressing, parmesan, and croutons.

Classic Caprese Salad

Classic Caprese Salad

A timeless Italian summer salad of ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil, finished with good olive oil and a pinch of flaky salt. No cooking required — just great ingredients arranged beautifully. The secret is simplicity: use the best tomatoes and mozzarella you can find, and the dish practically makes itself.

Caprese Salad

Caprese Salad

Tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil with balsamic and olive oil.

Classic Pasta Salad

Classic Pasta Salad

A crowd-pleasing, colorful pasta salad loaded with crisp vegetables, savory salami, tangy olives, and a zesty Italian-style dressing. It's the ultimate make-ahead dish for potlucks, BBQs, picnics, and weekday lunches. The longer it sits, the better it tastes — making it one of the most reliable recipes you'll ever make.

Cucumber Salad

Cucumber Salad

Crisp, lightly pickled cucumbers in a sweet-sour dressing.

Favorite Chickpea Salad

Favorite Chickpea Salad

This chickpea salad recipe is the best! Keep this healthy chickpea salad in the fridge—it's the perfect side salad, snack and meal component. It’s vegan and gluten free, too! Recipe yields 4 generous side salads or 6 medium.

Favorite Quinoa Salad

Favorite Quinoa Salad

This quinoa salad recipe is the best! Everyone loves this healthy quinoa salad made with quinoa, chickpeas, red bell pepper, cucumber, parsley and lemon. It's vegan and gluten free, too! Recipe yields 4 medium salads or 8 side salads.

Garden Salad

Garden Salad

Fresh greens with tomato, cucumber, and carrot.

Greek Salad

Greek Salad

Cucumber, tomato, olives, and feta in a red wine vinaigrette.

Green Bean and Corn Quinoa Salad

Green Bean and Corn Quinoa Salad

This summery quinoa salad features sautéed green beans with sweet corn and cherry tomatoes in a simple lemon-basil dressing. Top with toasted sliced almonds (mandatory) and feta (optional)! Recipe yields 6 servings.

House Side Salad

House Side Salad

A small, simple salad of greens with shredded carrot and croutons.

How to Make the Best Kale Salad

How to Make the Best Kale Salad

A guide to making the best kale salad with tips on removing ribs, chopping, salting, massaging, dressing, and tossing. Kale salads are great pack-for-lunch options that keep well in the refrigerator for a couple of days, packed full of nutrients and fiber.

Arugula Salad

Arugula Salad

Peppery arugula with lemon, olive oil, and parmesan.

Breakfast

Blueberry Smoothie

Blueberry Smoothie

Make this blueberry smoothie for breakfast! This smoothie recipe is creamy, luscious and so nutritious. You'll need frozen blueberries and bananas, almond butter and almond milk. Recipe yields 2 servings (about 4 cups); you can easily halve or double the recipe.

Lunch

Balsamic Roasted Broccoli and Red Pepper Grilled Cheese

Hearty grilled cheese sandwiches made with whole grain bread and stuffed with caramelized, balsamic roasted vegetables and cheddar cheese. Recipe yields 4 sandwiches.

Mains

Grilled Chicken Skewers

Grilled Chicken Skewers

Juicy, golden-charred chicken skewers marinated in a bright blend of olive oil, lemon, garlic, and herbs. This is the kind of reliable backyard recipe that everyone asks for — simple enough for a weeknight, impressive enough for a cookout. The marinade does all the heavy lifting, keeping the chicken moist and flavorful every time.

Classic Grilled Burgers

Classic Grilled Burgers

Juicy, flavorful homemade burgers grilled to perfection — the kind of classic backyard burger that never goes out of style. A simple seasoned beef patty with a slightly crispy char on the outside and a tender, juicy center, served on a toasted bun with all your favorite toppings. This foolproof recipe nails the fundamentals: the right beef blend, minimal handling, and proper grill technique for a burger everyone will love.

Classic BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Classic BBQ Baby Back Ribs

Fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs with a smoky-sweet dry rub, slow-baked in the oven until impossibly tender, then finished on the grill (or under the broiler) with a sticky, caramelized BBQ glaze. This foolproof method guarantees juicy, flavorful ribs every time — no smoker required.

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Juicy, smoky grilled shrimp skewers with a simple garlic-lemon marinade that lets the shrimp shine. Ready in under 30 minutes, these are a crowd-pleasing staple for backyard cookouts, weeknight dinners, or summer entertaining. The key is a short marinade, a hot grill, and not overcooking — perfectly pink and lightly charred every time.

Sides

Classic Corn on the Cob

Classic Corn on the Cob

Sweet, juicy corn on the cob boiled to tender perfection and finished with butter and salt. This is the gold-standard home method — simple, reliable, and crowd-pleasing every time. Whether it's a summer cookout side or a weeknight dinner staple, perfectly cooked corn needs nothing more than a few pantry basics to shine.

Creamy Coleslaw

Creamy Coleslaw

A classic, crowd-pleasing creamy coleslaw with crisp shredded cabbage and carrots tossed in a tangy, sweet, and rich dressing. This well-tested recipe strikes the perfect balance — not too sweet, not too sharp — and gets better as it sits. Perfect for BBQs, picnics, potlucks, or alongside any grilled or fried main.

Classic Potato Salad

Classic Potato Salad

A timeless, crowd-pleasing potato salad made with tender Yukon Gold potatoes, creamy mayo dressing, tangy mustard, crunchy celery, and hard-boiled eggs. This is the kind of reliable, no-fuss recipe that disappears fast at every cookout, picnic, or family gathering. Make it a few hours ahead so the flavors have time to meld — it only gets better as it sits.

Grilled Vegetable Platter

Grilled Vegetable Platter

A vibrant, crowd-pleasing platter of seasonal vegetables grilled to smoky, caramelized perfection. Zucchini, bell peppers, asparagus, mushrooms, red onion, and corn are tossed in a simple herb-garlic marinade and grilled until tender with beautiful char marks. Perfect as a colorful side dish, vegetarian main, or party spread — and endlessly customizable with whatever's in season.

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Learn how to grill the BEST corn on the cob! With this grilled corn recipe, you'll achieve perfectly tender and flavorful corn with just the right amount of char. Make as much grilled corn as you'd like, leaving a couple of inches around each cob (my grill can fit up to 8 at once).

Grilled Vegetable Skewers

Grilled Vegetable Skewers

Charred peppers, onions, and zucchini on skewers.

Grilled Zucchini

Grilled Zucchini

Smoky grilled zucchini planks brushed with olive oil.

Desserts

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

A rich, creamy, custard-based vanilla ice cream made the classic way — with egg yolks, heavy cream, and real vanilla. This French-style recipe produces a silky, scoopable ice cream that's miles ahead of anything from a carton. It's approachable for home cooks and endlessly customizable once you've mastered the base.

Classic Peach Cobbler

Classic Peach Cobbler

A timeless Southern-style peach cobbler with juicy, cinnamon-spiced peaches bubbling beneath a golden, buttery biscuit topping. This foolproof recipe works beautifully with fresh, frozen, or canned peaches — making it a go-to dessert any time of year. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for pure comfort in every bite.

Berry Popsicles

Berry Popsicles

Bright, fruity, and refreshing — these classic berry popsicles are made with real mixed berries, a touch of honey, and creamy yogurt for a perfectly smooth, vibrant frozen treat. They're endlessly customizable, kid-approved, and take just minutes to prep. No fancy equipment needed — just a popsicle mold and a blender.

Drinks

Fresh Lemonade

Fresh Lemonade

Bright, refreshing, and perfectly balanced — this classic fresh lemonade is made the right way with a simple syrup base that dissolves completely for smooth sweetness in every sip. No grainy sugar, no shortcuts, just real lemons, water, and a touch of sweetness. It's the kind of lemonade that disappears fast at picnics, backyard BBQs, and lazy summer afternoons.

White Peach Sangria

White Peach Sangria

A refreshing, fruit-forward sangria made with crisp white wine, fresh peaches, and a splash of peach schnapps. This crowd-pleasing pitcher drink is easy to make ahead, gets better as it sits, and is perfect for summer gatherings, brunches, and backyard parties. No fancy bartending skills required — just stir, chill, and serve.

Classic Homemade Iced Tea

Classic Homemade Iced Tea

A timeless, refreshing iced tea brewed the right way — strong, smooth, and never bitter. This foolproof method uses black tea steeped at the perfect temperature for a clean, balanced flavor that's not cloudy or harsh. Serve it over plenty of ice with a squeeze of lemon and sweeten to your taste. Perfect for a pitcher on the porch or a crowd at a summer cookout.

Condiments

Basil Pesto Salad Dressing

Basil Pesto Salad Dressing

This simple basil salad dressing takes cues from pesto and pairs marvelously with green salads, Italian/Greek flavors and a variety of bold, summery flavors. Recipe yields about 1/2 cup dressing and keeps well for up to 10 days.

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